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 of the face if someone is annoyed. If
someone is empathetic and caring during dialogue the eyebrows will not show the annoyed facial
grimace.
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.
Touching
This involves the use of touch to impart meaning as in a handshake, a pat on the back, an arm
around the shoulder, a kiss, or a hug. Touch can communicate many different things, such as affection,
playfulness, hostility, decisiveness, solidarity, assurance and urgency, to name just a few. There are four
universally recognized aspects of touching, all of which communicate varying emotions and intentions.
The first is the professional touch, used, for example, by businesspeople, between a professor and his/her
students and two people meeting for the first time. The second is the social/polite touch, used by
acquaintances who wish to convey friendly but slightly detached appreciation and affection. The third is
the friendly touch, which could be used by close friends or close businesspeople and colleagues
congratulating one another on an accomplishment. The fourth and most intense touch is known as
intimate touch, which is usually reserved for couples expressing love and affection through kissing,
hugging, or caressing. The amount and nature of touching considered appropriate for the situation varies
from culture to culture.
Individuals from an English, German or Swedish culture tend to use touch less as a rule, and rely upon the
physical setting to set the tone of a given situation. However, those with Asian, African American, Italian
or Latino heritage incorporate a much larger amount of touch into their personal exchanges, using
elaborate, extended handshakes, embraces or even kisses to convey their affection and gratitude. Many
misunderstandings and much discomfort can arise from a situation that places two people from drastically
different cultures together. It is always best to attempt to adapt oneself as comfortably as possible to a
situation to decrease the possibility of personal insult and awkwardness.
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 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.
etc