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
Functions of
Nonverbal Behavior
Nonverbals Can:
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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
Repeat
Nonverbal message conveys the same
idea as the verbal; can take either
Repeat- nonverbal message conveys the same idea as the verbal; can take either verbal or
verbal
nonverbal
message
away
nonverbal or
message
away and it still gives
the same message
ples: saying “Hello” while waving or saying “Be quiet” while holding index finger up to your m
and it still gives the same message
Examples: saying “Hello” while waving
or saying “Be quiet” while holding index
finger up to your mouth
Substitute
nonverbal message replaces verbal
message;
(also
emblems)
Repeat- nonverbal
message conveys
the samecalled
idea as the verbal;
can take either verbal or
nonverbal message away and it still gives the same message
ples: saying “Hello” while waving or saying “Be quiet” while holding index finger up to your m
Examples: waving to say hello, thumbs
up for “good job,” clapping at a concert,
hitchhiker thumb
Contradict
Nonverbal goes against verbal; they do not
match up
Examples: Nodding yes while shaking head
no, saying “I’m fine” when your head is
hanging down with slumped shoulders, etc.
Note: Which is more believable when verbal
and nonverbal behaviors are contradictory?
Why?
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 “I’m so
frustrated!” while shaking fists
Accent
Use of gestures & facial expressions
to emphasize or punctuate spoken
words (also called illustrators)
Examples: yelling “That’s it!” while pounding
fist, emphasizing words through tone of voice,
saying “My first point…” while holding up one
finger
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
Add vocalizations
Communication through voice (vocal cues other
than words = paralanguage) such as…
• Tone of voice/ pitch
• Volume
• Rate
• Accent/ dialect
Communication Emotion
Nonverbal behaviors used to
communicate emotions
Examples: hugging someone to
express love or shaking fist at someone
to show anger
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.
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)
Zones of Space:
Intimate: 0- 1 and ½ feet
Personal: 1 and ½ - 4 feet
Social: 4-12 feet
Public: Beyond 12 feet