Chapter 5

Nonverbal
Communication
Understanding Human Communication, Tenth Edition, Adler/Rodman
Copyright 2009 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Nonverbal Communication

DEFINING NONVERBAL
COMMUNICATION
Understanding Human Communication, Tenth Edition, Adler/Rodman
Copyright 2009 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

What Constitutes Nonverbal

Communication?
Nonverbal communication:
Message expressed by non-linguistic means
What types of communication do you consider to be
nonverbal?
What do the authors mean when they use the term
richness in conjunction with nonverbal
communication?
Understanding Human Communication, Tenth Edition, Adler/Rodman
Copyright 2009 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Characteristics of Nonverbal
Communication
Nonverbal behavior has communicative value
Intentional versus unintentional
Discuss your perception of the theory that
Unintentional behavior may provide
information, but it shouldnt count as
communication.

Understanding Human Communication, Tenth Edition, Adler/Rodman

Copyright 2009 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Types of Communication

Understanding Human Communication, Tenth Edition, Adler/Rodman

Copyright 2009 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Characteristics of Nonverbal
Communication
Nonverbal behavior is primarily relational
What does it mean when the authors say nonverbal
communication plays an important role in identity
management?
How does nonverbal communication allow us to
define the relationship we want to have with others?
How does nonverbal communication allow us to
convey emotions that are otherwise difficult to
express?
Understanding Human Communication, Tenth Edition, Adler/Rodman
Copyright 2009 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Characteristics of Nonverbal
Communication
Nonverbal behavior is ambiguous
How easy is it to decode others nonverbal
behavior? Happiness, love, surprise, interest vs. fear,
sadness, anger, disgust.

Making sense of ambiguous behavior involves:

Context
History of the relationship
The other persons mood
Your feelings
Understanding Human Communication, Tenth Edition, Adler/Rodman
Copyright 2009 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Characteristics of Nonverbal
Communication
Nonverbal communication is different than
verbal communication

Intentional versus unintentional

Discrete versus continuous
Degrees of impact
Clarity versus ambiguity
Complexity (single channel versus multiple
channels)
Understanding Human Communication, Tenth Edition, Adler/Rodman
Copyright 2009 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Differences Between Verbal and

Nonverbal Communication

Understanding Human Communication, Tenth Edition, Adler/Rodman

Copyright 2009 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Characteristics of Nonverbal
Communication
Nonverbal skills are important
Nonverbal encoding and decoding skills are a
strong predictor of popularity, attractiveness,
and socio-economic behavior. Do you agree
with this statement?

Understanding Human Communication, Tenth Edition, Adler/Rodman

Copyright 2009 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Nonverbal Communication

INFLUENCES ON NONVERBAL
COMMUNICATION
Understanding Human Communication, Tenth Edition, Adler/Rodman
Copyright 2009 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Influences on Nonverbal
Communication
Culture

The meaning of gestures

Distance
Patterns of eye contact
Appropriate gestures within groups

What nonverbal behaviors could safely be

considered universal?

Understanding Human Communication, Tenth Edition, Adler/Rodman

Copyright 2009 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Ideal Speakers Voice Types in Mexico and the

United States

Understanding Human Communication, Tenth Edition, Adler/Rodman

Copyright 2009 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Influences on Nonverbal
Communication
Gender
Describe some stereotypical differences between
male/female nonverbal behavior patterns
How do cultural norms in the Western world impact
gender differences in nonverbal communication?
Discuss your agreement with the statement, Mens
and womens nonverbal communication is more
similar than different in many respects.

Understanding Human Communication, Tenth Edition, Adler/Rodman

Copyright 2009 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Nonverbal Communication

FUNCTIONS OF NONVERBAL
COMMUNICATION
Understanding Human Communication, Tenth Edition, Adler/Rodman
Copyright 2009 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Functions of Nonverbal Communication

Repeating: pointing
Substituting
Emblems

Regulating
Contradicting
Deceiving

Complementing
Illustrators

Accenting

Understanding Human Communication, Tenth Edition, Adler/Rodman

Copyright 2009 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Nonverbal Communication

TYPES OF NONVERBAL
COMMUNICATION
Understanding Human Communication, Tenth Edition, Adler/Rodman
Copyright 2009 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Types of Nonverbal Communication

Body movement
Posture and gesture
Kinesics
Manipulators
Face and eyes
Affect blends

Voice
Paralanguage
Disfluencies
Sarcasm
Appearance
Physical attractiveness
Clothing
Touch (haptics)

Understanding Human Communication, Tenth Edition, Adler/Rodman

Copyright 2009 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Types of Nonverbal Communication

Space
Distance
Proxemics
Intimate distance (0-1.5)
Personal distance(1.5-4)
Social distance (4-12)
Public distance (12+)
Territoriality

Environment
Time
Chronemics
Monochronic
Polychronic

Understanding Human Communication, Tenth Edition, Adler/Rodman

Copyright 2009 by Oxford University Press, Inc.