Non-verbal communication - Term Paper Example

Non-verbal Communication Introduction  Non-verbal communication can be said, to be that behavior of a person that is communicated to another person and influences that persons’ behavior. The non-verbal communication shows the behavior of one and normally shows the balance with linguistics. The facial expressions’, bodily gestures and the tone of the voice one makes while talking can help to convey a message. These examples of non-verbal communication make a large chunk of our daily interpersonal communication. They can help or assist one to enhance his ability to communicate effectively and learn the non verbal signals of others. The non verbal communication can have more significance on a person than the actual word that one speaks. They can also occur internally, such as people’s grimace, postures in certain positions and others can help to reinforce people’s attitudes, implicit beliefs and even positions on certain matters unconsciously (Wharton, 2009). Non verbal communication can also be seen as spontaneous and symbolic communication, where the former means non intentional communication of motivational factors and the latter being the intentional communication. Non-verbal behavior and communications mentioned earlier constitute most parts of communication in most people. Non verbal behaviors include; facial expressions, gestures, the tone of one’s voice, posture, and even the eye gaze. The non verbal behaviors can show one’s behavior, and how one interacts with others from the way one shakes hands and may be the hair style one is keeping. These non-verbal behaviors can be used together like one can node his head and at the same time shake his hand with another person. A look at the non behavior communication shows that facial expressions form a large part of non verbal communication. They include expressions for happiness, sadness, fear, and anger. Coming to gestures, which is the deliberate movements and signals by one like waving, use of fingers to show figures, and pointing is another important way of communicating without using words. Paralinguistic which is vocal communication, that is totally different from actual language and include; loudness, pitch, tone of voice, and inflection (Molnár, 1997). This form of non verbal communication can be used to interpret different meanings like when saying or talking of the same thing but using different kind of tone to express it. The body language and posture one uses in times of communication do convey a lot of communication. They show the feelings and attitudes of one like when talking and one is crossing his arms, this can indicate the defensive nature of such an individual. Another example of the non-verbal communication behavior is what we call proxemics, which is the, amount of space and distance one perceives to be his while communicating. This can be influenced by the situational factors, social norms, level of familiarity and personal characteristics. When it comes to eye gaze, the way one stares, blinks, or even looks at the person they are having a conversation with can indicate the interest of attraction and even range of emotions he holds. The way one appears on public, that is the kind of hairstyle one wars, the color choice of clothing, and other factors involved are another form of non verbal communication. This kind of behavior has an instant impact on ones behavior because they show the first impression one will have on the other (Siegman, 2009). Children communication in the first five years varies considerably depending on their capabilities and nurturing from parents. Children start to know and understand communication by the age of six months, before they start to use spoken language. At this stage, get to know their names, and understand to know that they are an individual. The children grow and further expansion of language abilities occur plus other social aspects. Brains are wired for language and this is done in all children across all cultures, and all also it occurs in uniform with other areas of emotional and social forms of communication and thinking. The learning is flexible as each child leans at his own pace. The children start to learn communication by first responding to voices or sounds. Later they can use non verbal communication behaviors such as pointing to the source of sound, using facial expressions to express their feeling such as defiance, happiness and confusion before eventually starting to emulate parents’ speech and actions. Haptics which is the non verbal communication and behavior through touching is an important communication style for children communication in the first five years. Research has indicated that there is so much importance of touch in infancy and early child hood, and lack of this has a negative effect on a child’s development that is, it impends his development. This leads to deficits in a child’s behavior and social interaction with others (Beth, 1997). Using touch as a means of non verbal communication can show the level of affection, sympathy, familiarities among many other forms of emotional attachment. For child development both cognitive and emotional growth of communicative development parent’s influence plays a great role. Children learn new information through visual and manipulative methods. A child can become considered to be non-verbal if his message is not understood by the person he is communicating to. A condition known as autism can make a child start communicating late at the age of five going onwards, by using faint tones. Such a child can be taught by the use of concrete objects. Emotional expression behavior entails both the observable and non observable behavior that are used when communication emotions. This behavior can be voluntary and involuntary that is they can be spontaneous or not. Therefore, this cannot be expressed voluntarily like other non verbal communication behaviors. Emotional expression is always a challenge as people tend to have assumptions on ones nonverbal communication behavior. These emotions are normally expressed and can include; remorse, and happiness which are normally expressed facially. Emotional expression as a way of non verbal communication has been found to have effects on personal health. There is also a difference of expressing emotions between men and women and the importance they have o an individual. The difference between men and men is emotional expression is attributed to early childhood development in which boys are exposed to few emotion oriented conversations and are not encouraged to express emotions verbally as opposed to girls. Non-verbal communication behaviors such as tone of voice, body position and posture, eye contact, gesture and facial expressions can be used to express emotions. They indicate social and emotional behavior of a person. Keeping interpersonal distance as a form of non-verbal communication can indicate the level of intimacy in interactions and relationships. Expressions can reveal the character of a person and at the same time give a message about something internal to the expresser. Non verbal communication and behavior vary considerably among cultures but facial expression behaviors like; sadness, anger, fears, happiness are somehow similar throughout this cultures. Other non-verbal communication behaviors like the use of gestures and tones of voice vary considerably among cultures and have different meanings. Some cultures pay more attention to what people say than the non verbal behaviors (Feito, 1997). Matching human expressions with emotions very challenging as they are used to express different impressions in different cultures. The emotions such as shame, contempt, and startle can be hard to differentiate. Non-verbal communication is believed to be the evolution of sociality and development of language as a means of communication. References: Beth Haslett, W. S. (1997). Children communicating: the first 5 years. New York: Routledge. Feito, J. A. (1997). Childrens Belief about the Social Consequences of Emotional Expression. Boca Raton: Universal-Publishers. Molnár, P. (1997). Nonverbal communication: where nature meets culture. New York: Routledge. Siegman, A. W. (1987). Nonverbal behavior and communication. Piedmont: L. Erlbaum. Wharton, T. (2009). Pragmatics and non-verbal communication. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Read More