1. Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Chapter 5
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2. It’s impossible not to communicate nonverbally
Why?
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
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There are many types of nonverbal communication including…
Posture and gesture
Face and eyes
Voice
Touch
Physical appearance & attractiveness
Distance and territory
Time
Physical environment
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Why are nonverbal skills important?
Nonverbal sensitivity is a key part of emotional intelligence.
Good nonverbal communicators are more persuasive than people who are less skilled.
They have a greater chance of success in life.
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Social functions of nonverbal communications:
Identity management: Project an image
Relations: Gestures you use when meeting someone
Conveying emotions.
Especially useful in suggesting how others feel about you and the relationship.
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Nonverbal messages are more ambiguous than verbal communication. Why? How?
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
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Nonverbal communication has several
important characteristics:
It’s always present when people encounter each other and in many situations where they aren’t physically present.
It has great value in conveying information about others.
Much of that information isn’t what others intentionally want to reveal.
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
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Nonverbal communication serves many functions, when compared to verbal messages.
It can repeat, complement, and accent spoken words. How?
It can substitute for speech.
It can regulate conversations. How?
It can contradict spoken words, or even deceive others. How?
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Functions of Nonverbal Communication
Repeating
Emblems:
Pointing – deliberate nonverbal behaviors that have precise meanings (directions)
Shrugging shoulders
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Functions of Nonverbal Communication
Complementing:
Facial expressions match what’s being said (apology)
Illustrators: Nonverbal behaviors that support spoken words
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Functions of Nonverbal Communication
Accenting
Pointing
Regulating
Sending unconscious send/receive cues
Taking a breath ready to talk
Contradicting
Verbal and nonverbal don’t match
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What might be the signs of someone deceiving you?
Tend to make more speech errors (stutter, hesitate, false starts, etc)
Vocal pitch may rise
Eye may blink more
May rapidly shift their posture
May fidget more
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Culture shapes many nonverbal practices. How?
Gender plays a role in the way we communicate. How?
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How could you show the following in a nonverbal way:
You’re bored
You’re interested
You’re happy
You don’t understand
You’re nervous
You’re sad
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Impact of the Internet
Misunderstandings
Examples
How can you avoid misunderstandings?
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
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Types of nonverbal communication
Face and eyes
Voice
Touch
Physical attractiveness
Clothing
Distance
Time
Territory
Environment
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FACE AND EYES
Researchers Ekman and Friesen ID six basic emotions that facial expressions reflect:
Surprise
Fear
Anger
Disgust
Happiness
Sadness
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FACE AND EYES
Smiling cocktail waitresses get more tips
Influence of a smile
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POSTURE AND GESTURE
How you sit
“Kinesics”
See someone slumping into a room, what might that mean?
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VOICE
“Paralanguage” is ….
nonverbal, vocal messages.
Listeners respond more to people who talk at the same rate as the listener.
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TOUCH
Touch increases a child’s mental functioning as well as physical health.
Touch affects how we respond to others.
Touch can communicate what?
Positive, playful, control, aggression
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TOUCH
Factors: Area being touched, how long touch lasts, how much pressure used, movement after touch, anyone else present, relationship between the two people
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PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS
Research shows it does make a difference in how people perceive others
Women who are perceived as more attractive get more dates
Children rate good looking children as having positive social characteristics
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CLOTHING
Clothing can be used to display economic status, educational level, social status, moral standards, athletic ability, etc.
We are more likely to obey people dressed in a high-status manner.
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DISTANCE
The study of the way people and animals use space is called….
“proxemics.”
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DISTANCE
Research indicates we choose a distance depending upon how we feel toward the other person at a given time, context of the conversation, and our personal goals.
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
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DISTANCE
Choosing the optimal distance can have a powerful effect on communication. WHY?
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DISTANCE
Imitate distance: skin – 18 inches
Emotionally close, doctor, dentist, etc
Personal distance: 18 inches – 4 feet
We can be uncomfortable in this zone Why?
Social distance: 4-12 feet
Business situations
Public distance: 12 feet+
Two-way communication more difficult
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TIME
What do we call the study of how humans use and structure time?
“Chronemics”
Our culture values time
In others---it may be barely considered
“Hawaiian” time
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TERRITORY
Territory is a fixed space: Room, house, neighborhood, country.
How people use space can communicate a good deal about what?
Power and status.
High status people tend to be granted more territory and greater privacy. (Boss at work)
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ENVIRONMENT
Physical environment affects communication. It creates perceptions.
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
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