NAME : WILFRIDUS BHELE

CHAPTER VI

NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION

1. Communication
Communication is the transfer of information from one person to another. In other words we
can say communication as the exchange of ideas, information, etc. between two or more
people.
2. Non-verbal communication
Non-verbal communication is the process of communicating through sending and receiving
wordless messages. Non-verbal communication can be divided into 4 parts namely body
language (kinesics), eye contact (oculistics), touch (haptics), body distance (proxemics),
paralangue, and turn taking.

A. Body Language (Kinesics)

Body language is a significant aspect of modern communications and relationships.
Body language can be defined as the conscious and unconscious movements and postures by
which attitudes and feelings are communicated. It goes both ways:
 Your own body language reveals your feelings and meanings to others.
 Other people's body language reveals their feelings and meanings to you.

Body language, and more technically the study of body language, is also known as kinesics,
which is derived from the Greek word kinesis, meaning motion. This includes body
movement, body position, facial expression, as well as dress.
I. Body movement (gesture)
The most familiar categories of body language are the so-called emblems or
quotable gestures. These are conventional, culture-specific body language that can be used as
replacement for words, such as the handwave used in the U.S. for "hello" and "goodbye".
Body languages are a crucial part of everyday conversation such as chatting, describing a
route, or negotiating prices on a market etc.In Genovia, nodding head means ‗no‖. In some
Australian Aboriginal cultures, it is disrespectful to look an elder, superior, in the eyes. It is a
sign of respect to drop the eyes, (whereas in Western culture not meeting somebody's gaze is
commonly considered to be a negative sign, indicating deceit, lying, lack of attention, lack of
confidence, etc).
One of the most frequently observed, but least understood cue is a hand movement.
Most people use hand movements regularly when talking. It can indicate a particular
meaning, feeling or intention. This category includes:

Salute: The salute is a formal greeting where the open hand is brought up to the forehead. It
is often used in the military in a strictly prescribed manner and in specific situations.
Bowing: Bowing is another formal greeting and can be as extreme as a full 90 degree bend
from the waist to even complete prostration on the floor. The greeter averts the eyes (I dare
not look at your majesty) and exposes the head (You can kill me if you wish). The female
variant on the bow is the curtsey, which again can be a full sinking to the floor or a slight
bob. Bowing and its variants place the person into a lower rank than the person who receives
the greeting and into a position of greater vulnerability.
Waving: Waving can be done from a distance. This allows for greeting when you first spot
another person. Waves call attention and a big, overhead wave can attract a person's attention
from some distance. This also makes others look at you and is not likely from a timid person.
A stationary palm, held up and facing out is far less obvious and may be flashed for a short
period, particularly if the other person is looking at you (all you need is that he or she sees the
greeting).
Another familiar body language are using fingers. Same as body movement, fingers
communicate many things. Here are some of the gestures:

II. Body Position

In some cultures travelers should be careful to avoid exposing certain parts of their
body. In Arab cultures, for example, the sole of the foot is considered dirty, and should never
be shown, so anyone can adopt the local custom of sitting on the floor, for instance, has to
take care to avoid doing this.
III. Facial Expressions
Facial expressions usually communicate emotions. The expressions tell the attitudes
of the communicator. It is now generally accepted that certain basic facial expressions of
human emotion are recognized around the world - and that the use and recognition of these
expressions is genetically inherited rather than socially conditioned or learned.
Researchers have discovered that certain facial areas reveal our emotional state
better than others. This means that, as the receiver of a message, we can rely heavily on the
facial expressions of the sender because his expressions are a better indicator of the meaning
behind the message than his words. Facial expressions continually change during interaction
and are monitored constantly by the recipient. The meaning of these expressions may be
similar across cultures, such as:
a) Eyes

Signal Possible Detailed Explanation

Meaning (s)
Looking creating, Creating here is basically making things up and saying
right fabricating, them. Depending on context this can indicate lying,
(generally) guessing, but in other circumstances, for example, storytelling to
lying, a child, this would be perfectly normal. Looking right
storytelling and down indicates accessing feelings, which again
can be a perfectly genuine response or not, depending
on the context, and to an extent the person.

Looking recalling, Recalling and and then stating 'facts' from memory in
left remembering, appropriate context often equates to telling the truth.
(generally) retrieving Whether the 'facts' (memories) are correct is another
'facts' matter. Left downward looking indicates silent self-
conversation or self-talk, typically in trying to arrive at
a view or decision
 Looking visual Related to imagination and creative (right-side) parts
right and imagining, of the brain, this upwards right eye-movement can be a
up fabrication, warning sign of fabrication if a person is supposed to
lying be recalling and stating facts

b) Mouth
The mouth can be touched or obscured by a person's own hands or fingers, and is a
tremendously flexible and expressive part of the body too, performing a central role in facial
expressions.

Signal Possible Detailed Explanation

Meaning (s)
Pasted faked smile A pasted smile is one which appears quickly, is fixed
smile for longer than a natural smile, and seems not to
extend to the eyes. This typically indicates suppressed
displeasure or forced agreement of some sort.
Twisted Mixed feelings Shows opposite emotions on each side of the face.
smile or
sarcasm
smile – playfulness, Head tilted sideways and downwards so as to part hide
head tilted, teasing, coy the face, from which the smile is directed via the eyes
looking up at the intended target

c) Head
The head is very significant in body language. The head tends to lead and
determine general body direction, but it is also vital and vulnerable being where our brain is,
so the head is used a lot in directional (likes and dislikes) body language, and in defensive
(self-protection) body language too.

Signal Possible Detailed Explanation

Meaning (S)
Head Agreement Head nodding can occur when invited for a response,
nodding or voluntarily while listening. Nodding is confusingly
and rather daftly also referred to as 'head shaking up
and down'. Head nodding when talking face-to-face
one-to-one is easy to see, but do you always detect tiny
head nods when addressing or observing a group?
Slow head Attentive This can be a faked signal. As with all body language
nodding listening signals you must look for clusters of signals rather
than relying on one alone. Look at the focus of eyes to
check the validity of slow head nodding
Fast head Hurry up, Vigorous head noddin signifies that the listener feels
nodding impatience the speaker has made their point or taken sufficient
time. Fast head nodding is rather like the 'wind-up'
hand gesture given off-camera or off-stage by a
producer to a performer, indicating 'time's up - get off'.
 d) Arms
Arms act as defensive barriers when across the body, and conversely indicate feelings of
openness and security when in open positions, especially combined with open palms.

Signal Possible Detailed Explanation

Meaning (s)
crossed arms defensiveness, Crossed arms represent a protective or separating
(folded arms) reluctance barrier. This can be due to various causes, ranging
from severe animosity or concern to mild boredom
or being too tired to be interested and attentive.
Crossed arms is a commonly exhibited signal by
subordinates feeling threatened by bosses and
figures of authority. People also cross arms when
they are feeling cold, so be careful not to misread
this signal.
crossed arms hostile Clenched fists reinforce stubbornness, aggression
with clenched defensiveness or the lack of empathy indicated by crossed arms.
fists
one arm across nervousness Women use this gesture. Men tend not to. It's a
body clasping 'barrier' protective signal, and also selfhugging.
other arm by
side (female)
arms held confidence, As demonstrated by members of the royal family,
behind body authority armed forces officers, teachers, policemen, etc.
with hands
clasped
e) Hands
Hands contain many more nerve connections (to the brain) than most if not all
other body parts. They are extremely expressive and flexible tools, so it is natural for hands
to be used a lot in signalling consciously - as with emphasizing gestures – or unconsciously
- as in a wide range of unintentional movements which indicate otherwise hidden feelings
and thoughts.
Hand is used for various purposes, notably:

Signal Possible Detailed Explanation

Meaning (s)
palm(s) up or submissive, Said to evolve from when open upward palms
open truthful, showed no weapon was held. A common gesture
honesty, with various meanings around a main theme of
appealing openness. Can also mean "I don't have the
answer," or an appeal. In some situations this can
indicate confidence (such as to enable openness),
or trust/trustworthiness. An easily faked gesture to
convey innocence. Outward open forearms or
whole arms are more extreme versions of the
signal.
 hand(s) on seeking to be Although easy to fake, the underlying meaning is
heart (left believed one of wanting to be believed, whether being
side of chest truthful or not. Hand on heart can be proactive, as
when a salesman tries to convince a buyer, or
reactive, as when claiming innocence or shock.
Whatever, the sender of this signal typically feels
the need to emphasise their position as if mortally
threatened, which is rarely the case.
finger aggression, Pointing at a person is very confrontational and
pointing (at a threat, dictatorial. Commonly adults do this to young
person emphasis people. Adult to adult it is generally unacceptable
and tends to indicate a lack of social awareness or
self-control aside

IV. Dress
Since the time of our cave-dweller ancestors, people paid great deal of attention to
clothes. They made clothes out of tree leaves, animals' hides, and now we have excellent
apparel industries that use artificial materials to manufacture clothing. Our clothing is a part
of our cultural identity. Even the way people dress for business differs widely across
cultures. Wearing formal clothes in all over the world means person is going to an
interview, workplace, celebration, or a place where some highranking people are present.
Wearing informal clothes in all over the world means that the person is going to a friendly
party, BBQ or an informal place.

B. Eye Contact (Oculistics)

Eye contact is the meeting of the eyes between two individuals. In humans, eye
contact is a form of nonverbal communication and has a large influence on social behavior.
The study of eye contact is sometimes known as Oculistics. Eye contact provides a way in
which one can study social interactions, as it provides indications of social and emotional
information.
The length of time that is acceptable to look directly in the eye can also differ from
one country to another. In somecultures, looking someone in the eye is taken as the sign of
interest and honesty. in others, however this can be seen as a sign of disrespect. Visitors
gradually learnt not to look too directly at the person they are talking too, in case they are
thought to be staring intrusively.
C. Touch (Haptics)
Touch is culturally determine, but each culture has a clear concept of what parts of
the body one may not touch. Basic message of touch is to affect or control — protect,
support, disapprove (i.e. hug, kiss, hit, kick). Here are some examples:
 In USA, handshake is common (even for strangers), hugs, kisses for those of
opposite gender or of family (usually) on an increasingly more intimate basis.
Most African Americans touch on greeting but are annoyed if touched on the
head (good boy, good girl overtones).
 Islamic and Hindu: typically don‘t touch with the left hand. To do so is a social
insult. Left hand is for toilet functions. Mannerly in India to break your bread
only with your right hand. Islamic cultures generally don‘t approve of any
touching between genders (even hand shakes).
 D. Body Distance/Space (Proxemics)
Proxemics or personal space is defined as (the study of) the amount of space that
people find comfortable between themselves and others. People are usually more
comfortable standing closer to family members than to strangers. The study of the way that
people use physical space to convey messages is called Proxemics.

Zone Distance For Detail

Intimate 0-45 lovers, and Usually reserved for intimate relationships

space physical such as lover, but also applies
touching duringconsenting close activities such as
relationship contact sports, and crowded places such as
parties, bars, concerts, public transport,
queues and entertainment and sports
spectating events. Nonconsenting intrusion
into this space is normally felt to be
uncomfortable at best, or very threatening
and upsetting at worst. Within the intimate
zone a person's senses of smell and touch
(being touched) become especially
exercised.
Personal 1-2 m family and Touching is possible in this zone, but
space close friends intimacy is offlimits. Hence touching other
than hand-shaking is potentially
uncomfortable.
Social 3m non-touch Significantly hand-shaking is only possible
space interaction, within this zone only if both people reach
social, out to do it. Touching is not possible
business unless both people reach to do it.
Public 7m no People establish this zonal space when
space interaction, they seek to avoid interaction with others
ignoring nearby. When this space is intruded by
another person is creates a discomfort or
an expectation of interaction.

E. Paralangue
 It is not only words that convey message, but also a range of other factors,
such as : vocal characterizers -laugh, cry, yell, moan, whine, belch, yawn- send
different messages in different cultures. For example, in Japan, giggling
indicates embarrassment, and in India, belch indicates satisfaction.
 vocal qualifiers such as volume, pitch, rhythm, tempo, and tone have different
meaning. Loudness indicates strength in Arabic cultures and softness indicates
` weakness. In German, it indicates confidence and authority. Meanwhile in
Japanese, it indicates indicates loss of control. Generally, one learns not to
―shout‖ in Asia for nearly any reason.
 vocal segregates such as ―uh-huh, shh, uh, ooh, mmmh, humm, eh, mah,
nahh‖ indicate formality, acceptance, assent, uncertainty, and also controlling
conversation.
 F. Turn – Taking
In normal, civilized Western-type of conversation, speakers do not speak all the
time; they wait for their ‗ turn‘. But, how do people go about allocating turns to each other
or themselves? This is the mechanism of turn taking. On the one hand, there are natural
breaks in every conversation; a speaker has to pause for breath, or runs out things to say,
or simply declares his or her contribution to be finished.