COMM 1004 week 3 Nonverbal Communication
According to Survey of Communication Study, nonverbal communication is defined as “Any meaning conveyed through sounds, behaviors, and artifacts other than words” (2016, Chapter 3). This is further broken down into eight distinct types of nonverbal communication. The photo I chose fits into two of the defined channels of nonverbal communication; kinesics and proxemics. In my chosen photo, the two women appear to be sharing some sort of gossip. It looks as though they are talking about someone or something that may be curious or even uncomfortable for one of them, perhaps a secret. This photo is a display of kinesics; the use of body language and facial expressions (Survey of Communication Study, 2016). The body movements of the woman on the left seem to indicate that whatever she is whispering is secretive. She is covering her mouth perhaps to avoid lip readers. The facial expression of the woman on the right seems to indicate that whatever is being whispered to her is surprising. This photo is also a display of proxemics; the use of space in our relation to others (Survey of Communication Study, 2016). Based on the understanding that Intimate Space within proxemics is less than 18 inches between two people, it would suggest that the women in the photo are close friends, family members or romantic partners (Survey of Communication Study, 2016). COMM 1004 week 3 Nonverbal Communication
Good communication is the foundation of successful relationships, both personal and professional. But we communicate with much more than words. Most of the messages we send other people are nonverbal. Nonverbal communication includes our facial expressions, gestures, eye contact, posture, and tone of voice. The ability to understand and use nonverbal communication, or body language, is a powerful tool that can help you connect with others, express what you really mean, navigate challenging situations, and build better relationships. What is nonverbal communication and body language?
Nonverbal communication, or body language, is a vital form of communication—a natural, unconscious language that broadcasts our true feelings and intentions in any given moment, and clues us in to the feelings and intentions of those around us.
When we interact with others, we continuously give and receive wordless signals. All of our nonverbal behaviors—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—send strong messages.
These messages don’t stop when you stop speaking either. Even when you’re silent, you’re still communicating non verbally. Oftentimes, what we say and what we communicate through body language are two totally different things. When faced with these mixed signals, the listener has to choose whether to believe your verbal or nonverbal message, and, in most cases, they’re going to choose nonverbal. Why nonverbal communication matters
The way you listen, look, move, and react tells the other person whether or not you care, if you’re being truthful, and how well you’re listening. When your nonverbal signals match up with the words you’re saying, they increase trust, clarity, and rapport. When they don’t, they generate tension, mistrust, and confusion. If you want to communicate better in all areas of your life, it’s important to become more sensitive to body language and other nonverbal cues, so you can be more in tune with the thoughts and feelings of others. You also need to be aware of the signals you’re sending off, so you can be sure that the messages you’re sending are what you really want to communicate. Types of nonverbal communication and body language COMM 1004 week 3 Nonverbal Communication
There are many different types of nonverbal communication. Together, the following nonverbal signals and cues communicate your interest and investment in others.
Facial expressions
The human face is extremely expressive, able to express countless emotions without saying a word. And unlike some forms of nonverbal communication, facial expressions are universal. The facial expressions for happiness, sadness, anger, surprise, fear, and disgust are the same across cultures.
Body movements and posture
Consider how your perceptions of people are affected by the way they sit, walk, stand up, or hold their head. The way you move and carry yourself communicates a wealth of information to the world. This type of nonverbal communication includes your posture, bearing, stance, and subtle movements.
Gestures
Gestures are woven into the fabric of our daily lives. We wave, point, beckon, and use our hands when we’re arguing or speaking animatedly—expressing ourselves with gestures often without thinking. However, the meaning of gestures can be very different across cultures and regions, so it’s important to be careful to avoid misinterpretation.
Eye contact
Since the visual sense is dominant for most people, 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.
Touch
We communicate a great deal through touch. Think about the messages given by the following: a firm handshake, a timid tap on the shoulder, a warm bear hug, a reassuring pat on the back, a patronizing pat on the head, or a controlling grip on your arm.COMM 1004 week 3 Nonverbal Communication
Space
Have you ever felt uncomfortable during a conversation because the other person was standing too close and invading your space? We all have a need for physical space, although that need differs depending on the culture, the situation, and the closeness of the relationship. You can use physical space to communicate many different nonverbal messages, including signals of intimacy, aggression, dominance, or affection.
Voice
It’s not just what you say, it’s how you say it. When we speak, other people “read” our voices in addition to listening to our words. Things they pay attention to include your timing and pace, how loud you speak, your tone and inflection, and sounds that convey understanding, such as “ahh” and “uh-huh.” Think about how tone of voice, for example, can indicate sarcasm, anger, affection, or confidence. How nonverbal communication can go wrong
It takes more than words to create satisfying, strong relationships. Nonverbal communication has a huge impact on the quality of your personal and professional relationships. What you communicate through your body language and nonverbal signals affects how others see you, how well they like and respect you, and whether or not they trust you. Unfortunately, many people send confusing or negative nonverbal signals without even knowing it. When this happens, both connection and trust are damaged.COMM 1004 week 3 Nonverbal Communication
What is Nonverbal Communication? When most people hear the words “Nonverbal Communication” the first image that pops into their mind is a picture of a person who is deaf or someone who cannot speak and has learned to communicate through sign language or other nonverbal means of communication. Most people are not aware that in reality almost 30% of communication between human beings is nonverbal and that it exists in our everyday conversations. In this paper I plan not only to talk about the functions, uses, types, and development of nonverbal communication but I would also like to discuss the importance of it in our every day lives. Nonverbal communication is a silent form of communication, which has a great influence over our social environment and the whole communication process. Nonverbal communication allows us to send messages to others conveying what we are feeling or thinking without verbal language. Nonverbal Communication has many different functions in the communication process. It regulates relationships and can support or even replace verbal communication in some situations.
This is accomplished solely through the use of nonverbal communication. Nonverbal communication is the use of the body, environment, and personal attributes in order to communicate messages either consciously or unconsciously. Using clothing, facial expressions, and touch are just of a few ways nonverbal communication can be implemented. By reading somebody’s nonverbal communication, it is possible to make many assumptions about the person. Whether these assumptions are correct or not often go unchecked. And just like a book, it may be best not to judge by appearances. However, much of society still focuses heavily on nonverbal communication failing to give people a chance before they even speak. Nonverbal communication is used daily in everybody’s lives.COMM 1004 week 3 Nonverbal Communication