non verbal communication

Nonverbal communication

is any symbolic activity, other than language, that communicates a message. This definition covers a very wide range of attributes: facial expression, hand movements, dress, tattoos, jewelry, physical attractiveness, timing of what happens, distance, tone of voice, eye movements, the positioning of furniture to create atmosphere, touch, and smell - and that is not an exhaustive list.

Decoding

is the act of assigning meaning to observed nonverbal symbols and behaviors.

Encoding

the act of expressing internal feelings, intentions, or information through external nonverbal behaviors.

Dynamic

elements of nonverbal communication that are changeable during interaction (e.g., facial expression, posture, gesturing; contrast with static)

Static

elements of nonverbal communication that are fixed during interaction (e.g., shape of the room where an interaction takes place, color of eyes, clothes worn during an interview; contrast with dynamic)

Leakage

When a person unintentionally reveals their true feelings or emotions through their nonverbal behavior.

Environment

refers to the natural or human-made surroundings in which communication takes place.

Formality

The degree to which an environment is perceived as serious/proper vs. relaxed/casual

Warmth

The extent to which a space feels inviting, comfortable, and psychologically welcoming.

Privacy

The extent to which a person's communication and activities are protected from being seen or heard by others.

Constraint

The extent to which the design of a space controls or limits where people can move

Distance

The extent to which an environment forces individuals close together or holds them apart.

Proxemics

is the study of space and distance in human communication.

Territoriality

is the establishment and maintenance of space that individuals claim for personal use.

Primary Territory

Space under exclusive ownership or principal control, central to daily life (e.g., home, bedroom, private office, personal vehicle). Decoration and layout express identity, values, and personal interests.

Secondary Territory

Space claimed through repeated, habitual use rather than legal ownership (e.g., a specific desk in a college lecture hall)

Public Territory

Open-access space available for temporary, sole occupancy

Personal Space

The area around a person that they consider their own space, especially when they are interacting with close friends or people they know well

Body Buffer Zone

An imaginary psychological perimeter/aura around a person

Kinesics

the study of movements of the face and body that take place during an interaction

Emblems

nonverbal face and body movement used to represent feelings or ideas not necessarily being expressed verbally

Illustrators

nonverbal face and body movement used to visualize or emphasize verbal communication

Affect displays

nonverbal face and body movement used to express emotion

Regulators

nonverbal face and body movement used to indicate to others how you want them to behave or what you want them to do

Adaptors

nonverbal behaviors used to satisfy personal needs

Facial Expression

Deintensification

a form of facial management in which the intensity of an emotional display is lessened

Overintensification

a form of facial management in which the intensity of an emotional display is increased

Neutralization

a form of facial management in which displays of emotion are nonexistent or quickly erased

Masking

a form of facial management in which the emotion displayed is the opposite of being experienced

Physical Appearance

Permanent or semi-permanent biological and altered characteristics of an individual's face and body.

Artifacts

Physical things that people choose to wear, carry, or use to show something about themselves. These can usually be removed or changed.

Eye Contact

Mutual visual engagement where both interactants look directly into each other's eyes.

Gaze

One-way visual attention where one person looks toward another person.

Uptalking (High Rising Terminal)

A way of speaking where your voice goes up at the end of a statement, making it sound like you are asking a question, even when you are actually making a statement.

Vocal Fry

A way of speaking using the lowest part of your voice, producing a deep, rough, creaky sound.

Chronemics

the study of the use, structure, and evaluation of time in human interaction.

Haptics

the study of the specific nonverbal behaviors involving touch