1. Actions Speak Louder Than Words
How many have heard this expression? When/where?
What does it mean?
How is this possible when actions do not “speak?”

2. Nonverbal Communication
“The World Beyond Words”
Language is very powerful and important, but we actually get most of our info from nonverbals

3. What is Nonverbal Communication?
Messages expressed without talking
Counseling sessions in Spanish
Let’s do an experiment in nonverbal cmmu to start us off… Emotions charades. Chocolate!
Guess emotions portrayed.

4. Characteristics/Principles of Nonverbal Communication

5. All Behavior has Communicative Value
Because we “cannot not communicate”
Everything you do, people watch it and interpret it.
Can be intentional, but is often unconscious
We especially pay attention to nonverbals when they contradict verbal communication.
Can’t turn off our communication
Don’t tend to think about what we’re transmitting
Don’t tend to consciously attend to people’s nonverbals
We really pay attention when they don’t match verbals (e.g., “What’s wrong?”, “Nothing” but they have clenched fists, are avoiding eye contact, and have tight jaw).

6. Nonverbal Communication Reflects Cultural Values
Some Examples…
Space
Americans tend to value more personal space than many other cultures
Touch
Latin Countries tend to touch more
Eye-Contact
In North-America: frankness, assertiveness, honesty
In many Asian and northern-European countries: abrasive & disrespectful
Another reason nonverbals are ambiguous is that different cultures have different rules about nonverbals

7. Deception
Nonverbals are under less conscious control, so deception is more likely to be revealed through our nonverbals.
High self-monitors and people who have lots of practice in deception are most successful at it.
“Deceivers” tend to make more speech errors, to hesitate, to have higher vocal pitch, to fidget, blink their eyes more, and shift their posture more.
Deceive others to attain our own goals, to be polite, other various reasons

8. Different Types of Nonverbal Communication

9. Face and Eyes
What’s might be going on in these 2 pictures? Can you tell what emotions the woman is experiencing? What tells you that?

10. Proxemics/Kinesics
Proxemics- The amount of space that people feel is necessary to set between themselves and others.
Kinesics- The study of the way in which certain body movements and gestures serve as a form of nonverbal communication.
What are you doing right now? What does your posture suggest? Are you fidgeting?
Hunched over or upright, arms crossed or open
Raising your hand in class, waving, shrugging, etc.
Twirling your hair, rubbing your shoulder
An aside…
Research on assault
Many criminals are good at reading nonverbals
Chose victims whose body movement suggested passivity
Suggestion: walk confidently, hold your head upright, meet others’ eyes w/o staring, don’t appear unsure or lost, especially if you are.

11. Proxemics Personal Space Intimate distance Personal distance
Social distance
Public distance
You are here
Personal space bubble
Intimate (body to 18”) In our personal space, only those who are really close to us – trust
Personal (18”-4’) implies intimacy
Social (4’-12’) acquaintances, business
Public (12’ and beyond) public speaking
Barrier behaviors = backing up, putting something between us, breaking eye contact
Territory = geographical space belonging to us (your room, your bed, your apartment, etc.)
We give more personal space and more territory to people with higher status/more power

12. Proxemics

13. Kinesics

14. Touch Touching is considered essential and therapeutic.
Touching can influence liking
Is used to show intimacy or power/control

15. Hospital cuddle programs provide extra comfort for babies — and parents
“It’s that human voice, touch and interaction that’s so crucial to support these babies’ development and growth. In fact, research shows that babies who are cuddled regularly in the NICU have shorter hospital stays.”

16. Alison Krauss - When You Say Nothing At All
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes sayin' you'll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever I fall
You say it best when you say nothing at all
Writers: OVERSTREET, PAUL/SCHLITZ, DON

17. Voice/Paralanguage
Consists of vocal tone, speed, pitch, volume, number and length of pauses, and “um”s, / “ah”s
Paralanguage tends to be more powerful than language, it affects how other’s perceive us
Stereotyping (accents, vocabulary, grammar)

18. Silence
Can communicate contentment, awkwardness, anger, respect, thoughtfulness, empathy
A lot of good can come out of silence (e.g., with counseling)
“The silent treatment” as if you’re not there – can be very hurtful

19. Time/Chronemics Our use of time reflects:
Power/status
Employees wait on the boss, the boss doesn’t wait on the employees.
Cultural norms
In Greece a few years ago, I gave up trying to divine when I should return my rental car. My inquiries, always, drew the same response: "Whenever you like."

20. Time/Chronemics
In Mexico, guests invited to a 6 p.m. social dinner think nothing of showing up two or three hours later, said Terri Morrison, who is updating a 1995 guide she co-wrote called, "Kiss, Bow or Shake Hands: How to Do Business in More Than Sixty Countries," for release next year.

21. Time/Chronemics
In Switzerland, the land of watches, trains really do run like clock work. "If I'm 30 seconds late, the train is gone."
Step across the border, and you're in a different universe, Italy has two rail schedules: one printed and another, flashing updates, on a board in the station. The first may be a fantasy; the second, reality.

22. Appearance What you wear How you look Your environment
Communicates economic, social, and educational level.
How you look
We notice the obvious first
Your environment
Who/what you surround yourself with