Body Language and Nonverbal Communication
What
is nonverbal communication and body language?
Nonverbal communication
Define:
The process of sending and receiving messages
without using words,
either spoken or written is called non- verbal communication.
Example
It said “60%
of all human communication is nonverbal body language; 30% is your tone, so
that means 90% of what you’re saying aren’t coming out of your mouth.”
There are many things
involved in Non-verbal communication such as Strengthen Eye Contact, Be
Presentable, facial
Expression, tone
of Voice, Posture and Gesture, touch, face voice etc.
·
There
are five main effects that nonverbal communication can have:
1.
Repetition –:
They can repeat the message the person is making verbally.
2.
Substitution – They can take the place of
words
3.
Accenting – They can underline a certain
point in the message
4.
Contradiction – They can contradict the
message and make the speaker seem untruthful
5.
Complementing – They can compliment a verbal
message, for instance, a pat on the back.
·
Non
verbal communication can be divided into four categories:
Aesthetic,
physical, signs, and symbols. Following is an explanation and examples
of non verbal communication
·
Aesthetic
communication occurs through creative expression.
This would include all the arts: music, dance, theatre, crafts, art, painting,
and sculpture. Ballet is a great example of this, as there is dance and
music, but no spoken or sung words. Even in an opera, where there are
words, there are still facial expressions, costumes, posture, and
gestures.
·
Physical
communication covers the personal kind of communication,
and includes a smile or frown, wink, touch, smell, salute, gesture, and other
bodily movements. Social conversation uses a lot of these physical
signals along with the spoken words.
·
Signs
communications are a more mechanical kind of non verbal
communication, which includes signal flags or lights, a 21 gun salute, a
display of airplanes in formation, horns, and sirens.
·
Symbols of
communication are used for religious or personal status
reasons, as well as to build self esteem. This includes jewelry, cars,
clothing, and other things to communicate social status, financial means,
influence, or religion.
Types of nonverbal communication and body language
There are many different types of nonverbal
communication.
Facial expressions
The
human face is extremely expressive, able to express countless emotions without
saying a word. And unlike some forms of nonverbal communication, facial expressions
are universal. The facial expressions for happiness, sadness, anger, surprise,
fear, and disgust are the same across cultures.
Body movements and posture
Consider
how your perceptions of people are affected by the way they sit, walk, stand
up, or hold their head. The way you move and carry yourself communicates a
wealth of information to the world. This type of nonverbal communication
includes your posture, bearing, stance, and subtle movements.
Gestures
Gestures
are woven into the fabric of our daily lives. We wave, point, beckon, and use
our hands when we’re arguing or speaking animatedly—expressing ourselves with
gestures often without thinking. However, the meaning of gestures can be very
different across cultures and regions, so it’s important to be careful to avoid
misinterpretation.
Eye contact
Since
the visual sense is dominant for most people, eye contact is an especially
important type of nonverbal communication. The way you look at someone can
communicate many things, including interest, affection, hostility, or
attraction. Eye contact is also important in maintaining the flow of
conversation and for gauging the other person’s response.
Touch
We
communicate a great deal through touch. Think about the messages given by the
following: a weak handshake, a timid tap on the shoulder, a warm bear hug, a
reassuring slap on the back, a patronizing pat on the head, or a controlling
grip on your arm.
Space
Have
you ever felt uncomfortable during a conversation because the other person was
standing too close and invading your space? We all have a need for physical
space, although that need differs depending on the culture, the situation, and
the closeness of the relationship. You can use physical space to communicate
many different nonverbal messages, including signals of intimacy and affection,
aggression or dominance.
Voice
It’s
not just what you say; it’s how you say it. When we speak, other
people “read” our voices in addition to listening to our words. Things they pay
attention to include your timing and pace, how loud you speak, your tone and
inflection, and sound that convey understanding, such as “ahh” and “uh-huh.”
Think about how someone's tone of voice, for example, can indicate sarcasm,
anger, affection, or confidence.
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