1. NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION
It’s not just what you say!
NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION

2. What is Nonverbal Communication?
Sending and receiving messages without using words

3. Two Modes of NV Communication:
INTENTIONAL
Using n.v. comm. techniques to support the verbal message
communication on purpose
ACCIDENTAL
Gestures, facial expressions, etc.
sender is unaware of, but does communicate
sometimes contradicts the verbal message

4. How do we communicate feelings?
93% of
feelings are communicated nonverbally!

5. Types of NV Communication:
Appearance
Gestures
Posture (Body Movements)
Eye Contact
Vocal Cues (Paralinguistics)
Spatial Relations (Kinesics)
Facial Expressions

6. Appearance

7. Appearance
The way a person appears (clothes, hair, articles worn or carried) could indicate occupation, culture, status, group membership

8. Gestures

9. Gestures are . . . hand movements that communicate a message
often culturally-specific
used to express emotions, describe something, or indicate where things are

10. Handshakes Employers can tell a lot about prospective employees:
What does a firm handshake say?
What does a limp handshake say?
What kind do YOU want?

11. Body Movin’ Tips:
Some movement for emphasis or to give you a relaxed look is good, but don’t move back and forth or develop nervous mannerisms.
Stand with one foot in front of the other and weight balanced to avoid that feeling of shaking and trembling.
If your hands shake, hold them in front of you, rest them on the podium, or let them hang at your sides.
Avoid wringing hands, tugging at clothing, or twisting hair.

12. Posture

13. Posture/Body Movement
Gives clues to how we feel
May contradict the verbal message

14. Eye Contact & Facial Expressions

15. Eye Contact
Eye contact with someone = recognizing or acknowledging that person’s existence
Ex: Waitress in restaurant
Ex: Teacher in class
Ex: Muhammed Ali staring down opponents

16. How do we use our eyes? Flirting Winking Threatening Scaring
Conspiring

17. Eye Contact Cultural differences
In some Hispanic, Middle Eastern, Asian, Native American culture = impolite to look at someone of authority when they are talking to you
How does your mom react if you don’t look at her when she talks to you?

18. Secrets of Eye Contact Try focusing on one person at a time.
Know the difference between eye contact and the piercing stare of a psychopath…

19. Our eyebrows contribute
Facial Expressions
Our eyebrows contribute
Our lips contribute

20. Vocal Cues (Paralinguistics)

21. Vocal Characteristics
Pitch
highness or lowness of voice; nerves or tension  higher
Volume – loud or soft
Often related to self-image
Shy or insecure  soft
Aggressive  loud
Rate – how fast or slowly we talk;
nerves or tension  faster
Quality/Tone– the sound of voice; unpleasant?
Ex’s: nasal, raspy, whiny

22. Spatial Relations

23. What are spatial relations?
The amount of distance between people during interaction
Called PROXIMITY

24. Spatial Relations Americans tend to have (and prefer)
a 2 foot “bubble” of space
When bubbles are invaded (elevators, trains), we often avoid eye contact to create space.

25. Spatial Relations: SPACE BUBBLES
1. Intimate Space = <1.5 ft.
Hugging, kissing, whispering
2. Personal Space = 1.5  4 ft.
Quiet conversation, some touching

26. Spatial Relations 3. Social Space = 4 12 ft.
Group discussions, handshakes
4. Public Space = 12 ft.+
Calling or waving, giving a speech
No touching takes place

27. What are NV Strategies?
Sending a message without words to have a particular effect on receiver . . .
Exclude
Include
Put Down
Build Up
Reveal Self
Conceal Self

28. What is the relationship between Verbal and NV Communication?
4 Functions of NV Messages:
1. Repeat or support Verbal Message
2. Contradict Verbal Message
Receivers believe NV over V because senders cannot control NV as easily!

29. What is the relationship between Verbal and NV Communication?
3. Replace Verbal Message
Only effective if receiver knows sender’s intent
4. Regulate Verbal Messages
Changes the flow of the communication
Speaker might pause, talk faster,
stop and clarify

30. In sum…send accurate nonverbal messages
Know your audience; encode the message.
Pay attention to yours and others’ nonverbal messages
Give receivers as much information as possible.