Download Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal Communication
60% of our communication is
NONverbal!
Four functions of NV Comm.
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To complement the verbal message
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To emphasize the verbal message
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To replace the verbal message
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To contradict the verbal message
“I’m so happy!”
NonVERBAL vs. NonVOCAL
Nonverbal & Nonvocal – no words, no
voice (ex. Slumping in chair, sleeping)
 Nonverbal & Vocal – no words, but voice
(ex. Humming, laughing, clearing throat)
 Verbal & Nonvocal – words with no voice
(ex. Writing an email, texting)
 Verbal & Vocal – words and voice
(singing, talking)
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Understanding Nonverbal Language
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Body Language
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Facial expressions
Can help to show a person’s feelings (either for
reinforcement or as a substitute)
 Can emphasize or contradict verbal language
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Eye Contact
Can indicate honesty, sincerity
 Can demonstrate the intensity of interest
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Understanding Nonverbal Language
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Body Language
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Gestures
Can replace words in certain messages
 Can emphasize meaning of verbal language
 Can add to meaning during descriptions
(EXERCISE: “Living Hand to Mouth” + video)
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Posture
The way you hold your body when you walk or
the way you sit makes a statement about you!
 Can convey attitude
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Understanding Nonverbal Language
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Body Language
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Movement
The way a person moves makes a statement
 Can enhance the impression you want to make
or the message you intend to convey
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Five Classes of NV Movement
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Emblems
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Illustrators
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Nonverbal behaviors that directly translate
words or phrases (an “okay” sign)
Nonverbal behaviors that literally illustrate
the verbal message (giving directions)
Affect Displays
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Facial movements that convey emotional
meaning (a smile when happy)
Five Classes of NV Movement
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Regulators
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Nonverbal behaviors that maintain, monitor,
or control another individual’s speech
(waving for “hurry” etc.)
Adapters
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Nonverbal behaviors that satisfy some
personal need (scratching an itch)
(Kevin James clip)
Understanding Nonverbal Language
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Paralanguage
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Vocal variations
Pitch & Volume
 Rate & Quality or tone of voice
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Speaker's use of pauses
Indicate uncertainty
 Create suspense (or humor)
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Speaker’s use of extraneous words
“uh”s and “um”s
 Contribute no information to the verbal message
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Understanding Nonverbal Language
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Environment
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Color
Reds, yellows, oranges have a stimulating effect
 Blues, greens, and beiges seem cool, peaceful
and neutral
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Black seems sophisticated
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White seems innocent, pure
Understanding Nonverbal Language
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Environment
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Lighting
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Low light tends to create
a relaxed atmosphere
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Bright lighting
causes interaction
Understanding Nonverbal Language
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Space (Proxemics)
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Intimate Space
(0-18”)
Personal Space
(18”-4’)
Social Space
(4’-12’)
Public Space
(12’-beyond)
Intimate Space
Personal Space
Social &
Public Space
Understanding Nonverbal Language
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Space (Proxemics)
Our use of space is a form of
communication
 Influences on space communication include
status, culture, context, subject matter, sex
and age, positive and negative evaluation
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Understanding Nonverbal Language
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Territoriality
The claiming of space, sometimes
illegitimately, for private use
 Territorial encroachment
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Violation – unwarranted use of another’s territory
(using someone’s office)
 Invasion – entering another’s territory
inappropriately (parent entering a teen dance)
 Contamination – creating an impurity of
someone’s territory (smoking in my car)
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Understanding Nonverbal Language
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Territoriality
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Reactions to encroachment
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Turf defense
Insulation
Linguistic collusion
Withdrawal
Territory markers
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Central markers – use of objects to reserve (coat over
chair)
Boundary markers – physical objects to establish
boundaries (grocery store bar)
Earmarkers – identifying marks to indicate possession
(initialed briefcase)
Understanding Nonverbal Language
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Haptics
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The study of touch
The meanings of touch
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Positive affect
Playfulness
Control
Ritual
Task relatedness
Touch avoidance
Difference in touch behaviors
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Gender
Culture
Nonverbal Symbols
Symbols worn make a statement about
who we are
 Examples of symbols:
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Jewelry
 Clothing
 Tattoos
 Sports memorabilia
(EXERCISE: “Message About Me” t-shirts)
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