Communicating Nonverbally Chase Adams, Brandon Brown, Riley Hicks, Ben Stephenson

What is Non-verbal Communication?  Non-Verbal Communication- our book describes non-verbal communication as, “all aspects of communication other than words.”  Non-verbal is more than just body language, but tone, & environmental factors.  Think about going to a new place for the first time- look at the furniture, is it a bright location? What do these factors communicate about the location?  Also think about meeting new people- what are they wearing? Does the style match yours, what are their non-verbals communicating? 

Environmental Factors  Are basically the things around us that shape the way we communicate- lighting, noise, furniture, paint.  Red stimulates accuracy, the ability to recall, and attention to detail  Blue helps to channel creativity

Non-Verbal Behaviors - Haptics  The term for nonverbal communication involving touch.  Kissing communicates love/passion.  A male’s hand touching you often seems to portray power and assertion, while a female’s touch is often viewed as comforting or intimate.

Non-Verbal Behaviors -Proxemics  Refers to our space and how we use it also known as our personal space. How people arrange space shows on closeness and desire.  Types of space include  Intimate distance: usually 18 inches or less and usually associated with someone that your close like friends or loved ones.  Personal distance: 18 inches to 4 feet, space most people use in conversation.  Social distance: 4 to 12 feet apart, refers to professional and interpersonal encounters.  Public distance: 12 or more feet, used in huge crowds so a large crowd can see the speaker.

Non-Verbal Behaviors -Chromatics  Refers to how we perceive and use time to define identities and interaction.  The time we spend with different people reflects our interest toward them.  Also involves expectation of time, for example expect class to end on a certain time.  Chromatics also reflects cultural attitudes; some people like to live a fast pace life and get things done quick, but other like to take their time. 

Non-Verbal Behaviors -Olfactory  It’s commonly known and experienced that your olfactory senses end up saying a lot more than you think.  It’s also known that smell of fresh baked breads make you hungry, and that maybe the smell of alcohol can make you sick.  This is due to the connections you make in your mind; even the perfume someone wears could trigger a flood of memories.

Non-Verbal Behaviors -Kinesics  Body position and motions, including those of the face.  Presentation is key- If I were to get up here and mumble my way through the presentation, I would be communicating to my audience that I’m not prepared or I don’t know my topic.

Non-Verbal Behaviors -Paralanguage  Is the communication of our speech  It is not to be confused with the words you say, but more so your tone and inflection.  A father lowers his tone to signify his displeasure with his children’s grades  A mother heightens her pitch and varies much in her tone, signifying she is frustrated with the boy’s poor behavior.

Non-Verbal Behaviors -Artifacts  Personal objects we use to announce our identities and to personalize our environments. Like express culture, professions, and settings.  Examples: clothing, piercings, religious symbols, and tattoos

Non-Verbal Behaviors - Silence  Is defined in our book as, “a lack of communicated sound”  Not speaking to someone speaks volumes  Can communicate awkwardness, intimidation, and a lack of respect.  Has your significant other, or a friend, ignored you because they were mad? Did your parents often ignore you when you were acting out?

Can you get the ducks in a row?  Organize the class by the color of their shirt  YOU CANNOT SPEAK. This activity is an example of non-verbal communication, so use body language, facial expressions, etc.

Ambiguity  Like Verbal Communication, Non-Verbal is ambiguous  We can give off false impressions by the way we dress, give facial expressions, and how we control the tone in our voice.

Discussion Question  How does Non-Verbal communication show who you are?

PLEASE NOTE: Chapter summarized from information found in: Wood, Julia T. (2014). Communication Mosaics: An Introduction to the Field of Communication. 7 th Edition. Boston, MA: Wadsworth. These student lecture notes provide a brief summary of Wood’s discussion on verbal communication (chapter 4) while providing additional commentary and examples. The information in this slideshow is based on the work (content and organization) of Wood (2014).