Connecting Through

Nonverbal Communication
Outcomes:
• Learn the characteristics of nonverbal
communication
• Know the different functions of nonverbal
communication
• Familiarize with the different types of nonverbal
communication
• Learn how to interpret and improve nonverbal
communication
 Nonverbal
Communication
 Includes all behaviors, attributes or objects
(except words) that messages that have
social meaning.
 Includes tone of voice, facial expressions,
posture, gestures, and appearances, all of
which are used to communicate messages.
FROWN
FACE
SMIRK
RAISING OF
EYEBROW
NODDING OF
THE HEAD
SHRUGGING
SHOULDER
 Characteristics of
Nonverbal communication
1. Nonverbal communication occurs constantly
2. Nonverbal communication depends on a context
3. Nonverbal communication is a primary means of expression
4. Nonverbal communication is related to culture
5. Nonverbal communication is ambiguous
 Importance in studying
Nonverbal communication
 Carries most of the meaning of the message,
particularly feelings and attitudes toward others.
 Is a frequent source of misunderstandings.
 Is not governed by a set of universal rules.
 Is not a language.
 Is multichanneled, complicated, and ever-changing
 Importance in studying
Nonverbal communication
 Is context and culture bound.
 Is more likely than verbal communication to be
spontaneous and unintentional.
 Is more powerful and is more believable than verbal
communication
 Is learned (not always consciously)
 Is critical in relationship, development, and termination.
 Functions of Nonverbal
Communication
1. Complementing Verbal Behavior
2. Repeating Verbal Behavior
3. Regulating Verbal Behavior
4. Substituting Verbal Behavior
5. Deceiving
 Types of Nonverbal
Communication
 When we dress formally for a meeting
 Smile at someone
 Sit in a specific seat in class
 Use your hands while talking
 Play with a pencil while listening to a lecture
 Dim the lights to create a romantic atmosphere
 Play music loudly
 Look someone directly in the eyes
 Burn incense to create a pleasant odor
 Types of Nonverbal
Communication
1. Facial Expressions and Body Movements
 Kinesics-referred to as body language.
a) Eye behavior
b) Facial Expressions
 Types of Nonverbal
Communication
Eye behavior is a sub-category of facial
expressions that includes any movement or
behavior of the eyes and is also referred to as
oculesis.
 Types of Nonverbal
Communication
Oculesics – study of eye movement and eye
behavior.
 Types of Nonverbal
Communication
Eye Behavior or Oculesics
 Is the first and primary characteristic people
notice.
 We establish relationships with others.
 Convey a variety of other important messages.
 Types of Nonverbal
Communication
Six communicative functions of Eye Behavior
1) Influence attitude change and persuasion;
2) Indicate degree of attentiveness, interest;
3) Express emotions;
4) Regulate interaction;
5) Indicate power and status;
6) Form impressions on others.
 Types of Nonverbal
Communication
Eye gaze at the interpersonal communicates
sincerity, trustworthiness, and friendliness.
 Types of Nonverbal
Communication
Facial Expressions
-are windows to our emotions.
“The face is the image of the soul”
They convey depths of feeling and presence that
words can’t capture.
 Types of Nonverbal
Communication
Body Movements
1) Emblems
2) Illustrators
3) Regulators
4) Affect displays
5) Adaptors
Physical Characteristics
-has an extremely powerful influence on everyday
communication.
Touch
-referred to as either tactile communication or
haptics
Space
Proxemics – is the study of the use of space and
distance between individuals when they are
communicating.
1) Intimate space – is defined as the distance from
no space between people to one-and-half feet
between people.
2) Personal space – ranges from one-and-half feet
to four feet between people.
3) Social space – ranges from four to twelve feet
4) Public space – this includes twelve feet or more.
Time
Chronemics – is the study of how people perceive,
structure, and use time as communication.
Paralanguage/Vocalics
 is the way we vocalize, or say, the words we
speak.
 sounds such as groans, yawns, coughs, laughter,
crying and yelping, which are nonsymbolic but
can communicate very specific messages are
also included.
Paralanguage/Vocalics
 Expressions such as “um,” “wh-huh” “ya know,”
and “ok” are referred to as vocal fillers and are
considered paralanguage.
Paralanguage/Vocalics
1. Jane’s taking Susie out for pizza tonight. (Not Mary or Alice)
2. Jane’s taking Susie out for pizza tonight. (Not Dave or John)
3. Jane’s taking Susie out for pizza tonight. (Not staying home)
4. Jane’s taking Susie out for pizza tonight. (Not hamburger or spaghetti)
5. Jane’s taking Susie out for pizza tonight. (Not tomorrow or the next day)
Paralanguage/Vocalics
 includes pitch (how high or low the voice is) the vocal force
(intensity or loudness of the voice), rate (speed), quality
(overall impression of the voice), and pauses silence.
 The way we vary our voices conveys different meanings to
receivers.
Silence
 Silence or vocal pauses are very communicative, very powerful
messages that often say volumes, whether intended or not.
Smell
 Smell communication or olfactics, which is the study of smell
and odors, is extremely important in our society.
Artifacts
 Are personal adornments or possessions that communicate
information about us. Such things as automobiles, eye
glasses, briefcases, grooming, clothing, hair color, tattoos,
makeup, and many hundreds of other material perceptions
that we create to communicate our age, gender, status, role,
class, importance, group membership, personality, and
relationship to others.
Environment
 Is the psychological and physical surroundings in which communication
occurs, including the furniture, architectural design, lighting conditions,
temperature, smells, colors and sounds of the location and the attitudes,
feelings, perceptions, and relationships of the participants.
Interpreting and Improving Nonverbal
Communication
1. Nonverbal cues have multiple meanings.
2. Nonverbal cues are interdependent.
3. Nonverbal cues are subtle.
Improving Interpretation of Nonverbal
Communication
1. Be observant and sensitive to the nonverbal
messages that you receive.
2. Verify nonverbal messages that you are not sure
of or that are inconsistent with other cues
Directions: Answer the following questions briefly
and concisely. Write it in a 1 whole sheet of paper.
1. Explain what paralanguage is.
2. In determining relationships with others, what role
does nonverbal communication play?
3. Why should you take nonverbal communication
seriously?
4. Does it mean the same thing when a teacher
places a hand on a student’s shoulder and when
the student places a hand on a teacher’s shoulder?
THANK YOU!