Nonverbal

Communication: Sharing
Meaning Without
Emman Cena Words
Interpersonal Communication
 Verbal vs Nonverbal
1.Verbal communication is single-channeled;
nonverbal is multi-channeled. These
channels add impact and believability to
the message.
2.Nonverbal is more spontaneous, is
physiologically based and has to be
consistent in more than one channel.
3.Nonverbal is ambiguous, and is a source of
a significant misunderstanding between
cultures. Ex: thumbs up, upraised palm
with fingers moving back
4.Some nonverbal cues have universally
shared meaning. Ex: smiles and laughter,
5. Nonverbal communication is
frequently unintentional.
6. Verbal communication has discrete

beginnings and endings; while

nonverbal is continuous no discrete
beginnings and ends.
7. Verbal and nonverbal

communication are interconnected.

 Significance of nonverbal
communication
1.Repetition. Nonverbal cues repeat the
verbal messages. This repetition
diminishes ambiguity and enhances
accuracy of message perception. *hugs
and kisses after saying I love you’s*
2.Accentuation. Accenting enhances the
power and seriousness of the verbal
messages. *pounding on the table due to
anger*
3.Substitution. Nonverbal cues substitute for
verbal messages. *yawn, wink, shaking
head, nod, etc*
4.Regulation. Nonverbal cues regulate
conversations
5.Contradiction. Inconsistencies between
 Types of nonverbal
communication
1.Physical appearance.
• Clothing communicates
social position,
economic status, level
of sophistication, social
background,
educational level, even
moral character.
(Thourlby, 1978).
*school uniforms*
Clothing communicates
messages.
• Hair. Hair style expresses
 2. Facial communication.
• Eyes. Stress could be
measured in terms of how
often a person blinks.
Average is 31-50 blinks per
minute.
 Eye contact regulates turn-
taking, communicates
involvement and interest,
manifests warmth and
establishes connection with
others. It can also command
attention, be flirtatious or look
cold and intimidating.
 Cultures differ regarding
the appropriateness of eye
contact.
 Pupil dilation
communicates arousal or
attraction. *gem buyers,
• Face. The face is your
personal billboard. It
signals emotional
state. Facial
expressions of anger
could be displayed in
60 facial expressions.
GESTURAL

COMMUNICATION
Gestures are

unconscious
manifestations of inner
feelings. Categories:
Manipulators,
illustrators, emblems
 Touch Communication
Voluminous research on infant and child
development reveals that touch is not
only beneficial but even critical for life
itself.
Touch has an impact on emotional health

and well-being. Massage is a stress

reducer (Colt, 1997)
Touch is essential to expression of love,

warmth, intimacy, and concern for

others. Touch can also be influential.
*teachers touching arms of students,
waitresses touching customers subtly,
psychologists touching clients*

 Types of touch
1.Functional-professional touch.
Doctor-patient, teacher-
student, boss-employee,
2.Social-polite. Initial
introductions, business
relations and formal
occasions. Ex: handshake
3.Friendship-warmth touch. The
most ambiguous type.
4.Love and intimacy. For few
special individuals
5.Sexual touch. Most intimate,
most personal, most
restricted
 Touch taboos (University of
California)
 Cambodians shouldn’t be touched on the
heads. Muslims shouldn’t be shaken hands
by their left…etc


1.Strangers are the untouchables. Apologize

when touched or bumped a stranger
2.Harmful touches should be avoided
3.Avoid startling touches
4.Avoid interruption touch
5.Don’t move others
6.Avoid “rub it in” touches
7.
Space communication

• Distance. Intimate (0-18inches), personal (18in-

4ft), social (4ft-12ft) and public distances
(12ft or more)
In crowded elevators. When the intimacy zone is

violated through nobody’s fault, we try to

establish psychic distance.


Arabs value the importance of smells during



conversation. To deny others of your breath is

to act ashamed.
• Territoriality. Road rage. A coat laid over the
back of a chair, partitions on office areas,
personal spaces.
 Voice communication
Our voice communicates information our
age, sex, socioeconomic status,
ethnicity and regional background.
Arabs speak very loudly because it

connotes sincerity and strength. Israelis

view high volume as a sign of strong
belief on issues. Germans assume a
commanding tone that projects
authority and self-confidence. People
from Thailand, Philippines and Japan
speak softly as this communicates good
manners and education. (Samovar &
Porter, 1995)
 Paralanguage
•  
Paralanguage: "Non-lexical" vocal
communications may be considered a
type of nonverbal communication, in its
broadest sense, as it can suggest many
emotional nuances.
•
 Inflection (rising, falling, flat...)
 Pacing (rapid, slow, measured,
changing...)
 Intensity (loud, soft, breathy,... )
 Tone (nasal, operatic, growling,
wheedling, whining...)
 Pitch (high, medium, low, changes...)
 Pauses (meaningful, disorganized, shy,
hesitant...)
 Communicating effectively
with nonverbal codes
1.Monitor nonverbal communication
2.Resist jumping to conclusions
3.Observe multiple nonverbal codes
4.Recognize cultural differences
5.Strive for consistency
6.Get in sync with others