Seatwork

Verbal and Nonverbal Communication

Answer the following questions based on the YouTube video “Verbal and Nonverbal
Communication”. Warning: Do not use Google search in answering the questions.
Your answers can be different from those on the video. Watch the prescribed
Youtube video.

1. What is verbal communication? (2 points.)

Verbal communication is the words and other utterances we use to express ourselves.

2. What is nonverbal communication? (2 points)

Nonverbal communication is how you look, your gestures, facial expressions, etc. and
how you sound, tone, pacing, pauses, etc.

3. What are the kinds of nonverbal gestures? Describe each and give an example. (4
points)

A. Emblems are nonverbal cues that have a universal meaning within a specific
culture. Emblems are decided by a particular society. Emblems can have agreed
upon meanings, they are inextricably linked to their cultural context.

Example of Emblems:

> In American culture when we give thumbs up it means a good job.

> Circling our index finger to our ear means the person is totally crazy.

B. Illustrators are the automatic nonverbal gestures and cues we use

subconsciously to illuminate our words. It helps us paint a picture that our words
are expressing. Illustrators are deeply rooted in our communicative behavior.

Examples of Illustrators:
 > Someone is excited to see her friend, in addition to saying “It’s so great to see
you” they use big sweeping gestures with their arms. This gesture signals joy and
excitement

> If you are in a high-stakes meeting and are super nervous, you are probably
going to be more reserved with your illustrators using stiff or jerky movements.

4. What are the different ways that nonverbal and verbal communication interact
in real life? Define and give an example of each. (12 points)

A. Repeating is when a nonverbal behavior reinforces a verbal message.

Example: Saying nice job while giving a thumbs up
Don’t interrupt me while putting your hand up

B. Substituting is when we use a gesture or other nonverbal cue in place of a

word.
Example: Give a high-five instead of saying, “Wow, that’s
awesome,congratulations.”

C. Turn-taking is relying on nonverbal communication to signal turn-taking.

Example: In a group conversation, you notice that Jimmy hasn’t gotten a
chance to say anything yet. Noticing that you lean in and do an outwardly gesture
facing Jimmy to signal that maybe they would like to say something.

D. Complementing is enhancing a verbal message with nonverbal communication.

Example: Giving your manager a rundown of your team’s epic progress this
quarter, you might gesture an upward chart signaling growth.

E. Emphasizing is to accentuate a verbal message, especially in a speech,

presentation, meeting or pitch.
Example: Emphasizing my point using a strong gesture in a meeting while
presenting a report.

F. Contradicting occurs when nonverbals contradict spoken words.

Example: A friend is in so much pain but they are smiling.
A friend told you that they had so much fun hanging out but they
have a deadpan look on their face.
5. What is nonverbal leakage, and what does it look like? (2 points)

Nonverbal Leakage is a visceral image. It is our gestures blowing our cover, so to

speak, when we are attempting to conceal something. There is a disconnect between
what we are saying and how we are saying it. Research shows that in a study in
deception 98% of people expressed nonverbal leakage when they are trying to hide a
charged emotion. Tone of voice is a huge giveaway, and so are body gestures that
misalign with the verbal message.

6. What are microexpressions? What are their 7 types? (3 points)

Microexpressions where an emotion will flash across the person;s face but have to
pay attention because these happen as fast as 1/15th to 1/25th of a second.

7 types of microexpressions
● Happiness
● Surprise
● Fear
● Anger
● Sadness
● Disgust
● Contempt