Nonverbal Communication in Psychology

Nonverbal Communication

• Accounts for 93% of communication
• Types:
  • Facial expressions
  • Body language (posture, proximity, touch)
  • Eye contact
  • Paralinguistic cues (tone, pitch, volume)
  • Artifacts (clothing, accessories)
• Importance:
  • Conveys emotions and attitudes
  • Reinforces or contradicts verbal messages
  • Can be culturally specific
• Effective nonverbal communication:
  • Be aware of your nonverbal cues
  • Use open and approachable body language
  • Maintain appropriate eye contact
  • Be mindful of cultural differences

Active Listening

• A crucial component of effective communication
• Key elements:
  • Giving the speaker your undivided attention
  • Avoiding interrupting or dismissing the speaker
  • Maintaining eye contact
  • Paraphrasing and summarizing the speaker's message
  • Asking open-ended questions
• Benefits:
  • Encourages open and honest communication
  • Reduces misunderstandings and conflicts
  • Builds trust and rapport
  • Fosters more effective problem-solving
• Barriers to active listening:
  • Distractions (e.g., electronic devices)
  • Emotional reactions (e.g., defensiveness)
  • Preconceived notions and biases

Negotiation Strategies

• Principles:
  • Separate the people from the problem
  • Focus on interests, not positions
  • Generate options before making a decision
  • Use objective criteria
• Strategies:
  • Distributive bargaining:
    • Claiming value (e.g., making demands)
    • Creating value (e.g., finding mutually beneficial solutions)
  • Integrative bargaining:
    • Identifying common goals and interests
    • Finding creative solutions
  • Principled negotiation:
    • Focusing on fair and reasonable outcomes
    • Using fair procedures and standards
• Effective negotiation:
  • Prepare thoroughly (e.g., research, identify goals)
  • Communicate clearly and respectfully
  • Be flexible and open-minded
  • Look for mutually beneficial solutions

Nonverbal Communication

• 93% of communication is nonverbal
• Facial expressions convey emotions and attitudes
• Body language includes posture, proximity, and touch
• Eye contact is crucial for conveying interest and attention
• Paralinguistic cues include tone, pitch, and volume
• Artifacts such as clothing and accessories convey social status and personality

Active Listening

• Gives the speaker undivided attention
• Avoids interrupting or dismissing the speaker
• Maintains eye contact to show engagement
• Paraphrasing and summarizing ensures understanding
• Asking open-ended questions encourages open communication
• Reduces misunderstandings and conflicts
• Builds trust and rapport
• Fosters effective problem-solving

Negotiation Strategies

• Separate the people from the problem to avoid emotional bias
• Focus on interests, not positions, to find creative solutions
• Generate options before making a decision to increase flexibility
• Use objective criteria to ensure fairness
• Distributive bargaining involves claiming and creating value
• Integrative bargaining involves identifying common goals and finding creative solutions
• Principled negotiation focuses on fair and reasonable outcomes
• Prepare thoroughly by researching and identifying goals
• Communicate clearly and respectfully to build trust
• Be flexible and open-minded to find mutually beneficial solutions

Conflict Resolution Skills

• Conflict is a normal part of any healthy relationship, and the key is to learn how to resolve it in a healthy way.
• When conflict is mismanaged, it can cause great harm to a relationship, but when handled in a respectful, positive way, conflict provides an opportunity to strengthen the bond between two people.

What is Conflict?

• A conflict is more than just a disagreement, it's a situation in which one or both parties perceive a threat (whether or not the threat is real).
• Conflicts continue to fester when ignored, and they stay with us until we face and resolve them.
• Our perceptions are influenced by our life experiences, culture, values, and beliefs, and we respond to conflicts based on our perceptions of the situation, not necessarily to an objective review of the facts.

Conflicts and Emotions

• Conflicts trigger strong emotions, and if you aren't comfortable with your emotions or able to manage them in times of stress, you won't be able to resolve conflict successfully.

Causes of Conflict in a Relationship

• Conflict arises from differences, both large and small, and it occurs whenever people disagree over their values, motivations, perceptions, ideas, or desires.
• These differences can range from the need to feel safe and secure or respected and valued, to the need for greater closeness and intimacy.

Understanding Conflicting Needs

• The needs of each party play an important role in the long-term success of a relationship, and each deserves respect and consideration.
• When you can recognize conflicting needs and are willing to examine them with compassion and understanding, it can lead to creative problem solving, team building, and stronger relationships.

Responding to Conflict

• If you fear conflict or avoid it at all costs, it can become a self-fulfilling prophecy, and you're more likely to either shut down or blow up in anger.
• Healthy responses to conflict involve recognizing conflicting needs, examining them with compassion and understanding, and resolving conflicts in a respectful and positive way.