NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION

TYPES OF NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION

According to experts, a substantial portion of our communication is nonverbal. Every day, we respond to thousands on nonverbal cues and behaviors including postures, facial expression, eye gaze, gestures, and tone of voice. From our handshakes to our hairstyles, nonverbal details reveal who we are and impact how we relate to other people.

Scientific research on nonverbal communication and behavior began with the 1872 publication of Charles Darwin's The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals. Since that time, there has been an abundance of research on the types, effects and expressions of unspoken communication and behavior. While these signals are often so subtle that we are not consciously aware of them, research has identified several different types of nonverbal communication.

In many cases, we communicate information in nonverbal ways using groups of behaviors. For example, we might combine a frown with crossed arms and unblinking eye gaze to indicate disapproval. Non-verbal communication can simply be defined as Communicating without words - a simple smile, a friendly handshake or a warm hug there is so much that can be said without words. The eyes, the hands, the overall body movements of a person always complement the verbal messages of a person and enhance the communication process. Non-verbal communication is actually a vast subject that can be studies extensively. Non-verbal communication can be classified into several branches, which are as follows:

1. Facial Expression

Facial expressions are responsible for a huge proportion of nonverbal communication. Consider how much information can be conveyed with a smile or a frown. While nonverbal communication and behavior can vary dramatically between cultures, the facial expressions for happiness, sadness, anger and fear are similar throughout the world. Facial Expressions

Of all the types of nonverbal communication, this may be one of the most noticeable. We all examine each others' faces as we talk, gleaning information to confirm that the meaning is received as it is delivered.

Smiling is one facial expression that is likely to put other people at ease and make them feel accepted and comfortable. You exude happiness and encouragement when you smile, so try to add it to more of your conversations.

Scowling, chewing your lip, and raising your eyebrows can all signal different meanings, so it is important to be aware of how your face looks during a conversation.

2. Gestures

Deliberate movements and signals are an important way to communicate meaning without words. Common gestures include waving, pointing, and using fingers to indicate numeric amounts. Other gestures are arbitrary and related to culture. Gestures

Gestures are another one of the types of nonverbal communication. They can add warmth and personality to a conversation. If you're not a big hand gesture person, remember at least to nod your head appropriately. This is an easy way to show that you are listening to, understanding, and connecting with the speaker.

3. Paralinguistics

Paralinguistics refers to vocal communication that is separate from actual language. This includes factors such as tone of voice, loudness, inflection and pitch. Consider the powerful effect that tone of voice can have on the meaning of a sentence. When said in a strong tone of voice, listeners might interpret approval and enthusiasm. The same words said in a hesitant tone of voice might convey disapproval and a lack of interest. Paralinguistics

This is really just describing how your voice sounds. It includes your:

Tone

Pitch

Rhythm

Loudness

Inflection

Paralanguage or vocalics is a part of non-verbal communication because it is not related to the content or verbal message but the other attributes of speaking which include the pitch, the tone, the volume, tempo, rhythm, articulation, resonance, nasality and even the accent of the speaker collectively known as prosody. Paralanguage is thus the study of nonverbal cues of the voice. A notable linguist George L. Trager developed a classification system to study the vocal cues, which consist of the voice set, voice qualities, and vocalization.

Voice Set: The voice set is defined as the context in which the speaker is speaking. The factors that influence this context are taken into account, which include elements like the situation, gender, mood, age or even a person's cultural background.
The Voice Qualities: The voice quality is defined by factors like volume, pitch, tempo, rhythm, articulation, resonance, nasality, and accent. These factors actually give each individual a unique 'voice print'.
Vocalization: This factor takes into account consists of three elements: characterizers, qualifiers and segregates. Characterizes are emotions that are expressed while speaking like smiling, frowning or yawning. A voice qualifier refers to the style of delivering a message. Vocal segregates are like fillers or short sounds that notify the speaker that the listener is listening.

4. Body Language and Posture

Posture and movement can also convey a great deal on information. Research on body language has grown significantly since the 1970's, but popular media have focused on the over-interpretation of defensive postures, arm-crossing, and leg-crossing, especially after the publication of Julius Fast's book Body Language. While these nonverbal behaviors can indicate feelings and attitudes, research suggests that body language is far more subtle and less definitive that previously believed. Posture and Body Orientation

How you walk, talk, stand, and sit sends a lot of messages to others. Think of the times you've felt nervous at a party…your posture most certainly gave you away. Letting your body relax, having fluid smooth movements, and facing your conversation partner all indicate confidence and engaging conversation skills.

5. Proxemics

People often refer to their need for "personal space," which is also an important type of nonverbal communication. The amount of distance we need and the amount of space we perceive as belonging to us is influenced by a number of factors including social norms, situational factors, personality characteristics and level of familiarity. For example, the amount of personal space needed when having a casual conversation with another person usually varies between 18 inches to four feet. On the other hand, the personal distance needed when speaking to a crowd of people is around 10 to 12 feet. Proximity

The physical distance between you and others signals your level of intimacy and comfort. If someone you don't know stands too close or touches too often, you will probably begin to feel uncomfortable. Make sure you're aware of others' body language in response to your presence -- this can be especially important for those who want to impress! Proxemics

Proxemics was a concept first developed by Edward T. Hall. Proxemics pertains to the perception of space. The study of how people perceive the physical spaces around them is known as proxemics. Proxemics takes into account body spacing and postures as involuntary reactions to sensory fluctuations. According to proxemics, the physical distance between two people can be correlated to the relationship they share be it personal or social. Here is how Proxemics defines these distances:

6. Eye Gaze

Looking, staring and blinking can also be important nonverbal behaviors. When people encounter people or things that they like, the rate of blinking increases and pupils dilate. Looking at another person can indicate a range of emotions, including hostility, interest and attraction. Eye Contact

This is a big one. We learned all about it in Speech class! The hard part is that it can feel uncomfortable.

For some it may feel too intimate, for others it may feel challenging. No matter how it makes you feel, though, it is an essential tool in your nonverbal communication toolbox as it makes the other person feel heard, respected, and important.

Of course, I don't advocate staring as that can be rude! But making good, consistent eye contact can elevate your status as a great conversationalist.

7. Haptics

Communicating through touch is another important nonverbal behavior. There has been a substantial amount of research on the importance of touch in infancy and early childhood. Harry Harlow's classic monkey study demonstrated how the deprivation of touch and contact impedes development. Baby monkeys raised by wire mothers experienced permanent deficits in behavior and social interaction. Touch can be used to communicate affection, familiarity, sympathy and other emotions.

Haptics refers to the study of touching as a tool of nonverbal communication. The various forms of touching that can be included in non-verbal communication includes handshakes, holding hands, kissing, back patting, high fives or even brushing an arm. Also someone fidgeting with their own hands, or running their fingers through their hair is also involuntarily sending a message about their level of involvement and interest in the communication process and are referred to as "adaptors". The meaning conveyed from a touch is however highly dependent upon several other factors like the context of the situation or even the relationship between communicators.

8. Appearance

Our choice of color, clothing, hairstyles and other factors affecting appearance are also considered a means of nonverbal communication. Research on color psychology has demonstrated that different colors can evoke different moods. Appearance can also alter physiological reactions, judgments and interpretations. Just think of all the subtle judgements you quickly make about someone based on his or her appearance. These first impressions are important, which is why experts suggest that job seekers dress appropriately for interviews with potential employers.

9.Oculesics

Eyes are perhaps the most expressive features on human beings. You can say so much from one look that you exchange, be it a positive one or a condescending look, the eyes say it all. Oculesics is the study of the role of eyes in nonverbal communication. Eye contact can indicate a lot of emotions ranging from interest, attention, and involvement. A simple gaze comprises the actions of looking while talking, while listening, or even while observing. Other factors that can be studied to correlate them with the communication purpose are amount of gaze, frequency of glances, patterns of fixation, pupil dilation, and even the eye-blinking rate.

Kinesics
Developed by anthropologist Ray L. Birdwhistell in the 1950s, Kinesics is nothing but the study of body movements, facial expressions, and gestures. Kinesics studies include the study of following elements:

Posture: Body posture says a lot about a person's degree of attention or involvement, the difference in status between communicators, and also the level of fondness a person has for the other one. The studies carried out int the field of kinesics reveal that mirror-image congruent postures, where one person's left side is parallel to the other's right side, leads to favorable perception of communicators and positive speech. Also, if a person leans forward or a shows a decrease in the backwards lean, it signifies positive sentiment during communication. Posture can be studied through various indicators like direction of lean, body orientation, arm position, and overall body movement.

Gestures: A thumbs up, or a simple wave of the hand says so much. Yes, gestures form an integral part of non-verbal communication. Gestures allow us to express a variety of emotions and thoughts like contempt, hostility, approval, affection etc.

Chronemics
hronemics is the study of time usage in nonverbal communication. Chronemics states that the way in which we perceive time, structure our time and react to time is a powerful communication tool. Time perceptions can be expressed through punctuality, willingness to wait, speed of speech or even the amount of time people are willing to listen. According to Chronemics, the timing and frequency of any action as well as the tempo of communications within an interaction contribute to the process of non-verbal communication.