Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal Communication: Facial expressions or body movements used to express attitudes or moods about a person, situation, or idea. Accounts for 70 –80 % of all communication Is more powerful than verbal communication

Body Language is important because: 1) People remember more of what they see than of what they hear, and

2) It helps to recognize the truth. - If words and body language are consistent,we believe the person. - If they send different messages, we believe the body language and doubt the words.

Amazing Facts of Body Language It’s estimated that humans produce up to 700,000 different physical signs! The face alone is capable of 250,000 different expressions Researchers have identified over 5,000 hand gestures and over 1,000 different postures

Positive Body Language

Relaxed Posture Sit comfortably and breathe in a calm manner Avoid abrupt movements

Arms Relaxed Uncross arms and hold hands palms up as a sign of openness

Good Eye Contact Look the person directly in the eye, especially when he/she is speaking Look away occasionally to avoid staring

Nod Agreement Slightly nod when a person says something you agree with, but don’t overdo it Continuous head bobbing usually means the person has tuned out

Smile Signals a warm, personal relationship

Lean Closer Reducing the distance between you and a partner indicates that interest is up and barriers are down.

Use Gestures Talking with your hands indicates involvement in the conversation

For all these positive gestures, moderation is the key. If they are exaggerated, they can become more negative than positive

Negative Body Language

Key Difference: Positive gestures are primarily distal-(directed toward others) Negative gestures are primarily proximal- (directed toward your own body)

Body Tension A wrinkled eyebrow, jerky body motions, or hands clasped in front all indicate discomfort

Arms Folded This creates a barrier and indicates resistance

Speaking Hand to Mouth Putting hands near your mouth or scratching your cheek or eyebrow suggest that you’re not sure of what you’re saying

Fidgeting Moving around a lot, playing with things, or drumming with your fingers sends signs of boredom, nervousness, or impatience.

Yawning Often happens if the other person is talking too much or is using too many technical details

Although it is practiced everywhere, body language is not a universal language. Symbols or gestures may have similar or totally opposite meanings in different cultures

For Example: The famous “Hook ‘em Horns” sign, made by fans of UT, has several meanings. In Texas, of course, it means support for the team. In Italy it is an insult In Brazil it means good luck Among Hindus it means “cow”

“America is the melting pot of the world.”

Introducing Nonverbal Customs of the World Right, Wrong, or Rude? Introducing Nonverbal Customs of the World

Handshake Americans view a strong grip as a sign of power and strength Southeast Asians press hands together Middle Easterners & many Asians favor a gentle grip Japanese bow

Direct Eye Contact Americans expect direct eye contact Many Asians, Puerto Ricans, West Indies, Africans, and Native Americans consider it rude or disrespectful and may often send suggestive messages.

Waving Americans – Hello Europeans – “No” to most Europeans raise their arms and move the hand up and down at the wrist

Beckoning Europeans and Asians – raise the arm, palm facing down, and make a scratching motion with the fingers Australia and Indonesia – curling the index finger is used for beckoning animals.

“V” Sign America – Victory or peace England – Palm facing inward toward the face is an obscene gesture America England

“O.K.” Gesture France – Zero Japan – Money or coins Brazil, Germany, and the former USSR – obscene gesture

Thumbs Up America – Good job, approval, or hitchhiking Nigeria – Rude gesture Australia – Rude if pumped up and down Germany and Japan – signal for “one”

Crazy Gesture America – crazy or insane Argentina – you have a phone call

The only universal gesture is the…. SMILE

How to tell if someone is lying….

Decreased hand activity Unconsciously when you are not being truthful, you may sense that your hands will give you away, so you suppress them – hide them, sit on them, stuff them into pockets, or clasp them together.

Increased face touching Hand to face favorites of not-so-truthful people are: the chin stroke, the lip press, the mouth cover, the nose touch, the cheek rub, the eyebrow scratch, the earlobe pull, and the hair groom.

Stiff and rigid posture In general, people move less when they’re lying; their movements become less fluid.

Increased body shifting Think of squirming children being interrogated by their parents

Eye Contact People who are lying or creating tend to look to the left.

Personal Space Intimate Space Up to 18 inches Family & close friends Violating this space causes friction Personal Space 18 inches – 4 ft Most conversations with acquaintances

Social Space 4 ft – 12 ft Most business communication EX. Interviews and meetings Public Space 12 ft and beyond Public speeches and oral readings Audience is usually strangers

Personal Space Social Public Personal Intimate You 0 in. 18 in. 4 ft.