Nonverbal Communication
Nonverbal Communication
Nefthalina Ramirez
Eng 380
December 3, 2014
Jennifer Kubach
Nonverbal communication is “any communication that occurs between people, usually within each other’s presence, by means other than spoken or written words or the signs of a sign language” (Rowe & Leiven, 2006, pp. 315). According to Plessis and Plessis (2008), Dr. Albert Mehrabian stated that fifty-five percent of emotional meaning of a message is portrayed through body language; thirty-eight is communicated through tone of voice and inflection; and only seven percent is presented through the actual words. “While nonverbal communication was once considered innate, it is now recognized that nonverbal communication including body movements, facial expressions, gestures, and the study of time and space etc.. often varies from culture to culture” (Guo & Hu, 2013).
“Kinesics is the formal study of communicating with body movements” (Rowe & Leiven, 2006, pp. 315). Rowe and Leiven (2006) break down kinesics in to four main behaviors: emblems, illustrators, regulators, and adaptors. Emblems are “nonverbal acts that have very specific meanings” (Rowe & Leiven, 2006, pp. 316). An example of an emblem is the thumbs up sign to signify everything is okay or approval. Illustrators are “nonverbal behaviors that accompany speech and serve to clarify or emphasize what is being said” (Rowe & Leiven, 2006, pp. 317). An example of an illustrator is using your hands to create a special distance to help show a representation of the size of the fish that was caught during the camping trip. Regulators are “habits, which direct the back-and-forth nature of speaking and listening” (Rowe & Leiven, 2006, pp. 317). Motions like crossing your arms or looking away from the person who is speaking will give the person cues of interest of disinterest. Adaptors are “nonverbal acts that are not intended to communicate; yet the viewer of such acts might make certain judgments about the person who is displaying
Nefthalina Ramirez
Eng 380
December 3, 2014
Jennifer Kubach
Nonverbal communication is “any communication that occurs between people, usually within each other’s presence, by means other than spoken or written words or the signs of a sign language” (Rowe & Leiven, 2006, pp. 315). According to Plessis and Plessis (2008), Dr. Albert Mehrabian stated that fifty-five percent of emotional meaning of a message is portrayed through body language; thirty-eight is communicated through tone of voice and inflection; and only seven percent is presented through the actual words. “While nonverbal communication was once considered innate, it is now recognized that nonverbal communication including body movements, facial expressions, gestures, and the study of time and space etc.. often varies from culture to culture” (Guo & Hu, 2013).
“Kinesics is the formal study of communicating with body movements” (Rowe & Leiven, 2006, pp. 315). Rowe and Leiven (2006) break down kinesics in to four main behaviors: emblems, illustrators, regulators, and adaptors. Emblems are “nonverbal acts that have very specific meanings” (Rowe & Leiven, 2006, pp. 316). An example of an emblem is the thumbs up sign to signify everything is okay or approval. Illustrators are “nonverbal behaviors that accompany speech and serve to clarify or emphasize what is being said” (Rowe & Leiven, 2006, pp. 317). An example of an illustrator is using your hands to create a special distance to help show a representation of the size of the fish that was caught during the camping trip. Regulators are “habits, which direct the back-and-forth nature of speaking and listening” (Rowe & Leiven, 2006, pp. 317). Motions like crossing your arms or looking away from the person who is speaking will give the person cues of interest of disinterest. Adaptors are “nonverbal acts that are not intended to communicate; yet the viewer of such acts might make certain judgments about the person who is displaying
References: Guo, M., & Hu, W. (2013). Teaching nonverbal differences in english class: Cross-cultural communicative approach. Studies in Literature and Language, 7(1), 60-64. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1445000056?accountid=458 Plessis, A. d., & Plessis, H. d. (2008). A different language called kinesics. Accountancy SA, 23. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/215224693?accountid=458 Rowe, B. M., & Leiven, D. P. (2006). A concise introduction to linguistics. Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook Collection database.