NON VERBAL COMMUNICATION

      Communication in general is a process of sending and receiving messages that enables humans to share knowledge, attitudes and skills. Although we usually identify communication with speech, communication is composed of two dimensions -verbal and non-verbal.

     Non –verbal communication is behavior other than spoken or written communication that creates or represents meaning. In other words, it includes facial expression, body movements, and gestures. Non verbal communication is talking without speaking a word. It is very effective, may be even more so than speech. Remember the saying “Actions speak louder than words”. Everything communicates including material objects, physical space and time systems. Even silence speaks. Commonly, non verbal communication is learned shortly after birth and practiced and refined throughout a person’s lifetime. Children first learn nonverbal expressions by watching and imitating much as they learn verbal skills. It is surprised to know that not only human beings respond to this kind of communication. The pets, especially a dog, it may follow directions and respond to hand and body movements more than words. Dogs will even get confused by the word, “Sit” but it is comfortable with the hand direction for “stay”. Research says that the birds and animals share their emotions with the use of facial expressions, body language, and tone. Birds, especially nightingale expresses its joy and sadness by their tone. When they sing in a high pitch it indicates that it is sad. The young ones when they feel hungry, it gives a certain kind of sound, and the mother understood that it needs food.

     Humans use non-verbal communication because: Words have limitations; numerous areas where non verbal communication is more effective than verbal (which explain the shape, directions, personalities are expressed non- verbally).

Non verbal signals are powerful: non verbal cues primarily express inner feelings. (Verbal messages deal basically with outside world). Non verbal message are likely to be more genuine because non verbal behavior cannot be controlled as early as spoken words. Non verbal signals can express feelings inappropriate to state: social etiquette limits what can be said, but nonverbal cues can communicate thoughts.

     A simple separate communication channel is necessary to help and send complex messages. A speaker can add enormously to the complexity of the verbal message through simple nonverbal signals.

     Researches in communication suggest that many more feelings and intentions are sent and received nonverbally than verbally. Mehrabian and Wienerfollowing suggested that only 7% of message is sent through words, with remaining 93% sent through nonverbal expressions.

Non verbal communication in the classroom:

     Non verbal communication is also a critical aspect of interpersonal communication in the class room.  Balzer reported that approximately 75% of classroom behavior was nonverbal. Many of the cues students use to make judgments about teachers competence or characters are obtained by observing the teachers non verbal behavior.

     Non verbal communication in the class room occurs with distance, physical environment, facial expression, vocal cues, body movements and gestures, touch, time, physical attractiveness and dress. Next, we will focus on different kinds of non-verbal communication and uses of nonverbal communication. There is also one kind of nonverbal communication that is called the “Universal Gesture”.

     There are two main types of nonverbal communication.

Body language. Gestures.

     Body language is the body movements that depend on a person’s attitude or feelings. It is an integral part of oral communication. Body language includes the way people walk, how they stand, and their facial features. In other words any kind of meaning that is shown by a person’s body attitude or movements. According to the social anthropologist, Edward T.Hall, in a normal conversation between two persons, less than 35% of the social meanings are actually transmitted by words. At least 65% of it is conveyed through the body (non- verbal channel).

     Like any spoken language, body language has words, sentences and punctuation. Each gesture is like a single word and one word may have several different meanings. For example when we are not able to find an exact word for something we want to say, we may use some kind of facial or physical gestures. Body language shows the feelings and emotions of the person. For example, when a boy is sad he may drop his head and walk slowly or a girl is happy, she might run and jump or stand up straight and put her hands in the air. People need not to say anything to show how they feel about things. The color of people’s skin may even show how they feel. For example, if people with light colored skin get embarrassed, their skin may turn red, or if they are worried, they might get pale. Body language can be voluntary (on Purpose) or involuntary. An interesting fact is that blind children will smile when happy even though they have never seen a smile. It is estimated that there are 200.000 physical signs capable of stimulating meaning in another person. For example there are 23 distinct eyebrow movements, each stimulating different meaning. People communicate by the way they talk, stand and sit. We tend to be more relaxed with friends or when addressing those of lower status. The variety of ways in which the teacher and the students walk, stand or sit can affect interpersonal perception.

     Body postures and movements are frequently indicators of self-confidence, energy, fatigue or status. In the class room, students keen to receive body message of enthusiasm or boredom about the subject matter.

We should take care of non-verbal cues that we pass on to our listeners or receive from our speaker during any formal situation because a wrong gesture or facial expression can lead to miscommunication and confusion. Different non-verbal cues may suggest different meanings. We may annoy or displeasure a colleague, irritate a teacher or supervisor or even lose a business deal.

     Body language includes facial expressions, gestures and body movements, eye contact distance, space, time and mannerism.

Eye contact:

     The most dominant and reliable features of the face, the eyes provides a constant channel of communication. They can be shifty and evasive, convey hate, fear and guilt; or express confidence, love and support. Our eyes are usually a mirror of our truest and innermost feelings. That is why we normally distrust people who do not maintain eye contact while saying something where as we believe those who look directly at us. Since the eyes are the most accurate predictor of our feelings and attitudes, we should know how to use good or positive eye contact. Good or positive eye contact improves the effectiveness of a verbal message during oral interaction. The frequency and duration of eye contact varies from culture to culture. Eye contact is important because insufficient or excessive eye contact can create communication barriers. In relationships, it serves to show intimacy, attention and influence. Little eye contact may also be viewed negatively, because it may convey a lack of interest, inattention, or even mistrust.

     Researchers show that a speaker who looks at an audience is perceived as

     Much more

Favorable Confident Credible Qualified Honest

And less

Formal Nervous

Eye behavior in the class room:

            Eye behavior seems to be particular importance and is generally used to indicate whether one is open to communication. When a teacher asks the class a question, students who think they know the answer will generally look at the teacher, while students do not will generally look at the teacher, while students who do not will usually try to avoid eye contact.

     Exline (1971) reports that, in responses to questionnaire, college students said they thought that they would be more comfortable with another two, when speaking, listening, and sharing mutual silence, looked at them 50% of time as opposed to 100% of the time or not at all. Only very self confident, knowledgeable and attentive students will prefer 100% of eye contact.

     Eye contact is often used to control an interpersonal interaction. When people do not wish to be interrupted; they will often glance away and continue talking. When they wish the other person to speak, they will pause, making direct eye contact. Teachers often use eye contact in the class room to decide who is prepared to answer a question, or who was completed a homework assignment.

Facial expression:

     Facial expressions refer to the use of eyes, eye brows, forehead and mouth for expression. It is another dimension of body language.  Some facial expressions are readily visible, while others are fleeting. Both types can positively or negatively reinforce the spoken word and convey cues concerning emotions and attitude. Facial expressions may be unintentional or intentional. The facial expression for fear is an example of an involuntary gesture-people generally does not think of how to move facial muscles when truly frightened. Facial expressions can be voluntary, as when an individual wants deliberately to hide feelings for different reasons.  Often people try to hide feelings and emotions behind masks. The frown, jutting chin, raise eye brow, open mouth, and sneer are facial expressions that can betray and ultimately broadcast deception. All humans are capable of faking a happy or sad face or frown. Facial expressions carry meaning that is determined by situations and relationships. It shows how we feel; normally our face easily reveals our emotions. A good smile gives very positive signals and helps to make the atmosphere friendly. For instance, in American culture the smile is typically an expression of pleasure. A woman’s smile at a police officer does not carry the same meaning as the smile she gives to a young child. A smile may show affection, convey politeness, or disguise true feelings.

Facial expression in the class room:

            All people and especially teachers and students use facial expressions to form impressions of another. A smile can be a useful tool in reinforcing desired student behavior. A teacher can also use student’s facial expressions as valuable source of feedback. For example, while delivering a lecture, a teacher should use student’s expressions to determine whether to continue or speed up or to modify his presentation.

Gestures:

     A gesture is a visible bodily action that may implicit meaning. Cognitively, gestures operate to clarify, contradict or replace verbal messages. Gestures also serve an important function with regard to regulating the flow of conversation. For example, if a student is talking in class, single nods of the head from the teacher will likely cause that student to continue and perhaps elaborate. They are communication like facial expressions, hand signals, eye gazing and body postures. Examples include smiles, handshakes, waving and raising certain fingers to say something. Hand motions alone convey many meanings. “Come here”, “go away”, “its o.k.” and “that’s experience” are few gestures. For instance one might smile and wave hands when he saw his friend at a noisy carnival. Another great example is in cricket when the batsman hits six, the umpire signals his hands up. There are three main uses of non-verbal communication. People often use all of them every day. The first use is for “Greetings. Greetings include waves, handshakes hugs and salutes.  The salute is used in the armed forces when you see a person higher rank than you. The next use is for specific communication. For example, workers may use signals at their jobs. One important use is in construction when aa worker signals to a crane operator to keep everyone safe. These signals are very specific and tell the operator to move left, right, or raise and lower the hook. Another important use is sign language. This form of communication is used for people who have hearing problems. They use hand signals and lip reading to communicate very specific meanings. The third use is involuntary non verbal communication. These are movements and attitudes that show how people feel. Most times, people don’t even know they are communicating when they make these actions, because these actions are automatic. For example, a slumped posture may mean that the person is sad. A stern look may shoe that the person is in a serious mood. When people rub their eyes, it can shoe they are tired. All of these examples show how people feel.

     Expressions and gestures are not the same around the world. Some gestures like the “thumbs up” which is a positive gesture in the United States may mean something very different in other cultures. In Nigeria, the thumbs up gesture are a rude insult. In Australia it is an obscene insult. Another funny example is spinning your finger around your ear. This is known as the “you are crazy” sign in America and in some other nation. But in Argentina, it means “you have a phone call”. Another gesture that can be taken completely differently depending upon where you live is nodding the head. In most parts of the world, it is a positive or “Yes” gesture. In Bulgaria, and parts of Greece and Middle East, it means “No”. It is important that government leaders know about these things. Other examples of involuntary communication are rubbing hands together to show anticipation, tapping or drumming fingers when impatient, biting nails if nervous, and putting a hand or finger to one’s cheek if thinking deeply.

            Body language and gesture meanings do not always stay the same. Sometimes meanings change over time, or meanings change when cultures mix together. Not all gestures and body language are positive communication. One example of this is gang symbols. These are non verbal communications that may tell something about whether or not someone is in a gang or lives in a certain area where some gangs are. For example, the way a person wears their shirt or how a cap is worn may tell others that the person is in a certain gang. The color of their clothes may mean something as well. Another communication that is used by gangs is special hand signs. These signs are used by one person to show another person that they are in a certain gang. These signs can be a threat sign to someone in a different or enemy gang. Hopefully you can see how important non verbal communication is. Some sources say that it may be 78% of communication between people. In other words, non verbal communication may be the most important part of communicating with other people.

NON VERBAL FORM

NON-VERBAL CUE

WHAT DOES IT SUGGEST?

Eye contact

Sustained eye contact Brief eye contact Avoiding eye contact

Trust, Admiration, confidence.

Stress , Nervousness

Fear, Shyness, Lack of sincerity, (Mark of respect in some cultures.)

Facial expression

Raising eye brows Lowering eye brows Furrowed forehead Wide open eyes Open mouth Swallowing

Surprise, question, curiosity

Acceptance, submission

Anger, frustration, displeasure.

Surprise, astonishment

Shock

Nervousness

Gestures

Frowning

Anger, displeasure

Posture and body movements

Leaning towards a speaker / listener Pulling away/ leaning back

Interest

Fear, disgust, anger, distrust.