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Chapter 3
Nonverbal
Communication
What is nonverbal
communication?
“Everything that communicates a
message but does not use words”
Facial expressions, hand
movements, physical appearance
and attractiveness, timing, tone of
voice, eye movement, use of
space, touch, smell…what else?
Decoding and Encoding
Nonverbal Communication
Decoding: Drawing/making meaning
from what you observe
Encoding: Using nonverbal
communication to turn your feelings
into behavior
Good encoding helps your listeners
understand you; good decoding helps
you figure out what they are telling you
Two Modes of Nonverbal
Communication (NVC)
 Static NVC: Elements of an interaction
that do not change
Arrangement of furniture, décor of a
room, clothes worn during an
interaction, speaker’s ethnicity
 Dynamic NVC: Elements that do change
Facial expressions, body position, eye
movement, pitch and tone of speaker’s
voice
How Does Nonverbal
Communication Work?
Similar to verbal
Different from
communication:
verbal
communication:
Symbolic
Less
Guided by rules
controlled
Linked to culture
Continuous
Personal
Ambiguous
Functions of Nonverbal
Communication
1. Interconnecting with verbal
communication by…
 Repeating a verbal message
 Substituting for a verbal
message
 Emphasizing a verbal message
 Moderating a verbal message
Functions of Nonverbal
Communication
Interconnecting with verbal
communication by…
 Contradicting a verbal message
 Deciding whether or not to engage
in conversation
 Punctuating how you talk to other
people
 Beginning and ending interactions
Functions of Nonverbal
Communication
2. Identifying specific individuals
3. Conveying emotional information
 Attitudes about the other person
 Attitudes toward the situation
 Your attitude toward yourself
4. Establishing relational meaning
and understanding
Elements of Nonverbal
Communication
1. Proxemics (space and distance)
 Primary, secondary, public
 Personal space (‘body buffer
zone’)
 Space and distance can signify
relationships and are affected by
relationships as well
Elements of Nonverbal
Communication
2. Kinesics (movement)
 Posture, gestures, eye contact
and gaze
 Posture – open or closed
 Gestures – emblems or
illustrations
Elements of Nonverbal
Communication
3. Vocalics/Voice (paralanguage,
or vocal characteristics)
 Voice quality, tone/pitch, rate,
silence
 ‘Vocalic nonverbal behavior’
 Also used to regulate interactions
Elements of Nonverbal
Communication
4. Chronemics (the use of time)





Choice of time for events
Duration of events
Also used to regulate interactions
Timing of speaking
Interruption and overlap and
cultural ‘norms’
Elements of Nonverbal
Communication
5. Haptics (the use of touch)





Functional/professional
Social/polite
Sign of influence or status
Physiological stimulus
Can be used to regulate
interaction
Nonverbal Communication as
a System
NVC is related to the verbal
messages used with it
NVC has a relationship to other
NVC communication going on
NVC is interpreted depending on
its context
NVC is also interpreted according
to relationships
Improving Your Nonverbal
Communication
Be aware of your own NVC errors
Work on your decoding by being
more attentive, bonding,
coordinating, detecting, and
encouraging
Work on your own encoding by
affirming, blending, consistency,
directness, and emotion
Improving Your Nonverbal
Communication