Types of nonverbal communication

1. Kinesics - (movement, gesture, posture)

• We interpret a great deal of meaning through body movement, facial expressions, and eye contact.
• Many people believe they can easily interpret the meanings of body movements and facial expressions
in others.
• The reality is, it is almost impossible to determine an exact meaning for gestures, facial expressions,
and eye contact. Even so, we rely a great deal on kinesics to interpret and express meaning. We know
that kinesics can communicate liking, social status, and even relational responsiveness (Belludi, 2008).

2. Proxemics ( the use of space )

• The use of space in communication influences the ways we relate with others.
• Intimate space consists of space that ranges from touch to eighteen inches.
• We use intimate space with those whom we are close (family members, close friends, and intimate
partners). Intimate space is also the context for physical fighting and violence.
• Personal space ranges from eighteen inches to four feet and is reserved for most conversations with
non-intimate others (friends and acquaintances)
• Social space extends from four to twelve feet and is used for small group interactions such as sitting
around a dinner table with others or a group meeting.
• Public space extends beyond twelve feet and is most often used in public speaking situation.
• We use space to regulate our verbal communication and communicate relational and social meanings.
• Based on their use of the above categories of space, we can determine what type of relationship the
people are in: Romantic, Family, or Friends.

3. Chronemics ( the use of time)

• The use of time communicates a variety of meanings to those around us.

• The use of time can create misunderstandings among those from different cultural groups.

Are you that someone who is always early or on-time? Or, are you that someone who arrives late to
most events? How do you describe a person who arrives late or comes on time? Is there a difference. If
so, these differences are probably based on their use of time.

• The use of time varies culture to culture. For example:

 We place high value on being on time, and respond more positively to people who are punctual. But,
in many Arab and Latin American countries, time is used more loosely, and punctuality is not necessarily
for a goal to achieve.

4. Objectics (Personal Appearance, Objects, and Artifact)

• In this type of nonverbal communication, bodies and surroundings are used to communicate meaning
to others. These can be associated with different meanings.
For example, when you see a lady who is wearing a wedding band or ring, you would know that she is
married. Her being married is associated with the ring(symbol) she wears. Moreover, for a man with a
stethoscope, the meaning that can be associated with the object is being in the medical profession.

• Consider your preferences for hair-style, clothing, jewelry, and automobiles, as well the way you
maintain your body. Your choices express meanings to those around you about what you value and the
image you wish to put forth.

• As with most communication, our choices for personal appearance, objects, and artifacts occur within
cultural contexts, and are interpreted in light of these contexts.

• Consider the recent trendiness and popularity of tattoos. While once associated primarily with prison
and armed services, tattoos have become mainstream and are used to articulate a variety of personal,
political and cultural messages.

5. Haptics (touch)

• Lee (2016) explains that haptics is the study of touch.

• This the first type of nonverbal communication we experience as humans and is vital to our
development and health. Dolin and Booth-Butterfield (1993).They added that those who don’t have
positive touch in their lives are less healthy both mentally and physically than those who experience
positive touch.

• We use touch to share feelings and relational meanings. Hugs, kisses, handshakes, or even playful
roughhousing demonstrate relational meanings and indicate relational closeness.

• Mehrabian (2009) noted that in western society, touch is largely reserved for family and romantic
relationships. Generally girls and women in same-sex friendships have more liberty to express touch as
part of the relationship than men in same-sex friendships. However, despite these unfortunate social
taboos, the need for touch is so strong that men are quite sophisticated at finding ways to incorporate
this into their friendships in socially acceptable ways.

• Kendra (2020) explained that I other countries, non-verbal is connected to different cultural meaning
attachments. For instance, wrestling is a socially acceptable sports for men. However, women preferred
to hug, hold hands, or touch each other’s hand. In contrast, an exchange student from Brazil recognized
the differences in touch between cultures when arriving in the United States. She was surprised when
someone hesitated to remove an eyelash from her face and apologized for touching her. In her country,
no one would hesitate to do this act. She realized how much more physical touch is accepted and even
expected in her culture. Cultural norms around touch and gender constructs, and everyone can prevent
and limit touching behaviors in ways that are comfortable to them.

6. Oculesics ( facial expressions and eye movements)

• Without a doubt, the most common nonverbal means of communication is through facial expressions.
Mehrabian (2009) wrote that “human faces are able to make more than 10,000 different expressions,
and each one articulates volumes of information with ease”. He added that the strongest and most
relatable expressions one does like smiling, frowning, blinking, and every teenager’s favorite, eye-rolling.
In fact, the smallest eyebrow twitch or nostril flare can be read with minimal effort.

7. Paralanguage (vocal qualities such as pitch, volume, inflection, rate of speech, rhythm, and silence)
Klein (2020) explained how does paralanguage perform as a non-verbal form of communication.
• Voice affects the message. The most obvious example is sarcasm, in which the tone of what’s being
said conveys the opposite of the message. Odds are that someone who drawls “Grreeeattt” in a laconic
tone is less than thrilled at what’s being presented.
• Less obvious paralanguage includes the speed, volume, and pitch of speaking. For example, a
presentation mumbled too quickly suggests that the salesman is, at best, nervous, or, at worst, being
disingenuous.
• Be conscious of how quickly you talk, and be sure to speak clearly and loud enough to be heard. But be
sure to take care not to be too loud, because your tone suggest numerous meanings.
• Silence is also an example of paralanguage where oppositely, voice is not used at all. It is far more
cultural. In Japan for example, silence denotes multiple meanings. Silence in most Asian countries is
respected.
• Silence is loaded with meaning. Have you ever experienced the “silent treatment” from someone?
What meanings did you take from that person’s silence?
• Silence is powerful because the person using silence may be refusing to engage in communication with
you. Likewise, we can use silence to regulate the flow of our conversations.
• Silence has a variety of meanings and, as with other types of nonverbal communication; context plays
an important role for interpreting the meaning of silence.