De La Salle Medical & Health Sciences Institute PH-PHR 212 (Dispensing 1)

College of Pharmacy 03 - Nonverbal communication and its elements

EXERCISE
NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION
03 AND ITS ELEMENTS

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this exercise, the students must be able to:
● demonstrate the suggested key components of communication kinesics;
● analyze the appropriate proxemics between two interacting persons; and
● dramatize the distracting elements of nonverbal communication.

THEORY:
Non-verbal communication consists of meaning conveyed through body language and facial
expression. It involves a complete mix of behaviors, psychological responses, and
environmental interactions through which we consciously or unconsciously relate to another
person. Pharmacists are expected to be consistent in their use of both verbal and non-verbal
communication. Non-verbal communication makes up for more than 55% of the communication
process. Various components of nonverbal communication play important roles in effective
patient-centered communication, especially in conveying attitudes and emotions. These
elements include kinesics, proxemics, physical environment where communication takes place,
as well as physical attire.

Kinesics refers to the manner in which you use your arms, legs, hands, head, face, and torso to
have a dramatic impact on the messages that you send. The suggested key components of
kinesics are:
● varied eye contact (consistent, but not a stare);
● relaxed posture;
● appropriate comfortable gestures;
● frontal appearance (shoulders square to the other person);
● slight lean toward the other person; and
● erect body position (head up, shoulders back).

Proxemics refers to the structure and use of space between two interacting persons. The quality
of interactions can vary depending on the distances between communicators. Casual
conversations normally take place within a distance of 1.5 to 4 feet. Private conversations may
involve physical touch up to a distance of less than 1.5 feet. More public communication usually
cover a distance of 4 to 6 feet. Further distances would not be appropriate for patient
counselling, especially if the patient is not comfortable having other people around.

The physical environment may refer to the colors used in the pharmacy’s decor and lighting, as
well as the use of space within the vicinity. The general appearance of the pharmacy setting,

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De La Salle Medical & Health Sciences Institute PH-PHR 212 (Dispensing 1)
College of Pharmacy 03 - Nonverbal communication and its elements

including your physical attire, may influence patient perceptions about your professional role
and your level of interest in serving your patients.

Pharmacists should be aware of the barriers to nonverbal communication. The distracting

elements include lack of eye contact, inappropriate facial expressions, overcrossing the intimate
zone, chaotic environment, and a lot more. These examples should be addressed accordingly in
order to have an effective communication between a sender and a receiver.

PROCEDURES:
1. Select a theme for your collage portfolio of the “Facial Expressions Activity”. Individually,
stand in front of the class and take a photo of your blank or expressionless face,
followed by your expression of 6 varied emotions: anger, joy, surprise, disgust, sadness,
and fear. Make a collage of these photos, compile the class outputs, and submit an
access link via email. Proceed to guide question number 1.
2. Analyze the proxemics when interacting people are in private, casual, and public
conversations. Proceed to guide question number 2.
3. Interpret what a list of nonverbal behaviors could possibly mean. Proceed to guide
question number 3.

GUIDE QUESTIONS:
1. In a conversation with another person, what possible statements or situations could
trigger you to express anger, joy, surprise, disgust, sadness, and fear?
2. Inside a pharmacy, what are the topics that should be discussed in a private distance?
How about those that can be discussed in a casual to public distance?
3. Given a list of nonverbal behaviors, what messages are they trying to convey?

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De La Salle Medical & Health Sciences Institute PH-PHR 212 (Dispensing 1)
College of Pharmacy 03 - Nonverbal communication and its elements

EXERCISE 03 NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION

ANSWER SHEET AND ITS ELEMENTS

Name: Ira Louis D. Morante________ Section: 2-1___ Date: _________ Score: ______

GUIDE QUESTION 01
In a conversation with another person, what possible statements or situations could trigger you
to express anger, joy, surprise, disgust, sadness, and fear?

Emotion Trigger statements or situations

1. someone telling me I am a “Nice Guy”

2. Someone boast too much
Anger
3. Not paying attention
4. people being close minded

1. Funny jokes
2. Funny noises
Joy
3. Complements
4. asking about my day

1. Someone noticed my efforts

2. When they hear my murmur and reacted
Surprise
3. remembering details I have said before
4. saying new things/ stories/ facts.

1. talking inappropriate topics when eating

2. mimicking weird noises
Disgust
3. bringing up the past mistakes
4. racism

1. being left out in the conversation

2. sad movies/clips/stories
Sadness
3. talking about my mistakes
4. people forget

1. Deadlines
2. Scary movies/ stories
Fear
3. “growing old and dying alone”
4. people being disappointed

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De La Salle Medical & Health Sciences Institute PH-PHR 212 (Dispensing 1)
College of Pharmacy 03 - Nonverbal communication and its elements

GUIDE QUESTION 02
Inside a pharmacy, what are the topics that should be discussed in a private distance? How
about those that can be discussed in a casual to public distance?

Private conversation topics Casual to public conversation topics

1. How to use a contraceptive 1. Buying painkillers

2. Vices 2. Healthy Lifestyle
3. Personal Information 3. Microbial Resistance
4. Reason for the medication 4. Proper use of medicines
5. Family History 5. Mental Health

GUIDE QUESTION 03
Given a list of nonverbal behaviors, what messages are they trying to convey?

Nonverbal behavior Possible interpretation

Both eyebrows raised Surprised

Both eyebrows lowered Confused or angry

Single eyebrow raised Questioning if you are legitimate and or must

be trusted

Eyebrows quickly raised then lowered Agree/ understood/ acknowledgement

Quick nod upwards Agreement/ understood

Quick nod downwards Come here

Full smile with or without teeth exposed Happy

Half smile that seems larger on one side Confident

Restless movement of arms and legs Uncomfortable/ Person is in a hurry/ or

medical condition

Sweaty face and hands Guilty/ Lying/ Scared/ or medical condition