1. Chapter 5
Connecting through Nonverbal Communication

2. Learning Objectives
5.1 Differentiate nonverbal communication from verbal communication. 5.2 Explain the six key characteristics of nonverbal communication. 5.3 Identify the five common functions of nonverbal communication. 5.4 Compare and contrast different types of nonverbal communication and the ways competent communicators are aware of their nonverbal communication. 5.5 Explain why it is difficult to interpret and understand nonverbal communication and how to ensure that the message received is accurate.

3. What Is Nonverbal Communication? (1 of 3)
Learning Objective 5.1: Differentiate nonverbal communication from verbal communication.

4. What Is Nonverbal Communication? (2 of 3)
Nonverbal communication includes all behaviors, symbols, attributes, or objects that communicate messages with social meaning.
Nonverbal communication includes:
Tone of voice
Facial expressions
Posture
Gestures
Appearance

5. What Is Nonverbal Communication? (3 of 3)
Nonverbal communication can enhance or change the meaning of words.
We spend more time communicating nonverbally than verbally.

6. Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication (1 of 5)
Learning Objective 5.2: Explain the six key characteristics of nonverbal communication.

7. Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication (2 of 5)
Nonverbal Communication Occurs Constantly
Communication occurs whether something is said or not.
Sometimes what is said is less important than what is not said.
Nonverbal Communication Depends on Context
Nonverbal and verbal cues usually supplement and support each other.
Nonverbal communication is interpreted within the context of your friendships and is complemented by conversation.

8. Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication (3 of 5)
Nonverbal Communication Is More Believable Than Verbal Communication
We are more likely to believe nonverbal communication, even when it contradicts verbal communication.
Nonverbal communication is often unintentional and subconscious.
Nonverbal Communication Is a Primary Means of Expression
We detect feelings even when people say nothing.
We can detect these emotions because nonverbal communication is powerful.

9. Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication (4 of 5)
Nonverbal Communication Is Related to Culture
Norms and rules that govern the management of behavior differ between cultures.
Cultures formulate rules that dictate how, when, and with what consequences nonverbal expressions are exhibited.
Nonverbal Communication Is Ambiguous
We must exercise care when interpreting nonverbal communication.
We cannot assume that nonverbal messages have only one meaning.

10. Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication (5 of 5)
Carries most of the meaning of a message
Is a frequent source of misunderstandings
Is not governed by a set of rules
Is multichanneled, complicated, and ever-changing
Is bound to context and language
More likely to be spontaneous and unintentional
Is powerful and more believable than verbal communication
Is learned (not always consciously)
Is critical in relationship development

11. Functions of Nonverbal Communication (1 of 4)
Learning Objective 5.3: Identify the five common functions of nonverbal communication.

12. Functions of Nonverbal Communication (2 of 4)
Complementing Verbal Behavior
The use of nonverbal cues to compete, describe, or accent verbal cues is called complementing.
We use complementary nonverbal cues to accent verbal behavior by emphasizing or punctuating our spoken words.
Repeating Verbal Behavior
Repeating is the use of nonverbal cues to convey the same meaning as the verbal message.

13. Functions of Nonverbal Communication (3 of 4)
Regulating Verbal Behavior
Nonverbal cues can also be used to control the flow of communication, known as regulating.
Senders might not realize they are sending regulating cues, but receivers are usually aware of them.
Substituting for Verbal Behavior
Substituting is the use of nonverbal cues in place of oral messages when speaking is impossible, undesirable, or inappropriate.
Emojis serve as substitutes for oral communication.

14. Functions of Nonverbal Communication (4 of 4)
Deceiving
Purposefully misleading others by using nonverbal cues to create false impressions or to convey incorrect information is deceiving.
Lying cannot be confirmed on the basis of nonverbal behaviors alone.

15. Table 5.1: Functions of Nonverbal Communication
Category
Characteristic
Example
Complementing
Completes, describes, or accents a verbal message
A person needs help immediately, so he yells as loudly as possible.
Repeating
Expresses a message identical to the verbal one
A person says “yes” and nods her head up and down.
Regulating
Controls flow of communication
A person nods his head as a way of communicating, “I am interested in what you are saying,” implying “tell me more.”
Substituting
Replaces a verbal message with nonverbal signs to exchange thoughts
Two people use hand signals to communicate, because the environment is too loud to hear each other’s voices.
Deceiving
Nonverbal cues that purposefully disguise or mislead to create a false impression
A doctor examining a patient discovers a serious problem, but the doctor’s facial expressions remain neutral so as not to alarm the patient.

16. Types of Nonverbal Communication (1 of 6)
Learning Objective 5.4: Compare and contrast different types of nonverbal communication and the ways competent communicators are aware of their nonverbal communication.

17. Types of Nonverbal Communication (2 of 6)
Facial Expression and Body Movements
Kinesics is any movement of the face or body that communicates a message.
Eye behavior is a subcategory of facial expressions that includes any movement or behavior of the eyes.
Eye behavior is also referred to as oculesics.
Facial expressions include configuration of the face that can reflect, augment, contradict, or appear unrelated to the speaker’s message.
Facial management techniques involve the control of facial muscles to conceal inappropriate or unacceptable responses.

18. Types of Nonverbal Communication (3 of 6)
Physical Characteristics
These are more difficult to control.
Physical attractiveness is an extremely powerful influence on everyday communication.
Touch
Touch is referred to as tactile communication or haptics.
The kind and amount of appropriate touch varies according to individuals, their relationships, and the situation.

19. Types of Nonverbal Communication (4 of 6)
Space
Proxemics is the study of the use of space and of distance between individuals when they are communicating.
The need to identify certain amounts of space as our own is an aspect of proxemics called territoriality.
Time
Chronemics is the study of how people perceive, structure, and use time as communication.
We have expectations about how time should be used, and we often judge others by their use of time.

20. Types of Nonverbal Communication (5 of 6)
Paralanguage/Vocalics
Paralanguage or vocalics is the way we vocalize or say the words we speak.
Paralanguage includes pitch, vocal force, rate, quality, and pauses or silence.
Silence
Vocal pauses are hesitations, usually short in duration.
Silence is an extended period of time without sound.

21. Types of Nonverbal Communication (6 of 6)
Artifacts
Artifacts are personal adornments or possessions that communicate information about us.
Clothing, tattoos, eyeglasses, automobiles, and so on communicate information about our age, gender, status, role, and class.
Environment
Environment involves the psychological and physical surroundings in which communication occurs.
The best environment allows a speaker’s message to be delivered accurately.

22. Improving Our Ability to Send and Interpret Nonverbal Communication (1 of 3)
Learning Objective 5.5: Explain why it is difficult to interpret and understand nonverbal communication and how to ensure that the message received is accurate.

23. Improving Our Ability to Send and Interpret Nonverbal Communication (2 of 3)
Self-monitoring is:
The willingness to change behavior to fit a situation
An awareness of how we affect others
The ability to regulate nonverbal cues
To improve interpretation of nonverbal communication:
Be observant and sensitive to the messages you receive.
Verify unclear or inconsistent nonverbal messages.

24. Improving Our Ability to Send and Interpret Nonverbal Communication (3 of 3)
There are three reasons for misinterpreting nonverbal communication:
Nonverbal cues have multiple meanings.
Nonverbal cues are interdependent. We use the functional approach when we use more than one nonverbal message at a time to look for meaning.
Nonverbal cues are subtle. If you are not certain of a sender’s intention, use descriptive feedback to verify the message’s meaning.