1. Inter-Act, 13th Edition
Chapter 5
Nonverbal

2. Chapter Objectives
Describe the characteristics and functions of nonverbal messages
Identify the types of behaviors, body motions, nonverbal sounds, spatial cues, and self- presentation cues
Discuss how types of nonverbal messages vary with culture and gender
Explain ways to improve nonverbal communication

3. Nonverbal Communication
(as much as 65%)
Verbal Communication
Spoken or written words
Bodily actions and vocal qualities that support, modify, or contradict accompanying verbal messages

4. Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication
Intentional or unintentional
Primary
Ambiguous
Continuous
Multichanneled

5. Functions of Nonverbal Communication
To provide information
To regulate interaction
To express or hide emotion and affect
To present an image
To express status, power, and control

6. Types of Nonverbal Communication
Body language
Paralanguage
Spatial usage
Self-presentation
Everything except
words!

7. Body Language: Kinesics
Eye contact
Facial expressions
Do you think you could spot them in everyday conversation? How could you use this information to affect your conversations with others?
Gesture
Posture
Touch

8. Paralanguage
Pitch
Volume
Rate
Quality
Intonation

9. Vocal Interferences
Extraneous sounds or words that interrupt fluent speech:
“uh,” “um”
“you know,” “like”
Place markers
Fillers

10. Spatial Usage
Personal space: the space that surrounds a person, moves with that person, and changes with the situation as well as moment to moment
Intimate distance: up to 18”
Personal distance: 18”-4’
Social distance: 4’-12’
Public distance: more than 12’

11. Spatial Use
Acoustic space: area over which your voice or other sounds can be comfortably heard
Territory: space over which we claim ownership
Artifacts: objects we use to adorn our territory and communicate about our space

12. Color Influences Communication
Yellow cheers
and
elevates moods
Red excites
and
stimulates
Blue comforts
and
soothes
In some
cultures
black suggests
mourning
In some
cultures
white suggests
purity

13. Self-Presentation Cues
Physical Appearance
Use of Time
Use of Smells and Scents

14. Cultural and Gender Variations
Body Language
Eye contact, Facial expressions, Gestures, Touch
Paralanguage
Spatial Usage
Self-presentation

15. What does this symbol mean to you?
In the United States it is a symbol for good job
In Germany the number one
In Japan the number five
In Ghana an insult
In Malaysia the thumb is used to point rather than a finger
-Atlantic Committee for the Olympic Games

16. Improving Nonverbal Sending Skills
Be mindful of your nonverbal behavior.
Adapt nonverbal behaviors to your purpose.
Adapt nonverbal behaviors to the situation.
Align nonverbal and verbal communication.
Make sure nonverbal cues do not distract from your message.
Eliminate distracting nonverbal behaviors.

17. Improving Nonverbal Interpretation Skills
Be mindful that most nonverbal cues do not have set meanings.
Recognize culture, gender, and other diversity when interpreting nonverbal cues.
Pay attention to all of the nonverbal cues and their relationship to the verbal message.
Use the skill of perception checking.

18. Homework
How can you improve your nonverbal behavior? Identify a problem you have with nonverbal message cues. Select a goal and write a communication improvement plan. See your Assignment Rubric!!!