MODULE 3: Nonverbal Communication Lecture Content
Topics covered:
- Functions of nonverbal communication
- Types of nonverbal communication
Nonverbal communication (NVC) is the most primitive form of communication. Before humans created verbal language, this was the tool used to communicate. And, this is still used today; although it has evolved. It is impossible not to communicate nonverbally because we use our entire bodies to communicate (head, face, posture, gestures, movement, space, clothing, touch, voice and our environment and time).
This form of communication is often times neglected when we are communicating with others because we are not focused on the impact our bodies have on other people. In addition, NVC is often misunderstood or misinterpreted in settings because of a lack of focus or, more importantly, a cultural difference. It is difficult to interpret nonverbal cues with complete certainly; however, mindfully focusing on other people’s NVC as well as our own will help to create a more competent communication
Objectives
Upon completion of this module, the student will be able to:
- Explain the differences between verbal and NVC.
- Explain the characteristics of NVC.
- Explain the influences on NVC.
- Explain and define the seven functions of NVC.
- Define and recognize the seven types of NVC.
- Define the four dimensions of proxemics (space).
- Explain how to build competence in NVC.
Readings
- Adler, Fuehrer, Elmhorst, Lucas (2019) – Chapter 4
Additional resources:
Adler, R., Rodman, D. & DuPre, A. (2019). Understanding Human Communication
Driver, J. (2012). You Can’t Lie to Me
Ekman, P. (2007). Emotions Revealed.
Ekman, P. (2003). Unmasking the Face.
Kinsey-Goman, C. (2008). The Nonverbal Advantage.
Activities
- Review the Lecture Content.
- Watch videos to gain an understanding of the use of NVC.
- Participate and complete module discussion by the posted due date.
- Complete the nonverbal observation assignment.
Part 1: Nonverbal Communication
Nonverbal Communication: messages expressed through nonlinguistic means.
It is the use of body language as opposed to the spoken word.
Nonverbal communication (NVC) conveys meaning and reflects the unspoken.
Culture is a major influence on our nonverbal expressions. Each culture has behaviors that are significant to them. The only nonverbal expressions that are universal are facial microexpressions that show the seven basic emotions (Ekman, 2007).
Conveys Meaning:
On average, 93% of our communication is nonverbal (this may vary depending on the expressiveness of the individual). NVC is the most primitive form of communication (Goman, 2008).
Reflects the Unspoken:
NVC is considered a spontaneous reflection of unspoken thoughts and feelings. They are outward expressions of inward mental activities.
Characteristics of NVC:
Nonverbal behavior has communicative value:
It can be intentional, but most of the time it is not. There are messages that we relay that we do not mean to, and they are unconscious, but there is always a message present. However, as receivers, we may not necessarily know what is meant if we do not know that person well.
NVC is primarily relational:
We discussed identity management in chapter two, NVC helps us to manage what others think of us the way we project our bodies.
We also define our relationships, and the type of relationships we have by how we express ourselves.
In addition, we use NVC to convey emotions we may be unwilling or unable to express. This is called affect displays – the expression of attitudes nonverbally using facial expressions, body movements and vocal traits.
NVC is ambiguous:
Do not try to be a mind reader. Through further research and understanding of NVC, you can better communicate in your relationships. But, you will not really know what others are thinking.
Baselining, or getting to know other people’s normal behaviors (Ekman, 2007), aids in the recognition of something that is outside of the norm.
Some emotions will be easier to decode than others, but for the most part, we do not know what a person is thinking. Women tend to be better at decoding NVC better than men do because of the way most women communicate: with emotion.
NVC is different from verbal communication:
verbal messages are almost always intentional (conscious), as NV message are usually not (unconscious).
Verbal communication tends to have only one channel, which NVC has multiple channels.
Verbal communication ends, while NVC is considered to be continuous.
Nonverbal skills are important:
Effective nonverbal expression and the ability to read and respond to others’ nonverbal behaviors is an important skill to have.
These skills help in relationships from personal to professional. The skills can help one become a better persuasive speaker on the job, and it can help one become more emotionally sensitive to others, or what is referred to as “emotional intelligence.”
Part 2: Functions of NVC
Verbal and NVC are different, but they do operate together on most occasions
These are called emblems – deliberate nonverbal behaviors that have precise meanings known to everyone within a culture. Example: the “OK” sign in America means we are doing fine, or something was good. The sign in Brazil means something very vulgar. Whereas this symbol in Japan means money.
Repeating — when we repeat nonverbally what we just said verbally. When we give someone directions and say “It is just down the road that way.” Then we point in the direction repeating what was verbally stated.
Substituting — when we use NVC in place of verbal communication. If your friend asks what you want to do that night and you shrug your shoulders indicating you do not know, you are answering the question nonverbally.
Complementing
When we use NVC with our verbal communication that matches what we are verbalizing. When we sincerely apologize, our nonverbal behaviors as well as our tone of voice will match.
These are called illustrators — nonverbal behaviors that accompany and support spoken words. Think of when we are talking and we use our hands in the story. We open our arms wide and say “That fish was this big!”
Accenting
When we use NVC to accent or emphasize a point. Stressing words in a sentence, or pointing at a person when we are angry. Stomping our feet when we are giving a particular point.
Regulating
When we use our NVC to control the flow of verbal communication. Vocal patterns, pausing as well as gestures control the flow. If I want someone to slow down, I may put my palm up If I want someone to hurry up, I may point my index finger to the side and move my hand in a circular motion.
Contradicting
Sometimes we will say something, but our bodies will contradict what we stated. If a woman has her arms crossed with an angry look on her face and her spouse says “Are you ok?”; when she responds with “I’m fine!” That is an obvious contradiction.
Many times these are unintentional because we want to mask our true feelings, but there are times when it can be strategic.
For example, you want to end the conversation, but someone keeps going on, the pitch of your voice may become higher and you may say “Ok…” with the pause waiting for the person to get the hint (we all have done it!)
Deceiving
Some people are better at hiding deceit than others. We become better liars as we grow older, and that is especially true for women. And, women tend to be better at detecting liars than men.
There are no absolute cues to indicate deception. There are cues that are outside of the individual’s baseline that can indicate deception. When we show these cue, it is called “leakage”. These are called “deception clues”.
Deception clues are more likely to appear when we want to hide emotions, when we feel guilty or apprehensive about our lies, when we get enjoyment from our lies, and when we are very careful about constructing our message when delivering it.
Not to mention, we may show these clues when we are forced to lie (meaning, perhaps a boss told you that you had to tell the general manager that our store increased our profit, when that was not the case and you know the boss fudged the numbers).
Part 3: Type of Nonverbal Communication
Let’s learn about these meanings…
Body Movements – KINESICS
Kinesics – the study of body movement. Bouncing, swaying, fidgeting can all convey meanings.
Posture and Gestures
Posture can convey confidence or a lack of confidence. It can express a mood, vulnerability, or even express status or authority.
Janine Driver, nonverbal expert, uses the terms “tall skinny candle” and “short fat candle” to define the level of confidence in one’s body.
The “tall skinny candle” is a posture where the body is tight, feet are together, and arms are across the belly area (a vulnerable area). This expresses a lack of confidence. You are trying to shrink and cover yourself.
“Lacking Confidence – Tall Skinny Candle”
The “short fat candle” is a posture where your feet are shoulder width apart, you are open and you are using your arms to gesture, your arms are to the side, or even on your hips. This expresses confidence.
“Confident – Short Fat Candle”
Gestures can be used to give a sign (emblems), can be used in our conversations (illustrators), and sometimes it can show a lack of confidence, anxiety, or deception.
Emblems:
“Thumbs Up in America means Good Job”
“Palm up in America means stop”
Illustrators:
“Both of the these pictures are gestures that could be used while talking. We illustrate our stories and our words with our gestures.”
If we are rubbing or manipulating a part of our body, such as our fingers, or playing with our hair (when we do not normally do this behavior) we are expressing what we call manipulators. Or as Janine Driver and Paul Ekman call, pacifiers.
“Rubbing your chin while speaking is called a pacifier or manipulator. It could indicate thinking or it could indicate worry.”
Face and eyes (Oculesics)
The face and eyes are the most noticed parts of the body because when speaking to others, this is the area where a majority of our focus lies. Most people are usually quite accurate at judging facial expressions because this is where our emotion is shown. It is when we get into the more subtle expression that we have a more difficult time detecting.
Dr. Paul Ekman, the researcher behind the intensive studies of the face, began his studies in the 1960’s branching off of Darwin’s studies.
Dr. Ekman determined that we show many expressions on our face, and sometimes they last about 1/5th of a second. These are called microexpressions. And, these are the expressions that are universal regardless of the culture.
The seven emotions expressed in the face and eyes are: happiness, sadness, anger, fear, disgust, surprise and contempt (feeling of dislike or superiority).
Happiness
Sadness
Anger
Fear
Disgust
Surprise
Contempt (the only assymtrical expression)
Voice (Vocalics)
Tone, pitch, volume, emphasis. Not what you say, but how you say it. This can be referred to as para-language. You can change the meaning of a sentence simply by changing the emphasis of a word or with the tone you used.
Sometimes the vocal change is unintentional and ever so slight. Sarcasm is an example of when the tone changes the meaning.
Another way the voice is nonverbal is with the use of disfluencies (filler words: uh, um, like, you know, you know what I’m saying, etc.). These are unconscious therefore nonverbal.
Appearance (Physical Attractiveness)
These are the messages relayed the way we present ourselves. Not necessarily how pretty or handsome someone is, but how we care for our image which in turn makes us more attractive. Those who are seen as more attractive are seen as more credible, they are looked upon more favorably, and they tend to have higher incomes.
Clothing
is a major part of our physical attractiveness. Awareness of the power of clothing to create impressions is a concept that many teachers and trainers impress upon others. We do make assumptions about people based on their clothing whether we like it or not.
This can also show status or authority as well. Police officers in uniform can persuade people to pick up trash as opposed to civilians telling people to pick up trash. We dress up for job interviews to create a first impression. Most of us also dress up for first dates because we are creating an impression.
When it comes to physical attractiveness, which picture sends the best message when preparing for a job interview?
Touch (Haptics)
The United States is a non –contact culture. We prefer others not to touch us if we do not know them. Touch can have many meanings. It can help, nurture, show love or attraction, reinforce and it can harm, violate or punish.
Hugging vs. handshakes – in the U.S. upon first meeting, we greet with handshakes in personal and social settings. In some European countries they may greet by kissing both cheeks and a friendly hug. Hugging in the U.S. is reserved for our friends, family and romantic partners. There are different meanings to hugs to Americans.
Women touch more and are touched more than men. Punching someone can be playful or it can be to harm. Men tend to play punch more than women do in the U.S.
Space (Proxemics)
Anthropologist Edward T. Hall extensively studied the meanings of distance in human beings and within cultures. He determined that there are four main types of space.
Intimate Distance – skin to 18 inches
Personal Distance – 18 inches to 4 feet
Social Distance – 4-12 feet
Public Distance – 12 feet and beyond
In the U.S., not only is it a non-contact culture, but Americans have one of the largest space bubbles in the world and prefer people we do not know in the social distance.
Americans become very uncomfortable, and sometimes hostile, if others are in their intimate and personal space because they want people in the social and public space; mostly because of the meanings behind it.
When a person “gets in someone face” that is usually a threat or a challenge.
Photo Credit:LBJ Library photo by Yoichi Okamoto
** In 1991 when Desert Storm began, many U.S. Marines were getting into a lot of trouble because they were punching out Iraqi men because close talking is normal in that culture. The Marines were not taught the nonverbal conversational behaviors when they were deployed. They were in a war situation in another country, they did not know who was friend or foe, and Americans do not speak that closely to each other…especially men.
In a recent, personal interview with a Desert Storm Combat Marine, he was asked if this happened. He responded “Hell, yes this happened. They would get in your face when you told them not to and you did not know if they were going to help you or blow you up. You didn’t know who to trust, and it was really uncomfortable when they were talking in your face.”
**President Lyndon Johnson was known to be a close talker which usually makes people very uncomfortable in the U.S. because it is considered a challenge or intimidating. Here he is speaking to Abe Fortas after being nominated for the Supreme Court July 26, 1965 (see picture above).
Environment
Physical environments are shaped the way people interact. When we learn how to shape environments, we can put more control of a situation in our hands. Meaning, if we need to confront someone and we start screaming at them, that creates a negative environment.
Décor of an environment can also create impressions. This is why many private doctors’ offices attempt to create a calming environment for patients when waiting for their appointment in the waiting room and why nice spas are beautiful and tranquil.
People who want to study alone in a library tend to choose corner seats of tables or find seats in an area away from people.
Time (Chronemics)
Similar to the regulating function, we can use time to speed up or slow down a social pace when we are in a conversation. The way we use our nonverbal behaviors can control the conversation.
In the United States, time is important. When one is late with no viable reason, we tend to assume this person is rude. The use of time depends greatly on the culture:
Monochronic cultures: time is tangible; there is an emphasis on punctuality, schedules and completing tasks. (U.S., Canada, Germany)
Polychronic cultures: schedules are more flexible, there is more focus on relationships than the task at hand, they work on multiple tasks (South American and Arabic countries)
Part 4: Building Competence in NVC
Tune out words
Sometimes we overlook important nonverbal cues when we are only listening to the words. Pay attention to the body instead of putting complete focus on the words.
One way to practice is to watch TV and turn off the sound. That way you can attend to facial expressions, gestures and movements.
Use perception checking
The three part method for verifying the accuracy of interpretations, including a description of the sense data, two possible interpretations, and a request for confirmation of the interpretation.
Because NVC is ambiguous, it is important to consider your interpretations as educated guesses, not absolute translations. A yawn may not mean boredom. It could mean someone had a restless night. (Sometimes yawning can be an effect of anxiety.)
Perception checking can help explore the significance of nonverbal cues because it requires you to stop and consider all possible interpretations and not just create a snap judgment.
Pay attention to your own nonverbal behavior
There is value to monitoring your nonverbal behavior.
Sometimes we do not realize the messages we give off to others. Consider having someone record your behaviors so you can learn what it is that you do.
Once you have a sense of what it is that you do, you can make your behaviors more conscious and attempt to control them better in communication exchanges. But, you will never be able to control all of them.
**Watch the videos on NVC below to see some examples and get some additional tips. (If you are interested in the clip from the History Channel’s documentary “Secrets of Body Language”, you can watch the entire documentary on YouTube.)
The Nonverbal Advantage:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4seubwCssc&feature=youtu.be (Links to an external site.)
Secrets of Body Language Part 3 – Bill Clinton:secrets of body language part 3 (Links to an external site.)
If you need to download the transcripts for the videos, click here:
The Nonverbal Advantage: SPC2017-NonverbalAdvantagbyCarol_Kinsey(1).pdf
Secrets of Body Language (Bill Clinton clip): secrets_of_body_language_part_3_-_YouTube.pdf
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