Communicating Nonverbally

LO 5.1: Describe the important role of nonverbal communication in social interaction.
LO 5.2: Define nonverbal communication.
LO 5.3: Define five nonverbal codes and explain the five functions of nonverbal messages.
LO 5.4: Explain how nonverbal communication can both trigger and express prejudice and discrimination.
LO 5.5: Explain how nonverbal communication can be used to communicate unethically. (Note: While this objective is stated, the specific examples or detailed explanations of how it's unethical are not provided in the subsequent content slides).
LO 5.6: Explain how you can improve your ability to interpret nonverbal communication.

Nonverbal behavior is a highly effective form of communication, significantly shaping our social interactions and general understanding of others and situations.

Definition: Nonverbal communication refers to communication that does not require words or language. It relies on a multitude of non-linguistic cues and behaviors.

Present in Most Communication Contexts: Nonverbal cues are almost always a part of any communication scenario, accompanying or even replacing verbal messages.
Conveys More Information Than Verbal Communication: Often, nonverbal signals provide a richer and more complete picture compared to spoken words alone.
Usually Believed Over Verbal Communication: When verbal and nonverbal messages contradict, people tend to believe the nonverbal message, as it is often perceived as more genuine.
Primary Means of Expressing Emotion: Emotions are predominantly and most effectively communicated through nonverbal channels, such as facial expressions and vocal tone.
Meta-communicates: Nonverbal communication can communicate about communication itself, providing context or clarifying the intent behind verbal messages (e.g., a wink accompanying a sarcastic comment).
Plays an Important Role in Identity Management: Nonverbal cues help us present ourselves in certain ways and manage the impressions others form of us.

Definition: Facial displays are facial expressions.
Facial Primacy: The principle stating that the face communicates more information than any other channel of nonverbal behavior.
Three Important Functions of Facial Displays:
- Identify: Facial cues are the most critical visual cues humans use to recognize individuals.
- Attractiveness: The face significantly influences perceptions of attractiveness.
  - Symmetry: Refers to the similarity between the left and right sides of the face, generally associated with attractiveness.
  - Proportionality: Refers to the relative size of facial features, also linked to attractiveness.
- Emotion: Facial features are the primary way we communicate our emotional states.

Oculesics: The specialized study of eye behavior.
The eyes communicate more subtly and profoundly than even the face in some contexts.
Roles of Eye Contact in Interaction:
- Attraction: Used to signal attraction to someone and to infer attraction from others.
- Credibility & Trustworthiness: Sustained eye contact can enhance perceived credibility and trustworthiness.
- Dominance & Intimidation: Can be used to intimidate a person or assert a dominant position in an interaction.

Kinesics: The study of movement in nonverbal communication.
Gesticulation: Specifically refers to the use of arm and hand movements.
Types of Gestures:
- Illustrators: Gestures that accompany and clarify a verbal message (e.g., gesturing with hands to show the size of an object while describing it).
- Emblems: Gestures that have a direct, explicit verbal translation and are recognized by specific cultures (e.g., the