Nonverbal Communication

VoiceBody Talk

Environmental Cues

Voice

Voice is the human sound that is used to transmit oral

language from sender to receiver.

Characteristics of VoicePitch

Volume Tone

Duration

Characteristics of VoicePitch: the highness or lowness of sound on

a musical scale; pitch is closely tied to the emotion of a message◦ Types◦ Range◦ Inflection

I think that you are the best.I think that you are the best.I think that you are the best.I think that you are the best.I think that you are the best.

Characteristics of VoicePitch: the highness or lowness of

sound on a musical scale; pitch is closely tied to the emotion of a message◦Types – high, medium, low◦Range – variations possible for speaker◦Inflection – rising and falling of pitch

Volume: the loudness or softness of your voice

 

Characteristics of VoicePitch: the highness or lowness of sound

on a musical scale; pitch is closely tied to the emotion of a message◦Types – high, medium, low◦Range – variations possible for speaker◦ Inflection – rising and falling of pitch

Volume the loudness or softness of your voice

 Tone: the specific vocal quality

Characteristics of Voice Pitch: the highness or lowness of sound on a musical

scale; pitch is closely tied to the emotion of a message◦ Types – high, medium, low◦ Range – variations possible for speaker◦ Inflection – rising and falling of pitch

Volume :the loudness or softness of your voice  Tone: the specific vocal quality

Duration: the length at which a person speaks◦ Rate- How fast or slow an individual speaks

What do you think is the average rate at which a person speaks?

◦ Tempo – The rhythmic quality of a person’s speech

Cues that Accompany Speech

Pauses and Silence Laughter

Vocalizations: making sounds without forming words with meaning

Body Talk

Body talk is the nonverbal language of silence; the visual messages we send with our physical presence.

Personal Appearance Kinesics Movement and Gesture Facial Communication

Personal AppearanceDress: your choices

about how you dress can substantially influence the way others view and respond to you.◦ What does

appropriate dress depend on?

◦ Remember the three C’s: _____, _____, and _____

Personal Appearance

First impressions can last a lifetime. Would you hire these people based on appearances?

Personal AppearanceGrooming: shows

whether you take pride in your appearance◦ Hair?◦ Face?

Activity: Corporate Culture and Dress

Kinesics

Posture Muscular Tone and Tension

Kinesics: refers to the use of the body in communication; aka “body language” or “body talk”

Movement and Gestures

Movement: the way you walk or move from one place to another

Gesture: a movement of any part of the body that reinforces another message or acts as a substitute for speech

Facial CommunicationNext to vocal characteristics, facial

expressions may be the most noticeable and important aspect of nonverbal communication

Eye communication is strongly influenced by culture. In the U.S., many communicators value direct, personal eye contact. ◦ In an interpersonal conversation, what is the %

of time in which a speaker looks at the listener? ◦ What is the % of time in which the listener looks

at the speaker?◦ Answers: 38-41% and 62-75%

Activity: Interpretative Dance

Songs◦“Row, row, row your boat”◦“Itsy-bitsy spider”◦“Twinkle, twinkle little star”

Elements to Include:◦Posture◦Muscle Tension◦Movement◦Gestures◦Facial Expressions

Environmental CuesSpatial Communication

Time Communication

Other Communication Cues

Spatial Communication Spatial Communication: your perception and use of space 

Space and Distance◦ Intimate distance: tends to be close to the body, therefore tends to be

very personal◦ Personal distance: your own space in which to move freely ◦ Social distance: allows communicators to see and hear one another

easily; most appropriate for interpersonal and small group interactions◦ Public distance: far less interpersonal; often used in formal presentations ◦ Violating Distance Norms: can create embarrassment, discomfort, and

conflict; **Rule of Thumb: fit your use of space to the context of the situation

Territory: people will often identify a space or territory, claim it, and protect it as their own

Touch: “To touch, or not to touch—that is the question” this has been a critical question for people in the workplace and social organizations for years; the handshake is still the appropriate form of touch and gesture

Time CommunicationHow you manage time is a form of nonverbal

communication.

Everyone needs to manage their time

Note special commitments.

Learn to say “no”

Activity: Finding time. How do you manage your time? Use the pie graph to analyze how you make use of your time.

Other Types of Environmental CuesArtifacts and Objects

◦Artifacts: articles of adornment you use to decorate yourself or your surroundings. Examples: jewelry, clothing, pictures on walls,

trophies, posters

◦Objects: all materials you keep in your space or take with you to places. Examples: backpack, notebook, family photo

Color

Fragrance and Odor

Quiz Yourself

1. shaking head “no” to a question

2. smiling as you congratulate someone

3. sitting straight sends a message of confidence

4. teacher pausing after question

5. dragging feet as you walk

A. VoiceB. PostureC. Muscle TensionD. MovementE. GesturesF. Facial Expressions