Non- Verbal Communication
Nonverbal communication consists
of that part of a message that is not encoded in words. The nonverbal part of
the message tends to be less conscious and often reveals the sender’s feelings
and preferences more spontaneously and honestly than the verbal part. If the
verbal message does not match the nonverbal communication, people tend to
believe the nonverbal message. The nonverbal aspects of communication are so
closely intermingled with the verbal part and it is difficult to separate them.
People receiving verbal and non-verbal messages combine them with the context
in which the communication takes place and interpret the total message.
What is the non-verbal part of the message?
Four types of nonverbal
messages
Non-verbal communication can be classified into four types.
1. Personal (to the individual)
2. Common to a group of people or
culture
3. Universal (to humankind)
4. Unrelated to the message
(random)
Personal nonverbal communication involves kinds of nonverbal behavior
that are unique to one person. The meaning is also unique to the person sending
the message. For example, someone may work while talking; another person may
work in silence. One person may laugh due to nervousness or fear, while another
may cry.
Cultural nonverbal communication, by contrast, is characteristics
of, or common to a group of people. It is learned unconsciously by observing
others in the social group. In Aboriginal culture, for example, eye contact is
less acceptable than it is in European culture.
Universal nonverbal communication
is behavior that is common to
humankind. It shows happiness, sadness or deep-seated feelings – for example, a
smile or tears.
Unrelated nonverbal communication, such as a sneeze, is unrelated
to the verbal message. It can distract from the verbal message, but has little
effect on the meaning of the verbal part of the message.
