Nonverbal Communication The transfer of information between persons without the use of speech.

 Nonverbal communication includes not only visual cues (gestures/appearances) but also vocal features (volume/pitch), and environmental factors (space/position).  These cues may be intentional or unintentional.

“I didn’t say you stole the wallet”  Can you figure out the six different suggestions made by this sentence?  I didn’t say you stole the wallet.

Functions of Nonverbal Communication  Supplements verbal communication  Social interaction is regulated by it (we let people know whether or not we want to talk to them)  Establishes relationships with others (whether we like them or not)

 DEMEANOR AND DEFERENCE  Demeanor: is how we behave or conduct ourselves…related to social power.  Deference: is the symbolic means by which subordinates give a required permissive response to those in power.

Facial expression, Eye Contact, and Touching

Response to text (Facial Expression, Eye Contact, and Touching) 1.Who smiles more…men or women…why? 2. Men and women have different patterns of eye contact …why? 3. How is “touching” different amongst men and women?

 Lip biting It could mean: She's flirting. But it might mean: She's shy or feels pressured. What the experts say: Suspects sometimes do this when they're trying to remember an event or concoct a story, says private investigator Steven Tavlin. It's a sign of discomfort. To put the person at ease, avoid direct staring and lower your voice. You might even back up or turn away slightly. "The idea is to take the pressure off," says Givens.

Frowning It could mean: She's unhappy or uncomfortable. But it might mean: She's concentrating. What the experts say: Some people frown without realizing it, so don't comment on the frowning directly, says anthropologist David Givens. If it happens during a job interview, you might ask, "Did that answer the question?" With a friend, just ask if she's OK.

 Rolling eyes It could mean: She's trying to be funny. But it might mean: She is frustrated, doesn't like you, or doesn't respect you. What the experts say: "Eye rolling is one of the nonverbal signs that is pretty much always aggressive," says executive coach Steve Watts. He recommends politely confronting the eye-roller, asking, "Do you disagree?" to get negative feelings out in the open.

Personal Space  Is the immediate area surrounding a person that the person claims as private.

 There are distance zones: “Intimate distance” (contact to ½ a meter)  Spouses, “lovers”, close friends (comforting and protecting) “Personal distance” (0.5 to 2 meters)  Friends and acquaintances (ordinary conversation) “Social distance” (1.2 to 3.6 meters)  Impersonal relationships (business transactions) “Public distance” (beyond 4 meters)  Formal relationships- interpersonal communication difficult Power differentials are reflected in personal space issues. Example: Adults often enter the personal space of a child.

In sum…  All forms of nonverbal communication are influenced by gender, ethnicity, social class, and the personal contexts in which they occur.

 Video: How to interpret body language Video: How to interpret body language