Non Verbal Behaviors

Observe Body Language - This is a very powerful form of non-verbal communication. It is shown by the way we stand, how we place our hands or arms, make gestures and facial expressions.

It can be verbal or nonverbal. Verbal communication is speaking. Verbal communication can be dialect, or the telling of stories or traditions within a culture. Nonverbal communication is things such as body gestures and eye contact. Both verbal and nonverbal communication varies widely from culture to culture (Giger & Davidhizar, 2002).

By observing us children learn how to interact with others, accomplish goals, and get along in the world. We are the examples, and what many do not realize is that our non-verbal messages and actions are stronger than our verbal ones. Non-verbal communication consists of expressions, tone of voice, eye contact, and actions.  The way you listen, look, move, and react tells the other person whether or not you care, if you’re being truthful, and how well you’re listening. When your nonverbal signals match up with the words you’re saying, they increase trust, clarity, and rapport. When they don’t, they generate tension, mistrust, and confusion. There are many different types of nonverbal communication. Together, the following nonverbal signals and cues communicate your interest and investment in others.

Non-verbal communication is very important and is often more important than verbal communication. This consists of eye contact, hand and body language and facial expressions.

Non-verbal communication: ways of communicating without using words (for example, through body language such as gestures, eye-contact and touch)

Facial expressions through non-verbal communication are a sufficient way in listening, expressing emotion and giving feedback. Non-verbal communication is a vital element of interpersonal communication as it helps express emotion and personality through the process of exchanging information (Eunson 2012). Non-verbal signals such as facial expressions can be defined as

Non-verbal communication consists mainly of the things people do with their body language. There are times where words are expressed and non-verbal communication could help emphasize the message. A few examples of nonverbal communication are hand gestures eye contact, facial expressions as well as tone and volume. I was given this assignment to observe a situation and take note of the nonverbal communication that occurred. I also had to observe whether the non-verbals were able to execute the message and if the behavior was acceptable.

• Cultural differences – when the same thing means different things in two cultures, communication can be difficult. For example, it is seen as polite and respectful to make eye contact when speaking to someone in Western culture but in other cultures, for example in East Asia, it can be seen as rude and defiant.

Nonverbal communication is a major factor role in every conversation. Eye contact, posture, and personal space determine how verbal communication is interpreted. Personal space is the aspect of nonverbal communication that acts as a backdrop to every other means of interpersonal communication. Learning to use and understand nonverbal communication effectively is extremely important, but can be challenging when one is speaking to someone of a different culture. Every culture has its own nonverbal communication norms that have developed from its unique historical background. Egypt’s nonverbal communication differs from Australia’s because each developed according to its own historical background. Communicating across cultures is complicated by differences in the unique norms of nonverbal communication found in different countries.

Cultures provide people several ways of thinking and opinions. When it comes communicating the potential for misunderstandings increase dramatically because translations between languages. Most cultures have their own constricted rules about what is proper communication which affect verbal and nonverbal communication. Sometimes by simply not looking at a person eye to eye has a significant impact on how a different cultural per son will receive it. There a several rules to communication which differ from culture to culture and can be sometime wrongly

Non-verbal communication | 1. Posture. This is the way in which someone holds their self, the way the stand etc. 2. Facial expression. This is the way someone’s face responds to an action or words. For e.g.…if someone was told something they like they would generally be wide eyed and smiling. |

How might you strategize to manage the behavior you have described in future? (2 marks)

While this conversation was taken place I also noticed facial expressions, which is a gesture executed by using facial muscles. Below is an example of how both gestures and facial expression are both used during a nonverbal conversation.

Nonverbal communication covers all aspects of communication beyond words. It is anything from body gestures to the way words are spoken. The tone, demeanor, hidden meaning behind words, mix that with body language and what is creates in nonverbal communication elements. Even clothes and personal appearance can send a nonverbal message. Nonverbal communication accounts for nearly 65-93% communication means (Wood, 2014). One area where nonverbal communication sent a negative, incorrect message is the movie Erin Brockovich. The clothing of the main character sent the message that she was uneducated, white trash. This could not be further from the truth. She was an intelligent, single mother who saw a problem where nobody else did.

Non-verbal communication is when an individual communicates without using word. This can be identified through body language, facial expression and hand gestures. It is always important to read body language as a nurse as some patient may not be able to verbally communicate verbally so, they use their body to send what they want to communicate to