Learning ahead

Types of non-verbal communicationWhat do facial expressions say about us?Importance of Personal space & physical contact

SurveyAbout 7% of the message is conveyed through words.About 38% is conveyed via vocal pitch, emphasis and related

factors.About 55% is conveyed by gesture, posture and related factors

Non-verbal communication

Importance of non-verbal communication

Non-verbal communication is an essential part of all person-to-person situations.

Non-verbal communication is the study of communicative behaviors outside of words.

Non-verbal communication is the visual element of communication.

Non-verbal communication (1) body language

Body language refers to non-verbal signals, gestures, postures, eye contact and so on, which used to aid or hinder communication

but non-verbal communication refers not only to bodily behaviour but also to things beyond the body.

Types of body languageOpen body language

E.g. Smiling; good eye contact; palms open and upwards; nodding; body facing the sender/ receiver; good poise; etc.

closed body language

E.g. Poor eye contact; shaking head; shrugging shoulders; crossed arms; frown; rolling eyes, etc.

Some basic signs of body languageOpen

SmileNodding headHands by the sideMaintaining eye contact

Closed

FrownShrugging shouldersShaking headTapping fingersCross armSlouching（无精打采）Rolling eyes

The use of body language

How should we do?

Body language signals should not be interpreted in isolationMost gestures or signals are usually accompanied by other

gesture.All body language needs to be put into context in the same

way as we do for other forms of communication.

Gesture Country Meaning

a circle with one’s thumb and

index finger

most countries

JapanFrance

GermanyBrazil

Comparison

Gesture Country Meaning

a circle with one’s thumb and

index finger

most countries

JapanAustraliaGermany

Brazil

zero

rudeness

money

OK

Comparison

Gesture Country Meaning

thumbs up

most countries

Japan

Germany

Turkey

Russia

Comparison

Gesture Country Meaning

thumbs up

most countries O.K, good job

or fine

Japan Five

Germany One

Turkeyrude

Russia

Comparison

Comparison

Meaning Gesture in the USA

Gesture in China

No, don’t do that.

Moving the index finger from side to side.

I don’t know

Shrugging one’s shoulders.

Comparison

Meaning Gesture in the USA

Gesture in China

No, don’t do that.

Moving the index finger from side to side.

Moving the hand from side to side

I don’t know

Shrugging one’s shoulders.

Shaking the head

Comparison

Non-verbal communication(2)Facial expressionsFacial expression is a gesture executed with the facial muscles.Facial expression, along with sight and perception, is core to

how a message is perceived by the receiver.Facial expression can tell a lot about of someone feeling

without using words.

Facial expressions (Cont’d)

We are able to decode messages which facial expressions send fairly easily.

Because faces give away what the person is thinking.

Non-verbal communication(3)Personal Space

Human beings like animals, have an invisible ‘bubble’ of personal space.

What is ‘personal space’?

---the distance required between two people when interacting

Personal Space (Cont’d)

The elements influences personal space

1. Personal space varies between culturesSouthern European people have smaller personal space than

Northern European people

2. The relationship between people determines how much personal space is required. in general terms, the closer the relationship, the closer the personal space

There are four zones: 1) The intimate eg. lovers and relatives 2) The personal eg. friends and close colleagues 3) The social eg. work colleagues in a meeting 4) The public

Personal Space (cont’d)

3. One needs to remember that personal space varies considerably between classes and sexes. It appears to be the case that:

People with greater prestige and power in organizations demand more space

Many males demand more space than femalePeople from rural areas need more personal space than urban

people

Non-verbal communication(4)Physical contactPhysical touchIt varies from country to country, culture to culture and person

to person when it comes to physical contact.

TipsBody language is a powerful way to express thoughts and

feelings.Do not read body language signals in isolation – consider the

context of the situation. Our body language will be different for each experience and

will depend on who we are dealing with and our relationship with them.