Communication (Part II)

Communication is typically carried out through two interdependent forms: verbal and nonverbal.
Verbal communication involves the use of words, sentences, and language.
Nonverbal communication uses body language, facial expressions, eye contact, tone of voice, and objects.
Both verbal and nonverbal communication are often used simultaneously to improve comprehension, especially when language barriers or hearing impairments exist.
Nonverbal cues can accompany or replace verbal information for better understanding. This works in situations like those with language barriers, deafness, or psychological problems.

Verbal Communication: Using words, oral or written.
Non-verbal Communication: Absence of words, expressed through body language, gestures, facial expressions, silence, space, touch, and smell.

Verbal: Uses words, includes oral and written communication.
Nonverbal: No words, expressed through body movements, gestures, facial expressions, and other cues.

Verbal: Messages are exchanged consciously.
Nonverbal: Nonverbal body cues may be conscious or unconscious, often accompanied by verbal communication.

Verbal: Verbal messages are straightforward and easy to decode due to the use of words.
Nonverbal: Nonverbal cues alone may not precisely convey the intended meaning.

Verbal: Verbal content is relatively easy to decode.
Nonverbal: Decoding nonverbal cues (gestures, facial expressions) can be complex, as each cue may hold various meanings.

Verbal: Occurs in written and oral formats. Includes written messages (emails, letters, texts) and oral communication (speech, discussion).
Nonverbal: Uses various modes. These include visual, auditory, proximity (closeness), and gestural cues.

Verbal: Sharing information verbally is generally quicker than using nonverbal cues.
Nonverbal: Nonverbal communication takes longer as interpretations are often multifaceted and require additional details from the situation and context.

Verbal: Technology allows for instantaneous global verbal communication, transcending time and space limitations.
Nonverbal: Nonverbal communication largely requires physical presence, though technology (video conferencing) partially addresses this.

Body Behaviors: Posture, gestures, and gait are indicators of a person's self-image, mood, and health. Open postures signal openness, while closed postures may suggest defensiveness.
Gestures: Emphasize and clarify verbal communication, or give signs without words, crucial in diverse language groups and those with communication challenges (like deaf individuals).
Gait: A person's walk can reveal mood, health conditions, or feelings. For example, a slow walk might indicate sadness, anxiety, or pain.
Facial expressions: Often reveal emotions and attitudes behind verbal communication. A combination of facial, body, and speech expressions should be understood together. Frowning may signify disagreement, while smiling may indicate agreement.
Eye contact: Shows respect, listening, and willingness for continued conversation. Excessive eye contact can feel uncomfortable, while less or no eye contact may indicate disinterest or anxiety.
Appearance: Style of dress, grooming, and overall appearance reflect social status, economic standing, culture, religion, and self-image.
Paralanguage: Includes vocalizations other than words, such as sighs, moans, or cries; or even tone of voice, pitch and volume. Silence itself can hold a nonverbal message conveying comprehension, anger, or even disapproval.

Intra-personal Communication: Takes place within a person, involving thoughts, emotions, and beliefs.
Inter-personal Communication: Interaction between two or more people. Criteria: simultaneous presence in the same place and time
Mass Communication: Transmitting messages to a large audience (e.g., through broadcast media or print media.)

Ineffective Techniques: Nurse's failure to appropriately use therapeutic communication tools; inadequate knowledge, or experience.
Anxiety: Anxiety affects perceptions. Use of defense mechanisms (like denial, projection) reduces understanding and creates issues with communication
Attitudes: Negative or uncaring attitudes can distort communication.
Gaps between Nurse and Client: Differences in culture, socioeconomic status, language, etc. hinder understanding and effective communication.
Resistance: Behaviors that hinder the communication flow, often due to anxiety (procrastination, shifting the topic, interrupting).
Sensory Barriers: Sensory limitations (sight, hearing, etc.) might necessitate extra skills in communication..
Failure to Address Concerns/Needs: Inadequate assessment, lack of knowledge, or confusion can hinder effective communication.
Setting: Environment greatly impacts the communication setting which could be from noise, lighting to temperature and physical distance.

Clear Message: The sender delivers clear and concise information.
Appropriate Feedback: Feedback is provided appropriately concerning the message both in a timely manner and the appropriate place.
Matching Verbal and Nonverbal: Verbal and nonverbal messages complement and reinforce each other.
Purposeful Communication: Communicating with a clear objective.
Establishing an Appropriate Climate: Creating a conducive environment that prioritizes privacy and confidentiality.

Focusing on Client Needs: Prioritizing the client's needs in the communication setting.
Skill Development: Helping clients develop skills to effectively manage issues and/or explain situations.
Clarifying Content and Meaning: Confirming and clarifying the message's intended meaning both verbally and nonverbally.
Using Reflection: Restating or summarizing the client's points, showing active listening and empathy.
Constructive Confrontation: Addressing specific behaviors that hinder progress.
Silence: Utilizes pauses to let clients process their thoughts before responding.
Accepting Communication: Acknowledging and valuing how clients communicate, both verbally and nonverbally.