Nonverbal Nonverbal CommunicationCommunication

Nonverbal Communication:Nonverbal Communication:

Facial expressions or body movements used to express attitudes or moods about a person, situation, or idea.

Accounts for 70 –80 % of all communication

Is more powerful than verbal communication

Body Language is important Body Language is important because:because:

–1) People remember more of

what they see than of what

they hear, and

2) It helps to recognize the truth.

- If words and body language are

consistent,we believe the person.

- If they send different messages, we

believe the body language and doubt

the words.

Amazing Facts of Body LanguageAmazing Facts of Body Language

It’s estimated that humans produce up to 700,000 different physical signs!

The face alone is capable of 250,000 different expressions

Researchers have identified over 5,000 hand gestures and over 1,000 different postures

Positive Body LanguagePositive Body Language

Relaxed PostureRelaxed Posture

Sit comfortably and breathe

in a calm mannerAvoid abrupt movements

Arms RelaxedArms Relaxed

Uncross arms and hold hands palms up as a sign of openness

Good Eye ContactGood Eye ContactLook the person directly in the

eye, especially when he/she is speaking

Look away occasionally to avoid staring

Nod AgreementNod AgreementSlightly nod when a person says

something you agree with, but don’t overdo it

Continuous head bobbing usually means the person has tuned out

SmileSmileSignals a warm, personal

relationship

Lean CloserLean Closer

Reducing the distance between you and a partner indicates that interest is up and barriers are down.

Use GesturesUse GesturesTalking with your hands indicates

involvement in the conversation

For all these positive For all these positive gestures, moderation is the gestures, moderation is the

key.key.If they are exaggerated, they can

become more negative than positive

Negative Body LanguageNegative Body Language

Key Difference:Key Difference:

Positive gestures are primarily distal-(directed toward others)

Negative gestures are primarily proximal- (directed toward your own body)

Body TensionBody Tension

A wrinkled eyebrow, jerky body motions, or hands clasped in front all indicate discomfort

Arms FoldedArms Folded

This creates a barrier and indicates resistance

Speaking Hand to MouthSpeaking Hand to Mouth

Putting hands near your mouth or scratching your cheek or eyebrow suggest that you’re not sure of what you’re saying

FidgetingFidgeting

Moving around a lot, playing with things, or drumming with your fingers sends signs of boredom, nervousness, or impatience.

YawningYawning

Often happens if the other person is talking too much or is using too many technical details

Although it is practiced Although it is practiced everywhere, body language is everywhere, body language is

not a universal language.not a universal language.Symbols or gestures may have

similar or totally opposite meanings in different cultures

For Example:For Example:The famous “Hook ‘em

Horns” sign, made by fans of UT, has several meanings.– In Texas, of course, it means

support for the team.– In Italy it is an insult– In Brazil it means good luck–Among Hindus it means

“cow”

““America is the melting pot of America is the melting pot of the world.”the world.”

Right, Wrong, or Rude?Right, Wrong, or Rude?

Introducing Nonverbal Customs of the World

HandshakeHandshakeAmericans view a strong grip as a

sign of power and strengthSoutheast Asians press hands

togetherMiddle Easterners & many Asians

favor a gentle gripJapanese bow

Japanese Bow EtiquetteJapanese Bow Etiquette 1. Person of lower rank bows first and lowest. 2. The higher the rank of the person facing you, the lower you bow. 3. The longer the bow and the longer one holds the position, the stronger the degree of respect. 4. Then bowing to an equal, adding an extra bow shows a slight edge of respect.

5. When unsure of status, the safest move is to not bow quite as low as the other person.

6. The proper form is to bow 15 degrees with the hands sliding down towards the knees or at the sides, back and neck stiff, and eyes averted. The formal bow is 30 degrees with palms on the knees and often bobbing up and down.

7. NEVER bow with a hand in a pocket.

Direct Eye ContactDirect Eye Contact

Americans expect direct eye contact

Many Asians, Puerto Ricans, West Indies, Africans, and Native Americans consider it rude or disrespectful and may often send suggestive messages.

WavingWaving

Americans – HelloEuropeans – “No” to most

–Europeans raise their arms and move the hand up and down at the wrist

BeckoningBeckoning

Europeans and Asians – raise the arm, palm facing down, and make a scratching motion with the fingers

Australia and Indonesia – curling the index finger is used for beckoning animals.

““V” SignV” SignAmerica – Victory or peaceEngland – Palm facing inward

toward the face is an obscene gesture

America England

““O.K.” GestureO.K.” GestureFrance – ZeroJapan – Money or coinsBrazil, Germany, and the former

USSR – obscene gesture

Thumbs UpThumbs Up

America – Good job, approval, or hitchhiking

Nigeria – Rude gestureAustralia – Rude if pumped up and

downGermany and Japan – signal for

“one”

Crazy GestureCrazy Gesture

America – crazy or insaneArgentina – you have a phone call

The only universal gesture is The only universal gesture is the….the….

SMILE

How to tell if someone is How to tell if someone is lying….lying….

Decreased hand activityDecreased hand activityUnconsciously when you are not

being truthful, you may sense that your hands will give you away, so you suppress them – hide them, sit on them, stuff them into pockets, or clasp them together.

Increased face touchingIncreased face touchingHand to face favorites of not-so-

truthful people are: the chin stroke, the lip press, the mouth cover, the nose touch, the cheek rub, the eyebrow scratch, the earlobe pull, and the hair groom.

Stiff and rigid postureStiff and rigid posture

In general, people move less when they’re lying; their movements become less fluid.

Increased body shiftingIncreased body shifting

Think of squirming children being interrogated by their parents

Eye ContactEye Contact

People who are lying or creating tend to look to the left.

Personal SpacePersonal SpaceIntimate Space

– Up to 18 inches– Family & close friends– Violating this space causes friction

Personal Space– 18 inches – 4 ft– Most conversations with acquaintances

Social Space– 4 ft – 12 ft– Most business communication – EX. Interviews and meetings

Public Space– 12 ft and beyond– Public speeches and oral readings– Audience is usually strangers

Personal SpacePersonal Space

You

Intimate

Personal

SocialPublic

18 in.

4 ft.12 ft.

0 in.