Nonverbal Communication Dr. Holly Kruse Interpersonal Communication
NVC Basics Nonverbal messages: primary way we communicate our feelings and attitudes Nonverbal messages: usually more believable than verbal messages Nonverbal messages: work with verbal messages to create meaning
NVC Basics People respond and adapt to others through nonverbal messages Nonverbal messages play a major role in interpersonal relationships Many nonverbal signs are arbitrary, just like words (example)
Challenges of NVC Nonverbal messages are often ambiguous Nonverbal messages are continuous Nonverbal cues are multichanneled Nonverbal interpretation is culture-based
Codes Codes are organized message systems Codes consist of signs and the rules for their use
NVC Codes Kinesics Body movements Posture
NVC Codes Kinesics Gestures Illustrators Affect displays Regulators Emblems Illustrators Affect displays Regulators Adaptors
NVC Codes Eye gaze Displays thought/(Dis)liking Monitor behavior of others Regulatory cues Expressive function
NVC Codes Facial expressions The more characteristics you have in common with other, greater chance of accurately interpreting their facial expression
NVC Codes Facial expressions More than 250,000 different facial expressions How do we show surprise? Fear? Anger? Happiness? Sadness? Facial expressions tend to be contagious
NVC Codes Vocal Cues Our vocal cues communicate emotions Vocal cues help us manage conversations Our use of silence speaks volumes
NVC Codes Uptalk and Vocal Fry
NVC Codes Proxemics, which is the study of personal space (and beyond) Anthropologist Edward T. Hall Also includes sense of territory, more broadly
NVC Codes
NVC Codes Space Violation
NVC Codes
NVC Codes
NVC Codes
NVC Codes Touch/Haptics: Particularly powerful, both positively and negatively We have haptic boundaries Do men and women experience touch differently?
NVC Codes Touch/Haptics – Women: Have less positive attitudes about being touched by members of the opposite sex Are touched more than men Are more likely to reach out and touch their spouses
NVC Codes Touch/Haptics – Men: Are more likely to initiate touch Are more likely to initiate touch with a woman before they are married than after they are married
NVC Codes Appearance Body size/shape Style of hair Clothes we wear
NVC Codes
NVC Codes
NVC Codes Smell/Olfactics Very emotionally evocative
NVC Codes
NVC Codes
NVC Codes Time How we organize interactions & activities in time Meanings we attribute to how others use time Gender differences or stereotypes? Cultural differences
Online NVC Code Equivalents Emoticons Punctuation!!! Underlining and italics CAPITALIZATION Message length Response time Media choice
Gender and NVC Women: Receive more eye contact from others Approach and are approached more closely Smile more Use their voices to communicate a greater range of emotions
Gender and NVC Men: More likely to stare at someone Tend to require more space around them Use more expansive gestures More likely to initiate touch with others
Functions of NVC Help determine verbal meaning Provide information Express emotion Regulate interaction Exercise social control Impression formation & management