Verbal and Nonverbal Communication Principles

Verbal communication

It allows us to express ideas, emotions, and identities.

Instrumental function of language

Fulfills needs (e.g., "Can you pass the salt?").

Regulatory function of language

Controls behavior (e.g., "Don't touch that!").

Informative function of language

Shares information (e.g., "I'm from Ohio.").

Heuristic function of language

Gains knowledge and understanding (e.g., "Why is the sky blue?").

Interactional function of language

Builds relationships (e.g., "How was your weekend?").

Personal function of language

Expresses identity (e.g., "I'm a night owl.").

Imaginative function of language

Creates artistic or playful language (e.g., storytelling, poetry).

Phonology

Sounds of a language (e.g., "th" in "think").

Syntax

Rules for sentence structure (e.g., Subject-Verb-Object).

Semantics

Meaning of words.

Denotative meaning

Dictionary definition.

Connotative meaning

Emotional or cultural meaning.

Pragmatics

Use of language in context.

Turn-taking

Knowing when to speak.

Turn-maintaining

Holding your speaking turn (e.g., using gestures or intonation).

Turn-yielding

Indicating someone else can talk (e.g., pausing or eye contact).

Co-Cultural Theory of Power

Explains how marginalized groups communicate within dominant societal structures.

Confirming messages

Validates the other person (e.g., "I understand what you mean.").

Disconfirming messages

Dismisses or ignores (e.g., "That's stupid.").

I statements

Express personal responsibility (e.g., "I feel hurt...").

You statements

Can sound accusatory (e.g., "You never listen!").

Nonverbal communication

It conveys emotion, reinforces verbal messages, and communicates relational meaning.

Kinesics

Body movement (e.g., gestures, posture, facial expressions).

Paralinguistics

Vocal elements (e.g., tone, pitch, rate).

Chronemics

Time use (e.g., showing up late or early).

Proxemics

Use of space (e.g., standing close to friends).

Haptics

Use of touch (e.g., handshake, hug).

Appearance and Artifacts

Clothing, tattoos, accessories.

Reinforcing verbal messages

Nonverbal messages that support or enhance verbal communication.

Substituting for words

Using nonverbal cues to replace verbal communication.

Contradicting verbal messages

Nonverbal signals that conflict with spoken words.

Regulating interaction

Using nonverbal cues to manage the flow of conversation.

Expressing identity

Using nonverbal communication to convey personal identity.

Power

Taking up space, interrupting, controlling time.

Prejudice

Avoiding eye contact, sneering, excluding via body language.

Hearing

Physically receiving the sound.

Understanding

Assigning meaning to what is heard.

Evaluating

Judging what is heard.

Responding

Giving feedback to the speaker.

Action-Oriented Listening

Focus on clarity and results.

Content-Oriented Listening

Enjoy analyzing and evaluating information.

People-Oriented Listening

Concerned with emotions and relationships.

Time-Oriented Listening

Prefer brief and efficient messages.

Barriers to Listening

Obstacles that hinder effective listening.

Physical/Physiological Barriers

Noise, fatigue, hearing issues.

Psychological Barriers

Stress, preoccupation.

Conflicting Objectives

Different goals during conversation.

Poor Habits

Interrupting, pseudo-listening, etc.

Contexts Require Different Listening

Different settings necessitate different listening styles.

Soundscapes

Everyday sounds that define a culture or environment.

Ethical Listening Choices

Avoid eavesdropping, pretending to listen, or distorting meaning.

Informational Listening

Listening for learning.

Critical Listening

Listening for evaluation.

Active Listening

Show interest, paraphrase, ask questions.

Culture

Learned patterns of perceptions, values, and behaviors.

Intercultural Communication

Interaction between people from different cultural backgrounds.

Types of Border Dwellers

Travelers, voluntary vs. involuntary, constructed.

Cultural Values in Intercultural Communication

Individualism vs. collectivism, preferred personality, view of human nature, human-nature value, power distance, time orientation.

Indulgence vs. Restraint Orientation

Indulgent cultures emphasize enjoyment and leisure; restrained cultures value self-discipline and control.

Dialectical Approaches

Cultural-individual, personal-contextual, differences-similarities, static-dynamic, history/past-present/future, privilege-disadvantage.

Ethical Intercultural Communication

Avoid ethnocentrism; practice empathy and open-mindedness.

Improving Skills

Be mindful, learn cultural norms, avoid assumptions, practice active listening and observation.