Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal Communication

Another important element of the communication process is nonverbal communication.
Nonverbal communication is interpersonal communication through nonlinguistic means. In the verbal
communication process, the verbal and nonverbal messages need to be consistent with one another, when
they contradict with one another; the nonverbal message typically expresses true feelings more accurately
than does the verbal element.
The nonverbal element of the communication process is comprised of several factors including
appearance, facial expressions, eye contrast, gestures, touch, posture, voice, silence, time, and space.
Non-verbal communication is everything except your words.

Appearance

Appearance is one aspect of nonverbal communication that has important implications for both written
and verbal communication.
In verbal communication one’s physical appearance affects the message. Elements such as clothing,
hairstyle, overall cleanliness, jewelry, cosmetics, body size, and body shape transmit messages. A
person’s physical appearance can affect the impression others receive of his/her credibility, honesty,
trustworthiness, competence, judgment or status.

Facial Expressions

One’s facial area (eyes, eye brows, forehead, mouth, and chin) is more capable of communicating
nonverbally than any other part of the human body. The face sends messages about one’s happiness,
sadness, anger, frustration, disgust, fear, or surprise. In fact, we generally do not have to ask people if
they are happy or sad – their faces reveal their present emotional state.

Eye contact
While eyes play an important role in communicating emotions, eye contact is used in quite a different
way in the communication process. Establishing and/or maintaining eye contact signals that a person
desires to communicate – that the communication channel is open. Eye contact can also be used to signal
a person’s desire to be included in a conversation, as well as to make another person somewhat
uncomfortable by putting him/her under stress.
Breaking eye contact also sends several signals. Among these are the telling of an untruthful statement, an
uncomfortable with the communication topic or situation, a desire for the communication encounter to
end, or an acknowledgement of status difference between the sender and the receiver.
Direct eye contact is a compliment to most people and builds trust. But be aware of the customs of
people from other countries. It may be a sign of disrespect.
Eye contact is one of the most important aspects of dealing with others, especially people we've just met.
Maintaining good eye contact shows respect and interest in what they have to say.
Eyes can tell you a lot about someone, so watch eye movements when you ask someone a question. It is
usual that if someone goes de-focused or looks up, they are going into a memory or into imagination. If
they look down and to the right, they are going into a feeling. If their eyes move to the right or left, they
are often talking to themselves or listening very carefully. It's useful to pick up eye clues, because it can
help you know where another person is going in his thinking!
Eyebrow muscle draws the eyebrows down and toward the center

Gestures

The use of gestures in the verbal communication process can also add meaning to the message that the
sender is transmitting. While some gestures (clenched fist, four stomping) indicate anger, others can
indicate nervousness (foot tapping, finger tapping). Head nodding indicates agreement while head shaking
indicates disagreement. Head nodding also signals the receiver’s desire for the sender to continue talking.
Keeping one’s arms closed tends to signal uncomfortable ness while open arms tend to reveal openness
and acceptance.
The thumbs-up gesture is a positive sign in most of the world, but in some cultures it considered a rude

gesture.

Gestures do not have universal meaning in all cultures. For example, an “A-OK” gesture (circle made
with the thumb and forefinger) is considered by Latin Americans to be a sign of contempt.
The V-shaped hand gesture with the index finger and middle finger may mean victory or peace in the
United States, but in some countries it could be interpreted as an obscene gesture.
Shaking your head up-and-down means "yes" in the United States and left-to-right means "no." In some
parts of the world the meanings are just the opposite.

Posture

The posture displayed by individuals in the communication process also transmits signals about a variety
of things, including status, confidence, interest, and openness. Higher-stature people often stand more
erect and hold their heads higher than do lower-status people. In a sitting position, however, higher-status
people are likely to have a more relaxed posture than lower-status people who tend to sit in a rather rigid,
erect position.
Self-confident individuals
Voice
The meaning of words can be altered significantly by changing the intonation of one's voice. Think of
how many ways you can say "no"-you could express mild doubt, terror, amazement, and anger among
other emotions. Vocal meanings vary across cultures.
In many cases, voice mannerism – pitch, rhythm, range, rate, non words (such as “ah,” “um,” “uh”), and

pauses – communicate more than the actual words.

Voice mannerism also communicates messages about the sender’s emotional state. Excitement is
communicated by a high-pitched voice and rapid rate of speaking. Messages communicated in anger are
often accompanied by a loud speaking voice, while seriousness and sadness are communicated by a lowpitched
voice. Pauses may indicate uncertainty on the part of the sender.
The nonverbal messages communicated by the sound of the human voice can provide valuable
information during communication. There are eight attributes of speech that provide especially important

vocal cues to the listener;

Loudness. Without enough loudness you cannot be heard. However shouting or a harsh voice may be

perceived as disruptive or insulting. Many times, lowering your voice almost to a whisper will help you
make a point better than shouting.
Pitch – Most factual communication includes moderate changes in the pitch of your voice. A monotone
involves little or no change and may be perceived as indicating apathy or boredom. A high pitch voice
may be perceived as indication excitement. A low-pitched voice may be perceived as indicating anger.
Rate –A slow rate of speech may frustrate usually stand more erect than those lacking confidence. Those interested in a
conversation tend to lean forward toward those with whom they are communicating, while those lacking
interest may slump down.

Quality – This is the characteristic that permits you to differentiate one voice from another.
Regularity – The regular or rhythmic voice will normally make you sound more confident or
authoritative. Irregular speech might be perceived as more thoughtful or uncertain depending on your
words and other nonverbal messages.
Articulation – Speaking each word clearly makes you easier to understand.
Pronunciation – To be understood, you must also use the correct sounds and emphasis in pronouncing
each word. Mispronouncing a word might be perceived as indicator of ignorance or incompetence.
Silence – The absence of sound can also send a strong message. Silence gives you an opportunity to
listen. You can obtain useful information from the listening to what one says and how he/she says it.

Silence

As a type of nonverbal communication, silence has implications for both written and verbal messages.
In verbal encounters, silence on the part of the receiver can communicate several things. It can
communicate that the receiver wishes the sender to continue talking. A receiver who outranks the sender
in the organization might use silence to make the sender feel uncomfortable. A receiver’s silence can also
signal that he/she is contemplating a response before verbalizing it.
Time
The way individuals use their time also communicates nonverbally. Arriving late for an appointment may
diminish the importance that the visitor is perceived to attach to the appointment. Making someone wait

for a scheduled appointment can also be interpreted to mean that the visitor is not very important to the
person with whom he/she has the appointment.
Cultures vary widely in the way they interpret the meaning attached to the use of time. Americans believe
in arriving on time for an appointment. People of some other cultures are not affected by a visitor who
arrives an hour late for an appointment.

Space

People in different cultures require different amounts of physical distance for communication. Too little
or too much space between people can have a negative effect.
 A space closer than 1.5 feet is normally considered to be for intimate communication. If you
attempt to conduct any significant communication from any distance closer than 1.5 feet with
somebody not very close could annoy or even make him/her nervous.
 Allow a distance of 1.5 to 4.0 feet for close interpersonal contact only.
 Allow a distance of 4.0 to 12.0 feet for most business transactions or consultations. Note that four
feet is about the distance across the typical conference table.
 Communicate only briefly or formally at a distance beyond 12.0 feet.