Nonverbal Communication

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Nonverbal Communication Communication without
words a process by which an individual
stimulates meaning in the mind of another person
through intentional and unintentional messages
through use of the body and voice
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Functions of Nonverbal Behavior
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• Nonverbals Can
• Repeat a message
• Substitute for a verbal message
• Contradict a verbal message
• Complement a verbal message
• Accent a message
• Regulate a message
• Add vocal cues
• Communicate Emotion
• Communicate spatially

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Repeat Nonverbal message conveys the same idea
as the verbal can take either verbal or
nonverbal message away and it still gives the
same message Examples saying Hello while
waving or saying Be quiet while holding index
finger up to your mouth
Repeat- nonverbal message conveys the same idea
as the verbal can take either verbal or
nonverbal message away and it still gives the
same message Examples saying Hello while
waving or saying Be quiet while holding index
finger up to your mouth
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Substitute nonverbal message replaces verbal
message (also called emblems) Examples waving
to say hello, thumbs up for good job, clapping
at a concert, hitchhiker thumb
Repeat- nonverbal message conveys the same idea
as the verbal can take either verbal or
nonverbal message away and it still gives the
same message Examples saying Hello while
waving or saying Be quiet while holding index
finger up to your mouth
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"I'm fine."
Contradict Nonverbal goes against verbal they
do not match up Examples Nodding yes while
shaking head no, saying Im fine when your head
is hanging down with slumped shoulders,
etc. Note Which is more believable when verbal
and nonverbal behaviors are contradictory? Why?
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Complement Nonverbal supports verbal used to
show how to do something, show sizes, or
emphasize emotional feelings we complement the
verbal message with the nonverbal message when
demonstrating something or giving directions
pointing (also called illustrators) Examples
The fish was this big while holding hands out
to indicate size or Im so frustrated! while
shaking fists
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AccentUse of gestures facial expressions to
emphasize or punctuate spoken words (also called
illustrators)Examples yelling Thats it!
while pounding fist, emphasizing words through
tone of voice, saying My first point while
holding up one finger
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• Regulate
• Nonverbal cues that control or regulate the
  interaction of flow of communication between
  ourselves and another person (Called regulators)
• Examples nodding head and saying uh huh,
  giving eye contact, opening mouth to speak,
  leaning forward, raising eyebrows, or raising
  index finger

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• Add vocalizations
• Communication through voice (vocal cues other
  than words paralanguage) such as
• Tone of voice/ pitch
• Volume
• Rate
• Accent/ dialect

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Communication EmotionNonverbal behaviors used
to communicate emotions Examples hugging
someone to express love or shaking fist at
someone to show anger
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• Adaptors
• Nonverbal behaviors that help us to satisfy a
  personal need and adapt to the immediate
  situation not really intending to communicate
  meaning
• Examples scratching mosquito bite, adjusting
  glasses, combing hair, pulling hanging thread of
  clothing, etc.

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• Spatial
• Communication through the use of space
• Territoriality- fixed area that is occupied,
  controlled and defended by a person or group as
  their exclusive domain regulates social
  interaction can be source of conflict indicates
  ownership (permanent or temporary)

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• Zones of Space
• Intimate 0- 1 and ½ feet
• Personal 1 and ½ - 4 feet
• Social 4-12 feet
• Public Beyond 12 feet