Download non verbal communcation

“NON VERBAL COMMUNCATION”
SUBMITTED TO:
SUBMITTED BY:
SUBJECT:
MS. NIDA ZAIDI
KAMAL AHMED QURESHI
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
ASSIGNMENT NO: 5
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION: ....................................................................................................................................... 3
TYPES OF NON VERBAL COMMUNICATION: ..................................................................................... 3
1.
Facial Expressions: ............................................................................................................................... 3
2.
Sound Effects: ....................................................................................................................................... 3
3.
Eye Contact: .......................................................................................................................................... 4
4.
Gestures: ............................................................................................................................................... 4
5.
Posture: ................................................................................................................................................. 4
6.
Appearance: .......................................................................................................................................... 4
7.
Distance and Personal space: ................................................................................................................ 5
8.
Kinesics:................................................................................................................................................ 5
9.
Haptics or Touch: .................................................................................................................................. 6
10. Body language: ..................................................................................................................................... 6
CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN NON –VERBAL COMMUNICATION: ............................................... 6
WHY NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION MATTERS? ......................................................................... 7
DO MEN AND WOMEN USE NON- VERBAL COMMUNICATION DIFFERENTLY? ....................... 7
CONCLUSION: ............................................................................................................................................ 8
REFERENCES: ............................................................................................................................................ 8
“The most important thing in communication is to hear what isn't being said.”
~ Peter F. Drucker~
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INTRODUCTION:
Communication is a process of sending and receiving messages. We usually communicate with
words but communication is composed of two dimensions verbal and non verbal.
Nonverbal communication is the process by which nonverbal behaviors are used. It is talking
without speaking a word. It is very effective, maybe even more so than speech. Remember the
saying, “Actions speak louder than words.”
Good communication is the foundation of successful relationship for both personally and
professionally. We communicate much more than words. Research shows that the majority of the
messages we send are nonverbal. Nonverbal communication, or body language, includes our
facial expressions, gestures, eye contact, posture, and even the tone of our voice.
When we interact with others, we continuously give and receive wordless signals. All of our
nonverbal behavior like the gestures we make, the way we sit, how fast or how loud we talk, how
close we stand, how much eye contact we make and send strong messages. These messages don’t
stop when you stop speaking. Even when you are silent, you are still communicating
nonverbally.
TYPES OF NON VERBAL COMMUNICATION:
There are many different types of nonverbal communication.
1. Facial Expressions:
The human face is extremely expressive, which express countless emotions without saying a
word. Facial expressions are universal. The facial expressions for happiness, sadness, anger,
surprise, fear, and disgust are the same across cultures.
For Example, If the man is angry, his brows are wrinkled, eyes are narrowed, and a frown
dominates his face. On the other hand, if he is happy, shown a clearly smile at his face.
2. Sound Effects:
It is not just what you say; it is how you say it. When we speak, other people read our voices in
addition to listening to our words. The sound of the voice is a very important part of non-verbal
communication. The loudness, pitch, rhythm and tone of the voice all carry their own messages.
Silence can sometimes say more than words. However, it must be used with care. Extending a
silence for long enough to encourage the other person to talk, but not long enough to cause
distress, requires some experience and sensitivity, and must be guided, as always, by the nonverbal clues provided by the other person.
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For Example, If you are waiting for a friend and they are taking a long time to get ready, you
may said “That’s alright or just take your time” if you said this in a ironic tone of voice, your
friend would realize you didn’t want them to take their time. The main point is your voice the
speed and tone at which you speak is important when you communicate.
3. Eye Contact:
Eye contact is an especially important type of nonverbal communication. The way you look at
someone can communicate many things, including interest, affection, hostility, or attraction. Eye
contact is also important in maintaining the flow of conversation and for gauging the other
person’s response.
Eye contact has different meanings for different people. If you make extended eye contact with
someone he might feel that you are trying to stare them down, which is an aggressive behavior in
most contexts. Others might feel that you are looking deep inside them. Too little eye contact,
might give the impression that you have something to hide, or you dislike the other person and
want to avoid closer interaction.
For Example, If you are arguing with your friend you will hold your strong gaze. But if you are
not interested that what your friend is saying you will defer low eye contact.
4. Gestures:
Gestures are communications like facial expressions, hand signals, eye gazing, and body
postures.
For Example, If you saw a friend at a festival, you might smile and wave at your friend. You
might also point at the Ferris wheel if you wanted to meet your friend there. You could do all of
these things without saying a word.
5. Posture:
Posture also plays a role in communication. Posture is understood through such pointer as
direction of lean, body direction, arm position, and body openness. It can be used to determine a
participant’s level of attention or involvement.
For example, if someone has turned his body completely towards shows that you both have a
conversation, it means that he is interested in what you are saying. If his feet are also turned
towards you, it means that you have him in rapt attention.
6. Appearance:
Our choice of color, clothing, hairstyles and other factors affecting appearance are also
considered a means of nonverbal communication. Different colors can evoke different moods.
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Appearance messages are generally the first nonverbal messages received and can be used to
develop judgments about people based on how they look, what they wear, and their level of
attractiveness, among other things.
For example, Colors represent mood of an individual. If someone is wearing a bright color its
mean he is full of life and feeling happy and energetic.
7. Distance and Personal space:
We can physical space to communicate many different nonverbal messages, including signals of
intimacy, aggression, power, or affection. There are four types of distance zones:




Intimate distance ranges out to one foot and involves a high probability of touching. We
reserve it for whispering and embracing
Personal distance is from 18 inches to 4 feet. This zone is reserved for interactions with
good friends, when discussing personal and casual matters.
Social distance is from 4 to 12 feet. This is a right distance for impersonal, social
gatherings and business communication.
Public distance is more than 12 feet. At this distance a speaker becomes formal. It is
reserved for public speaking and interaction in public places e:g parks, supermarkets, or
on the street.
For example: Talking to a patient, who is in bed from the corridor, may be understood that
normal proximity is not there.
8. Kinesics:
Kinesics is one of the most powerful ways that humans can communicate nonverbally. It is the
non-verbal behavior related to movement, either of any part of the body, or the body as a whole.
Kinesics are the most confusing and difficult area of non verbal behavior because we
communicate through various meanings of the same body movements across different cultures of
the world.
This example will show why the confusion exists. The thumbs-up gesture when used may mean
different things to different cultures. It means “good” in several Western cultures, “one” to
Italians, and “five” to Japanese and is a rather rude gesture in Greek culture. Therefore it could
create a lot of confusion until one is well versed with the cultural influences and differences
across the globe.
Kinesics is classified into five categories. They are emblems, illustrators, affect displays,
regulators and adapters.


Emblems can be defined as non-verbal messages which have a verbal meaning.
Illustrators are used to illustrate what is being said.
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

Affect Displays are body movements or facial expressions that show a person’s
emotional state. We can tell whether someone is feeling happy or sad simply by looking
at them.
Regulators are nonverbal messages which control, maintain or discourage interaction.
For example, if someone is telling you a message that is confusing or upsetting, you may hold
up your hand, a commonly recognized regulator that asks the speaker to stop talking

Adapters are physical movements designed to make you feel better in non-verbal
communication.
9. Haptics or Touch:
Communicating through touch is another important nonverbal behavior. The way one person
touches another can tell a great deal of information. Even a handshake can tell a lot about the
individual’s character and social position. In most interpersonal relationships touching can arm
pat expresses tenderness, give encouragement and show emotional support.
10. Body language:
Body language is body movements that depend on a person’s attitude or feelings. Body language
includes the way people walk, how they stand, and their facial features. In other words, any kind
of meaning that is shown by a person's body attitude or movements.
For example, when a boy is sad he may drop his head and walk slowly. Or, if a girl is happy,
she might run and jump or stand up straight and put her hands in the air. OR if people with light
colored skin get embarrassed, their skin may turn red, or if they are worried, they might get pale.
CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN NON –VERBAL COMMUNICATION:
Nonverbal communication or body language is an important part of how people communicate
and there are differences from culture to culture.

Gestures:
There are a number of gestures commonly used in some culture but may have a different
meaning and or be hateful to many other cultures. Pointing with one finger is also considered to
be rude in some cultures and Asians typically use their entire hand to point to something.

Touch:
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Touch is consider a loving gesture in some culture for example patting a child’s head is
considered to be a friendly or loving gesture in our culture, it is considered inappropriate by
many Asians to touch someone on the head, which is believed to be a blessed part of the body.
In Muslim cultures, touch between opposite gendered individuals is generally inappropriate.

Eye contact or gaze:
We are taught that we should “look people in the eye” when talking. In many cultures, however,
including Asian, Middle Eastern, and Native American, eye contact is thought to be disrespectful
or rude, and lack of eye contact does not mean that a person is not paying attention.

Expression of emotion:
Universal emotions, such as happiness, fear, sadness, are expressed in a similar nonverbal way
throughout the world.
For Example:
In many cultures, such as the Arab and Iranian cultures, people express grief openly. They mourn
out loud, while people from other cultures e.g. China and Japan are more subdued.
Another example of how cultures differ in their nonverbal expression of emotion. Feelings of
friendship exist everywhere in the world, but their expression varies. It is acceptable in some
countries for men to embrace and for women to hold hands; in other countries, these displays of
affection are discouraged or prohibited.
WHY NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION MATTERS?
Human beings are social animals so we usually communicate with each other through words. But
communication is composed of two dimensions verbal and non verbal. The way you listen, walk,
move and react tells the other person whether you are listening seriously to him or not. When
your nonverbal signals match up with the words you are saying, they increase trust, clarity, and
rapport. When they don’t, they create tension, misunderstanding, and confusion.
If you want to communicate better in all areas of your life, it is important to become more
responsive to body language and other nonverbal cues, so you can easily understand the thoughts
and feelings of others. You also need to be aware of the signals you are sending off, so you can
be sure that the messages you are sending are what you really want to converse.
DO MEN AND WOMEN USE NON- VERBAL COMMUNICATION
DIFFERENTLY?
Communication can be both verbal and nonverbal. Nonverbal communication is more instant,
but more unclear than verbal communication. Men and women differ a lot in their tendency to
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use nonverbal communication, their skill in interpreting it and their means of signaling their
meaning.
Women are better than men at interpreting nonverbal signal and they are also better at reading
unintentional nonverbal messages, such as signals of dishonesty. Although men often send
nonverbal signals, they typically do so with less than women.
Men are less comfortable with making eye contact than women. It seems that, it has something to
do with dominance, power and status. Direct eye contact is a sign of emotion. So, the less eye
contact shared the less emotion. They look more directly in to the eyes of someone they like and
look less in to the eyes of people they dislike and/or feel uncomfortable with.
Men and women use gestures, postures, touch and facial expressions differently. For example,
women tend to smile and use facial expressions more than men do. Men appear more relaxed in
posture while women appear tenser.
CONCLUSION:
Nonverbal communication is usually understood as the process of communication through
sending and receiving wordless messages. I.e. language is not the only source of communication,
there are other means also. It can be communicated through gestures and touch, by body
language or posture, by facial expression and eye contact. Speech contains nonverbal elements
known as paralanguage, including voice quality, emotion and speaking style.
REFERENCES:
1. www.google.com
2. www.wikipedia.com
3. http://www.scribd.com
4. http://www.ciil-ebooks.net/html/silent/ch2.htm
5. http://www.livestrong.com/article/172581-do-men-women-use-nonverbalcommunication-differently/
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