Encoding Nonverbal Symbols

Anjali Gera Roy

Encoding
Choosing appropriate verbal or nonverbal symbols to convey meaning. Encoding is successful when all parties in the communication process ascribe the same meaning to a particular or group of symbols.

Symbols
Verbal and Nonverbal

Metacommunication
Beyond communication Metacommunication refers to communication that occurs beyond or in addition to communication Metacommunication is more comprehensive than nonverbal communication as it includes unintentional and meta messages

Is Communication Verbal, Vocal or Visual?

Verbal 7%

Visual Vocal 38% Visual 55% Vocal Verbal

words Why metacommunication matters?

It is unavoidable May have different meanings for different people May be intentional or unintentional May get more attention than words Provides clue about the senders background and motives Is influenced by the circumstances surrounding communication Might contradict the verbal meaning May be beneficial or harmful

Functions of Nonverbal Communication

Substituting Repeating Complementing Accenting Accentuating Regulating Deceiving/Revealing

Types of Nonverbal Communication

Symbols The Statue of Liberty Emblems A Judges Hammer Illustrators Pointing in a direction Adaptors Regulators Head Nod Affect Displays Smile

Some Nonverbal Symbols

Sound Colour Light Touch Smell Territoriality Spatial Zones Spatial Distance Proxemics

Gesture Clothing Architecture and Objects Seating Arrangements Time Body Language Paralanguage

Body Language
The bodily gestures, postures, and facial expressions by which a person communicates nonverbally with others" (Soukhanov 1992:211).

Body Language
Body language and kinesics are based on the behavioral patterns of nonverbal communication, but kinesics is still so new as a science that its authorities can be counted on the fingers of one hand" (Fast 1970:9).

Body Language
Eye Communication Facial Expression Posture Movement Gesture Dress and Appearance Voice and Delivery Nonwords Paralanguage Voice Pitch Volume Pace Pause Pronunciation Phonetics Stress Rhythm Intonation

Decoding Body Language

Forehead wrinkle Anger s

Facial Expression

Eyebrows Outer Anger edges up Nose Upward Contempt

Centred Gazing Up Gazing Down Gaze on the side Wandering

EyesFocused
Thinking Shame Guilty Disinterested, Bored

Parted

Lips

relaxed, happy

Together

possibly concerned

wide open

very happy, very angry

arms crossed

Arms
Angry, disapproving

open

Honest, accepting

on top of head scratching head rubbing eyes rubbing chin folded

Hands

amazement puzzled , confused

tired thinking timid, shy

Fingers
Fingers interlocked Pointing at you OK signal V sign tense Angry is fine peace

Interpreting Body Language

Interpreting Body Language

Interpreting Body Language

Interpreting Body Language

Interpreting Body Language

Body Language in Business

Mind your manners John Mole

Responsive
ENGAGED leaning forward open body open arms open hands

Responsive
EAGER (sprint position) open legs feet under chair on toes leaning forward

Responsive
READY TO AGREE closes papers pen down hands flat on table

Reflective
LISTENING head tilted lots of eye contact nodding high blink rate

Reflective
EVALUATING sucks glasses/pencil strokes chin looks up and right legs crossed in 4 pos. (ankle on knee)

Reflective
ATTENTIVE (standing) arms behind back smile open feet

Fugitive
BORED staring into space slumped posture doodling foot tapping

Fugitive
LET ME GO feet towards door looking around buttoning jacket

Fugitive
REJECTION sitting/moving back arms folded legs crossed 11 pos (thigh on knee) head down frown

Combative
LET ME SPEAK finger tapping foot tapping staring

Combative
AGGRESSIVE leaning forwards finger pointing fists clenched

Combative
DEFIANT (standing) hands on hips frown

Quiz
What is the science that deals with the physical signals we all send out? What are 3 examples of body language that would send a positive message in a business meeting and why? What are 3 examples of negative body language in a business meeting and why? What are three nonverbal messages we can give our listener by using just our face? Without using any examples already given, list 3 nonverbal cues others give with their hands and what messages they send. What nonverbal signals would you want to work on to appear confident and to improve your business image?

How to improve your body language?

Eye Communication Facial Expression Posture and Movement Gesture Dress and Appearance Voice and Delivery Nonwords

Eye Communication
Certain conceptions about eye behaviour Do you look at others when speaking or listening to others? Where do you look when you are speaking or listening to others? How long do you make eye contact when you look at others?

Intimacy, Intimidation, Involvement Five Seconds Beware of Eye Dart Beware of Slow Blink Angle of Eye Incidence

Facial Expression
What is the impression you wish to convey? Do you smile at others? Always smiling, never smile, sometimes

Posture and Movement

Upper body Stand Tall Watch your Lower Body Do you lean on left or right leg? Use the Ready Position Move Your Own Style

Gestures
Find Out Your Habits Do you Gesture a Lot or not at All? Where do your Hands go when you are Nervous? Find your Nervous Gestures How Much Gesture is Appropriate? You cant Overexaggerate

Dress and Appearance

Be appropriate Dress at the conscious level Its bigger than you think

Dress and Appearance

Hair combed and in an appropriate style Face clean. (Girls should wear minimal make-up) Scent free, that is no perfume or after shave lotion Deodorant Teeth brushed and flossed Neck- free of jewelry Neck- if you have an open shirt, only top button is open Neck tie-appropriate for business setting Collar- is it buttoned?

Dress and Appearance Conscious and Unconscious

Hands clean with limited jewelry Clean and well manicured fingernails Watch-usually worn on left hand. Correct time? Belt- should be same color as shoes Belt- did you put it through all the loops Belt length-should be 5 inches longer than your waist Pants-ironed? Pants-buttoned in front and back Shoes-shined Shoes-same color as belt Most important!!! Your smile!

Voice and Delivery

Do you know what kind of voice you have? Do you merely speak or does your voice resonate? Do you speak in a monotone or vary your delivery? How do you sound when you speak on the phone?

Voice and Vocal Variety

Your voice transmits energy 84% of your message is vocal The sound of words Use vocal variety Dont read

Nonwords
Which is your favourite nonword? Do you use technical words or jargon? Do you use slang? Do you use pause? How long do you pause? Do you pause for effect?

The Natural Self

Acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses Convert your weaknesses into strengths Learn like a juggler Communicating well is a lifelong affair