Nonverbal Communication Basics

Study Notes

Nonverbal Communication is a multifaceted aspect of communication that involves sending and receiving messages through nonlinguistic means.
It plays a crucial role in understanding and interpreting human interactions.
It is often more impactful than verbal communication, conveying emotions, attitudes, and intentions.

Nonverbal communication can reinforce, contradict, substitute, or complement verbal messages.
When nonverbal cues align with verbal messages, they reinforce and strengthen understanding
Conversely, contradictory cues can create confusion and ambiguity.
Nonverbal signals can also substitute for verbal expressions, conveying messages without words.
Complementing verbal messages with nonverbal cues like gestures or facial expressions enhances the impact and emotional resonance of communication.

Nonverbal communication involves intentional and unintentional signals.
Individuals can consciously send specific nonverbal cues, like a handshake, to convey a message.
Unintentional signals, however, can reveal underlying emotions and attitudes without conscious effort.
People constantly send and receive nonverbal cues, even if not consciously aware of it.

Environmental factors can influence nonverbal communication in significant ways.
Examples:
- The physical space of a setting impacts the dynamics of interaction.
- Architectural features can shape the flow of communication and create specific atmospheres.
- The presence of distractions, like noise or crowding, can affect the clarity and effectiveness of nonverbal signals.
Environmental factors often contribute to the overall message conveyed during communication.

Individuals have a perceived sense of territory, a space they consider their own.
The size of an individual's territory, their "personal space" varies depending on cultural norms and personal preferences.
Violations of personal space can be perceived negatively.
Territoriality can impact interactions by influencing proximity, eye contact, and the overall flow of communication.
It is vital to be aware of personal space boundaries in various social contexts.

Kinesics: Body language and movement
- Facial expressions
- Eye contact
- Gestures
- Posture
Proxemics: Use of space
- Personal space
- Territoriality
Haptics: Touch
- Handshakes
- Hugs
- Kisses
Chronemics: Use of time
- Punctuality
- Pace of speech
Paralanguage: Voice cues
- Tone of voice
- Pitch
- Volume
- Rate of speech
- Pauses
Appearance: Physical appearance
- Clothing
- Hairstyle
- Jewelry
Artifacts: Objects used to communicate
- Gifts
- Decorations
- Cars
- Homes

Sending nonverbal signals: Be mindful of how your body language and appearance affect your communication
Receiving nonverbal signals: Pay attention to the nonverbal cues of others, and try to interpret them accurately

The physical environment can affect communication
The size of the room, the lighting, and the temperature can influence the way people interact
Architectural Design: The design of buildings can also influence communication
- The layout of a workplace, for example, can affect how employees interact with each other
Environmental Factors: Can impact nonverbal communication
- Noise levels
- Lighting
- Temperature

Personal space is the area that we consider to be our own
We tend to feel uncomfortable when others invade our personal space
The amount of personal space that we need varies according to culture and the situation
Personal space reflects our sense of self
Territoriality is the sense of ownership we have over our possessions and space
- We are often offended when others enter our territory without permission

Culture: Different cultures have different nonverbal communication norms
- What might be considered polite in one culture, might be considered rude in another
Gender: Men and women typically use nonverbal communication differently
- For example, women tend to make more eye contact than men
Personality: Our personality traits can affect our use of nonverbal communication
- For example, people who are extroverted tend to be more expressive with their body language.