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INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES
Business Communication
An assignment submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for
the BA Degree in Human Resource Management
Assignment No.
:
ONE (1)
Student details
:
1607195987
Lecturer’s Name
:
D. Chengo
Year
:
2016
Question
:
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
INTRODUCTION
Body language is the process of communicating nonverbally through body movements and
gestures. Positive body language can be defined as these nonverbal movements and gestures
that are communicating interest, enthusiasm, and positive reactions to what some else is
saying. How you communicate with your body is important because research show that 60%
to 90% of communication is nonverbal. To many, body language is considered the most
important aspect of communication as it sends signals to how we are truly feeling. However,
this assignment will identify ten body languages, their possible means and the consequence to
the process of communication.
DEFINITION
In general, body language is controlled by our subconscious mind and is not always in
accordance with what we are saying. Perceptive individuals will be able to pick up on the
differences between what you are saying with your words and what your body is saying with
its movements and deduce how you really feel. To make sure you are conveying your thoughts
and opinions how you want, practice your body language so that your movements match your
words. Kimberly Pendergrass (2013).
1. HEAD MOVEMENTS AND POSTURE
Keep a relaxed posture whether you are sitting or standing. Keep your back straight but not stiff
and let those shoulders relax. This will reinforce the idea that you feel comfortable with your
surroundings. In terms of head movements, a head nod is a universal sign of acknowledgment in
cultures where the formal bow is no longer used as a greeting. In these cases, the head nod
essentially serves as an abbreviated bow. An innate and universal head movement is the
headshake back and forth to no. Allan and Barbara (2004) 232. This is biologically based
movement then sticks with us to be a recognizable signal for “no”. We also move our head
indicate interest. For example, a head up typically indicates an engaged or neutral attitude, a head
indicates interest and is an innate submission gesture that exposes the neck and subconsciously
makes people feel more trusting of us, and a head down signals a negative or aggressive attitude.
Allan and Barbara (2004).
2. FACIAL EXPRESSIONS
Our faces are the most expressive part of our bodies. Peter A. Andersen, (1999) However, the
triggers for these expressions and the cultural and social norms that influence their displays are
still culturally diverse. Babies are capable of expressing all these emotions. Getting to see the
pure and innate expressions of joy and surprise on a baby’s face is what makes playing peek-aboo so entertaining for adults. As we get older, we learn and begin to follow display rules for
facial expressions and other signals of emotional also learn to better control our emotional
expression based on the norms of our culture.
Smiles are powerful communicative signals and, as you’ll recall, are a key immediacy behaviour.
Although facial expressions are typically viewed as innate and several are universally
recognizable, they are not always connected to an emotional or internal biological stimulus; they
can actually serve a more social purpose. For example, most of the smiles we produce are
primarily made for others and not just an involuntary reflection of an internal emotional state.
Dylan Evans, (2001), 107. People are able to distinguish the difference between smiles which is
why photographers often engage in cheesy joking with adult or use props with children to induce
a genuine smile before they snap a picture.
3. EYE CONTACT
Keep your head up and look the person who you are having a conversation with in the eyes both
when they are talking to you and when you are talking to them. There is no need to stare them
down and remember to blink and look away occasionally. Good eye contact lets others know that
you are interested in the conversation. Allan and Barbra (2004) states an old cliché says, 'Look a
person in the eye when you talk to them' when you are communicating or negotiating. People utilize eye
contact as means to determine if someone is being honest and trust worthy and on the other hand is
frequently seen as an indicator that someone is lying or being deceptive.
Peter, A. Andersen (1999), 40. Certain eye behaviours have become tied to personality traits or emotional
state, as illustrated in phrases like “hungry eyes,” “evil eyes,” and bedroom eyes.” Eye contact serves
communicative functions ranging from regulating interaction to monitoring interaction, to conveying
information, to establishing interpersonal connections.
4. LEAN
Leaning in slightly when someone is speaking demonstrates that you are actively listening while
away signals that you are disinterested or hostile to the situation.
5. ARMS
Crossing your arms is the visual clue that you are turned-off by what is going on around you.
Practice hanging your arms comfortably at your lap to show others that you are open to what
they are communicating.
6. THUMB DISPLAYS
The thumbs represent strength of character and the ego, and body language signals involving the
thumbs also show self-important attitudes. Thumbs are used to display dominance, assertiveness
or sometimes aggressive attitudes; thumb gestures are secondary gestures and are usually part of
a cluster.
7. ON THE EDGE
Sitting on the edge of your chair will communicate that you are literally on the edge both
mentally and physically. You can make others feel more comfortable around you by sitting back
in your chair and looking relaxed. When you lean into a conversation to appear engaged, you
want to lean with your back and leave you bottom firmly planted toward the back of the chair.
8. TOO CLOSE
You want to be close to someone when you are having a conversation with them but being in
their personal bubble will make them feel uncomfortable and make you like you do not know
basic social cues. Four feet is the appropriate amount of space to give someone who is not a
close intimate friend. People often refer to their need for personal space, which is also an
important type of non verbal communication. The amount of distance we need and the amount of
space we perceive as belonging to us is influenced by a number of factors including social
norms, cultural expectations, situational factors, personality characteristics, and level of
familiarity. For instance, the amount of personal space needed when having a casual
conversation with another person usually varies between 18 inches to four feet. On the other
hand, the personal distance needed when speaking to a crowd of people is also considered under
non verbal communication.
9. PROXEMICS
Refers to the study of how space and distance influence communication. We only need to look at
the ways in which space shows up in common metaphors to see that space, communication, and
relationships are closely related. For example, when we are content with and attracted to
someone, we say we are close to him or her. When we lose connection with someone, we may
say he or she is distant. Space influences how people communicate and behave. Smaller spaces
with a higher density of people often lead to breaches of our personal space bubbles. Peter A.
Andersen (1999).
10. KINESICS
Although men and women are mostly similar in terms of nonverbal communication, we can gain
a better understanding of the role that gender plays in influencing our social realities by
exploring some of the channel-specific differences. Peter A. Andersen, (1999).
CONSEQUENCES: Cultural differences can cause nonverbal signals to create friction.
According to Tin-Toomey, nonverbal signals mean different things to people from different
cultures. The use of multiple nonverbal cues displayed with each message can create confusion,
and factors of gender, personality, socioeconomic status and situation can cause the meaning
behind the nonverbal communication can be powerful, but when used among non homogeneous
groups the effects can cause confusion and miscommunication.
CONCLUSION a Non verbal communication can add valuable information to the verbal
message that you are sending. Non verbal communication can be used to complement,
emphasize, substitute, and even contradict what one is saying through the verbal communication.
Nonverbal signals can place the verbal message in a context that provides a basis for how the
message should be interpreted. Non verbal cues help you to clarify what the other person is
trying to say by responding to their words with nonverbal signals.
REFERENCES
1. Allan and Barbara (2004) The Definitive Book of Body Language: New York, Bantam
2. Allan & Barbara (2004). The Definitive Book of Body Language. London : Orion Books
3. Peter A. Andersen, (1999) Nonverbal Communication: Forms and Functions, Mountain
View, CA; Mayfield
4. Dylan Evans, (2001) Emotion: The Science of Sentiment New York: Oxford University
Press
5. Kaul, A (2013). Effective Business Communication: India, Prentice Hall. ISBN
812032481.
6. Wood, J. (2010). Interpersonal Communication: Everyday Encounters. Boston, MA:
Wadsworth-C engage Learning.