Non-Verbal Communication: The Effects And Effects Of Nonverbal Communication

Effects of Non-verbal Communication
Taylor Knapp
Marion Technical College

Non-verbal communication is a way that humans interact without actually speaking; this has many effects that can be positive or negative. In “Cross-Cultural Communication”, LeBaron states, “we tend to look for nonverbal cues when messages are unclear or ambiguous” (2003). There is a widely growing demand in our society for the essential skills of communication; however, non-verbal communication is the most important way of communicating. As LeBaron explains non- verbal communication, “we use different systems of understanding gestures, postures, silence, spacial relations, emotional expression, touch, physical appearance, and other non-verbal cues” (2003). We, as humans, stereotype many non verbals and can misinterpret them causing discomfort and creating conflict (Sanders, 2014). The main places non-verbals effects are seen of importance are in relationships, schools, and in the workplace.

In relationships, we use our non-verbals on a daily basis. “a wealth of emotion can be conveyed with a sigh, a tilt of the head, a smile, or a look,” explains Sanders in “How Does Nonverbal Communication Affect Relationships” (2014). We not only use non-verbal communication to show how we are feeling, but to use others non-verbals to interpret what they are feeling. In a relationship, like in many other situations, we use body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions to show our emotion, but sometimes they can be misinterpreted and create conflict. For example, given by Sanders, “if you tell your friend a secret and she sighs, you may take that as a sign of disapproval when in reality she was sighing out of concern” (2014).
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...fe, and comfortable environment” (The Importance of Non-Verbal Cues, 2009). Non- verbals can have many positive effects such as increasing closeness, enhance understanding, or even getting a job. The bad effects however, can be creating conflict, causing discomfort, or causing you to not get hired. Due to faulty non- verbals, we as humans need to understand how to use and interpret others non- verbals to cause better in our lives.

References
Broughton, Lindsay. (2014). Nonverbal communication is powerful tool in the workplace.
The Persimmon Group.
Sanders, April. (2014). How Does Nonverbal Communication Affect Relationships?
LIVESTRONG Foundation.
LeBaron, Michelle. (2003). Cross- Cultural Communication. Beyond Intractability.
Subapriya, K. (2009). The Importance of Non- Verbal Cues. The Icfai University Journal of
Soft Skills, 3(2), 38-42.