Comenius Multilateral Partnership– “Getting Along in Europe ”

Nonverbal Communication

Escola Secundária de Tomaz PelayoProject 2: Italy 20th. to 25th. February 2011

Body language is crucial for our performance

Nonverbal communication: refers to

how we say things with our body postures and movements, facial expressions, gestures, touching, eye contact, use of space and so on.

Verbal and

nonverbal

communications

are combined to

form a message.

In most interactions, each of us plays both the role of “encoder” and role of “decoder”. We produce verbal and nonverbal communication directed at others and we interpret and decode.

We use these cues to form impressions and reach conclusions about others. In any interaction innumerous verbal and nonverbal cues are given.

A facial expression, a vocal inflection or a gesture can tell us what the other person means or is feeling.

We can recognize a person’s facial expression of emotion from as little as l/24th second exposure. It is often possible to interpret other people’s behavior, feelings, and relationships from something as simple as a photograph.

Nonverbal communication occurs in three areas:

•The Setting.

•Language.

•Expression.

Setting The setting is

the context

that lets us

see the

meaning of

the factual

arrangement.

Space

How close we are to each other reflects our intimacy, solidarity or power.

Body language is not only individual, but rather interactive.

In different contexts we reflect different uses of space and time.

3) personal time: job interviews, doctors and dentists appointments

2) social time: making purchases, inquiring about services

4) intimate time: close family interactions and gatherings.

1)Public time: asking directions, checking out library books

Proxemics: It has to do with the way we use personal space.

There are various types of distance.

• intimate distance: found in nonpublic interactions. eg. comforting.

• personal distance: people who are bonded. eg. discussions with others

• social distance: found in formal business and social discourse

We use expressive cues to send and receive thoughts and feelings.

These have to do with:

• Ranking, hierarchy, height

• Touch: who can touch whom? We have a status ridden society

• Gesture, Posture

• Eye contact

• Facial expression

Demeanor

Require

individuals to

show respect for

the region and

setting they are in

to impress or

avoid sanctions.

Standards

Non-verbal communication considers:

• facial expressions

• words, tones, hesitations

• eye movements

• gestures,

• personal space

• posture and touching

People interact according to:

• status

• kinship

• intimacy

• competition

• deception