Chapter 5 Nonverbal Communication

Body Basics Nonverbal communication includes facial expressions or body movements used to express attitudes or moods about a person, situation, or idea. #1T/F- Talking is not the most important way we communicate. #2T/F- Knowing something about nonverbal communication can be helpful when you send messages. #1IC- Body language is also called the “silent language” because we send messages with our bodies, and people believe and remember more what they see than what they hear. #3T/F- Humans can produce many physical messages. #4T/F- Body language is usually more convincing than verbal messages.

Body Basics #5T/F- Humans tend to use a few gestures over and over. An open posture is one that is positive and shows you are open to a discussion. A closed posture is one that is negative and shows you are not interested in a discussion. Positive body language includes a relaxed posture, arms relaxed, good eye contact, nodding, smiling, leaning closer, and using gesture. #46B- Research has shown that applicants who nod during job interviews are hired more often than those who do not. Negative body language includes a tense body, folded arms, speaking hand to mouth, fidgeting, no eye contact, and yawning.

Interpreting Nonverbal Messages Learning to read body language is complicated. Facial expressions #16T/F- We sometimes use our bodies to disguise our true feelings. #17T/F- Facial expressions are often more convincing than words. #18T/F- Faces aren’t the best place to discover someone’s true feelings. Faces can make hundreds of different movements and emotions. #45B- According to a study by Albert Mehrabian, facial expressions carry the greatest impact in convincing someone of something, followed by tone of voice and, lastly, by words.

Interpreting Nonverbal Messages Tone of voice #19T/F- Tone of voice often can reveal a speaker’s true feelings. Changing the pitch of your voice can give the same word different meanings. (ex: “oh”) Rate, how fast a speaker talks, is also associated with tone of voice because it too shows the speaker’s feelings. #20T/F- When people talk fast, they are often excited or anxious. #21T/F- People talk faster when trying to sell something or persuade us. #22T/F- People tend to talk more slowly when they are sad or tired.

Interpreting Nonverbal Messages How to tell if someone is lying #4IC- The signs of deception are decreased hand activity, increased facial touching, a stiff and rigid posture, and increased body shifting. #12T/F- Every movement expresses something. #13T/F- Body movements seldom lie. #23T/F- It is hard to control body postures because we are not fully aware of them. #41B- Body movements are almost always honest.

Multicultural Messages While practiced everywhere, body language is not a universal language. #2IC- Some signs of greetings are handshakes, bows, touching, kissing, and other less known forms. Handshakes #39B- Psychologists regard the handshake as one of the most powerful ways of indicating trust or acceptance. #6T/F- A firm handshake will usually make the best impression. Loose, fishy handshakes are not good, nor are “Texas” handshakes that crush the fingers of the other person. #7T/F- The French are “hand-shakers.” Don’t pump your arm up and down- just apply even pressure with your whole hand before release.

Multicultural Messages Bowing #40B- The most polite greeting of all is the bow. A bow indicates respect and often reflects social status. A person of lower rank must bow first and lowest. Touching #9T/F- Touch is a powerful communication channel. #10T/F- In general, women like “touch” more than men. #11T/F- It is harder to say “no” to a request when being touched.

Types of Space #43B- We all walk around inside a bubble of personal space. #15T/F- Americans generally like to stand 2 to 3 feet apart. #3IC- The four types of space are A. Intimate distance (under 18 inches/used for confidential exchanges with close friends), B. personal distance (1.5 to 4 feet/used for regular conversations between friends), C. social distance (4 to 12 feet/used for people in most social and business situations, D. public distance (over 12 feet/used for talking to strangers)

Walking Kinesics is the study of body movements. #42B- Some have called the way we walk a “second signature.” #14T/F- People tend to like people who have a bounce to their walk, swing their arms, and take long, strong strides. When people are sad, people tend to take slower steps and drag their feet. When people are happy, they move more quickly and light on their feet. A choppy walk conveys unfriendliness or frustration. A duck walk conveys an independent and impulsive nature. A swagger conveys self-confidence and arrogance.

Nonverbal Messages in Conversations Conversations are those small talks you have with other people. #24T/F- Conversation does not come naturally to most people. #25T/F- Conversations follow unspoken rules. #26T/F- Good conversations can begin with something practical and trite like “How’s the weather?” Timing refers to the ability to sense when it is appropriate to begin a conversation. #27T/F- If a person who has been addressed wants a conversation, his reply must not be too brief or unenthusiastic. #28T/F- Striking up a conversation is easiest when it becomes clear that both of you have something in common.

Helping a Conversation Continue Being a good listener helps a conversation continue. Having an “open” posture, feedback, and good eye contact also keeps a conversation going. #29T/F- Listeners usually look at people who touch their feelings. #30T/F- It is easy to disguise what your eyes reveal. #31T/F- People who give feedback to speakers are more popular. Nodding and gesturing are two ways to provide feedback. #32T/F- Long nods disturb a speaker; short nods encourage a speaker. #44B- The nervous laugh is a good example of inconsistent communication.

Taking Turns in a Conversation #33T/F- The surest way to take your turn at the right time in a conversation is to listen for pauses. #34T/F- We usually have a sixth sense about when a speaker is pausing in midstream and when she wishes to turn the conversation over to another person. Simple interruptions occur when someone begins to speak before the other person has finished. Overlapping interruptions occur when one person tries to interrupt, but the first person continues talking. Silent interruptions occur when someone takes advantage of a pause.

Taking Turns in a Conversation The best way to keep people from interrupting is to use authoritative body language, don’t give any unintentional signals that you’re finished, and don’t pause too long. The best way to keep a person listening is to be interesting. You can be interesting by being informed on current events, pay attention to the other person’s interests, strive to know a little about everything, and just don’t be boring. #35T/F- Perhaps the most important quality of a good conversationalist is the ability to be interesting.