Verbal Communication : Nonverbal Communication

To me interpersonal communication describes the exchange of verbal and nonverbal messages between two different people. Joseph DeVito states that “interpersonal communication is inevitable, irreversible, and unrepeatable” due to these things effective communication is a necessary skill for us to function in our day to day lives (p. 20). Therefore, I have created a theory for interpersonal communication that goes as follows; To experience effective communication you must understand: your culture, the other person’s culture, and how to listen effectively. By knowing these three things you can consistently avoid misunderstandings and promote understanding in your interpersonal and intercultural relationships.

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.

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.

With the growing adversity in the country non-verbal communication plays a major role in the law enforcement field. Knowing how to read and listen to someone with a language barrier and or a different background can set the tone on how the encounter might turn out. According to the book (Multicultural Law Enforcement). With the increasing emphasis on community policing and staff diversity in law enforcement, cross-cultural communication skills have become more and more essential not only in establishing good relationships with citizens, but also with professional colleagues. In developing cross-cultural communication and competency skills, police officers who were not born in this country or who spoke another language at home can be a valuable resource, offering insights that can alleviate frustration in encounters with those who are not fluent in English.

Nonverbal communication plays an essential role in any conversation. Individuals who are aware of nonverbal actions during conversations can more effectively interpret what is being communicated.

Body language (the process of communicating nonverbally through conscious or unconscious gestures and movements). People all of the world use body language or gestures to communicate nonverbally. I personally think that nonverbal communication and body language are one of the biggest barriers in communication especially between one culture to other. Body gestures can be misinterpreted as rude or disrespectful depending on the country, region, or even the city you’re from.

When most of us think about communication, many of us immediately imagine ourselves talking to someone or writing them a message. Most of us do not actively think about the equally or more likely, much more important nonverbal cues that are very much a part of how people perceive our chosen messages. The main types of nonverbal communication cues that I focused on while I was observing my subjects were:

Nonverbal communication plays an essential role in any conversation. Individuals who are aware of nonverbal actions during conversations can more effectively interpret what is being communicated.

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

Nonverbal communication plays an essential role in any conversation. Individuals who are aware of nonverbal actions during conversations can more effectively interpret what is being communicated.

The spoken language, while endlessly useful, is only a recent invention in comparison to body language. Dr. Albert Mehrabian’s often quoted study found that 7% of a message is conveyed through words, 38% through vocal elements, and 55% through nonverbal elements. While these statistics and their meanings may not be so straightforward, the overall take away is clear; nonverbal communication heavily affects the way we receive and transmit messages.

In every society nonverbal communication is one of the most powerful tools that a person can use to interpret the message that is being delivered. Even though verbal communication is fairly straightforward, nonverbal communication allows others to sense the true emotions of the person that is expressing them. For example even though a person may say that they are not irritated, their usage of voice may display otherwise. Nonverbal communication not only reveals hidden messages, but it also complements, substitutes, and exaggerates verbal communication.

Nonverbal communication reinforces, and gives emphasis to verbal communication. Nonverbal communication is expressed by facial expression, eye contact or lack of eye contact, vocal qualities such as pitch, volume, rate, and tone, gestures, posture, touch, personal space, appearance, and clothing. These various forms of nonverbal communication can either clarify verbal communication or create miscommunication. In the workplace, nonverbal communication can improve the way people interpret and absorb your communication. It is a reflection of how a person is feeling in relation to what they are saying, as well as a reflection of a person’s initial reaction to the message you are conveying. Consciousness of your nonverbal communication when you are communicating a verbal message allows those receiving it to decipher the message that way you expected them to. A common occurrence is for people to send conflicting verbal and nonverbal messages. Whenever a message contradicts the verbal message, the nonverbal message is the message that will be understood. According to studies by UCLA professor Albert Mehrabian body language accounts for 55% of a first impression; 38% comes from tone of voice; 7% comes from our actual words. Unequivocal non-verbal communication skills are fundamental in order to communicate effectively in the workplace. Ultimately, this can be accomplished by being aware of gestures while

Being able to communicate effectively as a transferable skill that many do not appreciate today. Instead it is assumed that communication is being able to speak or write efficiently as well as effectively. This is not true. The word communication gets thrown around on a regular basis to deliver the illusion that it is only sent communication. The fact is communication is not only sending the message, but also receiving the message. Personally, I feel that nonverbal communication is my strongest transferable skills that I didn’t really realize about myself. I believe that my being able to read nonverbal actions and decipher nonverbal communication is the reason I am able to empathize so well with others and be able to understand them

Nonverbal communication plays an essential role in any conversation. Individuals who are aware of nonverbal actions during conversations can more effectively interpret what is being communicated.