Essentials of Human
Communication, 6/e
Chapter Five:
Nonverbal
Communication
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Chapter Five Suggestions
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Analyze your own nonverbal
communication patterns.
Observe. Observe. Observe.
Resist the temptation to draw
conclusions from nonverbal behaviors.
Connect and relate.
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Integrating Nonverbal and Verbal Messages
 Accent
 Complement
 Contradict
 Regulate
 Repeat
 Substitute
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Functions of Nonverbal Communication
o Forms and manages impressions
o Forms and defines relationships
o Structures conversation and
social action
o Influence and deception
o Emotional expression
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BODY MESSAGES
Body Movements
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Emblems
Illustrators
Affect Displays
Regulators
Adaptors
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Body Appearance
 Height/weight
 Hair color/hygiene
 Race/nationality
 Attractiveness
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Facial Communication
o Happiness
o Surprise
o Fear
o Anger
o Sadness
o Disgust
o Contempt
o Interest
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Eye Communication
Duration
Direction
Quality and Quantity
Avoidance
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Spatial Messages
 Intimate space: 0 – 18
inches
 Personal space: 18”– 4
feet
 Social space: 4’ – 12’
 Public space: 12’ and
beyond
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Territoriality Issues
“possessiveness of primary,
secondary, or public space”
 Central: reserves a space
 Boundary: sets space between
your space and others’
 Earmark: identifies one’s
possessions
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Artifactual Communication
“communicating through
objects and arrangements”
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Color
Clothing & body adornment
Space decoration
Smell
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Meanings of Touch
 Positive emotions
 Playfulness
 Control
 Ritual
 Task-Related
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Touch Avoidance
 People avoid touch for a number of reasons:
 Age
 Culture
 Sex
 Self-image
 Many factors enter into a person’s
willingness to touch and be touched by
others .
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Paralanguage
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Rate, volume, pitch and
rhythm of speaking
Vocal dimensions of speech
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Judgments about people
Judgments about
communication effectiveness
Silence
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Functions of Silence
o Time to think, prepare
o Used as a weapon
o Behavior/Response to personal
anxiety
o Prevent communication
o Communicate emotional responses
o Nothing to say
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Culture, Gender and Nonverbal
Communication
 Gestures
 Facial Expression and Eye
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Movements
Colors
Touch
Paralanguage and Silence
Time
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Time Communication
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Psychological time—past, present,
or future orientation
Cultural time
o formal time—seconds, minutes,
hours, days, etc.
o informal time—“forever,” “soon,”
“right away”
Monochronism/polychronism
Explains intercultural
misunderstandings
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