The Psychological Study of Non-Verbal Communication
Jonathan D. Benton
Columbia College of Missouri Student
References used will be listed throughout the paper as well as listed at the end.
Abstract
In this paper we will be discussing the ideas involved with non-verbal communication as it pertains to the human species and also how it is perceived by others or completely over looked. We will discuss how non-verbal communication has changed throughout history. The study of Non-verbal communication has been around since the 1950s, primarily as a cross disciplinary effort in regards to psychiatrists, linguists, and anthropologists. Popular media, books and empirical research were the primary focus throughout the 60s and 70s and it
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Before one can understand non-verbal communication one must understand that in order for there to be non-verbal communication it is assumed that a person need not knowingly or intentionally communicate nonverbally for it to be considered actual communications for the purpose of this paper.
Elements of Nonverbal communication
Nonverbal communication is comprised of four main elements. They are: paralanguage, body language, interpersonal space, and personal effects. Paralanguage is other than the actual words being used by a person, the way the person says the chosen words can insinuate an entirely new meaning. A person may add such things as laughing or sighing as examples. A person may say “I’m fine” when asked how they are however if they say it with a certain tone you could deduct that this person is in fact saying that they are not “Fine”. Body language consists of the way a person stands, facial expressions, the way you walk, and eye contact. Facial gestures are one of the most important elements of body language. People from different cultures often are able to demonstrate and recognize facial expressions and there underlying meanings of the expressions. Another factor that gives up information about a person’s emotional state is eye contact. Eye contact can let a person know that an individual is actively listening or not.
Non Verbal Communication: includes gestures, facial expressions, and body positions (known collectively as “body language”), as well as unspoken understandings and presuppositions, and cultural and environmental conditions that may affect any encounter between
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.
Communication is defined as ‘a transactional process involving participants who occupy different but overlapping environments and create relationships through the exchange of messages, many of which are affected by external, psychological and physiological noise’ (Adler, R and Proctor, R. 2010). Communication doesn’t just mean verbal communication, as non-verbal communication is just as, if not, more important as verbal communication. According to Albert Mehrabian, only 7% of a message is communicated through verbal communication, 38% is communicated through your tone of
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.
Communication is everywhere. We, as interactive human beings, spend the majority of our time corresponding with others to satisfy our physical, identity, social, and practical needs (Adler, Rodman, & Sevigny, 2011). Often, this is consciously done; we search our minds for the accurate linguistic means to express our experiences, and use them to communicate with those around us. However, communication is not as straightforward and effortless as we may believe. It is, in fact, often unintentional, with 65% of it occurring as a result of non-verbal cues (Matsumoto, Shibata, Seiji, Mori, & Shioe, 2010). As mentioned by Marta Dynel (2011) in a study done on nonverbal communication, “Non verbal signs and signals ... are prevalent practically in
I am originally from Puerto Rico, which is a country in which communication is an integral part of society. The cultural norm of the Puerto Rican culture is to speak up when necessary and communicate clearly if we want things to be done. At the same time, I believe that in order to produce results, the manner in which communicating takes place, is an extremely important component. My culture also showed me how the emotions used when communicating, such as the use of the hands and body language, will dictate the tone and flow of the communication. The literature suggests that the majority (as much as 76%) of the message we gibe to another person during conversations is carried by non-verbal or para-verbal communication. Thus, we must be very careful and strategic in our use o non-verbal communication (Van Acker, 1997).
Nonverbal communication or body language makes up 55% of effective communication. This plays the biggest part in communication, and it shows the client or colleague more information than words alone ever could. Nonverbal communication includes facial expressions, body movement and gestures, head movements, eye contact, posture, and the use of distances and space. Understanding and using nonverbal communication can enhance the connection between you and others, navigate challenging situations and well as expressing interest in the conversation. this can also established effective rapport between you and the client or colleague.
sort of communicative value whether someone is showing it in a facial expression or in the way
Communication is not merely the use of words, but also includes nonverbal cues, such as, pauses and silence, in addition to the demonstration of vocal characteristics
Though people communicate vocally nonverbal behavior plays an important part of communication. Though nothing is said, there is much that can be understood with gestures people make, the way they sit and the facial expressions made during a presentation. Even outcomes are predicted by the nonverbal expressions made while making a deal. So even if a person is “doing nothing” in communication, he still is communicating nonverbally.
Nonverbal communication is behaviors and characteristics that convey meaning with out the use of words. Sometimes accompanying verbal messages, to clarify or reinforce them. (Floyd, Communicating Nonverbally, 2013) It is said to be true that nonverbal communication sometimes gives more information that verbal communication. People’s facial expressions, gestures, and personal appearance are all forms of nonverbal communication and it relies on our sense of vision. For instance, when my sorority and I get together for a meeting and the president of our chapter stands up in front of everyone to share information, it is important that we let her know that we are interested by nodding our head in agreement, smiling at her, clapping our hands, and keeping eye contact with her so she knows our focus is on her. For our chapter it is important to reassure our president that we are listening and focused on what she has to say by using nonverbal behaviors. Without nonverbal communication, it would be hard to tell when someone is interested or not in a conversation. Nonverbal communication helps us maintain
Introduction. Communication assistant professor of communication at Maryville University Dustin York saying that only 7% of communication is verbal, it’s mean 93% communication is non-verbal communication. That means only 7% of information we give though the word choice, and 97% via body language. In 1990 American academic and professor of linguistics Deborah Tanned wrote an article named “Sex, Lies and Conversation”. She provided a great example of how nonverbal communication plays a big role in our interpersonal relationships. According to the book “A young woman in college was frustrated: Whenever she told her boyfriend she wanted to talk to him, he would lie down on the floor, close his eyes, and put his arm over his face. This signaled to her, "He's taking a nap." But he insisted he was listening extra hard”. It’s only one of the many examples when lack of attention to non verbal communication created a bump in the relationship.
Non-verbal communication is an aspect of communication that many people don’t think about, but I do agree that it makes up the majority of communication that we deal with. We can gather a lot of information about a person just by what they are wearing, how they are positioned, what
Based on this video, create a one page document (single spaced) listing 3 non-verbal communication techniques observed. For each technique observed, elaborate on what you observed and, also mention the importance of picking up these cues from either the patient's or study coordinator's perspective.
According to Beebe, Beebe, & Ivy (as cited in Ivy & Wahl, 2009, p. 3), non- verbal communication can be defined as a communication process that is not expressed with written or spoken language, but is able to convey a certain meaning. The purpose of studying non-verbal communication is to communicate emotions and perceived to be more reliable. Based on DeVito (2012), there are many types of dimensions of non- verbal communication such as kinesics, proxemics, haptics, physical appearance, para language and chronemics.