Much of the meaning in our daily communication comes from nonverbal behaviors, or cues, such as hand gestures, eye contact, style of dress, voice inflections. Many communication scholars are convinced that nonverbal messages account for much, if not most, of the meaning in our daily interaction with others. Whatever the context, familiar or new, understanding nonverbal cues can help you become a more effective communicator.
Basic Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication
We use some nonverbal gestures spontaneously and without much thought, such as yawning to indicate we are tired. Others are carefully planned and carried out, such as a first kiss on a date or a firm handshake in a job interview. Some nonverbal gestures are instantly recognizable to many people, like the wave of a hand goodbye, or tears of sadness. o Nonverbal Communication is Not Language
Nonverbal communication-Messages expressed through symbols other than words.
Nonlinguistic-A characteristic of nonverbal communication indicating that nonverbal messages that are outside languages.
The nonlinguistic nature of nonverbal communication makes nonverbal messages more general and often less precise than verbal symbols. For example, think back to your look of surprise at the unexpectedly high test score. People who saw your facial expressions would know that you were surprised, but they might not know what preceded the emotion (This is the first good thing to happen to me today), why you were surprised (This is my highest grade in this class), or what you plan to do next (celebrate). Most likely you would provide much of that information in words accompanying your facial expressions. Still nonverbal messages are a powerful means of communication that often have more impact on communicators than words. o Nonverbal Communication is Often Linked to Our Emotions
Intrinsic- A characteristic of nonverbal communication indicating that