Non-Verbal

Communication

Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil

 Non-Verbal Communication
• Sending and receiving messages
without the use of words
 Nonverbal Communication
Definition:
• Human action and behavior and the
corresponding meaning that is
attached to behavior.
• In short, everything but the words.
• It is far more than just gestures and
eye contact.
• Actions Speak Louder Than Words
 Linkage of Verbal and
Nonverbal Communication
• Repeating — verbal • Complement — what
signal followed by is being said and
physical signal. accompany the
• Regulating — words.
speaking louder or • Accenting — strong
holding up a hand. action supporting
• Substituting — words.
using action or • Contradicting — say
symbols in lieu of the opposite of the
words. verbal message.
 Why pay attention to
nonverbal?
• Exchange of • Nonverbal is
information thru stronger
nonlinguistic signs • Nonverbal adds to
• Assists in drawing or qualifies message
accurate conclusions • More frequent:
– 7 % words
• Increases
– 55% body (facial,
sensitivity posture)
– 38% voice
(Mehrabian (1968)
Strategic Usage of
Nonverbal Signals
• Emblems — actually
stand for something.
• Illustrators —
complement verbal
message.
• Regulators — gestures
that control what a
speaker says.
• Affect Display — more
complex and obvious.
• Adapter — moving body
parts that simulate
what you would like to
do, but can’t.
Principles of Non-Verbal
Communication

• Natural

• Cultural
 Natural Signs
• Eye is the best mirror of what goes on in the
mind.
• Face including eye gives better picture of what
you are.
• Natural signs of mental state –
– Lip movement
– Hand movement
– Leg movement
– Posture
– Sweating
– Trembling
– Lack of co-ordination
– Fumbling
– Increased use of fillers
 Cultural Signs
• Cultural way of understanding
your behavior -
– Saluting, giving respect to others.
– Tone in which you address others.
– Gestures that you show.
– The way you dress, curtsy talk.
– Distance you keep from others.
 What you speak?
• There should be coherence among
what you speak and what you
non-verbally signal:
– naturally and culturally.
• If there is contradiction:
– You say that you are happy and the
natural signs indicate you are not.
– You do not successfully
communicate.
 Elements of Non-Verbal
Communication
• Body language

• Eye contact

• Facial expressions

• Vocal cues

• Spatial use

• Time
 Body Language
• Appearance
• Posture
• Walk
• Gestures
• Touch
 Why Do We Wear Clothing
• To cover one’s body
• To keep warm
• To indicate wealth or status
• To indicate indifference to wealth and
status
• To indicate occupation
• To show religious or cultural belief
• To express one’s individuality
 Posture and Walk
• Standing straight can indicate
confidence
• Dragging your feet can indicate
that
– You are tired or
– Reluctant to go where you are going
• Walking briskly can indicate
– That you are excited or
– That you are important
 Gestures
• Movement of hands and arms used to
help make a point
 Touch
• Friends touch each other to indicate
closeness
• People might strike each other in
anger
• People can indicate status by initiating
touch
• Inappropriate or unwanted touch can
be sexual harassment
 Eye Contact and Facial
Expression
• Can indicate that
– you are paying attention
– You understand what is being said
– You take the speaker seriously
– You are or consider the speaker trustworthy
– You are bored
– You are rude
– You are flirting
– You are surprised
 Eye Contact
• Important nonverbal cue
– High level gazing:
• liking or friendliness
– Staring (maintain gaze regardless):
• anger or hostility
Vocal Cues

• Pitch
• Rate
• Volume
• Quality
• Articulation
 Spatial Use
• Public space – over 12 feet
• Social space (4 -12 feet)
• Personal space ( 1 ¼ - 4 feet)
• Intimate space (upto 1 ½ feet)
 Time
• People who spend a great amount of
time together (by choice) are friends
• Someone who is late doesn’t care.
• Someone who is too early cares too
much (is desperate)
• Someone who keeps you waiting is of
higher status
 Men and Women at Work
• Men take up more
space
• Handshakes—firm,
not bone
crunching.
• Women smile more
and are expected
to smile
• Women maintain
eye contact longer
 Non Verbal Messages can
• Support verbal messages (clarify)
• Contradict verbal messages (mixed
messages)
• Replace verbal messages (secrets)
• Regulate verbal messages (control)
 Nonverbal Communication:
Recognizing Deception

• Most people lie every day

• Not very good detectors of lying
• Generally perceive others as
truthful
• Generalize individuals truthfulness
• However, nonverbal cues can be
helpful
 Nonverbal Leakage of
Deception—Lying
• BASE LINE behavior before • DRESS
judging – Close and open coat
• MOVEMENT – Play with collar
– Hand-to-face (cover – Picking at lint on
mouth) clothing
– Nose rub • PROXEMICS
– Lip biting – Moving away
– Foot tapping • PARALANGUAGE
– Open gestures show – Slow response
comfort. – Long answers
– Vocal pitch
THANK YOU