Universals of Verbal &
Nonverbal Messages
Interaction of Verbal &Nonverbal Messages =
We blend verbal and nonverbal
messages to best convey our meanings
II. Meanings & Messages


A. Meanings are in people
B. Meanings are more than words &
gestures
C. Meanings are Unique =
no 2 people ever have the same
understanding

D. Meanings are both denotative &
connotative
1. denotative = objective definition
2.
connotative =
subjective or
emotional
meaning
E. Meanings are ContextBased
III. Message Characteristics
A. Messages are Packaged = to create
a unified meaning
Messages are Rule-Governed


C. Vary in Abstraction
D. Vary in Directness
Verbal Messages:
Principles & Pitfalls
Unit 10
I.
Disconfirmation &
Confirmation =

the extent to which you acknowledge
another person
A. Disconfirmation =
ignoring a person’s
presence and a person’s
communications
B. Confirmation-
acknowledge and accept the other
person
C. Types
1. Racism –
places a certain racial or
ethnic group in an inferior
position

2. Sexism = get rid of



a. generic “Man”
b. generic “He” & “His”
c. sex role stereotyping

C. Heterosexism = refers to language used
to disparage lesbians and gay men
II. Excluding Talk &
Inclusion = include
others
III. Balance of Self &
Other

A. Principle of Balance =
strive for
interactions using a balance of
self-talk and other talk
IV. Principles of Honest
Appraisals



Focus on the Behavior Not the Person
State Criticism Positively
Be Constructive
•
•
•
•
Own Your Own Thoughts and Feelings
Avoid Ordering & Directing
Consider the Context
Use I-messages