1. What is non-verbal communication?
Communication without words; communication by means of space,
gestures, facial expressions, touching, vocal variation, and
silence for example (DeVito)
2. Facts about non-verbal communication.
- APA numbers indicate that:
- 38% of the meaning of any message is VOCAL
- 55% of the meaning of any message is FACIAL EXPRESSION
- 7% of the meaning of any message is VERBAL
- MLA numbers indicate that the number is closer to 70-75% of all
communication is nonverbal.
3. Reasons why non-verbal communication is relevant.
- Nonverbal communication is our richest source of information
about emotions and feelings.
- Nonverbal communication is less apt to deceive, distort, or
conceal.
- Paralanguage communicates “between the lines.” Paralanguage is
defined as vocal quality such as pitch, rate, and tone.
- It is highly efficient. Think of gestures that communicate
easily and readily what it may take several words to
communicate.
- It provides subtlety and suggestion to imply what we cannot or
do not want to commit to words.
4. Characteristics of non-verbal communication.
- It is continuous.
- It is rich in meaning. It can be confusing. (crossing
arms/crossing legs/ passive)
- It conveys emotion.
- It is guided by norms and rules of appropriateness.
- It is culture-bound.
5. Types of non-verbal communication.
- Facial expressions
- Gestures
- Paralinguistics
- Body language and posture
- Proxemics
- Eye Gaze
- Haptics
- Appearance
- Artifacts