Session 4 Non-Verbal Communication

Non-Verbal Communication
SM110
Non-verbal communication refers to all communication that occurs
without the use of words, spoken or written. It is concerned with body
movements (kinesics), space (proxemics), and vocal (paralinguistic)
features.
The importance of nonverbal communication

• non-verbal signals that influence the way in which a message is interpreted
and understood.
• add meaning to the words spoken, or modify the verbal message being
conveyed.
• Who is dominating the screen?
• What makes/helps him dominate?
• What are the characteristics of this character?
• How effective is he in communicating?
• Is he a good influencer? Why?

Non-verbal signals
• Personal appearances
• Facial expressions Kinesics - body movements
• Postures Proxemics – space
• Gestures Chronemics – time management
Paralinguistic - vocal
• Eye contact
• Voice/tone
• Proximity/space
• Touch
Kinesics – body movements
Proxemics – space
Chronemics – time management
Paralinguistic – vocal
1. KINESICS
The study of the body’s physical movements. It is how the body

communicates without words, i.e., through the various movements of
its parts.
Body Language
• When a speaker presents himself/herself, we see him/her before we
start hearing him/her. Immediately, we begin developing impressions
of his/her abilities and attitudes based on the non-verbal signals
he/she sends. This is why body language is so critical in oral
communication.
Body language includes
• Appearance • facial expressions
• How we want to present • Physical habits

before others
• nodding the head
• what we wear
• jingling change in the pocket
• How we stand • Fiddling with a necktie
• How we look • Our use of space and gestures
• How we move
• Though body’s physical movements have a profound impact on the
receivers, it is difficult to analyse them accurately. This is because the
interpretation of non-verbal cues is a very subjective, varying based
on people’s varied backgrounds.

1.1 Personal appearance
People see before they hear
• Clothes
• Hair
• Accessories
• Cosmetics
Clean, well-groomed- based on the need of the occasion

1.2 Posture
• Refers to the way we hold ourselves when we stand, sit, or walk.
• Least bothered about the posture one is in the comfort zone
• Posture is spontaneous, and it tells more about our attitude to
something
Slumped posture—low spirits
Erect posture—high spirits, energy,

and confidence
Lean forward—open, honest,
and interested
Lean backward—defensive or
disinterested
Crossed arms—defensive and
not ready to listen
Uncrossed arms—willingness to
listen
1.3 Gesture
The movement made by hands, head, or face. Gestures should not divert the
attention of the listener from one’s message. They should be quite natural and
spontaneous
Enumerative—numbers
Descriptive—size of the objects

Symbolic—abstract concepts
Locative—location of an object
Emphatic—emphasis
1.4 Facial expression
The six basic facial expressions are:
➢Happiness
➢Surprise
➢Disgust
➢Fear
➢Anger
➢Sadness
Happiness Surprise
six basic six basic facial expressions - Bing
Sadness Anger Fear Disgust
acceptance/courtship openness secretiveness
boredom/confidence defensiveness cooperation/acceptance
readiness nervousness/suspicion reassurance/evaluation
1.5 Eye contact
• Eye contact shows one’s intensity and elicits a feeling of trust. A
direct look conveys truthfulness and openness. This direct and
powerful form is a signal of confidence or sincerity; therefore,
experienced speakers maintain longer eye contact. The eyes should
convey the message, ‘I am pleased to talk to you, do believe in what I
am saying?’
https://www.verywellmind.com/how-do-i-maintain-good-eye-contact-3024392
2. PROXEMICS
• The study of physical space in interpersonal relations.

• Space is related to behavioural norms.
• In a professional setting, space is used to signal power and status.
• For instance, the head of a company has a larger office than
junior employees.
2.1 Intimate
• Personal touch (1.5 feet)
• Members of the family, parents, lovers, spouses, relatives,
• The mother–child relationship
• Does not need active conversation. Other individuals come close for A very
brief period and only under special circumstances—
• when they want to congratulate, sympathize, or console. A handshake,

a pat on the back, or a hug
2.2 Personal
• Close friends, colleagues, peers, etc. (1.5 to 4 feet)
• Instead of whispering sounds or utter silence, there can be normal

conversation in this zone.
• Though this zone is personal, it is quite a relaxed and casual place.
• Permits spontaneous and unplanned communication.
• Sitting or standing so close brings one closer to the listener and gives
the impression of friendliness and warmth.
2.3 Social
• Relationships that are more formal and official (4 to 12 feet)
• People are more cautious in their movements
• Less emotion and more planning
• The number of people decides whether it should be a sitting or sitting–standing

position. It is through experience that one decides which position to take
• If the number of people is less and eye contact can be maintained, a sitting
position can be used
• To be authoritative with a large audience, a sitting–standing position is used

2.4 Public
• May extend to the range of eyesight and hearing (12 to 25 feet)
• Formal
• The audience is an impartial observer
• A higher degree of detachment
• The audience is free to do whatever it feels like
• The speaker has to raise his/her voice to communicate to others or use a

microphone
3. CHRONEMICS
The study of how human beings communicate through their use of
time.
Monochronic cultures are societies made up of people who appreciate
doing one task at a time without interruption or tardiness. People in these
cultures tend to believe that time is linear.
• tend to keep very rigid schedules
• value punctuality
• brevity and adherence to plans made in advance
• tend to focus on the completion of one task at a time
• When a schedule is not followed, there are often consequences and social
respect is sometimes lost.
• Example: US, Germany, Britain

Polychronic cultures tend to see time as fluid and malleable. Characteristics of
polychronic cultures include interrupted meetings, flexible schedules, and higher
values placed on people and relationships over punctuality and deadlines.
• interrupted meetings
• flexible schedules
• higher values placed on people and relationships over punctuality and deadlines
• better at focusing on many tasks at once
• does not want detailed plans imposed upon him/her
• Work without a strict schedule

2.1: Theory of Non-Verbal Communication- Important Concepts - Social Sci LibreTexts
4. Paralinguistic
• not WHAT you say, but THE WAY you say it.”
• Volume
• Tone
• Intonation
• Speed
• Articulation
• Pace/rate
Tone
Tells the attitude of the speaker
• Sarcastic
• Aggressive
• Critical
• Nervous
• Disappointed
• Friendly
• Enthusiastic
Rising
Question tags showing uncertainty
• You’re new here, aren’t ↑you?
• He prefers the beach, doesn’t ↑he?
• The rules were changed, weren’t ↑they?
yes or no questions
• Do you like your new ↑shirt? May I borrow your ↑book?
• Will she ↑agree?

Falling
Statements
• Pleased to meet ↓you.
• Mom wants to buy that ↓bag.
Commands
• Show me the way to the ↓station.
• Leave them on the ↓desk.

WH-questions
• What food do you ↓want?
• Where do you come ↓from?

Question tags, we use the rules of falling intonation only when we seek
confirmation or invite agreement.
For example, we say:
• He thinks he’s so smart, doesn’t ↓he?
• They didn’t enjoy the party, did ↓they?
Exclamations
• That’s a perfect ↓gift!
• What a beautiful ↓performance!

Articulation
• The ability to speak fluently and coherently
• An articulate speaker is comfortable with their own voice and can
speak coherently to the intended audience.
• How to improve articulation

• Practice
• Avoid filler words
• Monitor speed
• Be mindful
• Record and listen to your voice

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Non-Verbal Communication

The importance of nonverbal communication

• What makes/helps him dominate?

• What are the characteristics of this character?

• How effective is he in communicating?

• Is he a good influencer? Why?

The study of the body’s physical movements. It is how the body

• Appearance • facial expressions

• How we want to present • Physical habits

• How we look • Our use of space and gestures

receivers, it is difficult to analyse them accurately. This is because the

interpretation of non-verbal cues is a very subjective, varying based

on people’s varied backgrounds.

Clean, well-groomed- based on the need of the occasion

• Refers to the way we hold ourselves when we stand, sit, or walk.

• Least bothered about the posture one is in the comfort zone

• Posture is spontaneous, and it tells more about our attitude to

Erect posture—high spirits, energy,

Descriptive—size of the objects

• The study of physical space in interpersonal relations.

• Members of the family, parents, lovers, spouses, relatives,

• The mother–child relationship

• when they want to congratulate, sympathize, or console. A handshake,

• Instead of whispering sounds or utter silence, there can be normal

• Though this zone is personal, it is quite a relaxed and casual place.

• Permits spontaneous and unplanned communication.

• People are more cautious in their movements

• Less emotion and more planning

• The number of people decides whether it should be a sitting or sitting–standing

• To be authoritative with a large audience, a sitting–standing position is used

• The audience is an impartial observer

• A higher degree of detachment

• The audience is free to do whatever it feels like

• The speaker has to raise his/her voice to communicate to others or use a

• tend to keep very rigid schedules

• brevity and adherence to plans made in advance

• tend to focus on the completion of one task at a time

• Example: US, Germany, Britain

• better at focusing on many tasks at once

• does not want detailed plans imposed upon him/her

• Work without a strict schedule

• You’re new here, aren’t ↑you?

• He prefers the beach, doesn’t ↑he?

• The rules were changed, weren’t ↑they?

• Do you like your new ↑shirt? May I borrow your ↑book?

• Will she ↑agree?

• Pleased to meet ↓you.

• Mom wants to buy that ↓bag.

• Show me the way to the ↓station.

• Leave them on the ↓desk.

• What food do you ↓want?

• Where do you come ↓from?

confirmation or invite agreement.

For example, we say:

• He thinks he’s so smart, doesn’t ↓he?

• They didn’t enjoy the party, did ↓they?

• That’s a perfect ↓gift!

• What a beautiful ↓performance!

• How to improve articulation

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