GEC 105 - NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION (Week 4)

The Seven (7) Zones for Nonverbal Cues

To master the art of nonverbal communications, one must know where to look and the
meaning of cues. There are seven areas (zones) of the body that present a gateway to
the unspoken meaning of a conversation. Improving your overall communication skills
starts with taking note of the cues being sent from each zone individually, as well as
collectively.
1) Face
The face often gives the most obvious and powerful signals. It is extremely expressive,
able to express countless emotions without saying a word. Unlike other zones greatly
influenced by cultural norms, facial expressions are the most universal. Specifically,
facial expressions for happiness, sadness, anger, surprise, fear and disgust are the
same across cultures.

2) Eyes
The eyes can indicate thought processes or cognitive function. It is important not to read
too much into a lack of eye contact since it is common for many people to glance away
when they are thinking. Eyes can also perform a monitoring function.

From interpersonal to public speaking situations, we can monitor our communication

effectiveness by looking at others and monitoring their feedback.

3) Hands and gestures

Hand movements and gestures are the indicators most affected by cultural or
geographic norms. When working with an international team or client, hand gestures
can have radically different meaning. For example, in Texas holding up your index and
small finger to form horns is the “Hook ‘em Horns” battle cry for the University of Texas,
but that same gesture in Spain, Greece and Italy is considered offensive. That being
said, hands movements and gestures send an enormous amount of information.

4) Posture
Most times, a person’s posture conveys their overall attitude, confidence and physical
wellbeing. Consider how your perceptions of people are affected by the way they sit,
walk, stand up, hold their head or enter a room. The way an individual moves
communicates a wealth of information to the world.

5) Head position
The position of your head tells a story and reflects intent or position. Lowering the head
is a subservient or insecure movement. This movement is often accompanied by a more
closed off or weak posture. When the head moves from a lowered position to straight or
even slightly raised, this is a sign of sudden interest. That movement snaps the listener
back into the conversation.
 6) Proximity
Proximity is all about a person’s positioning and their space in relation to others. Various
factors impact how closely we sit or stand next to someone. The distance is normally
determined by social and cultural norms and the unique patterns of those interacting.
The nature of the topic of discussion may also influence distance.

7) Feet and Legs

The position of the feet and legs are often the most honest indicators of true meaning.
The feet and legs serve as a turn signal—indicating where the individual would like to
go, if they had the choice.
Feet direction indicates one’s readiness or eagerness to move. When two or more
people are standing in conversation, watch where the feet are pointing. If the feet are
positioned toward the interior of the circle, the person is engaged. However, if one foot
is pointing in an outward position—just like one would to take a step away—that position
says, “I am ready to move on.”

There are many reasons why people do not always say what they mean. Understanding
the entire meaning of any communication means not only listening to what is being said,
but also ascertaining meaning from the unspoken.

Christine Hollinden is president and founder of Hollinden Consulting.

Copyright © 2021 Association for Financial Professionals, Inc
Types of Nonverbal Communication
Facial Expressions

Facial expressions are responsible for a huge proportion of nonverbal communication.

Consider how much information can be conveyed with a smile or a frown. The look on a
person's face is often the first thing we see, even before we hear what they have to say.
While nonverbal communication and behavior can vary dramatically between cultures,
the facial expressions for happiness, sadness, anger, and fear are similar throughout
the world.

Kinesics
Kinesics is the interpretation of body motion communication such as facial expressions
and gestures, nonverbal behavior related to movement of any part of the body or the
body as a whole. (Wikipedia)

Chronemics is the role of time in communication. It is one of several subcategories to

emerge from the study of nonverbal communication.
According to the Encyclopedia of Special Education “Chronemics includes time
orientation, understanding and organization; use of and reaction to time pressures; our
innate and learned awareness of time; wearing or not wearing a watch; arriving,
starting, and ending late or on time.” The way someone values and perceives time plays
a considerable role on his or her communication process. The use of time can affect
lifestyles, personal relationships, and work life.
 Across cultures, people usually have different time perceptions, and this can
result in conflicts between individuals. Time perceptions include punctuality,
interactions, and willingness to wait. Three main types of time are used in chronemics:
interactive, conceptual, and social.

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Paralinguistics

Paralinguistics refers to vocal communication that is separate from actual

language. This includes factors such as tone of voice, loudness, inflection, and pitch.
Consider the powerful effect that tone of voice can have on the meaning of a sentence.
When said in a strong tone of voice, listeners might interpret approval and enthusiasm.
The same words said in a hesitant tone of voice might convey disapproval and a lack of
interest.

Consider all the different ways that simply changing your tone of voice might change the
meaning of a sentence. A friend might ask you how you are doing, and you might
respond with the standard "I'm fine," but how you actually say those words might reveal
a tremendous amount of how you are really feeling.

A cold tone of voice might suggest that you are actually not fine, but you don't wish to
discuss it. A bright, happy tone of voice will reveal that you are actually doing quite well.
A somber, downcast tone would indicate that you are the opposite of fine and that
perhaps your friend should inquire further.

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Body Language and Posture

Posture and movement can also convey a great deal of information. Research on body
language has grown significantly since the 1970s, but popular media have focused on
the over-interpretation of defensive postures, arm-crossing, and leg-crossing, especially
after publishing Julius Fast's book Body Language.

While these nonverbal behaviors can indicate feelings and attitudes, research suggests
that body language is far more subtle and less definitive than previously believed.

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Proxemics

People often refer to their need for "personal space," which is also an important type
of nonverbal communication.
The amount of distance we need and the amount of space we perceive as belonging to
us is influenced by a number of factors including social norms, cultural expectations,
situational factors, personality characteristics, and level of familiarity.

The amount of personal space needed when having a casual conversation with another
person usually varies between 18 inches to four feet. On the other hand, the personal
distance needed when speaking to a crowd of people is around 10 to 12 feet.

Eye Gaze

The eyes play an important role in nonverbal communication and such things as
looking, staring and blinking are important nonverbal behaviors.
.
Eyes are perhaps the most expressive feature of human body. Eyes tell more than
words could ever say.
“Oculesics” is the study of eye movement, eye behavior, eye related nonverbal
communication, including eye contact blinks, widening the eyes, raise the eyebrows and
public dilation. Eye contact known as osulesics is an important part of communication.
It is a technical term of eye contact.

Eye contact can signal that:

You are paying attention.
You respect the person you are speaking with.
As well as variety of different emotions.

For instance:
When your teacher notices the most of his student are not looking at him, he might
conclude that you are not paying attention.
Americans use eye contact to show respect and they are listening. But, prolonged gaze
is considered rude there. Japanese don't prefer eye contact; they direct their gaze
below the chin.

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Artifacts

Objects and images are also tools that can be used to communicate nonverbally. On an
online forum, for example, you might select an avatar to represent your identity online
and to communicate information about who you are and the things you like.
People often spend a great deal of time developing a particular image and surrounding
themselves with objects designed to convey information about the things that are
important to them.

Uniforms, for example, can be used to transmit a tremendous amount of information

about a person. A soldier will don fatigues, a police officer will wear a uniform, and a
doctor will wear a white lab coat. At a mere glance, these outfits tell people what a
person does for a living.

Nonverbal communication plays an important role in how we convey meaning and

information to others, as well as how we interpret the actions of those around us.

The important thing to remember when looking at such nonverbal behaviors is to

consider the actions in groups. What a person actually says along with his or her
expressions, appearance, and tone of voice might tell you a great deal about what that
person is really trying to say.

Chronemics is the role of time in communication. It is one of several subcategories to

emerge from the study of nonverbal communication

Haptics is the perception of objects by touch and proprioception, especially as involved

in nonverbal communication. It is also known as the “language of touch.”
"haptics is that subsystem of non-language communication which conveys meaning
through physical contact"

Kinesics is the interpretation of body motion communication such as facial expressions

and gestures, nonverbal behavior related to movement of any part of the body or the
body as a whole. (Wikipedia)

“Oculesics” is the study of eye movement.

Proxemics is the study of human use of space and the effects that population
density has on behavior, communication, and social interaction. Proxemics is one
among several subcategories in the study of nonverbal communication, including
haptics, kinesics, vocalics, and chronemics. (Wikipedia)

Vocalics is the study of the nonverbal uses of the voice that indicate emotion and
provide cues as to how the message should be interpreted.

Paralinguistics/paralanguage refers to vocal communication that is separate from

actual language. This includes factors such as tone of voice, loudness, inflection, and
pitch. Consider the powerful effect that tone of voice can have on the meaning of a
sentence.

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