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ING105
Effective Communication
LECTURE 7: NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION
Verbal vs. Nonverbal
Communication

Verbal communication is often called language. In that sense it
refers to the use of sounds and words to send a message.

It serves as a vehicle for expressing our thoughts, ideas, desires and
other things we want to get across.

There are two types of verbal communication: speech and writing

A friendly chat

A phone conversation

Writing a letter

A class discussion

How about a baby’s cry? What about grunting?
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Verbal vs. Nonverbal
Communication (cont’d)

Nonverbal language is often defined as gestures and body
language. It is any method of transferring information without words.

Facial expressions, gestures, body language and posture.

In addition to gestures and body language, sometimes what we do
not say could be considered to be nonverbal communication.

For instance, not answering a question could communicate several
things such as:

not knowing the answer,

not having actually heard the questioner,

not worthy of answering.
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A Joke
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a
Another Joke
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a
Yet Another Joke
.
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One Last Joke
a
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Objectives
After reading this chapter, you should be able to

Explain the concept of body movement

Identify uses of emblems, illustrators, affect displays, regulators
and adaptors

Explain the concept of time communication

Explain the concept of smell communication

Explain the concept of touch communication

Define the term paralanguage
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Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal communication radiates (i.e. comes) from all of the
senses but does not include the use of verbal symbols. We can
communicate through:

Sight (motion, color and shape)


Touch


A handshake, hug, a pat at the back
Smell


Artists communicate their ideas and feelings through colors and shapes.
You smell smoke and you suspect if there is fire somewhere
Sound

You hear a bell ringing and you know the class is over
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Nonverbal Communication
(cont’d)

We send messages through our use of space, color, and time;
artifacts such as furniture, clothing and jewelry.

Q: Why is nonverbal communication important?
A: A solid blend of verbal and nonverbal communication skills
enhances your effectiveness with other people.

It is important to make adjustments in personal style to make
sure our nonverbal messages complement our verbal
messages.
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Nonverbal Communication
(cont’d)

We cannot not communicate: Communicators assign meaning to
all nonverbals.

Although you have no control over some physical characteristics
such as height, communicators will interpret nonverbal messages
from physical characteristics.

According to a University of Florida study:

Taller people earn more money; supervisors rated taller staff
members as more effective.
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Nonverbal Communication
(cont’d)

It is important for you to know that nonverbals account for a large
portion of our total communication package.

Verbal communication comprises only 35% of
our total communication. This is interestingly less
than half.

We use nonverbals much more than verbals.

You need to make careful choices about the
nonverbals that you can control so that the
overall impression is consistent with your message
and your personal brand.
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Four Functions of Nonverbals
There are four basic functions of nonverbal communication:

They can substitute for a verbal message: It is far easier to point to
something than to explain where it is. In this case we choose a
nonverbal message rather than words.
“Talk to the hand”
It is a common substitution for ______________
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Four Functions of Nonverbals
(cont’d)

They can emphasize a verbal message: We can use a hand gesture
to make a verbal statement more grandiose. Sometimes people
want to emphasize how big something is by a hand gesture.
It was THIS BIG!
The donation amount was THIS SMALL!
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Four Functions of Nonverbals
(cont’d)

They can contradict a verbal message: We have to be careful of
not contradicting our verbals with our nonverbals. Sometimes it is a
nervous reaction to smile when we tell very serious bad news.

A person verbally expressing a statement of truth while simultaneously
avoiding eye contact may convey a mixed message to the receiver.
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Four Functions of Nonverbals
(cont’d)

They can regulate conversation: We use eye contact to let
someone know when it is their turn to talk or we put up a hand to
stop someone from interrupting us.

Touching someone's arm can signal that you want to talk next or
interrupt.
(do the handout)
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Types of Nonverbal
Communication
There are a number of types of nonverbal communication.

Body movement (Kinesics): Body movement gives a lot of
information about who we are.

Movements of the body, or some part of it, used to communicate
an idea, intention or feeling.

Even the smallest gesture or movement communicates
information about us.

Eye contact

Gestures

Facial expressions

Head movements
(Amy Cuddy’s video)
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Types of Nonverbal
Communication (cont’d)

Direct eye contact with other people is expected in some countries
as a sign of respect but it is considered to be aggressive and
discrespectful in others.

How about in Turkey?

What kind of body movements do you think are considered
inappropriate?

Constant body motion should be controlled

Shaking a foot and tapping a pen during conversations

People may interpret this behavior as nervousness or an indication of impatience.
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Types of Nonverbal
Communication (cont’d)
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Emblems

Emblems are nonverbal movements which have a direct verbal
translation, generally a word or phrase.

They are substitutions for words and are often culture specific. They
do not have a universal meaning.

After an exam your friend gives you a thumbs-up

The ‘V’ gesture

The ‘be quiet’ sign
(watch the clip!!)
Types of Nonverbal
Communication (cont’d)
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Illustrators


Illustrators are nonverbals used to enhance the understanding of a
message. They accompany and literally illustrate the verbal msg.

Saying ‘Let’s go’ while motioning with your arm for your friends to go

Saying ‘how big’ something is and opening your hands

We can point to direct attention of our listeners

Asking ‘what time is it?’ while pointing to your watch.
Be careful not to use too many hand gestures. In many cultures,
gesturing for every comment is distracting.
(watch the clip!!)
Types of Nonverbal
Communication (cont’d)
Affect displays

Affect displays are facial muscle movements used to convey
meaning. Affect displays are feelings expressed through our bodies.

Facial expressions reveal whether we are:

Happy

Sad

Angry

Interested

Surprised

Disgusted
(watch the clip!!)
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Types of Nonverbal
Communication (cont’d)
Regulators


Regulators are movements that direct the conversation.

When the instructor asks a question and you do not want to be called
on, you look down at your desk.

In contrast, the student who makes eye contact with the instructor
signals a desire to answer the question.
Regulators are acts that help to initiate and terminate the speech of
participants in a social situation.

Regulators might suggest that the speaker wants to keep talking, clarify
something, or hurry up and finish.

Eye contact is used to let the conversation partner know whether to
keep talking or when it is the listener’s turn to speak. (watch the video!!)
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Types of Nonverbal
Communication (cont’d)
Adaptors

Adaptors are self-touching behaviors. Adaptors are often
interpreted in a negative way by other communicators.


A person who is always fussing with hair, glasses or clothing is perceived
to be nervous or not paying atttention to what is being communicated.
Adaptors are acts related to satisfying bodily needs.

Moving into a more comfortable position, scratching
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End of Communication!