1. Understanding Verbal Messages
Chapter 4
Understanding Verbal Messages
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2. Nonverbal Communication
Nonverbal Communication: Communication (behavior) other than written or spoken language that creates meaning for someone
sign language is one exception to this definition

3. Why Focus on Nonverbal Messages?
communicate feelings and attitudes
most significant source of emotional information is the face 55% (Albert Mehrabian)
vocal cues 38%
approximately 93% of emotional meaning is communicated nonverbally
are critical to successful relationships
serve various functions for verbal messages

4. Significance Of Nonverbal Communication
We Communicate 93% of the emotional meaning of our messages nonverbally; (facial 55% + 38% = 93%)

5. Nonverbal Messages are More Believable
Delivering a message claiming you are not upset
Quivering voice
Shaky knees
Flushed face
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6. Computer-Mediated Communication
Conveying emotion
:-( Depressed or upset
:-l Indifferent
:-o Surprised
:-D Laughing
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7. Nonverbal Messages are Critical to Successful Relationships
William Chaplin’s “handshake index” examined the judgments Americans make about someone’s personality based on handshake
Strength
Vigorous
Completeness of grip
Duration
The more intimate the relationship, the more we use and understand nonverbal cues
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8. Nonverbal Messages Serve Multiple Functions
Can substitute for verbal messages
Complement verbal messages
Regulate our conversation
Accent or reinforce verbal message
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9. The Nature of Nonverbal Communication
Culture-bound: nonverbal behaviors vary across cultures
Rule-governed: we develop rules or expectations for appropriate nonverbal behavior
Ambiguous: difficult to interpret accurately
Continuous: flow from one situation to the next
Non-Linguistic: does not have vocabulary, grammar etc
Multichanneled: register on our senses from a variety of sources simultaneously

10. Codes of Nonverbal Behavior: Appearance
Body size and shape
Skin color and texture
Hairstyle
Clothing
Artifacts
Jewelry
Tattoos
Piercings
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11. Codes of Nonverbal Behavior: Kinesics
Kinesics: a systematic study of the relationship between nonlinguistic body motions
Movement
Gesture
Posture
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12. Codes of Nonverbal Behavior: Affect Displays
Affect Displays: Nonverbal cues that communication our emotions and attitudes
Face reflects
Kind of emotion you are feeling
Body reflects
The intensity of how much emotion you are feeling
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13. Codes of Nonverbal Behavior: Eye Contact – Check Page 94
More Likely
Less Likely
Physically distant
Discuss impersonal topics
Have no distractions
Romantically interested
Female
Cultural values
Physically close
Discuss intimate topics
Have distractions
Not interested or dislike
Male
Cultural values
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14. Codes of Nonverbal Behavior: Eye Contact
John F. Kennedy
Appeared comfortable and confident
Made eye contact
 More trustworthy
Richard Nixon
Darted eyes nervously from side to side
Made less eye contact with camera and viewing audience
Regarded as shifty, untrustworthy and lacked credibility
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15. Codes of Nonverbal Behavior: Eye Contact
Indicators of deception
Rapid eye movement
Diminished eye contact
Rapid blinking
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16. Codes of Nonverbal Behavior: Facial Expressions
Ekman and Friesen’s six primary emotions
Happiness
Sadness
Surprise
Fear
Anger
Disgust or contempt
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17. Codes of Nonverbal Behavior: Touch
Study of human touch
Haptics
Research have shown that intimate human contact is vital to our personal development, well being, and physical health  displaying affection
Individual standard of appropriate touching-based on cultural background
Touch ethic
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18. Codes of Nonverbal Behavior: The Voice
Paralanguage or Vocalics: voice provides information about self-confidence
Pitch, rate, use of silence, volume all provide important cues
Back-channel cues
End conversation by increasing pitch and volume
End conversation by lowering pitch and volume
Begin conversation with “I” or “Ah” or “Um”
Response latency or response time, pausing or silence
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19. Codes of Nonverbal Behavior: Physical Environment and Space
The physical environment -communicates information about the person who functions in that environment
Your behavior and perceptions are altered because of the physical environments you exist in
Space: distance
Proxemics: study of how close or far away from people and objects we position ourselves
Edward T. Hall’s Four Zones of Space:
Intimate: reserved for close friends, intimates, and family
Personal: is the space where casual conversation occurs
Social: where impersonal business takes place (such as interviews)
Public: anything more than twelve feet

20. Codes of Nonverbal Behavior: Space
Proxemics
Edward T. Hall’s Classification of Spatial Zones
Category
Definition
Distance Between Individuals
Zone 1
Intimate Space
0 to 1.5 feet
Zone 2
Personal Space
1.5 to 4 feet
Zone 3
Social Space
4 to 12 feet
Zone 4
Public Space
12 to 25 and beyond
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21. Edward T. Hall’s Four Zones of Space
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22. Copyright © 2010, 2007, 2004 Pearson Education, Inc
Challenge Question
According to Edward T. Hall, your personal space zone where most of your conversation with others takes place, is anywhere from
0 to 1 ½ feet.
1 ½ to 4 feet.
4 to 12 feet.
12 feet on.
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23. Copyright © 2010, 2007, 2004 Pearson Education, Inc
Answer
According to Edward T. Hall, your personal space zone where most of your conversation with others takes place, is anywhere from
0 to 1 ½ feet.
1 ½ to 4 feet.
4 to 12 feet.
12 feet on.
Copyright © 2010, 2007, 2004 Pearson Education, Inc

24. Codes of Nonverbal Behavior: Territory
Territoriality: the study of how people use space and objects to communicate occupancy or ownership of space
Territorial markers
Things and actions claiming personal space
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