1 Nonverbal CommunicationDr. Holly Kruse Interpersonal Communication
2 NVC Basics Nonverbal messages: primary way we communicate our feelings and attitudes Nonverbal messages: usually more believable than verbal messages Nonverbal messages: work with verbal messages to create meaning
3 NVC Basics People respond and adapt to others through nonverbal messages Nonverbal messages play a major role in interpersonal relationships Many nonverbal signs are arbitrary, just like words (example)
4 Challenges of NVC Nonverbal messages are often ambiguousNonverbal messages are continuous Nonverbal cues are multichanneled Nonverbal interpretation is culture-based
5 Codes Codes are organized message systemsCodes consist of signs and the rules for their use
6 NVC Codes Kinesics Body movements Posture
7 NVC Codes Kinesics Gestures Illustrators Affect displays RegulatorsEmblems Illustrators Affect displays Regulators Adaptors
8 NVC Codes Eye gaze Displays thought/(Dis)likingMonitor behavior of others Regulatory cues Expressive function
9 NVC Codes Facial expressionsThe more characteristics you have in common with other, greater chance of accurately interpreting their facial expression
10 NVC Codes Facial expressionsMore than 250,000 different facial expressions How do we show surprise? Fear? Anger? Happiness? Sadness? Facial expressions tend to be contagious
11 NVC Codes Vocal Cues Our vocal cues communicate emotionsVocal cues help us manage conversations Our use of silence speaks volumes
12 NVC Codes Uptalk and Vocal Fry
13 NVC Codes Proxemics, which is the study of personal space (and beyond)Anthropologist Edward T. Hall Also includes sense of territory, more broadly
14 NVC Codes
15 NVC Codes Space Violation
16 NVC Codes
17 NVC Codes
18 NVC Codes
19 NVC Codes Touch/Haptics:Particularly powerful, both positively and negatively We have haptic boundaries Do men and women experience touch differently?
20 NVC Codes Touch/Haptics – Women:Have less positive attitudes about being touched by members of the opposite sex Are touched more than men Are more likely to reach out and touch their spouses
21 NVC Codes Touch/Haptics – Men: Are more likely to initiate touchAre more likely to initiate touch with a woman before they are married than after they are married
22 NVC Codes Appearance Body size/shape Style of hair Clothes we wear
23 NVC Codes
24 NVC Codes
25 NVC Codes Smell/Olfactics Very emotionally evocative
26 NVC Codes
27 NVC Codes
28 NVC Codes Time How we organize interactions & activities in timeMeanings we attribute to how others use time Gender differences or stereotypes? Cultural differences
29 Online NVC Code EquivalentsEmoticons Punctuation!!! Underlining and italics CAPITALIZATION Message length Response time Media choice
30 Gender and NVC Women: Receive more eye contact from othersApproach and are approached more closely Smile more Use their voices to communicate a greater range of emotions
31 Gender and NVC Men: More likely to stare at someoneTend to require more space around them Use more expansive gestures More likely to initiate touch with others
32 Functions of NVC Help determine verbal meaning Provide informationExpress emotion Regulate interaction Exercise social control Impression formation & management