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INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES
Course name Business communications
An assignment submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for
the BA Degree in Development studies
Assignment No.1
Student details: Fridah Chama
Lecturer’s Name
Year:1
Task: Non Verbal Communications are vital in the study of communication. Identify at least ten
body languages, their possible means and the consequence to the process of communication
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INTRODUCTION
Communication can be defined in many ways. According to (speak, 2005), it is defined as
follows;
• Information transmitted
• A verbal or nonverbal message
• A process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system
of symbols, signs, or behavior.
NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION
Nonverbal messages are unspoken and more difficult to interpret than verbal messages, but are
just as important. This is particularly true when you think that someone is saying one thing and
showing body language that tells a different story. Nonverbal cues are often neglected during
interpersonal communication.
A type of unspoken communication is writing. Communication in writing is powerful and
lasting. Whether you write a letter, a memo, or an email message, written communication can be
recalled word for word. Spoken communication is often misquoted and misremembered. Writing
lasts a long time. Below are some examples of non-verbal communication
BODY LANGUAGE
According to (Klima & and Bellugi, 1979) Body language is a language in which physical
behavior, as opposed to words, is used to express feelings. Body language exists in both animals
and humans. Our own behavior can affect those around us. We try to draw impressions of
people, and they of us, by observing both their verbal and non-verbal behavior. We communicate
a lot without saying a word.
It is estimated that over 75 percent of the messages we deliver are communicated non- verbally.
We express ourselves using what is known as body language.
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Body language can be as simple as a frown on your face, a smile, crossing your arms, or tapping
your pen on a desk. Some convey hostility, others show open friendliness.
(Kurien, 2010) Body language includes our gestures, facial expressions, dress, and grooming
style. Researchers have documented some non-verbal expressions common to all cultures.
However, some of the types of body languages include the following;
1. Handshakes: Handshakes are regular greeting rituals and are commonly done on
meeting, greeting, offering congratulations or after the completion of an agreement. They
usually indicate the level of confidence and emotion level in people.
However, in Muslim cultures, men may not shake hands or touch women in any way and
vice versa. Likewise, in Hindu cultures, Hindu men may never shake hands with women.
Instead, they greet women by placing their hands as if praying.
A firm, friendly handshake has long been recommended in the business world as a way to
make a good first impression, and the greeting is thought to date to ancient times as a way
of showing a stranger you had no weapons.
2. Body postures: Emotions can also be detected through body postures. Research has
shown that body postures are more accurately recognized when an emotion is compared
with a different or neutral emotion. For example, a person feeling angry would portray
dominance over the other, and their posture would display approach tendencies.
Comparing this to a person feeling fearful, they would feel weak, submissive and their
posture would display avoidance tendencies, the opposite of an angry person.
Sitting or standing postures also indicate one’s emotions.
A person sitting till the back of their chair, leans forward with their head nodding along
with the discussion implies that they are open, relaxed and generally ready to listen.
3. Facial expression: Is integral when expressing emotions through the body. Combinations
of eyes, eyebrow, lips, nose, and cheek movements help form different moods of an
individual such as happiness, sadness, depression, and anger.
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Behavioral experiments have also shown that recognition of facial expression is
influenced by perceived bodily expression. This means that the brain processes the other's
facial and bodily expressions simultaneously. Subjects in these studies showed accuracy
in judging emotions based on facial expression.
This is because the face and the body are normally seen together in their natural
proportions and the emotional signals from the face and body are well integrated.
4. Biting of nails: Nail biting demonstrates nervousness, stress, or insecurity. People bite
nails without realizing they have the habit.
5. Hand on the cheek: This type of body language indicates that someone is lost in
thought, maybe considering something. When your hand is on your cheek and your
brows are furrowed, you may be in a deep concentration.
6. Finger tapping or drumming: This action demonstrates that one is growing tired or
impatient while waiting.
7. Touching the nose: Touching or rubbing the nose signifies disbelief, rejection, or lying
about something.
8. Placing finger tips together: This is called steepling, or placing fingertips together to
demonstrate control or authority. This is one of the body language examples that bosses
and other authority figures use to show that they are in control.
9. Open palms, facing upward: This gesture is a sign of honesty, sincerity, submission,
and innocence. This is how some people show submission and respect during church
worship.
10. Head in hands: This body language is a sign of boredom, being upset, or being ashamed,
so one does not want to show their face.
In conclusion nonverbal communication accounts for the majority of information transmitted
during interpersonal interactions. It helps to establish the relationship between two people and
regulates interaction, but can be uncertain. Hence, it is crucial to accurately read body language
to avoid misunderstanding in social interactions.
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REFERENCES
1.Klima, E. S., & and Bellugi, U. (1979). The signs of language. Cambridge: Hazard University.
2.Kurien, D. N. (2010). Body Language: Silent communicator at the workplace.
2.speak, B. p. (2005). CU Instructional Resources . Effective Communication Skills .
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