The Importance of Non-verbal Commuincation

1114 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Importance of developing effective communication

Communication is an aspect of everyday life. People communicate both verbally and most importantly non-verbally. Verbal communication involves words whereas non-verbal communication consists of everything else but words. Moreover, there are different non-verbal concepts. These include haptics, refering to touch; proxemics, involving space and kinesics, which refers to gestures. Non-verbal communication is considered more meaningful and powerful because it communicates what the mouth does not. Non-verbal communication is expressed through body language and paralnguage. Paralanguage involves the voice and body language is embedded with non-verbal concepts. Overall non-verbal communication is an important universal language.

Paralanguage relates to non-verbal cues of the voice. This aspect of non-verbal communication includes intonation, vocal sounds and tone. People pay close attention to the voice in addition to listening to the words being spoken in order to clarify the message being conveyed. Take the case of a listener detecting whether the speaker expressed their message in the form of a question or statement through the pitch of their voice (Besson, Graf, Hartung, Kropfhausser & Voisard 2005). Another example involves the use of tone. Tone of voices can be friendly, aggressive, enthusiastic nervous and monotonous. The situation contributes to the tone of voice utilise. In the case of a political debate the tone voice would be rousing whereas in a television news report it would be in a more a factual tone. Additionally, people produce vocal sound either to show interest or express feelings. These sounds include laughter and screams of joy, fear and pain. In the great diversity of language, these sounds are most similar in for...

... middle of paper ...

...determine whether or not someone is telling the truth. For example police offers pay close attention to suspects in addition to other verbal cues in order to determine if the person’s honesty. However there are cultures where avoiding eye contact is a sign of respect. Consequently, reading non-verbal cues does no always mean a person will interpret correctly. Nonetheless nonverbal signals and cues allow people to communicate many things without uttering a word.

In conclusion non-verbal communication involves body language and paralanguage. There are many different concepts of non-verbal communication. The non-verbal signals and cues sometimes differ across different culture but are sometimes universal. Non-verbal communication is considered important because it is natural and communicates what words do not. In other words it’s a way of communicating in silence.

Show More
Related

  • Interpersonal Communication

    814 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Nonverbal Learning Disabilities

    1819 Words  | 4 Pages

    When we think of communication, we tend to think of speech, but there is a lot more to it than verbal communication. Gesturing, tone of voice and facial expressions are all parts of communication that are not verbal. We may not even always realize how much of communication is non-verbal, because we normally don’t think about it that way. However, it would be nearly impossible to communicate without non-verbal communication.

    Read More

  • Nonverbal Communication Observation

    542 Words  | 2 Pages

    Nonverbal communication is rich in meaning. Everyone communicates through nonverbal gestures and motions. I realized that you can decipher a lot from an individual or individuals by just paying close attention to what they do, and that words are not really necessary. Watching two people interacting, I figured that they are really close by their space communication, eye language, and body movements.

    Read More

  • Nonverbal Communication

    1530 Words  | 4 Pages

    Nonverbal cues involve everything but the spoken word which includes: body posture and facial expressions, gestures, eyebrows, eyes, tone of voice, speed of delivery, inflections, volume, and proximity. Even one's attire sends messages to others. Each area of the nonverbal has the power to send a message; combined they tell the listener what is meant and what is felt. The power of the nonverbal cannot be over-rated; it will almost always ...

    Read More

  • Nonverbal Communication: Cultural Differences Across Cultures

    1615 Words  | 4 Pages

    When communicating, only a small percent of the exchange is verbal. The larger part of the message is made up of body language or movements, known as nonverbal communication. The reason for people using nonverbal communication is to enhance the message they are sending to the receiver. One way nonverbal communication differs is through cultural differences. Cultural differences have a significant impact on nonverbal communication as cultures differ greatly in their nonverbal interpretations and responses. Firstly, this essay will prove how kinesics can create barriers between people as types of nonverbal cues differ amongst cultures. It will then show that paralinguistics can be based on cultural expectations and this can create stereotyping in cross-cultural communication. Turning to haptics, it will then show that different perspectives on haptics can cause problems in a cross-cultural context. Finally, it will prove that because of different cultural norms, the use of proxemics can be misinterpreted, therefore proving that cultural differences have a significant impact on nonverbal communication.

    Read More

  • Olfactics: The Underrated Sense in Communication

    1060 Words  | 3 Pages

    The world, as of the 21st century, is increasingly becoming an interconnected, interrelated social place in which avoidance of human interaction is near impossible. From telephone calls to advertising billboards, communication is ubiquitous. Communication essentially refers to the generation and receiving of messages across a variety of contexts, channels, media, and cultures. This complex interaction is composed of both verbal and non-verbal interactions. Verbal language is defined as the use of sounds and language to communicate a message and thus accents, dialects, and languages all fall under this “verbal code.” Its counterpart, non-verbal language, is communication through a host of nonlinguistic methods, including physical appearance, kinesics, and olfactics.

    Read More

  • Communication through Gestures and Facial Expressions

    1344 Words  | 3 Pages

    Nonverbal communication does not rely on the use of words to convey its meaning. “Nonverbal communication is usually understood as the process of communication through sending and receiving wordless messages. These nonverbal messages can be transmitted by bodily gestures, posture, facial expressions, and eye contact” (Subramani 2010). Nonverbal communication is simply that, communication without words. Nonverbal communication is present everday in our society. It goes hand in hand with verbal communication. It complements and enhances spoken words. According to David McNeill, gestures have two core features: they carry meaning, and are synchronous with speech. He goes on to say, “gesture and speech express the same underlying idea unit but express it in their own ways.”

    Read More

  • Nonverbal Communication and Cultural Differences

    1651 Words  | 4 Pages

    Nonverbal communication has always played an important role in the entire communication process. It may include gestures, kinesics, haptics and other means, which a person incorporates into the communication process. These acts make the communication process more effective and meaningful. However, nonverbal communication is highly influenced by cultural differences as the context of the culture defines how the message is interpreted. This essay will analyse several types of nonverbal communication such as proxemics, haptics, kinesics, semiotics and paralinguistic. It will also analyse the messages conveyed by these nonverbal communication types in different cultures and their impact on the non-verbal communication process in relative cultural contexts.

    Read More

  • The American Sign Language: The Development Of Sign Language

    1788 Words  | 4 Pages

    There are many forms of non-verbal communication. These may include: writing, bodily motions, facial expression, smelling, whistle, drumming, touching etc. According to Salzmann, Stanlaw & Adachi (2015) “The term nonverbal communication, taken literally, refers to the transmission of signals by means other than spoke words.” The form of nonverbal communication I will be focused on is sign language. Sign language plays a major role in American communities for the deaf and the mute, so they may be able to communicate with their friends and families. In America they practice the American Sign Language or Ameslan Sign Language. This paper will focus on “The Development of Sign Language.”

    Read More

  • Personal Communication Profile

    898 Words  | 2 Pages

    Currie (2007) states Effective Verbal Communication is important when building relationships with clients, customers, and the media (pg 1). Verbal communication is important along with listening skills so that communication between parties is clear. Verbal communication is accompanied by sign language called non verbal communication. This communication can be expressed in many ways: One can ask another “How are you today” Reply, “I’m okay” but the shrugging of the shoulders, squinting of eyes and lips closed tightly together gives another answer.

    Read More

  • The Importance of Being a Competent Communicator

    1108 Words  | 3 Pages

    Non-verbal communication decodes messages using body language and facial expressions. Therefore, non-verbal communication is a type of language as its own that can be used universally. This includes, touching behavior, proximity, eye contact, gestures and many more. Furthermore, non-verbal communication can be misinterpreted as well because people from other countries has different ways of interpreting gesture...

    Read More

  • Communication Vs Nonverbal Communication

    865 Words  | 2 Pages

    Nonverbal communication surrounds us all the time. “Nonverbal communication is all aspects of communication other than words” (Wood, 2016, p. 135). It is not communication with words, but we use nonverbal communication when we talk. We use nonverbal communication without even realizing it in every facet of our lives. This type of communication can be challenging depending on someone’s culture. Something that means one thing in America, can mean something totally different in another country. It is important to know this so that you don’t offend someone from another culture (Wood, 2016, p. 149).

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Communication: The Regulation Of Nonverbal Communication

    1890 Words  | 4 Pages

    While on a blind date, a man talks to his acquaintance, but she averts making eye contact, focusing on anything but him. What do these nonverbal messages communicate to her? People often wonder whether someone is truly listening when they are speaking. Although humans are incapable of reading minds, we can detect nonverbal cues to infer what others are thinking. Nonverbal cues can be organized into cues generated from the body and cues produced by the environment.

    Read More

  • Verbal Communication

    1500 Words  | 3 Pages

    There are different types of communication (verbal, nonverbal, paralinguistic). Verbal communication is communicating with words. For instance, an individual speaks to another at a business meeting regarding profit margins. Second, nonverbal communication is communicating without the use of words but through gesture, body language, facial expression and eye contact (Baron, Branscombe, Byrne). Also these physical expressions can provide powerful and valuable information about others’ current feelings and reactions without the need of words. Lastly paralinguistic is defined as the use of emotional expression, gestures, and the location of the body in relation to the other's body, eye contact, and level of voice instead of verbally expressing these cues (Triandis). Additionally, paralinguistic is also known as paralanguage as a way to modify or nuance meaning, or convey emotion, with the use of pitch, volume, and intonation (Triandis). For instance, as described by Triandis’ article Culture and Communication, “in Bulgaria and south India a nod means "no,” and a shake of the head, means "yes".” It’s interesting how Triandis describes the amount of difficulty it was to compre...

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Family Communication

    782 Words  | 2 Pages

    Family Communication can be categorized into two; verbal and non-verbal communications (Knox and Schacht 2010). Verbal communication, Linguistic, vocabulary, grammar, Paralinguistic, manipulation of speech. On the other hand non-verbal communication is ,physical and body language, facial expressions, eye contact, body movement, posture, touching and use of silence; timing during communication. Non-verbal communication is very often culturally determined. The individuals within a culture usually know the meanings of the non-verbal signals in their own culture. The same signals, however, they can have very different meanings in other cultures. Among family members verbal and non-verbal communication are ways of family communication that helps

    Read More

More about The Importance of Non-verbal Commuincation

Open Document