Preview

Non-Verbal communication and its impact in society.

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1003 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Non-Verbal communication and its impact in society.
"Nonverbal communication is a silent infiltrator, having broad influence over our social environment. It provides us with a mode for conveying messages without the use of verbal language." (Dunn 1999) It is not what you say; it is the way you are sitting. Have you ever listened to someone and heard what he or she said, but felt puzzled for some unknown reason? If so, you probably were receiving nonverbal communication that was not consistent with the verbal communication. Personal behavior is critical in a person 's ability to communicate effectively. Both verbal and nonverbal communication is related and very important in our interactions with others. There are many types of non-verbal communication that can be used to contradict verbal messages, such as facial expressions, eye contact, hand gestures and personal appearance. Observing and identifying behavior in verbal and nonverbal interactions of others can help increase a person 's ability to communicate more effectively.

Non-verbal communication is used so often that we actually forget that we are using it. It is defined as the basic above definition but unconsciously our minds are attuned to the posture and spatial distance between two or more people. It provides us with a means for conveying messages without the use of verbal language and also plays a role in the perception of the actual message we are trying to convey.

We do not realize how much we rely on non-verbal communication; the reason for this is due to the fact that most non-verbal communication transpires on a level that is below our conscious awareness. While many aspects of nonverbal communication are culturally specific, some, e.g. facial expressions and gestures, appear to have near universal levels of recognition. It is suggested that many more feelings and intentions are sent and received nonverbally than verbally. Non-verbal messages are also seen as more genuine because behavior can not be controlled as easily as spoken words. Perhaps



Citations: 1. Marjorie Miller. Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, Calif.: Jan 30, 2005. pg. I.34 http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=786191911&sid=1&Fmt=3&clientId=43900&RQT=309&VName=PQD 4. http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072560053/ Pearson-Nelson-Titsworth-Harter, (2003), Human Communication

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    Nonverbal communication plays an essential role in any conversation. Individuals who are aware of nonverbal actions during conversations can more effectively interpret what is being communicated.…

    • 722 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Nonverbal communication plays an essential role in any conversation. Individuals who are aware of nonverbal actions during conversations can more effectively interpret what is being communicated.…

    • 1326 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Nonverbal communication plays an essential role in any conversation. Individuals who are aware of nonverbal actions during conversations can more effectively interpret what is being communicated.…

    • 1304 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Nonverbal communication plays an integral role in the overall communication strategies of humans, and being cognizant of this fact can give one the upper edge in communicating in…

    • 1076 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    We send these messages using our eyes, the tone of our voice, our facial expression, our hands and arms, the way we sit or stand. We can enhance effective communication by using open body language (arms uncrossed, standing with an open stance, maintaining eye contact with the person you are talking to). When we speak about non-verbal communication we actually mean: -posture; -the way we move; -facing other people; -gestures; -facial expression; -touch; -silence; -voice tone; -proximity; -reflective listening. As well as remembering what a person says, good listeners will make sure that their non-verbal behaviour shows interest. Skilled listening…

    • 1780 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Non-verbal communication goes along the lines of body language, personalities, and facial expressions. Non-verbal transmission can be as simple as how someone where to dress. Non-verbal communication is very helpful when talking because it can show (for one) whether or not an individual is interested in the conversation. It is said that up to 55% of human communication is non verbal (Wikipedia communication/nonverbal). Although non verbal communication is very hard to read or understand it is a pure essential when giving a speech or conversation.…

    • 363 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Nonverbal communication: Nonverbal communication is defined as the sending and receiving of messages which do not contain words; including a person’s tone of voice, facial expressions, body language, posture and gestures used. Nonverbal communication consists of the following three principles: 1. Appearance- The speaker’s cleanliness and tidiness, style of clothes, use of cosmetics and their hairstyle. The surroundings also influence communication, for example the environment (indoors or outdoors), the size of the room or space and the…

    • 1412 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    There are many levels and moving parts in communication. We rely on both verbal and non-verbal forms of communication in order to send, receive, translate and respond to each other (Cheesebro, O’Connor, Rios, 2010). The spoken or written word only comprises of about 7% of our communication with each other. The other 93% is made up of voice quality and non-verbal communication (Heathfield, 2011). Non-verbal communication or demonstrative communication comes in many forms. It includes body language, facial expressions, eye contact, posture, touch and tone of language.…

    • 744 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    p1 effective communication

    • 1111 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Non-verbal communication refers to the messages that we send and receive without the use of words. Non-verbal communication involves things like your facial expression, for example whether you are smiling or frowning. It also involves things like eye contact, gestures, proximity and posture. For example, leaning forward can show you are interested, maintaining eye-contact can also show you are interested and paying attention to the other person. Within health and social care it is important to be aware of non-verbal communication and the effect that it can have on different people. For example,…

    • 1111 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Non-Verbal Communication

    • 1686 Words
    • 7 Pages

    A touch, making eye contact with someone, or the tone of voice you take when saying something. All of these things make up a big part of how you communicate and interact with other people. These ways of communicating all fall under the category of non-verbal communication. Non-verbal communication is, “those aspects of communication, such as gestures and facial expressions, that do not involve verbal communication but which may include nonverbal aspects of speech itself, (accent, tone of voice, speed of speaking, etc)” (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/nonverbal communication) as defined by Dictionary.com. Non-verbal communication makes up most of the ways that we communicate with someone. Non-verbal cues are vital in a conversation. “One study at UCLA indicated that up to 93 percent of communication effectiveness is determined by nonverbal cues. Another study indicated that the impact of a performance was determined 7 percent by the words used, 38 percent by voice quality, and 55 percent by the nonverbal communication.” (http://humanresources.about.com/od/interpersonalcommunicatio1/a/nonverbal_com.htm) A person’s tone of voice plays a big part when giving non-verbal cues. If something is said with a strong tone a voice, the audience may perceive enthusiasm or confidence. Also, that same exact thing could be said in a hesitant tone of voice and the audience could perceive that the speaker is intimidated or nervous. If you were to say something in a positive or soothing tone, then that could promote motivation or a sense of safety in the person you are speaking to.…

    • 1686 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Non-verbal communications are various gestures, facial expressions, a person’s body language or posture. For example, making eye contact with someone while they are explaining something gives them the indication that you are interested or not. The body language is a big component in non-verbal communications. The different postures of the body can give off many non-verbal indications that someone is happy, sad, scared or even nervous. Police officers and detectives are trained to observe ones verbal and non-verbal communications while interrogating victims, suspects, and even witnesses.…

    • 587 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Non-verbal communication can complement or contradict the spoken message. Non-verbal communication e.g. facial expression, hand movements and body gestures show the sender’s true feeling and the receiver’s honest reaction through feedback.…

    • 404 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Source- On December 2012 Wikipedia stated that nonverbal communication represents two-thirds of all communication. Nonverbal communication can portray a message both verbally and with the correct body signals. Body signals comprise physical features, conscious and unconscious gestures and signals, and the mediation of personal space. The wrong message can be established if the body language conveyed does not match a verbal message. Nonverbal communication strengthens a first impression in common situations like attracting a partner or in a business interview: impressions are on average formed within the first four seconds of contact.…

    • 480 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Nonverbal communication plays an essential role in any conversation. Individuals who are aware of nonverbal actions during conversations can more effectively interpret what is being communicated.…

    • 1803 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    When we reference non-verbal communication we are confronted by different types of communication like: body language, personal space, gesture and posture and timing. These non-verbals are communicated in mannerism and behaviour of the body which tend to communicate messages whether negative or positive.…

    • 416 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays