Monthly Archives: November 2022

Nonverbal Communication: How Body Language & Nonverbal Cues Are Key

Every day we communicate with our family, friends, colleagues and even strangers, but only a small percentage of what we communicate during each of these conversations is verbal. Research shows that the vast majority of what we convey through our interactions with others is innate and instinctual, known as nonverbal communication. Nonverbal behavior like body movements and posture, facial expressions, eye contact, hand gestures and tone of voice all contribute to how we communicate and understand each other. Often, we are unaware of our participation in interpersonal, nonverbal communication because these actions are inherent to how we converse as humans and ingrained into our daily lives. 

For business professionals, clearly and effectively communicating with clients, customers and teammates is vital to the success of the company. Yet, all too often business is conducted via phone, chat and other forms of communication where these nonverbal context clues are lost. Conversely, using high quality, face-to-face video conferencing technology guarantees that nonverbal communication is maintained during business-critical conversations. 

What percentage of communication is nonverbal?

There have been a number of studies on the complex topic of nonverbal communication with varying results. However, most experts agree that 70 to 93 percent of all communication is nonverbal.

One of the most well-known research projects on nonverbal communication was led by Dr. Mehrabian in the 1960s. In his first experiment, subjects were given three recordings of the word “maybe” — one to convey disfavor, one to convey favor and one to convey neutrality. Participants were then shown photos of female faces expressing the same three emotions and were told to determine the emotions of both the recordings and the photos. The subjects more accurately guessed the emotion conveyed in the photos by a margin of 3:2.

In a second study, Dr. Mehrabian’s subjects listened to recordings of nine words. Three were designed to convey affinity (“honey,” “thanks” and “dear”), three were meant to convey neutrality (“oh,” “really” and “maybe”) and three conveyed dislike (“don’t,” “terrible” and “brute”). The recordings were of speakers reading each word three times, each with a different tone: positive, neutral and negative. The result? A subject’s response to each word was dependent more on the inflection of the voice than the connotation of the word itself. These studies led Dr. Mehrabian to devise a formula to describe how the mind determines meaning. He concluded that the interpretation of a message is 7 percent verbal, 38 percent vocal and 55 percent visual. The conclusion was that 93 percent of communication is “nonverbal” in nature.

7 Examples of Nonverbal Communication in the Workplace

“Imagine your co-worker storms into her office after lunch. She’s red-faced, tight-lipped and speaks to no one. She throws her briefcase on the desk, plops down in her chair and glares out the window. You ask, ‘Are you all right?’ She snaps back in an angry tone, ‘I’m fine!’ Which message do you believe: Her nonverbal signals (behavior and voice tone), or her verbal one (words alone)? Most likely, you believe the nonverbal message,” says Darlene Price, author of Well Said! Presentations and Conversations That Get Results. Price says studies show that when messages are mismatched, most recipients will believe the nonverbal message over the spoken words. That’s why being aware of nonverbal cues, especially in the workplace, is so important to effectively communicate with your colleagues, partners and clients. You need to be able to pick up on certain nonverbal cues and mannerisms in the workplace for effective communication. Here are seven forms of nonverbal communication in the workplace and how you can use them to improve your communication skills. 

1. Vocal Tone

Speaking style, pitch, rate and volume all contribute to understanding the speaker. Changes in vocal tone during a conversation are also a noticeable nonverbal cue that contributes to your understanding of the person speaking. For example, during a friendly conversation with your boss, you ask her if you can take next week off. She says “Sure. Take all the time off you need,” but her tone of voice went from warm and sweet before your question to cold and sharp when she replied. Although her words seem positive, her tone of voice indicates she is not happy about your request. 

2. Fidgeting 

Are you shaking your knee, biting your nails or playing with your pen very noticeably as someone else talks in a meeting? This may express to the speaker you are bored or nervous or are disinterested.  According to Jim Blythe, author of Consumer Behaviour, fidgeting is a displacement behavior and external release for whatever you are feeling within. 

3. Facial expressions

Since facial expressions are closely tied to our emotions, they reveal what we are thinking and are perhaps our biggest nonverbal communicators in everyday life. Imagine pitching a new product to a client with a fearful and worried look on your face or with a lack of eye contact. This would convey to your client that you have little faith in the product. Instead, if you really want to sell your product, show positive energy and enthusiasm with your facial expressions by allowing your face to be animated and smiling as you talk. The excitement on your face will help get the customer excited about your new product. 

4. Head movements

Head movements are especially rich conveyors of communication and one of the easiest nonverbal cues to understand. Certain head movements tend to be culture-specific, such as nodding in agreement for within western cultures. For example, when presenting in a meeting, you can gauge participants’ understanding and interest in your presentation by observing their head movements. If they are shaking their head in a “no” manner, you may need to pause and ask if anyone has any questions to try to understand if they are confused or in disagreement with you. Conversely, if meeting participants are actively nodding their heads in a “yes” manner, it is a good indication they are engaged and understand what you’re trying to communicate.

5. Hand gestures

Hand gestures punctuate the spoken word and can offer useful context about both the speaker and what they are saying. Sometimes hand gestures give clues to the speaker’s emotional state. Trembling hands could mean the person is anxious or lying. Animated, grand hand gestures could indicate the person is excited or passionate about what she is discussing.  Other times hand gestures give literal meaning to the spoken words. Your boss may give you very detailed verbal instructions about a task with added hand gestures to reinforce his spoken words. For example, he says, “I need three circular objects placed over there.” As he speaks these words, he gestures with his hands by holding up three fingers, followed by drawing a circle in the air and finally pointing to where he wants them.

6. Body posture

Body posture can be used to determine a participant’s degree of attention or involvement during a conversation.  Bad posture, like slouching, may indicate the listener is bored or uninterested in the conversation. In contrast, if the person you’re speaking to is standing or sitting still, upright and leaning forward, they are signaling that they are focused, attentive and engaged in the conversation. Body posture can also give hints about personality characteristics, such as whether a person is confident, happy, friendly or submissive. 

7. Physical distance

Physical distance between people can set the tone for the conversation. An employee who comes extremely close to speak with you while you’re seated at your desk may indicate they have something confidential to say. Other times, getting extremely close or touching someone as you speak could be considered intrusive or even hostile. However, physical distance can be misleading since different cultures require different amounts of physical distance for communicating in the workplace. Most North Americans prefer at least 18 inches of personal space. Anything closer is viewed as too intimate in a work environment. A coworker from South America, on the other hand, may be comfortable getting much closer to talk.  

How Nonverbal Communication Skills Can Make or Break Deals

Understanding the importance of nonverbal communication with a client or potential customer helps increase trust and clarity and add interest to your business-critical conversations — or does the exact opposite. If prospects think you are bored, distracted, annoyed or anything that is off-putting, they could decline your contract. Commonly, people are not aware they are giving off negative nonverbal cues that others notice. On the other hand, displaying positive nonverbal communication that increases your credibility and trustworthiness could help you land the deal. Clients want to see your actions and facial expressions align with your words. However, your efforts are wasted if you’re on an audio-only call during these critical conversations since clients or prospects have no way of reading your nonverbal communication. In contrast, face-to-face video conference calls allow you to have more of an “in-person” interaction and pick up on important nonverbal cues.   

6 Tips to Perfect Your Nonverbal Communication for Video Calls 

Companies that conduct business primarily by phone or email are leaving a large percentage of their message open to misinterpretation. Imagine the money that’s being thrown away because of inefficiencies and miscommunications from using subpar communication tools. Video conferencing ensures that no inflection is missed and that facial expressions, hand gestures and body language are seen and understood. It engages both visual and audible aspects of communication in one format and puts you in control of shaping your message. Here are six tips to help you effectively communicate with your clients, colleagues and business partners using video conferencing technology.  

1. Remember you’re being watched

When on a video call, it’s easy to forget that someone else is on the other end seeing everything from your camera. You may be using a small device like a tablet or phone during a conference call, but people on the far end may see you on a large, ultra-high definition TV in a conference room. Without realizing it, your nonverbal communication is amplified on screen to everyone in the meeting room. 

2. Be mindful of your body language

Being present and engaged during video conference calls allows you to notice subconscious body language like leaning, slouching or stretching. Even if you are not the presenter during the video call, it’s important to be aware of your body language and what it is saying to the speaker and meeting participants. Show that you’re actively listening by remaining attentive, sitting erect with good posture and giving occasional head nods.  

3. Put your phone down

During a video call make sure your cell phone and other distracting devices are silenced and away from your line of sight. Even a single notification can draw your eyes away from the business at hand, making you appear to be distracted and uninterested.

4. Look into the camera

There’s nothing more important than eye contact when it comes to showing confidence, interest and trustworthiness. Maintain eye contact during the conference call by looking directly at the camera, not at your computer or TV screen, when you’re speaking.

5. Avoid excessive movements and dramatic hand gestures

During a conference call try to keep your body movements calm and relaxed. Avoid fidgeting with your pen, excessively shaking your legs or doing anything else that conveys nervousness or boredom. When speaking you can use your hands to gesture, but avoid being overly animated. Dramatic hand gestures can be distracting for meeting participants, especially on a video conference call where you are sitting close to the camera.

6. Be aware of your facial expressions

Last and most importantly, be aware of your facial expressions throughout the entire video call. Unlike other forms of subtle nonverbal cues, the emotions shared through facial expressions are universal and are often the strongest nonverbal communicator during a conference call. In long meetings, especially if you are not presenting, it’s easy to let your face frown or look bored without realizing it. Try to maintain a positive or neutral facial expression with an occasional smile throughout the meeting. A pleasant, friendly smile lets the speaker know you’re engaged and enjoying the meeting.

Conclusion 

Nonverbal communication plays an important role in how we convey meaning and information to others, as well as how we interpret the actions of others during conversations. For business professionals, giving off the right nonverbal cues is extremely important. When your body language, facial expressions and tone of voice match your spoken words, your message is reinforced and helps clients, coworkers and prospects better understand you. However, your efforts are wasted if you’re on an audio-only call, or if you’re trying to write a blog post that communicates complex ideas, because during these critical conversations, clients or prospects have no way of reading your nonverbal communication. audio only calls or text-based tools for communicating leaves your message open to misinterpretation since studies show that up to 93% of all communication is nonverbal. Without these indicators, the totality of a person’s statement is impossible to interpret and understand. If meeting in person is not feasible, use video conferencing technology to meet face to face and pick up on important nonverbal cues. Lifesize’s lifelike 4K video quality can help take your business-critical conversations to the next level. 

4.4: Types of Nonverbal Communication

Kinesics is the study of how we use body movement and facial expressions. We interpret a great deal of meaning through body movement, facial expressions, and eye contact. Many people believe they can easily interpret the meanings of body movements and facial expressions in others. The reality is, it is almost impossible to determine an exact meaning for gestures, facial expressions, and eye contact. Even so, we rely a great deal on kinesics to interpret and express meaning. We know that kinesics can communicate liking, social status, and even relational responsiveness (Mehrabian, 1981). Facial expressions are a primary method of sharing emotions and feelings (Ekman & Friesen, 1967; Scherer, Klaus, & Scherer, 2011). For example, imagine yourself at a party and you see someone across the room you are attracted to. What sort of nonverbal behaviors do you engage in to let that person know? Likewise, what nonverbal behaviors are you looking for from them to indicate that it’s safe to come over and introduce yourself? We are able to go through exchanges like this using only our nonverbal communication.

Haptics is the study of touch. Touch is the first type of nonverbal communication we experience as humans and is vital to our development and health (Dolin & Booth-Butterfield; Wilson, et al., 1993). Those who don’t have positive touch in their lives are less healthy both mentally and physically than those who experience positive touch. We use touch to share feelings and relational meanings. Hugs, kisses, handshakes, or even playful roughhousing demonstrate relational meanings and indicate relational closeness. In western society, touch is largely reserved for family and romantic relationships. Generally, girls and women in same-sex friendships have more liberty to express touch as part of the relationship than men in same-sex friendships. However, despite these unfortunate social taboos, the need for touch is so strong that men are quite sophisticated at finding ways to incorporate this into their friendships in socially acceptable ways. One such example is wrestling among adolescent and young-adult males. Do you ever wonder why you don’t see as many women doing this? Perhaps it’s because wrestling is socially acceptable for men whereas women are more likely to hug, hold hands, and sit touching one another. In contrast, an exchange student from Brazil recognized the differences in touch between cultures when arriving in the United States. She was surprised when someone hesitated to remove an eyelash from her face and apologized for touching her. In her country, no one would hesitate to do this act. She realized how much more physical touch is accepted and even expected in her culture. Cultural norms determine appropriate touch and represent gender constructs.

Personal Appearance, Objects, and Artifacts are types of nonverbal communication we use to adorn our bodies and surroundings to communicate meaning to others. Consider your preferences for hairstyle, clothing, jewelry, and automobiles, as well the way you maintain your body. Your choices express meanings to those around you about what you value and the image you wish to put forth. As with most communication, our choices for personal appearance, objects, and artifacts occur within cultural contexts and are interpreted in light of these contexts. Consider the recent trendiness and popularity of tattoos. While once associated primarily with prison and armed services, tattoos have become mainstream and are used to articulate a variety of personal, political, and cultural messages.

Tattoos, hair style, dress, and makeup are all part of personal appearance. Photo  by Michael Dorausch, CC-BY-SA 2.0

Proxemics is the study of how our use of space influences the ways we relate to others. Edward Hall (1966) developed four categories of space we use in the U.S. to form and maintain relationships. Intimate space consists of space that ranges from touch to eighteen inches. We use intimate space with those whom we are close (family members, close friends, and intimate partners). Intimate space is also the context for physical fighting and violence. Personal space ranges from eighteen inches to four feet and is reserved for most conversations with non-intimate others (friends and acquaintances). Social space extends from four to twelve feet and is used for small group interactions such as sitting around a dinner table with others or a group meeting. Public space extends beyond twelve feet and is most often used in public speaking or social situations like a party or concert. A fun exercise to do is to go to a public space and observe people. Based on their use of the above categories of space, try to determine the type of relationship the people have: romantic, familial, or friendly.

We use space to regulate our verbal communication and communicate relational and social meanings. It also demonstrates our relational standing with those around us (May, 2000). Proxemics can display both power and status. You can think about how you may determine power and status in the workplace. For example, where is the manager or CEO’s office? What is used to define space? How are these ideas socially constructed? I’m sure that you realize the manager’s office is usually the largest and you may picture it with a view. Power is defined through the space that is occupied, sitting behind a desk or at the head of a conference table. Did you imagine yourself walking into their office? You may have even considered that often you have to go through another person (an assistant) before you can even occupy the space. Thinking about the social constructs, did you think about the ways we divide and assign power using space. So as you think about the manager in their large office, consider those in a “bull pen” or cubicles lining an office space. Go a step further and think about who occupies the basement or ground level floors. What are their power and status? Is it relational to their social status?

Case In Point: Feng Shui

Feng Shui, which means wind and water, is the ancient Chinese art of living in harmony with our environment. Feng Shui can be traced as far back as the Banpo dwellings in 4000 BCE. The ideas behind Feng Shui state that how we use our environment and organize our belongings affects the energy flow (chi) of people in that space, and the person/people who created the environment. The inclusion or exclusion, and placement, of various objects in our environments, are used to create a positive impact on others. The theory is to use the five elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth to design a space. Feng Shui is applicable to cities, villages, homes, and public spaces. The Temple of Heaven in Bejing, China is an example of Feng Shui architecture. To keep harmony with the natural world, the Temple houses the Hall of Annual Prayer which is comprised of four inner, 12 middle, and 12 outer pillars representing the four seasons, 12 months, and 12 traditional Chinese hours.

Our environment acts as a nonverbal through our use of perception in the surroundings or conditions we occupy. Think of your home, room, automobile, or office space. What meanings can others perceive about you from these spaces? What meanings are you trying to send by how you keep them? Think about spaces you use frequently and the nonverbal meanings they have for you. Stimuli in your environment can trigger memories and affect your mood, changing or influencing your emotional responses and actions. The environment can produce physiological responses also.

Color theory looks at how colors impact our mood, physical response, and represent cultural dichotomies. Most educational institutions intentionally paint classrooms in dull colors. Why? Dull colors on walls have a calming effect, theoretically keeping students from being distracted by bright colors and excessive stimuli. Contrast the environment of a classroom to that of a fast food restaurant. These establishments have bright colors and hard plastic seats and tables. The bright colors generate an upbeat environment, while the hard plastic seats are just uncomfortable enough to keep patrons from staying too long–remember, it’s fast food (Restaurants See Color As Key Ingredient). The bright colors have also been shown to increase appetite. People and cultures place different emphasis on the use of space as a way to communicate nonverbally. Briggs (2016) for SmarterTravel, provides a more detailed look at color theory in relationship to culture, read “What Colors Mean in Other Cultures”.

Sound is another environment nonverbal and has the ability to communicate emotion and change behavior. You may immediately think about how listening to music can change your mood or remind you of personal experiences that create emotional responses. What about studying, working out, or driving, what kind of music do you listen to? It seems silly because we do not think about it but would you try to work out to Mozart or study to Screamo or heavy metal? This is because you recognize that music unconsciously can increase your energy and change your disposition as well as allow for more or less concentration. Have you ever noticed yourself driving faster when a fast song plays in the car? These may be more easily understood but sound also acts to change behavior. Sound has the potential to increase cortisol (a hormone) release in the body that sends you into fight or flight. Think about the last time you heard a fire alarm or a tornado siren, you probably didn’t think about it at the time but did your heart jump? Most likely, your heart rate increased. There is an entire market built around sound scapes and how brands communicate a message and get you the consumer to recognize sound and spend more. Here is a Ted Talk by Julian Treasure, a sound consultant that further explains sound and how it affects us cognitively, behaviorally,  physiologically, and psychologically (2009).

Olfactics or the study of smell can also send messages nonverbally (consciously and unconsciously). Your sense of smell has similar effects to sound in being able to alter your mood and behaviors through memory and experiences. Studies suggest that mood, sexual attraction, and even your genetic makeup may be linked to smell (Everts, 2012). Other studies have looked at how culturally your tastes in food may be more of a physical response to smell rather than taste (CBS NEWS, 2015). These conscious and unconscious reactions to the environment are affecting how you express yourself and communicate.

Chronemics is the study of how people use time. Are you someone who is always early or on time? Or, are you someone who arrives late to most events? Levine (1997) believes our use of time communicates a variety of meanings to those around us. Think about the person you know who is most frequently late. How do you describe that person based on their use of time? Now, think about someone else who is always on time. How do you describe that person? Is there a difference? If so, these differences are probably based on their use of time. In the U.S., we place

In the U.S., we subscribe to a monochronic orientation of time, placing a high value on being on time, and responding more positively to people who are punctual. However, other cultures such as Arab and Latin American countries subscribe to a polychronic orientation, viewing time more loosely. Punctuality is not necessarily a goal to achieve. Some cultures are more flexible and believe that activities will commence when everyone is present and ready; not according to an arbitrary schedule based on a clock or calendar. Neither approach is better than the other, but the dissimilar uses of time can create misunderstandings among those from different cultural groups. (Hall, 1959)

Paralanguage is the term we use to describe vocal qualities such as pitch, volume, inflection, the rate of speech, and rhythm. While the types of nonverbal communication we’ve discussed so far are non-vocal, some nonverbal communication is actually vocal (noise is produced). How we say words often expresses greater meaning than the actual words themselves. Sarcasm and incongruency are two examples of this. The comedian Stephen Wright bases much of his comedy on his use of paralanguage. He talks in a completely monotone voice throughout his act and frequently makes statements such as, “I’m getting really excited” while using a monotone voice, accompanied by a blank facial expression. The humor lies in the incongruency—his paralanguage and facial expression contradict his verbal message. When you use sarcasm, your paralanguage is intended to contradict the verbal message you say.

Finally, silence serves as a type of nonverbal communication when we do not use words or utterances to convey meanings. Have you ever experienced the “silent treatment” from someone? What meanings did you take from that person’s silence? Silence is powerful because the person using silence may be refusing to engage in communication with you. Likewise, we can use silence to regulate the flow of our conversations. Silence has a variety of meanings and, as with other types of nonverbal communication; context plays an important role in interpreting the meaning of silence. For example, the Day of Silence protest which has taken place every year since 1996 is a day which students use their silence as a tool to get people to stand up for LGBT rights. Here, like in the Women in Black movement, the participants believe that silence sends a louder message than anything they could say. Do you think they are right? What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of using silence as a political strategy? You can learn more about this movement at their website.

Nonverbal Communication Now: Women in Black

An organization of women called Women in Black uses silence as a form of protest and hope for peace; particularly, peace from war and the unfair treatment of women. Women in Black began in Israel in 1988 by women protesting Israel’s Occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. Women in Black continues to expand and now functions in the United States, England, Italy, Spain, Azerbaijan, and Yugoslavia. Women gather in public spaces, dressed in black, and stand in silence for one hour, once a week. Their mission states, “We are silent because mere words cannot express the tragedy that wars and hatred bring. We refuse to add to the cacophony of empty statements that are spoken with the best intentions yet have failed to bring lasting change and understanding, or to the euphemistic jargon of the politicians which has perpetuated misunderstanding and fear that leads to war….our silence is visible.”

You should now recognize the infinite combination of verbal and nonverbal messages we can share. When you think about it, it really is astonishing that we can communicate effectively at all. We engage in a continuous dance of communication where we try to stay in step with one another. With an understanding of the definition of nonverbal communication and the types of nonverbal communication, let’s consider the various functions nonverbal communication serves in helping us communicate (Ekman, 1965; Knapp, 1980; Malandro & Barker, 1983).

Hidden features of non-verbal communication – yourspeech.ru

The concept of non-verbal communication was formed in the middle of the twentieth century. Currently, the study of non-verbal behavior is mainly engaged in psychology. It was the science working on the study of the human psyche that was able to find answers to many questions, describe and classify such a phenomenon as non-verbal transmission of information.

Content

• What is non-verbal communication, its functions
• Functions of non-verbal communication
• Components of interaction between representatives of the opposite sex
• Types and types of non-verbal communication
• Features of non-verbal communication between representatives of different nationalities
• Development of communication skills
• Developmental exercises in the form of a collective game
• Communication with patients after a stroke
• Classes with a patient after a stroke
• Speech therapy techniques
• Exercises used to restore speech

What is non-verbal communication, its functions

Unconsciously, spontaneously used facial expressions, body movements, postures, gestures during communication are called non-verbal behavior. Such behavior is not a mask put on by a person in advance, it is part of his inner world, the personality itself.

Non-verbal communication is the conscious use of gestures accepted in a certain human environment and culture. An example is the greeting gesture.

Non-verbal communication implies a type of interaction between people, the main components of which, when transferring information, establishing contact, creating an image of a partner and influencing the interlocutor, are non-verbal behavior and non-verbal communication. Communication involves such components as: movements, body language, gaze, intonation, touch, appearance of the interlocutor. Speech is replaced by emotions, non-verbal codes complement information and form the basis of non-verbal communication.

Sound signals and signs (Morse code, civil defense alerts, programming language), facial expressions, gestures are also ways and language of non-verbal communication.

Functions of non-verbal communication

• Addition to the above.
• Nonverbal cues sometimes contradict what the person has said.
• Facial expressions and gestures are used as underlining and reinforcing words.
• Correction of interactions between people.
• Non-verbal cues replace words.
• Gestures, touches, glances highlight the main points in speech.

It is impossible to control the work of the subconscious, which is given out by non-verbal signs. To hide your own thoughts, you need to increase the use of positive non-verbal means, removing the negative ones. Or deliberately develop gestures in advance that make what is said believable.

Non-verbal ways of communication that can arouse sympathy in the interlocutor:

• Unobtrusively repeat body movements, take postures similar to those of the interlocutor. In this case, the main thing is not to overdo it, too active copying will have the opposite effect.
• Speech must be similar to the speech of the partner in terms of volume, tempo, intonation.
• If possible, synchronize your own gestures and body movements with the motor activity of the interlocutor.

Opposite sex interaction components

• A coquettish gait, preening in front of a man, demonstrated by a woman, indicate readiness for flirting, as well as dilated pupils, a long gaze (more than 10 seconds).
• Shaking off non-existent dust particles by a man or thumbs in the slots of the pockets (behind the belt) of trousers will tell about the readiness to take care of a woman who is interested.
• Intimate look – when the interlocutor slides from the eyes along the partner’s body and back.

Such signs are given by people unconsciously and speak of mutual attraction.

Types and types of non-verbal communication

Non-verbal communication and its types are rooted in antiquity, most non-verbal means are innate. There are three main types of non-verbal communication: facial expressions, gestures and clothing.

• Facial expressions are movements of the facial muscles that have little in common with physiognomy.
• Appearance can tell a lot about a person, even before he said something.
• Non-verbal communication and its types transmit up to 95% information. These are voice, appearance, gestures and posture.

There are several types of non-verbal communication.

1. Paralinguistics – speech additions, melody, timbre, rhythm and power of voice, articulation activity. Paralinguistic communication is the transmission of information through voice.

Psychological and paralinguistic features of non-verbal communication is the perfection of speech. Characteristics of speech, which will allow to come to an understanding between partners:

• Precision.
• Eloquence.
• Conciseness of statements.
• Clarity.
• Logic.
• Simplicity.
• Rich vocabulary.
• Liveliness.
• Purity.
• Correctness.

Speech gives out social status, allows you to assess the personality of the interlocutor, his temperament and character. By improving the forms of speech, a person will get rid of problems in communication.

2. Kinesics – gestures, body language, eye expression.

The kinetic features of non-verbal communication lie in the visual perception of the interlocutor’s body movements. Kinesics includes expressive means of movement: gait, gestures, posture, facial expressions, gaze.

The pose demonstrates the relation of a person’s own status to the status of those present. People with a higher status are located in relaxed poses.

Whether the interlocutors feel comfortable or uncomfortable in each other’s company depends on the look. The look and eyes convey accurate signs in interpersonal interaction. Depending on the mood of a person or his attitude to what is happening, the pupils narrow and expand.

3. Chronemics is the time that communication takes.

The use of time is one of the main components of non-verbal communication: punctuality at the everyday level indicates self-discipline and respect for others. The desire to say as much as possible in a short period of time indicates self-doubt: a person who is used to being listened to speaks at a pace convenient for himself.

4. Haptics – interaction between people through touch, tactile contact.
5. Gastika – communication signals transmitted through food and drink.
6. Proxemics – the position of the interlocutor in space. This is the position of the body in the process of contact between people, the distance between them, orientation relative to each other.

The proxemic features of non-verbal communication are the distance between people during contact and the orientation of you relative to your interlocutor in space. Closest of all, a person lets a partner who is attractive to him.

7. Actonics – human actions as signals during communication.

Features of non-verbal communication between representatives of different nationalities

Non-verbal signals have a dual nature: universal signals that are understandable to people living in different countries and signs used within the same culture.

Interethnic features of non-verbal communication are that the use of non-verbal means by residents in different countries is different. They have to be learned in the same way as a foreign language.

Interethnic differences in non-verbal communication are manifested:

• In gestures. For example, a raised thumb in Greece is interpreted as “shut up”, in the USA and England a person using this gesture hitchhikes to a place or wants to say that everything is in order with him. In the countries of Islam, the left hand is considered “unclean”, so you can not give money, food or a gift with this hand.
• For example, in some places in Africa laughter is not at all a sign of fun, as in Europe and Asia, it is an indicator of confusion or amazement.
• Gesture activity. The Italians and the French gesticulate a lot and vigorously; in Japan, such gesticulation is a sign of aggression.
• The culture of tactile contact in different countries is also different. The British rarely touch each other, while the Latin Americans contact in this way almost constantly.
• Look. In Japan, you can’t stare into the eyes of the interlocutor, this is regarded as hostility. In the culture of European peoples, if the interlocutor does not look into the eyes, this is considered a sign of insincerity or a manifestation of shyness.
• In postures (the position of the human body). About 1 thousand poses are known that the human body can take. Of these, some are fixed, others are prohibited in some countries.
• Appearance of a person. The same suit will give the opposite information about the interlocutor in different countries.

Knowing the language and the basics of non-verbal communication of representatives of different cultures, it will not be difficult to establish interaction, catch fluctuations in the mood of a foreign interlocutor. At the same time, without knowing the subtleties of the use of non-verbal means by people in different countries, it is easy to accidentally offend a representative of another nationality.

Developing communication skills

Reading can help improve your non-verbal communication skills. A book, report or presentation dedicated to the topic of communication between people will broaden your horizons and draw attention to the intricacies of human behavior that previously escaped sight.

• The book “Psychology of emotions. I know how you feel” by Paul Ekman reveals the secrets behind behavior management. The book is distinguished by entertaining and useful content, it will teach you to recognize, evaluate, control and correct emotions.
• The book “Psychology of lies. Lie to Me If You Can, also authored by Paul Ekman, will help you expose lies and respond appropriately to them. The book is rich in examples of micro-expressions and micro-gestures, the knowledge of which will help to bring deceit to clean water. Useful reading for anyone who does not want to be a victim of manipulation or lies.

Presentation or report as part of trainings on communication and non-verbal communication, contains a maximum of useful information in a concise form. They will briefly and colorfully explain the essence of non-verbal communication, clearly demonstrate postures, gestures and decipher their meaning, pay attention to the most important non-verbal means. Special literature, games and exercises during the training will help develop the skills of non-verbal interaction with others, understand the patterns of communication.

Developing exercises in the form of a collective game

• “Gift”. During the game, each player gives a gift to the participant standing to his left. This must be done in such a way that the recipient understands what is being given to him, but it can only be explained using non-verbal means (facial expressions, gaze, body language). The goal of the game is to develop non-verbal communication skills.
• Everyone’s attention. All participants are given the task to attract the attention of others. The difficulty lies in the fact that it is done at the same time. The goal of the game is to teach how to combine non-verbal and verbal components of interaction, to place the necessary accents using various means of communication. Who completed the task? By what means? What means is considered the most important in the process of organizing communication?
• “Shapes”. During the game, it is unacceptable to use non-verbal means, such as body movements, facial expressions, gaze, only speech can be used. The player is given a sheet of paper with geometric figures depicted on it. He explains to the others (without showing the drawing) what is drawn on the sheet so that they draw the same. The explainer then talks about whether it was difficult to describe the image in words alone without the help of gestures.
• “Painting”. All participants stand in one line. During the game, only facial expressions and gestures are used. A sheet of paper is attached to the wall. The host tells the first of the players in a whisper the object to be drawn. The first draws part of the subject. Then the first player explains to the second, using non-verbal means, what object needs to be depicted. The second draws what he understood. Then the second explains the task to the third, and so on, until everyone has participated. Was it difficult to communicate using non-verbal means without the help of speech?
• “Book”. Let’s sum up. The participants stand in a circle, the book is passed from hand to hand, while the participants take turns briefly telling what conclusions each of them made for themselves from the lesson, how the topic under discussion personally touched him.

Communication with a patient after a stroke

People who have had a stroke often develop speech disorders. Examples of such a violation are difficult sound pronunciation and misunderstanding of speech. In medicine, this dysfunction is called aphasia and dysarthria.

Speech disorders after a stroke isolate from others, make a person feel lonely, lead to depression, which stretches the adaptation period for years. For this reason, in the process of rehabilitation in the family, it is important to communicate correctly with the patient:

• In a conversation, it is preferable to use short phrases.
• Talking loudly with the patient is not recommended, as such speech complicates understanding.
• When a patient after a stroke uses a new term for something or someone, it is worth using this word or sound in the future for communication.
• Do not insist on the use of correct, generally accepted names and terms by patients – this will cause a negative reaction.
• It is imperative to respond to the patient’s speech, without forcing him to speak in a common language, if he presents difficulties – a person’s reaction, after a stroke, may be the cessation of communication.

Some patients with aphasia tend to understand non-verbal communication, body language, gaze. They may not understand speech, but guess the interlocutor’s wishes by “reading” information from gestures and facial expressions. It is necessary to accurately determine the level of understanding of the patient’s speech. To do this, you need to say one thing, demonstrating the opposite of what was said with gestures and facial expressions. This will avoid exaggerating the patient’s ability to speak and understand.

Classes with a patient after a stroke

An important stage of rehabilitation after a stroke is the restoration of speech. This process is long and requires the patience of relatives and the patient himself. Classes should be started in a timely manner, because if you miss the favorable moment, the violations become persistent, speech will not be fully restored.

The correct choice of a speech rehabilitation strategy requires an accurate determination of the form of dysfunction after a stroke. In practice, most of the disorders are aphasias:

• Total – observed in the first days after a stroke. The patient remembers nothing and no one, does not speak and does not understand what they say to him.
• Motor – follows the total. There is recognition of the sick relatives, understanding of speech, but he cannot speak yet. Later, the patient begins to express desires with the help of sounds.
• Sensory – impaired understanding of speech. These are symptoms that indicate damage to the part of the brain that analyzes oral speech.
• Amnestic is characterized by difficulty in naming objects to patients. This is due to complications when choosing a word from the vocabulary. The amount of memory decreases, the retention of information perceived by ear worsens.
• Semantic. The patient understands simple phrases and appeals, does not perceive complex turns.

Speech therapy

After a stroke, an individual approach is applied to each patient. Exercises and material are selected that are significant in terms of emotional content and meaning for this particular person. Depending on the form of aphasia, singing and images (visual materials) are used in the rehabilitation process. The duration of classes and exercises are also set individually, the speech load on the hearing organs is controlled.

Exercises used to restore speech

Gymnastics is done daily, following the correctness of the movements performed.

• Pull out the lips with a straw for 5 seconds, then relax for 2 seconds.
• Alternately grasp and bite the upper and lower lip with the teeth. 5 seconds for each bite.
• Stick out the tongue as far forward as possible for 3 seconds, stretch the neck, relax.
• Lick lips first in one direction, then in the other side several times, then in a circle.
• Rolled tongue stick out forward for 3 seconds, then relax for three seconds.

Exercises in the form of pronunciation of tongue twisters are effective in restoring speech.

When teaching speech after a stroke, it is important to constantly contact a speech therapist, classes with a patient at home are held only with his permission. Non-professionals easily give excessive speech load and exercises beyond the patient’s strength.

An optimistic attitude and faith in success are important. In no case should you show dissatisfaction with the way the patient performs articulatory gymnastics. Patients after a stroke are emotionally unstable, their self-confidence is easily undermined.

At the beginning of the exercises, you should do the exercises for 7-15 minutes, gradually increasing the duration to half an hour. You can’t do more than thirty minutes – overwork will lead to regression.

Previous article Predictive The following is the following

90,000 non -verbal communication: types, gestures, funds

Content

• 1 means of non -verbal communication

008

• 4 History of non -verbal means of communication
• 5 Conscious and unconscious use of body signals
• 6 Microes and involuntary non -verbal signals
• 7 Conscious signal reading
• 8 unconscious reading of non -verbal signals

9000 9 The main characteristics of non -verbal signals

• 10 Business 10 Business 10 communication
• 11 Non-verbal cues in person
• 12 Learning to recognize non-verbal cues
• 13 Non-verbal communication and errors

If verbal communication is a way of communicating between individuals through speech, and the main tool is the word, then non-verbal communication is a way of information exchange in which the human body is used as a tool for transmitting data.

Means of non-verbal communication

As the main means of such communication, the body is used, which is able to transmit information through facial expressions, gestures, pantomime, changes in position in space and mise-en-scene of communication.

Due to the diversity and richness of facial expressions, our body is able to transmit a huge number of images, becoming a powerful tool for bringing the necessary information to the people around us.

It is very easy to check this: just try to watch some movie in a foreign language that you do not speak, then you will be surprised to note that you understood, if not the very essence of the characters’ conversations, then the message, the emotions that they put into the conversation, and even the main idea and plot.

This is due to the fact that in conditions of a semantic deficit arising from ignorance of the language, we subconsciously follow facial expressions, micro-gestures more carefully than usual, read the plot and emotional component by the movements and tone of voice of the characters.

Language

Speaking about the fact that we know one language, for example, Russian, we hardly think about the fact that we actually know two languages: not only language as a means of verbal communication, but also body language – a universal complex of postures and movements through which representatives of different nationalities, cultures and races can communicate.

Unlike the vocabulary language, which requires learning the alphabet, phonetics, grammar and other components, sign language is unique: using obvious mental images and concepts, we can establish communication with both the Amazonian Indians and the Eskimos.

Of course, this communication will be simple, at the level of basic concepts, however, without the use of non-verbal communication, with the help of words alone, we will not achieve anything at all – our language will be incomprehensible to the interlocutors, while pointing a finger at an object of interest is universal and will help to establish primary contact.

Non-verbal signals as the only means of communication

The importance of non-verbal communication cannot be overestimated – it remains the only means of exchanging information in cases where:

• people do not know each other’s language even at a basic level;
• people do not have the physical ability to pronounce sounds.

If in the first case a higher level of communication can be established later by gradually learning each other’s languages, then in the second, various types of non-verbal communication come to the fore and become the only possible means of contact.

For people with speech disabilities, hearing loss, sign language is the only language they can use, and fingers become their vocal cords and gestures become words.

In situations where people who are physically capable of reproducing sounds find themselves in an environment that does not allow them to pronounce these sounds, it is the tools of non-verbal communication that come to the fore. These signals are used in scuba diving (dive signals), in noisy premises (metal-rolling shops, engine rooms), in hunting, when participating in hostilities (ambushes).

The history of the emergence of non-verbal means of communication

Non-verbal behavior as a set of gestural and figurative expressions through the body originated at the dawn of mankind, when language as a means of communication had not yet been invented, and communication between individual representatives of the tribe was carried out precisely with the help of non-verbal behavior.

It was possible to convey information through primitive gestures, and with the task that ancient people had to solve, non-verbal means of communication coped perfectly. They pointed with their hands at the prey, fellow tribesmen, depicted simple phenomena – rain, thunderstorms, mimicked anger, threatened, grinning and baring their teeth.

An excellent example of primitive non-verbal behavior is the communication of dogs. When meeting dogs, they almost never use barking – they communicate by changing their gait, posture, level of tail movement, baring or lowering their ears, and the information they receive is enough for them to correctly assess the situation and status of the interlocutor.

Conscious and unconscious use of body signals

Non-verbal means of communication can be divided into two types according to the conscious use:

• non-verbal communication, which we use consciously – these are the mimic and gesture means that we use deliberately, that is, the tools we use to clearly convey specific information to the addressee;
• involuntary non-verbal behavior – these are those postures, gestures and changes in body position, as well as micro-gestures that we use unconsciously, uncontrollably. A specialist who can read the signs of involuntary non-verbal behavior can be told more than the words that we say at the same time.

Consciously used such means of communication provide a large layer of gestural, plastic and mimic possibilities. Actors most clearly demonstrate this type of non-verbal communication tools: when playing a role, they use gestures and facial expressions to bring the image to perfection and give credibility to the game. The tools of good actors are very rich, they are able to memorize and apply hundreds of different small poses, looks, head turns, giving variability to the role words they use.

Micro-expressions and involuntary non-verbal signals

Involuntary non-verbal behavior – those contractions of the muscles of the body and face that a person is not able to control.

Consciously speaking a lie, trying to hide feelings, a person is nevertheless unable to control the so-called microexpressions flashing on the face. These are tools of non-verbal behavior that help a specialist psychologist or just a very observant interlocutor to recognize deception, an attempt to hide information or emotions, since it is impossible to consciously keep muscles from contracting such muscles.

Individuals in certain professions for whom the ability to recognize deception is very important are trained in this ability, or people who are initially predisposed to reading microexpressions are looked for. So, the ability to calculate a lie is extremely important for customs officers, security services, and investigators.

For the correct recognition of facial microexpressions, it is important to remember that facial expressions do not express the thoughts of the subject, but feelings, and if disgust flickers on the face for a moment, this does not mean at all that it is caused by the subject of conversation – perhaps the person simply had an unpleasant association.

Conscious reading of non-verbal signals

Like the use of non-verbal behavior, the ability to correctly read and recognize non-verbal signals given by the interlocutor, is conscious and unconscious.

Conscious reading of non-verbal behavior allows us, by observing the interlocutor, to understand by his facial expression, posture, gait and even the turn of his shoulders what feelings he experiences and what shade his speech has.

For example, the phrase: “I hate you!” written on paper cannot be read unambiguously without a description of the mimic expressions of the speaker. In real life, the non-verbal behavior of the speaker will say a lot about the subtext:

• if it is pronounced expressively, brows furrowed, lips pursed and their corners lowered, with tense fists, the interlocutor will understand the message – they really hate him, since the whole posture and face of the speaker express anger;
• uttered in a cheerful tone, supported by a smile and a casual wave of the hand with a relaxed body, the same phrase becomes a playful friendly joke.

It is at such moments that non-verbal means of communication are indispensable, it is not for nothing that the authors of fiction often use the epithets “muttered”, “shouted”, “hissed” instead of the dry “said”, giving faceless words an obvious emotional connotation.

Unconscious Reading of Non-Verbal Signals

Just as the body betrays our lies by broadcasting involuntary non-verbal signals in the form of instant micro-expressions and gestures, our subconscious mind is able to read these types of non-verbal communication.

For example, you are communicating with an interlocutor who seems to say something pleasant, positive, makes promises and convinces of his loyalty, but something inside you itches: “He lies, fawns, tries to hide information, he cannot be trusted !
Some call it intuition, some call it a premonition, but from the point of view of the science of non-verbal communication, this is nothing more than an unconscious reading of the interlocutor’s micro-expressions, their comparison with words and a subconscious assessment of compliance. When finding a discrepancy between verbal and non-verbal signals, the brain tries to tell you in all available ways: the person is hiding something, gestures do not match the words, you need to be on your guard!

Unconscious non-verbal behavior cannot be controlled, and those who can read such micro-expressions learn to convert unconscious recognition of non-verbal communication gestures into conscious through long training.

Basic characteristics of non-verbal signals

Various parts of the body are used as tools for applying and reading such signals, but posture, gait, and plasticity are also important.

Non-verbal behavior of an open, self-confident subject is characterized by the following features:

• straight back, deployed shoulders, good posture, free gait;
• raised head, confident look directly at the interlocutor;
• “open” gestures – relaxed arms, not closed on the chest or in a “lock”, legs are not crossed;
• lack of fussy small gestures, attempts to cover the mouth or nose with the palm of the hand.

Non-verbal means of communication demonstrating that a person is trying to hide something:

• dropped chin, tense shoulders, slightly hunched over;
• a look constantly moving from the interlocutor’s face to the floor or running over objects behind his back;
• “closed” gestures – arms crossed on the chest, the “leg to leg” position, involuntary touching of the nose and lips with the fingers, hands with a “house” at the level of the chin.

Such signs of non-verbal communication allow us to assess the degree of frankness of the interlocutor, help to soberly approach what he says, and decide whether to trust the person.

Business communication

Non-verbal means of communication in negotiations and at work are of great importance: despite the formal tacit ban on an overly pronounced emotional component in business communication, a successful salesperson is able to both fail a product presentation and save it with the help of a properly constructed non-verbal communication with listeners.

If a specialist presenting a product or technology delivers it, monotonously reciting the text, not using a change of intonation, not supplementing the words with gestures, facial expressions, if he stoops and rubs his hands nervously, listeners unconsciously read all these signs of uncertainty and are imbued with distrust of the product through distrust of the person representing him.

If the presentation is accompanied by a competently delivered speech, rich in intonation, backed up by open gestures, a smile, good posture and an open look, unconscious non-verbal communication signals: your interlocutor is trustworthy, which means the product too.

Non-verbal signals in personal communication

Non-verbal communication in personal relationships is the basis of communication.
Words alone will not get you far in family life without emotional reinforcement, without touches and small but unconsciously read signals.

Spouses can communicate little, exhausted by everyday life, children and work, but if in a dream they move closer to each other, if during the rare hours of being together in the house, even busy each with their own business, they find a second to touch each other, smile Such a strong family.

On the contrary, couples who publicly hug, kiss and express positive emotions in every possible way at the level of conscious non-verbal signals, but do not feel warm feelings for each other, give themselves away by the absence of small gestures – momentary touches, glances, light smiles, and others often unconsciously read this information, even before the spouses themselves, they begin to guess that something is wrong in the family.

To maintain a relationship, it is very important to remember about non-verbal means of communication, not to underestimate the importance of touch and expressing emotions not only with the help of words.

How to learn to correctly recognize non-verbal signals

By learning to correctly interpret other people’s non-verbal signals, you will be able to expand your capabilities, raise non-verbal communication with interlocutors to a new level, and also learn to recognize attempts to manipulate you.

In order to improve non-verbal communication skills, try to absorb while communicating, notice not only some noticeable, “large” gestures, but also note small ones, perceive the entire palette of human motor skills: facial expression, posture, posture, finger movements and gaze , change of intonation. This will allow, over time, to cut off the superficial, conscious gestures of the interlocutor, revealing micro-expressions and noting signs of deception or unconscious lies. By mentally noticing the wide hand gesture, you will also learn to notice the rapid licking of the lips that betrays excitement, and then non-verbal communication with people will turn into an exciting attraction in which attempts to manipulate you will be shattered by your ability to recognize them and avoid them.

Non-verbal communication and mistakes

Non-verbal communication is an important part of human communication, and the ability to understand signals is very helpful in life, but we should not forget that excessive fascination with the theory of microexpressions and unconscious gestures can fail if you do not remember the possibility of errors .
One should always remember the conditions in which the dialogue is being conducted: in a stuffy room with dry air, for example, licking the lips can symbolize not so much an attempt to deceive as to moisten overdried skin, and arms folded on the chest are sometimes called upon not to close from the interlocutor, but to cover unsuccessfully stain on clothes.