Copyright © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Nonverbal Communication Chapter 6 Copyright © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law: any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a network; preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any images; any rental, lease, or lending of the program. PowerPoint™ Presentation based on work by: Lauren Amaro Arizona State University

The importance of nonverbal communication What is nonverbal communication? Nonverbal communication and the individual The individual, nonverbal communication, and society Ethics and nonverbal communication Improving your nonverbal communication skills

Nonverbals help us to express and interpret verbal cues Contain messages in and of themselves Can be ambiguous and complex Continuous Multi-channeled Help us determine if someone is a friend or threat Can affect public policy

Nonverbal behavior = all nonverbal actions we transmit that are not words Nonverbal communication = nonverbal behavior that has symbolic meaning Not always intentional

Cultures assign meaning to nonverbal cues Your relationship to the other helps define meaning How well you know the other influences interpretation We interpret cues based on expected sex differences

Signals that are distinct, organized means of expression that consist of symbols and rules for their use Kinesics Paralinguistics Time and space Haptics Appearance/artifacts

Nonverbal communication cues sent by body and face Gestures Illustrators – emphasize or clarify verbals Emblems – stand in for specific verbal meanings Adaptors – used to manage our nerves and emotions Regulators – help us control conversation

Immediacy – closeness/involvement to others Relaxation – degree of tension Facial expressions – used primarily to communication emotional content Eye behavior – especially important

Oral (but not verbal) aspect of nonverbal communication Vocal qualities – elements of speech such as pitch, rhythm, range, and articulation Vocalizations – sounds we make that are not part of language

Chronemics – study of how people use time as a message Affected by culture Monochromatic – one task at a time Polychromatic – multiple tasks at a time Proxemics – study of how people use distance and physical space to communicate

Proxemics

Study of touch as a means of communication Types of touch Professional/functional touch Social-polite – some intimacy, less personalized Friendship – warmth, closeness, caring Love-intimate – intimacy for closest others Demand – establishes power All types of touch influenced by sex, culture, and power

We use appearance and objects to communication information about ourselves to others Physical appearance valued and adjusted in most cultures E.g., tanning, weight control, muscle development Artifacts also used to shape appearance E.g., cars, clothing, jewelry

Communicate information Regulate interaction Express and manage intimacy Exert social control Accomplish a service-task

Nonverbal communication and power closely related Displays of resources indicate power, status, identity People have positive or negative reactions depending on interpretation Most powerful groups determine what is deemed appropriate for everyone Nonverbal expressions are important part of cultural rituals

Nonverbals can both trigger and express prejudice and discrimination Race, ethnicity, body shape, age, artifacts, etc. can prompt prejudgment or negative stereotypes Prejudice can be communicated nonverbally directly (violence) or indirectly (avoiding eye contact)

For ethical nonverbal communication, be sure your nonverbals Reflect your real attitudes, beliefs, and feelings Do not contradict your verbal message Do not insult, ridicule, or demean others Are not being used to intimidate, coerce, or silence others Are those you would want anyone to observe Are those you would want directed at you or a loved one

Examine how congruent your nonverbals are with your verbals When messages contradict each other, they need further examination Analyze context to help interpretation

Ask for more information if needed Remember not all nonverbals are intentionally communicative  Recognize that nonverbal meanings change with the individual, context, and culture