Importance of Nonverbal Communication - Report Example

Non Verbal communication Non verbal communication can be defined as the process of communicating by sending and receiving of wordless messages –in most cases visual devoid of use of the word of mouth. These messages are communicated through eye contact, gestures ant touch, body language, posture or facial expression. Written text also has non-verbal elements which are basically found in the handwritings style, arrangements of words and the physical layout of a page. Dance may also be regarded as a nonverbal form of communication. However, it is worth noting that non verbal communication is mainly concerned with three principles which include; where communication takes place, physical characteristics of the communicator as well as their behaviors when interacting. Importance of nonverbal communication Non verbal communication conveys feelings, attitude and intentions of the communicators. However, nonverbal communication may be rather hard to control as compared to verbal communication as it is often subconscious. Importance of non verbal communication in a professional setting In a professional setting, non verbal communication plays a great role in ensuring client, employer, employee as well as peer confidence. For example, a clearly developed presentation ought to accompany a professional appearance. Similarly, a brilliant sales pitch ought to pair with a strong, confident demeanor. Importance of nonverbal communication in personal situations Non verbal communication can break or make a relationship. This communication should express respect, care and attention. Importance of nonverbal communication in expatriates Nonverbal communication will have many cultural implications. Expatriates should not only learn the spoken language in a certain country but also the non verbal cues the citizens use. Aspects of non verbal messages Non verbal communication receives a lot of attention in business presentation, marketing as well as development of social skill. Non verbal communication may be classified into the following aspects: Kinesics This refers to body motions which include; blushes, shrugs, eye movement, foot-tapping and drumming fingers Proxemics This refers to spatial separation in relation both the social and physical environment. Haptics touch Oculesics eye contact Chronemics use of time, waiting, pausing Olfactics smell Vocalics This explains the tone of voice, timbre, volume, speed Sound Symbols Sound symbols include,grunting, mmm, er, ah, uh-huh, mumbling, Silence This presents absence of sound (muteness, stillness, secrecy) Adornment clothing, jewellery, hairstyle Posture position of the body (characteristic or assumed) Locomotion Locomotion includes walking, running, staggering and limping Expression Expressions may include frowning, grimaces, smirks, smiling and pouting Why the face is an important source of information The face is very important in non verbal communication. The expression of a given face at a given time is conveyed by a composite of signals from multiple sources of facial appearance. These includes the general shape , pose, the head position, the shape as well as positions of facial features such as eyes and mouth, the color and condition of the skin, shapes of wrinkles, folds and lines among others. The face can provide some messages that are validly related to the characteristics of the person behind the face. The facial impression also provides a visual configuration that represents these characteristics. The facial behaviors related to emotion can reveal part of the feeling side of a person’s private life. Facial expressions and the ability to understand them are important for successful interpersonal relations. The face acts as a window into the personality of someone else’s. They can be used to show the character’s temperament and attitudes. For instance, a painting artist can capture an emotion; the face can reveal static characteristics. The face plays a very important part in the meaning of a sign. The exact hand shape and movement can totally change meaning because of the facial expression that is used to accompany it. The face is also regarded as outward manifestations of internal conflicts. In conclusion, the face describes the character traits of a person, the thought processes, physical appearances and the character’s reaction to others’ changing perceptions. How artifactual communication can affect interaction Artifactual communication can affect interaction between people: it affects the messages sent, relationships as well as cultural interactions in addition to helping us negotiate through conversations. Artifactual communication adds value in our interactions by adding valuable information to the verbal messages we send. Artfifactual communication may be used to complement, emphasize,substitute or even contradict what one is saying .artifcatual communication can also place the verbal message in a context that provides a basis for how the message should be interpreted acculately. In a diition, it can also help one clarify what the other party is trying to say by responding to what they are saying using non verbal signals. Artifactual communication and intercultural frictions Artifactual communication is an integral part of non verbal communication . it includes the use of personal oadornments such as clothing jewellery, make up hairstyles and beards. People are apt to make inferences about us based on the way we dress. Artifactual communication can cause non verbal signals to createfriction. Artifactul signals will mean different things to people from different cultural backgrounds.the use of multiple artifactual cues displayed with each message can create confusion , and factors of gender, personality, social economic status, and situation could cause variability in the artifactual signals used. Artifactual communication could be powerful and effectiful, but when usedamong non homogenous groups , the affects could lead to confusion as well as mis communication. Artifactual communication and relationships Artifactual cues will affect the quality of relationship and , when used correctly will lead to improved relationships. However, poor quality of the cues leads to adverse relationships. This is because artifactual signals will assist one in gaining an aqccurate reading of others unspoiken feelings and unsaid messages. They help create feelings of trust through the transparency they create as well as showing interest. However, when used wrongly they result in loss of connection trust. In other words for interfactula communication to be of help to interactions, all the parties used should be able to understand and interpret the cues used correctly. Distinction of terms Intimate distance This is a zone of space ranging from intimate contact to less than an arm’s length- in which people operate under specific social situations. Personal space This can be defined as the area surrounding an individual that the individual perceives as private and any movement into the space by another party will be regarded as being intrusive. This space however varies from one cultural background to the other although in general it is a distance estimated to be about one metre or three feet around the particular person. Social Distance This is also as body space and comfort zone and the use of the space is called proxemics. We like keeping our distance from others and there are specific social rules about how close we can go to others in particular situations. Regulating the distance between us and other people provides us with several benefits such as safety since when people are at a distance, they cant surprise attack us. futhermore, it is easier to communicate woth people when they are closer than when we are far apart. Finally, when people are close they may deliberately threaten one another by invading their body space. Social distances are rather approximate and vary from people to people. However, four zones of social distance can be identified as follows; 1. Public Zone The public zone is estimated to be over 12 feet. In other words, we try to maintain a distance of 12 feet and whenever we realize that people are invading the zone, we become aware of them and ready ourselves for appropriate action. Social Zone : 4-12 feet We begin to feel connection with other people within the social zone. We can talk without shouting while still maintaining a safe distance. Social distance may be comfortable for people standing in groups but not talking directly with one another or people seated in chairs in a room. Personal Zone In this zone , the conversation gets more direct and is ideal for two people talking in earnest about a subject. Intimate Zone This is within 0.5 meter radius and intruding the intimate zone of someone can be very intimidating. This may be at times used to show deliberate scheme to give a non verbal signal that such persons are powerful enough to invade your territory at will. Public distance This is a social distance that is estimated to be over 12 feet. In other words, we try to maintain a distance of 12 feet and whenever we realize that people are invading the zone, we become aware of them and ready ourselves for appropriate action. How gender diversity and technology influence nonverbal behavior. Use of non verbal cues is affected by variables such as gender, culture and technology. The ways men and women use non verbal cues reflects societal practices. To a large degree, individuals modify their use of non verbal cues depending on the culture they belong to or identify with. Non verbal communication is also affected by whether communication is occurring on or off line. The differences brought about in communication in gender differences may be due to social, psychological and cultural interactions. Women for example tend to reveal a lot about their private lives in their conversations, stick to one topic for a long time and tend to give everyone a chance in the group to talk. Men on the other hand discuss things that are not in their private lives, change topics quite often and tend to dominate conversations and establish a hierarchy in communication over time. Men tend to use the technique of loudness to emphasize points while women use pitch and inflection for emphasis. Women focus on feelings and building relationships while men focus on power and status. Technology has greatly enhanced communication. The use of social net working sites such as Skype enable people over long distances to speak face to face and can therefore enable them to see the facial expressions of the people they are talking to. Video conferencing has also improved communication among people over long distances. Parties in different parts of the world may be able to hold meetings and see the facial expressions through online video cameras. Technology and gender diversity greatly impacts nonverbal communication. Ways of improving nonverbal communication. Paying attention to nonverbal signals One should pay attention to eye contact, gestures, posture, body movements and tone of voice. This is because they all convey important information that is not put in words. Attention to such details will enable one to be an effective communicator. Looking for incongruent behaviors One should be able to tell if the communicators words match the nonverbal behaviors. 2. Looking for Incongruent Behaviors If someone's words do not match their nonverbal behaviors, the communicator should tell. For example, someone might tell you they are happy while frowning and staring at the ground. At times words fail to match up with nonverbal signals, people should not ignore nonverbal expressions of moods, thoughts, and emotions. 3.Concentrating on Your Tone of Voice When Speaking Ones tone of voice can convey a wealth of information such as enthusiasm, disinterest and anger. Start noticing how your tone of voice affects how others respond to you and try using tone of voice to emphasize ideas that you want to communicate. For example, if you want to show genuine interest in something, express your enthusiasm by using an animated tone of voice. 4. Use Good Eye Contact When people fail to look others in the eye, it can seem as if they are evading or trying to hide something. On the other hand, too much eye contact can seem confrontational or intimidating. While eye contact is an important part of communication, it's important to remember that good eye contact does not mean staring fixedly into someone's eyes. How can you tell how much eye contact is correct? Some communication experts recommend intervals of eye contact lasting four to five seconds. 5. Asking Questions About Nonverbal Signals One should ask questions if they are confused about another person's nonverbal signals, A good idea is to repeat back your interpretation of what has been said and ask for clarification. An example of this might be, "So what you are saying is that..." 6. Using Signals to Make Communication More Effective and Meaningful Verbal and nonverbal communication work together to convey a message. One can improve your spoken communication by using nonverbal signals and gestures that reinforce and support what one is saying. This can be especially useful when making presentations or when speaking to a large group of people. 7. Looking at Signals as a Group The key to accurately reading nonverbal behavior is to look for groups of signals that reinforce a common point. If you place too much emphasis on just one signal out of many, you might come to an inaccurate conclusion about what a person is trying to communicate. 8. Considering Context When you are communicating with others, one should consider the situation and the context in which the communication occurs as some situations require more formal behaviors that might be interpreted very differently in any other setting. Consider whether or not nonverbal behaviors are appropriate for the context. If you are trying to improve your own nonverbal communication, concentrate on ways to make your signals match the level of formality necessitated by the situation. 9. Being Aware That Signals Can be Misread According to some, a firm handshake indicates a strong personality while a weak handshake is taken as a lack of fortitude. This example illustrates an important point about the possibility of misreading nonverbal signals. A limp handshake might actually indicate something else entirely, such as arthritis. Always remember to look for groups of behavior. A person's overall demeanor is far more telling than a single gesture viewed in isolation. 10. Practice Some people just seem to have a knack for using nonverbal communication effectively and correctly interpreting signals from others. These people are often described as being able to "read people." In reality, you can build this skill by paying careful attention to nonverbal behavior and practicing different types of nonverbal communication with others. By noticing nonverbal behavior and practicing your own skills, you can dramatically improve your communication abilities. Read More