Chapter 19: NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION

TYPES OF COMMUNICATIONUNICATION

• Two types
• Verbal > the use of language to communicationunicate
• E.g.: intra personal & inter personal communicationunication
• Non-verbal > communicationunication without words
• Daily communicationunication > 35%verbal; 65% non- verbal

“The most important thing in communicationunication is to hear what isn’t being said” – Peter

CATEGORIES OF NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATIONUNICATION

• Body Language – all the expressions that we share by means of our body movements
• Kinesics /kɪnɪsɪks/=the study of body language                                                  

ELEMENTS OF BODY LANGUAGE

1. Personal Appearance
2. A person’s personal appearance is important
3. Wear a dress neatly washed & ironed

Posture = the way we sit, stand & carry ourselves

• Eg: sitting on the edge of the chair in an interview = tension
• Drooping shoulders = depression
• Raised chin & stiff shoulders = defiance

Gestures = the physical movement of arms, legs, hands torso & head

• Gesturing – a natural part of speech & thinking & is culture-specific
• Offloads some of the mental effort of VC
• Communicationon gestures & their meaning
• Waving hands = saying hello/goodbye
• Thumbs up = appreciation/agreement
• Crossed arms = defence, negativity
• Rubbing palms = nervousness

Facial expressions

• The face is the index of the mind
• e.g.: frown = disapproval
• Clenched teeth = suppression of anger
• Raised eyebrows = surprise/sarcasm
• Narrowing one’s eyebrows = lack of trust in others

Eye contact

• Eyes = the windows to the soul
• Truthfully convey the emotions & feelings
• Looking into a person’s eyes is the best way to understand his/her attitude or reaction
• Eyes play a significant role in human communicationunication
• Avoiding eye contact=evasion, fear, doubt

Proxemics / Space Distance

• Space matters a lot to us
• We are reluctant to board a crowded train/bus
• All of us want our own territory & space to feel relaxed & enjoy a comfort that is lost if we are surrounded by people/things
• While communicationunicating we must respect the territories of others
• All of us have a psychologically defined territory
• Not many are welcomed beyond a point
• These psychological territories > 4 zones

Intimate zone – no stranger is welcome here

• Is shared by lovers, spouses, children, parents, & very close relatives & friends
• Anyone who tries to enter is an intruder   

Personal zone – shared by close friends, colleagues, & associates

Social zone – the most official/formal interactions fall here

• Also interaction with occasional visitors like gardeners, plumbers, electricians etc.

Public zone – public speaking & presentations come in this zone

Haptics / Touch

• The most communicationon type of non-verbal communicationunication
• Handshakes, holding hands, hugs etc.
• The meaning conveyed by touch is dependent on the situation, the relationship b/w the communicationunicators & the manner of touch
• It is culture-centric

Chronemics – the perception of time

• Includes punctuality, willingness to wait
• Time can be used differently by individuals & in cultures

Chromatic – the use of colour to communicationunicate

• e.g.: white > peace
• Purple > royalty
• Red > danger

Para language/Vocalics

• The study of the different aspects of our voice
• Includes pitch, volume, tone, rate, pause, articulation, pronunciation

Pitch = the rise & fall in the human voice

• Plays a crucial role in communicationunication
• Expresses all the emotions that are to be conveyed

Volume = the loudness/softness of the voice

• It is not just what you say but how you say it
• e.g.: whispering = you want to hide something
• Speaking aloud = you want to be heard by all
• While addressing an audience if you are not loud enough it suggests lack of confidence
• Speaking loud over the phone = lack of good manners

Tone – the attitude of the speaker > friendly, critical, sarcastic etc

Rate = the no of words you speak per minute

• The normal rate = 120-150 words per minute

Pause = a short silence flanked by words

• Lets the listener reflect on the message & digest it
• Indicates the speaker’s uncertainty, tension, hesitation etc.

Articulation = the clarity in your voice

• A clearly articulated message = competence
• The speaker should speak in such a way that all the words are understood by the listener

Pronunciation =an important role

• Use the accepted form of pronunciation
• In the case of English, it is RP  

Silence

• People communicationunicate through silence too
• It is an often neglected but powerful tool
• Silence can effectively communicationunication responses like sorrow, anger, disapproval etc.
• It allows us to think, breathe, listen & hold the attention of the listener
• Heightens the expectation of others  
• Allows others to process what you have said & consider their response
• Silence can be a cold sort of punishment
• The silent treatment when you go home late
• In an interview silence can encourage the other person to ‘open up’
• It can also be use intentionally to create anxiety & discomfort in the other person 

FUNCTIONS OF NVL COMMUNICATIONUNICATION

• Duplicates verbal communication
• e.g.: head nod > yes/no
• Replaces verbal communication
• e.g.: answering yes/no with just a head nod
• Complements verbal communication
• e.g.: when a friend wins a competition you verbally congratulate him/her & also shake his/her hand or pat him/her on the back    
• Strengthens / Accents verbal communication
• E.g.: we can raise the volume of our voice on certain words > I am VERY angry
• Regulates verbal communication
• E.g.: eye contact while talking
• Using vocal segregates like ‘um’ contradicts verbal communication
• Telling your friend, you’re fine with a sad face
• Indicates the relationship between people
• e.g.: Romantic partners standing close together, mere acquaintances maintain a distance.
• Demonstrates/Maintains cultural norms
• e.g.: hugging, greeting with hands folded reveal the respective cultures of nations

VERBAL vs NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION

• Verbal communication – single channel > words
• Nonverbal – multiple channels > gestures, pitch
• Verbal – ambiguous, not easy to decode
• Verbal accompanied by Nonverbal – easy to decode
• Verbal communication – linear > messages have a beginning & an end
• Nonverbal communication – continuous > we can get Nonverbal cues even after the verbal message has ended
• Verbal communication – conscious > we think & formulate the words before we communication
• Nonverbal communication – unconscious & spontaneous > our facial expressions reveal our emotions
• Verbal – language-specific > the receiver can understand the sender’s message only if he knows the linguistic codes the sender uses
• Nonverbal communication – of a universal nature > smiles, frowns mean the same the world over