Nonverbal Communication•An Introduction to a Field

The Basic Communication Model

•Sender•(Encoder)

2

Message

Channel Receiver

(Decoder)

Feedback

Three Important Points

• 1) It seems that we cannot, not communicate. That is, we constantly behave.

• 2) Nonverbal behaviors can influence both sender and receiver

• 3) The role of nonverbal communication can change from person to person

NV Important to Study

• Omnipresent

• Multifunctional

• (some behaviors) Universal

• Affect Understanding

• Primacy

• Trusted

4

Five Perspectives of Nonverbal

• Defining Nonverbal Communication

• Classifying Nonverbal Behavior

• Nonverbal comm. in the communication process

• History of Nonverbal Communication

• Nonverbal communication in everyday life

5

Defining Nonverbal Communication

• A. What do we mean by Nonverbal Communication?

• “The study of behaviors other than words that create shared meaning between people who are interacting with one another,” (Hale, 2003)

Defining Nonverbal Communication

• Processing Nonverbal Communication• Encoding

• Decoding

• Awareness and Control• Level of Awareness

• Level of Control over a Behavior

7

Classifying Nonverbal Behavior

• The Communication Environment• Physical Environment

• Fixed features (e.g. room, walls)

• Movable Objects (e.g., desks, lamps)

• Architecture

• Spatial Environment

• Proxemics

Defining Nonverbal Communication

• The Communicator’s Physical Characteristics• Attractiveness

• Body shape

• Odor

• Artifacts

• Tattoos

9

Defining Nonverbal Communication

Body Movement and PositionKinesics – the study of how humans use movement to

communicate

1. Speech-Independent

2. Speech-Related

GesturesPostureTouchingFacial ExpressionsVocal Behavior

Nonverbal TED Talk

10

Nonverbal Communication

• Emoticons/CMC• Technology has not reduced the importance of NV communication,

rather the opposite• We now rely on NV in CMC more than we ever have

• Time• Chronemics - Study of how time can be used to communicate• For example, what does being late to every class communicate?

11

Nonverbal Communication in the Total Communication Process

The verbal and nonverbal dimensions of communication are often woven together to create the entire communication process.

Verbal and Nonverbal Interrelate Repeating Conflicting Complementing Substituting Accenting and Moderating Regulating

History of Nonverbal Communication

NV Communication has been around for centuries

Scholars have primarily been interested in the functions of nonverbal communication

1. Expressing emotions

2. Conveying interpersonal attitudes

3. Presenting one’s personality to others

4. Accompanying speech for the purposes of turn taking, feedback, attention…

13

Nonverbal Communication in Everyday Life

Most Importantly… One cannot communicate effectively unless he/she has an

appropriate use of NV in their interactions

First impressions Attire, smiling, posture, proximity all tell you something about the

individual The negative aspects of a first impression are remembered much

longer than the positive.

Occupations NV communication plays a large role in our jobs as well

14

Extra Notes

It is virtually impossible to separate verbal and nonverbal communication

Most often used together to communicate a message

The symbolic nature of communication is an inherent and important aspect of communication

The amount of control we have varies Some things we may have very little control over (e.g., the shape

of the building we work in), while other things we have a high levels of control (e.g., the clothes we wear)

15