1. Non-Verbal Communication
I like the way you move…
…Professionally.
Non-Verbal Communication

2. Observing Nonverbal Comm.
Watch the following clip from Big Bang Theory up to 5:35.
What nonverbal communication techniques do Sheldon and Penny utilize during the “lesson”?
What can you infer about the characters from what is NOT SAID?
GXEX1406 Thinking and Communication Skills – Week 4 Non Verbal Communication

3. Non-Verbal Communication
Non-verbal communication makes NO use of the words, sentences, grammar and other structures that we associate with spoken and written language.
Non-verbal communication includes:
Facial expressions
Eye contact
Tone of voice
Body posture and motions
Positioning within groups

4. Non-Verbal Communication
Types of non-verbal communication we are going to focus on this week:
Proxemics and Orientation
Eye contact or gaze
Facial expression
Gesture, especially use of hands and arms
Posture

5. Why Proxemics is important!
GXEX1406 Thinking and Communication Skills – Week 4 Non Verbal Communication

6. 1. Proxemics
The study of how we handle the space around us, especially in relation to other people
Human beings are territorial!
How space is occupied reflects the power relations within groups of people (typically the more powerful a person, the larger and more impressive the space they will occupy)
We create for ourselves spaces that belong to us and to which we try carefully to control access
Examples:
Our homes
Our spaces at work or school

7. Proxemics - continued
Proxemics also refers to the space we carry with us in public places
Invisible bubble around us
Determined by the situation and by the relationship we have or might like to have with the person or people who are near to us
In crowded place, such as a bus or train
Cultural / religious differences in our attitudes to the proximity, or nearness, of other people
Women that are Orthrodox Jewish (very conservative) have to sit on separate sides of the synagogue during weekly services

8. Proxemics - continued
Consider how spaces are occupied within the classroom.
How is the teacher’s space marked?
How do you mark your space in this class? Other classes?
Where would a newcomer or visitor sit?
What do you feel if you are in:
A crowded bus?
A stadium?
A lonely beach?

9. Proxemics - continued Orientation is closely linked to proxemics
The way in which people place themselves relative to one another
Example: When someone comes sits next to you, it is generally seen as a much friendlier orientation (closeness) than someone who sits directly opposite (potentially confrontational) to you.
Consider…
Why do we feel uncomfortable when someone stands behind us?
How do you feel when I stand next to you while I am teaching? What about if I sit down next to you to talk about an assignment?

10. Eye Contact: Why we look where!
GXEX1406 Thinking and Communication Skills – Week 4 Non Verbal Communication

11. 2. Eye Contact
Eye Contact is an important way in which we communicate our feelings towards other people
Communicates honesty, interest, and allows you to gauge a person’s interest in a conversation
Although people may hide the truth with words, their true feelings will be revealed in their eyes
However eye contact has some degree of ambiguity about its meaning (has the opposite meaning)
Good eye contact includes:
Alert eyes (shows awareness)
Looking another person straight in the eye when speaking (shows honesty)

12. Eye Contact - continued
We are deeply suspicious of people who ‘cannot look us in the eye’; they are seen as shifty or people with something to hide
People can avoid eye contact with other person when:
An uncomfortable question asked.
Want to reduce tension and build trust rather than increase tension.
Staring is identified as threatening form of behavior
If we staring at someone, their behavior will often change and can become either defensive or aggressive towards you
Gazing – look steadily; men gaze at women, sometimes in intimidating way

13. GXEX1406 Thinking and Communication Skills – Week 4 Non Verbal Communication

14. 3. Facial Expression Be consciously aware of your facial expressions!
Human face has a complex arrangement of muscles that allows us to produce a range of expressions, most of which are an index of our feelings (happy, sad, pain, etc.)
The face is one of the most reliable indicators of a person’s attitudes, emotions, and feelings
Be consciously aware of your facial expressions!
People WILL interpret your face, whether you like it or not!
Your facial expressions should be appropriate and in-line with what you are saying, as well as your main point.

15. Do you have a losing face?
GXEX1406 Thinking and Communication Skills – Week 4 Non Verbal Communication

16. Facial Expression - continued
Smiling is an important facial gesture that indicate that we pleased to see other people
But did you know there are MULTIPLE types of smiles?
“I’m feeling content” smiles
“I’m feeling a little stressed” smiles
“I’m a bit sad” smiles
“I can’t believe you just did that” smiles
“How do I get out of this conversation?” smiles

17. Gestures are NOT universal!
GXEX1406 Thinking and Communication Skills – Week 4 Non Verbal Communication

18. 4. Gestures (Hands and arms)
Gestures are movements that express an idea or meaning, such as a handshake
Many gestures are automatic
When we are speaking on the phone, we still make hand gestures, for example
Gestures should supplement or clarify what you are saying
Good gestures include:
regularly steepling hands to keep excessive movement in control
hands mime what you're saying
arms at 90 degrees to body, open, with palms up
Indicates openness and acceptance.

19. 4. Gestures (Hands and arms)
Bad gestures include:
Tightly clenched hands - indicates that the person is experiencing undue pressure.
It may be difficult to relate to this person because of his tension
Cupping one or both hands over the mouth may indicate that you are trying to hide something
Questionble gestures include:
Standing and joining your hands behind your back
Authority or egotism?
Rubing gently behind or beside the ear with the index finger or rubbing the eye
Confused or flirty?
Leaning back with both hands supporting the head
Cocky or confident?

20. 5. Posture
Posture is the way in which we position our bodies in conversation
Posture is another sign of the status and role within society
Think about ROTC practice!
Use posture as one means of indicating to another person our feelings of friendship or hostility
“Hands on hips” represents confrontation and hostility
Groups imitate the postures of the people they are with, called mirroring
Cross legs, fold their arms as their group members do
Reinforce group identities

21. GXEX1406 Thinking and Communication Skills – Week 4 Non Verbal Communication

22. Posture - continued Make sure your posture looks natural
Shoulders back, head held high
Keep your feet slightly apart
Like gestures, you should move your body to emphasize your point or indicate a transition in topic
Excessive movement shows nervousness
People who stand with their shoulders hunched and hands in their pockets tend to be secretive and critical
Makes them seem to dislike what is going on around them
People who are preoccupied or thinking, usually stand with their heads down, hands clasped behind their backs, and can pace very slowly.

23. Okay, so what do I do when I’m the one listening…?
When you are listening to a person, YOUR non-verbals matter and can regulate the conversation
Evaluation gestures say that the listener is being thoughtful or is considering what you are saying
Can be in a friendly way and unfriendly way
Typical positive evaluation gestures include:
tilted head
hand to cheek
leaning forward
chin stroking

24. Is Ray really “listening”?
GXEX1406 Thinking and Communication Skills – Week 4 Non Verbal Communication

25. Okay, so what do I do when I’m the one listening…?
Critical evaluative gestures include:
The body is more drawn back
The hand is to the face, but the chin is in the palm of the hand with one finger going up the cheek and the other fingers positioned below the mouth
It looks sassy, trust me!
Dropping one’s eyeglasses to the lower bridge of noise and peering over them
GXEX1406 Thinking and Communication Skills – Week 4 Non Verbal Communication

26. Okay, so what do I do when I’m the one listening…?
This is NOT rocket science but you can show us just how BORED you are...
Drumming of fingers
Cupping the head in the palm of the hand
Foot swinging
Brushing or picking a lint
Looking at your watch or the exit
Be kind to one another – teachers may be used to it, but your peers aren’t!
GXEX1406 Thinking and Communication Skills – Week 4 Non Verbal Communication