Definition
Non-verbal communication is communication transmitted without use of words .While written communication is expressed
in terms of words ,oral communication involves both verbal and non-verbal elements.
Nonverbal Communication Includes
1. Kinesics
2. Paralanguage
3. Artifactual Communication
4. Proxemics
5. Chronemics
6. Silence
1. Kinesics
Kinesics – the study of body language is the most important aspect of nonverbal communication. Body language is
very suitable for expressing feelings and emotions like joy, grief, anger, fear, nervousness, concern, anxiety, tension,
frustration, perplexity, astonishment etc.
Body language includes facial expressions, gestures, body movements, posture, eye contact and touch.
a) Facial Expressions:
Face is the index of the mind. Psychologists are experts in reading faces. As suggested earlier facial expressions can
convey a wide range of responses like acceptance, rejection, satisfaction, dissatisfaction, friendship, hostility,
interest, indifference, confidence, nervousness, determination, fickleness, optimism, dejection, ease, discomfort,
pain, pleasure, joy, grief, surprise, shock, boredom etc.
Boss smile – Satisfaction and approval
Boss frown -dissatisfaction and may be anger.
Wrinkles – worry
Raised eyebrows, wide open eyes, gaping mouth -> Surprise and even shock .
b) Gestures:
A gesture is a movement of the head, hands or legs to express an idea,feeling or emotion. Speakers often use
gestures to underscore their words.
Head-nod > Yes
Shaking of Head Sideways > No
Thumbs up> Approval
Hands crammed into the trouser packets > Lack of confidence,indifference or superior status depending on
situation.
Other gestures:
Hands Sawing air
Both hands folded in chest
Fingers running through the hairs.
Drumming on the table top
Clenched into the fist
Feet or toes tapping the floor
Indicate speakers’ mood or attitude
c) Body Movements:
Body movements refer to the positioning or movement of the body when one is engaged interpersonal
communication.
d) Posture:
Posture means the way in which someone usually stands or sits or holds his shoulders neck and back.
Posture can suggest relaxed, tensed up, enthused, feeling low, sanguine or dejected.
e) Eye Contact:
Eye contact is a very subtle aspect of body language. Eye contact indicates our willingness to interact while absence
suggest desire to withdraw. Maintain eye contact – if topic of discussion pleasant. Unpleasant situation- lower our
eyes or look sideways.
f) Touch (Haptics):
Touching is also method of communication.Caring,friendly patronising ,indifference or likely to intrude into others
personal space.
A gentle pat on back.
A warm handshake.
Simply holding hands.
Kinds of Kinesics
Paul Ekman and Frieson have described Five Types of Body movements.
1.Emblems:
Emblems represents ideas or icons through visual images.
Putting a finger on your lips is a signal to the other person to be quiet victory(V)OK (O).
2. Illustrators:
The movements of hands & arms to suggest size or shape of something or to suggest. Frequency or speed are
called illustrators.
eg. Widely stretched arms suggests enormity of size.
3.Affect Displays:
These are indicators of inner emotions.eg. A clinched fist suggests hostility. Head resting on plans suggests
thoughtfulness or depression.
4.Regulators:
Non verbal clues that control flow of conversion between individuals.eg one person finishes speaking and nods
towards another. This is an indication to the other person that it is turn it speak.
5.Adaptors:
Some members of bored audience start tapping the floor with their feet.
Actually they would have liked to leave the place and go away but the situation does not permit them.So they have
displayed only a fragment of their actual behaviour that would have taken place had they been free to do so.Such
clues fall into the category of adaptors.
2. Paralanguage
The term paralanguage refers to a wide range of vocal characteristics like tone, pitch, speed of delivery, use of pauses,
word sress etc.
1. TONE
Tone can be gentle, persuasive, appreciative, sarcastic, angry.
2. PITCH
Pitch variations are necessary to keep the listener attentive.
3. SPEED OF DELIVERY
As a rule, simple part of message can be delivered fast while important parts are spoken slowly with proper use of
stress and pauses.
4. PAUSES
Giving pauses at the right places is important for effective communication. The normal practise is to give a pause
before and after an important point. First pause creates suspense and raises anticipation. The second pause gives
the listner sufficient time to assimilate the point made by the speaker.
5. SPEECH BREAKERS
Utterances like ‘oh’, ‘er’, ‘you know’ should be avoided as far as possible. They interrupt the smooth flow of
message and show speaker in poor light .
6. STRESS
Important words in message should be carefully stressed.
3. Arti factual Communication: Communication through PERSONAL APPEARANCE
Arti factual communication includes physical setting of the office, dress and accessories .
1. Physical Setting of the office
When you enter a room , just cast a glance around and you will come to know a great deal about the person
the room belongs to . The size of the room, height of the chair, the size of the table, the number and quality of
telephone sets reveal status. The quality of furnishing reveals a person’s asthetic sensibility.
2. Dress and accessories
“Apparel oft proclaimeth the man”, said Hamlet. These words contain a great Universal truth, for clothes, shoes
and accessories speak volumes about one’s financial status and taste. By looking at a person’s clothes, we can
immediately say whether that person belongs to an affluent family, a middle-class family or a poor family, or
whether that person is simple and sober, flamboyant, affected, conventional, unconventional, unassuming,
aggressive, dominating etc. One simple tip for decent dressing is that a person’s clothes should be neither too
gorgeous or trendy nor too old-fashioned. They should be neither too tight nor too loose fitting. Accessories
should be in harmony with the dress and personality.
4. Proxemics: Space Language
Proxemics is study of space between two interacting persons. This space defines the level of intimacy between
them. Each human being needs some personal space, which he would guard determinedly. Intrusion into
someone’s personal space bound to make him uncomfortable or embarrassed. It would send very undesirable
signals on the part of intruder and create discord.
Personal space is divided into four zones according to the nature of the relationship between the
interacting parties.
Four space zones
0-18 inches Intimate zone Family, close relatives and friends.
18”-4 feet Friendly zone Informal business gatherings.
4 feet-10 feet social zone Business Transactions.
Over 10 feet public zone Public gatherings
One does not belong to any zone permanently. Zones will change if the nature of the relationship
undergoes a change.
5. Chronemics
Chronemics is the study of time and how people handle time a reflection of their personality . Time influences the
communication process in a subtle manners .
Eg. Do we show consideration for the other person’s convenience while calling ? or , are we among those who don’t
mind giving rings at odd hours ? Do we attend meetings punctually ? or do we arrive late ?
6. Silence
Silence is said to be more eloquent than words. In certain situations , no gesture can express one’s thoughts better
than silence. Respect , fear ,resentment , helplessness , indifference , agreement and willingness are some of the
responses that can be effectively communicated through silence.
What silence actually means in a given situation depends upon the context. Suppose an employee is admonished
by his Boss for an alleged dereliction of duty, and the employee listens to the Boss Silently . The employee’s silence
can be his acceptance of the fault ; it can also be his Helplessness ,for he is in no position to retaliate .
