1. Effect of communication
Chapter 32

2. Non-verbal communication in infants
Parent-infant bonding
Strong emotional tie between parents & newborn babies
Parents often hold baby on left side of body
- familiar heartbeat rhythm comforts infant
Crying, clinging, suckling all increase desire to care for infant
Breast-feeding can also strengthen bonding
Smiling
Starts off at 4 wks. (non-social)
At 6 months used as a selective social act
Smiling makes the baby appealing
- of survival value
With development, increased vocabulary of sounds – leads to speech

3. Non-verbal communication in adults
Reinforce, or add emotional messages to spoken word
Facial expressions communicate attitudes & emotions
Women better than men at recognising emotions
Eyes can convey signals
‘Winking’, ‘catching someone’s eye’, holding gaze during conversation
Extended eye contact can communicate sexual interest

4. Other non-verbal communication
Body Language
Postures
– e.g. sprawled in an easy chair, slumped forward, lying curled up
Gestures
– pointing, nodding, clenching fists, nail-biting etc.
Personal Space:
– accepted distance between 2 people in a conversation
- increased = dislike
- close = attraction/aggression
- uncomfortably close = eye contact avoided
Most communication is universal, but there are some cultural differences

5. Verbal Communication
Tone, accent, emphasis, speed & timing are all auditory signals
All can indicate frame of mind
Language – sounds combined to form spoken words
Can be simple (words) or complex (sentences)
Can be used to express thoughts/feelings etc
Members of society need ability to produce & comprehend the language
Linguistic strategies can be applied
Language allow for transfer & receipt of information
Allows for knowledge to be passed on
- no need for new discoveries to be made each time
Promotes learning & development of intellect