NON-VERBAL
COMMUNICATION
Naima Jabir Akbar
Communication in general is a process of
sending and receiving messages that enable
humans to share, knowledge, attitudes and
skills.
Although we usually identify communication
with speech, communication is composed of two
dimension- verbal and non-verbal.
Ways We Communicate
With The World
Personal and Symbolic Expressions
Non-verbal messages you give away
(your style)
Verbal (your choice of words)
Message Impact
WHAT you say is not
really as important as
HOW say it
In verbal exchange:
Words are 7% effective
Tone of voice is 38%
effective
Non- verbal cues are
55% effective
Definition (Verbal)
Words used to express or share ideas, thoughts,
feelings and emotions
Definition (Non- Verbal)
Actions and vocal
qualities that typically
accompany a verbal
message
Action speaks louder than words
He is probably very angry
Functions Non-verbal Communication
Repeat
Accent
Regulate
Compliment
Substitute
Analyzing Non-Verbal Communication
Non-verbal communication always exists in a Context
Seven different aspects
Body movement/ kinesics
Physical characteristics
Facial Communication
Touching behavior
Paralanguage
Use of space/ proximity
Physical environment
Types of Non Verbal
Communication
Physical Facial Touching Physical
Body Language Paralanguage Use of Space
Characteristic Communication Behavior Environment
Emblem
Illustrator
Affective
Display
Regulator
Adaptors
Body Movement/ Kinesics
It includes movements of
The hands, head, feet
Eye movements
Facial expressions
Categories of Body Movement
Emblem
Acts as substitute for words
E.g. okay, a nod
Illustrators
Acts that relate to, and illustrate,
the spoken word
E.g. a nod of the head & wave of
the arm in a particular direction,
accompanying the statement ‘over
there’
Categories of Body Movement
Affective display
Facial expressions that display
emotions
E.g. a smile to deceive, dropping of
facial muscles with surprise/ shock
Regulators
Movements that regulate
communication b/w people
E.g. a head nod to encourage another
person to continue speaking
Categories of Body Movement
Adaptors
Non-verbal acts
performed
unconsciously in
response to some inner
desire
E.g. scratching an
itchy ear, biting lips in
fear, clicking ball point
pen
Physical Characteristic
Body shape
Clothing
Dressing up and
dressing down
Attractive look
Facial Communication
To express emotions:
Happiness
Surprise
Fear
Anger
Sadness
Disgust
Interest
Bewilderment
Determination
Touching Behavior/ Haptics
Putting a hand or other
body part in contact
with another
E.g. pat, hug, embrace,
stroke
Significant gender and
cultural differences are
found in touching
behaviour
Cultural Differences
USA
Handshake is common (even for strangers)
Hugs, kisses for those of opposite gender or of family
Islamic and Hindu
Typically don’t touch with the left hand (social insult)
Islamic cultures
Generally don’t approve of any touching between genders
But consider such touching (including hand holding, hugs) between
same-sex
Paralanguage
The vocal (but non-verbal) dimension of a message
The manner in which you say something
Vocal characteristics
E.g. laughing, crying, yelling.
Vocal qualifiers
Intensity
Pitch height
Vocal segregates
Silent pauses
Voice filled pauses
Cultural Differences
Loudness indicates
Arabic culture- strength
Germans- confidence and authority
Thais- impoliteness
Japanese- loss of control
Use of Space/ Proximity
Closeness in place
Varies according to:
Gender
Status
Roles
Culture
Physical Environment
Own cubical (open space) / office
Shapes how we communicate
Space allocation
Temperature / moisture
Proximity (other group / team)
Advice to Improve Nonverbal Communication
Skills
Positive Nonverbal Actions Include:
Maintain eye contact
Nod your head to convey that you are listening or that
you agree
Smile and show interest
Lean forward to show the speaker you are interested
Use a tone of voice that matches your message
Advice to Improve Nonverbal Communication
Skills
Avoiding eye contact and looking away from the
speaker
Closing your eyes or tensing your facial muscles
Excessive yawning
Using body language that conveys indecisiveness or lack
of confidence (e.g., slumped shoulders, head down, flat
tones, inaudible voice)
Speaking too fast or too slow
Conclusion
Verbal and nonverbal communicate as a total
message
If the verbal and non-verbal are inconsistent,
the nonverbal part of the message has the
stronger effect
