Nonverbal Communication: Facial Expressions, Paralanguage, and Artifacts

Vocabulary terms and definitions covering the three main categories of nonverbal communication: facial expressions, paralanguage, and artifacts, as discussed in the lecture notes.

Facial Expression

A form of nonverbal communication that is universal across cultures for emotions such as happiness, sadness, anger, surprise, fear, and disgust.

Paul Ekman

A researcher who found support for the universality of facial expressions tied to specific emotions including joy, anger, fear, surprise, and sadness.

Pursed lips

A mouth signal that may indicate distaste, disapproval, or distrust.

Lip biting

A behavior sometimes performed when an individual is worried, anxious, or stressed.

Paralanguage

A wide range of non-verbal vocal characteristics—including voice, intonation, pitch, pause, volume, and stress—used to reflect a speaker’s attitude and mental state.

Intonation

The modulation of the voice and the shift in stress; for example, using a somber tone for serious content instead of a high tone.

Pitch

The vocal slant of the voice that reveals the speaker's frame of mind and social position, where those in authority may use a higher pitch than subordinates.

Pause (Juncture)

Features in speech that help a hearer detect word or phrase boundaries and emphasize a message, functioning like a comma in prose.

Volume Variation

The adjustment of vocal loudness based on audience size, where a larger audience requires a louder voice to be effective.

Rate

The term for the speed at which a person speaks, calculated by the number of words spoken in a minute.

Projection

The control of volume, clarity, and distinctness of a voice to achieve greater audibility.

Artifacts (Objectics)

Physical objects, such as clothing, homes, and cars, that communicate a person's personal and social beliefs, habits, and status.

Jewelry

Objects like political buttons, college rings, or wedding rings that communicate messages about a person's values, beliefs, or social class.

Space Decorations

The arrangement of private spaces, such as an office versus a cubicle, which conveys messages about wealth, status, and personal interests.