NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION NOTES
INTRODUCTION
- All communication is affected by the non-verbal communication that
accompanies it. - Over the telephone the tone of voice conveys nuances of meaning.
- Face to face expressions, gestures and posture play an important part.
- We use demonstrations and models to supplement words visual aids to
clarify lectures and maps, diagrams, charts and graphs to enhance
both spoken and written communication. - Non-verbal clues often conveys more than verbal communication.
Nature of non-verbal Communication
Can be divided into:
- Body language (kinesics)
- Vocal tone
- Space (Proxemics)
- The senses and time
- Body Language
- Posture:-
This is the way we stand or sit in relation to others or objects,
and the position of the head and hands. Example a dejected person
tends to slump shoulders bowed and held low, while arms crossed and
held tightly in front indicates defensive mood. - Gestures
Using our limbs especially hands and shoulders to convey messages.
For example you can call some one by beckoning him using your hands. - Facial expressions
Using the cues of the face to send signals such as an up turned lip
and a twinkle at the corners of the eyes may show friendship. While
pouting lips may indicate boredom - Position
Where we stand or sit in relation to objects and the persons we are
communicating with. Example a lady behind the desk especially if
wearing office dress may indicate that she in charge of the office
and the gentleman infront of the desk may be taken to be the client.
Much of body language is involuntaryor
unconscious When we look puzzled, twist a pen nervously in our fingers,
sprawl in a chair or run upstairs we convey all sorts of obvious and
sable messages.
Some people are more skilled than others in hiding these involuntary signs.
We need to make efforts to avoid giving an unfavourable picture of
ourselves to others and to avoid letting them feel that we are reacting
unfavorably to them.
- Vocal tone
Vocal tones, stress and emphasis bring out the difference between spoken
and written words for example an explosively interrogative – what?
Accompanied by a look of intense disbelief may be written as:- What are
you saying? Can you really mean that? I have the utmost difficulty in
believing you – in fact I don’t believe you. Our intonation can change a
reprimand into a joke or an inoffensive phrase into a deadly insult. - Space
Each person has an individual spatial relationship with another. The
less necessity there is to keep them at a distance. In warm countries
people tend to move nearer to slight acquaintances to which they are
talking to show friendship. In cooler and more reserved countries, the
space is retained as a defensive barrier until friendship is firmly
established. Space is also used to create other impressions
such as status. The bigger the
office, the bigger the desk or the company car the more important the
position of the executive is seen to be. - The senses
Sight, hearing, touch and smell & taste each play apart in non-verbal
communication. - Sight
Enables us to receive non-verbal communication
and to observe & react to the appearance and cloths and objects surrounding them.
Habits and idiosyncrasies for insurance whether their desks are tidy or
jumbled. - Sound
A sigh, a laugh the constant clicking in & out of the top of a ballpoint
pen atimid knock on the door. All give us indications about people and
add to the communication process.
