Communicating Nonverbally Chapter 5 1 Defining Nonverbal Communication

Communicating Nonverbally Chapter 5 1

Defining Nonverbal Communication • Nonverbal communication – refers to all behaviors (other than the spoken word) that communicate messages and have shared meaning between communicators Chapter 5 2

Defining Nonverbal Communication • Excludes electronic communication • Culturally shared meaning • Verbal and nonverbal communication works together to create meaning Interaction Adaptation Theory – individuals simultaneously adapt their communication behaviors to each other Chapter 5 3

Principles of Nonverbal Communication • Nonverbal communication is often ambiguous • Nonverbal communication regulates conversations – Turn taking • Nonverbal communication is more believable than verbal communication • Nonverbal communication may conflict with verbal communication – Mixed messages Chapter 5 4

Nonverbal Communication Codes • Visual-Auditory Codes – Kinesics – body movement (from the Greek word meaning movement) • Delivery gestures • Citing gestures • Seeking gestures • Turn gestures • Body orientation Chapter 5 5

Visual-Auditory Codes • Physical appearance – Physical characteristics – Body artifacts • Facial communication – Eye contact – Smiling Chapter 5 6

Contact Codes • Touch (haptics) Used for positive affect Used as a playful function Used to control or direct behavior Used for ritualistic or everyday touch Used for task functions Used as a hybrid touch – for both greetings and to show affection – Some touches are accidental – – – Chapter 5 7

Contact Codes • Space or proxemics is the study of how people use distance or space – Personal space is the distance we put between ourselves and others – Expectance-violations theory states that we expect individuals to maintain a certain distance from us when communicating Chapter 5 8

Edward T. Hall’s 4 Types of Personal Distance • Intimate distance (0 -18”) reserved for intimate relationships • Personal distance (18”-4’) reserved for normal conversational distance • Social distance (4’-12’) reserved for professional or formal interactions such as business transactions • Public distance (12’-25’+) reserved for public audiences Chapter 5 9

Proxemics and Territoriality • Personal space is the bubble we carry around from interaction to interaction • Territoriality is when we claim and defend space as our own – Territory markers Chapter 5 10

Place and Time Codes • The environment – Color – Lighting – Room design • Chronemics (time communication) – Technical time – Formal time – Informal time Chapter 5 11

Culture Variations in Nonverbal Communication • • Kinesics Facial expressions Proxemics Haptics Chapter 5 12

Choices for Increasing Nonverbal Effectiveness • Recall the nonverbal-verbal relationship • Be tentative when interpreting nonverbal behavior • Monitor your nonverbal behavior • Ask others for their impressions • Avoid nonverbal distractions • Place nonverbal communication in a context Chapter 5 13