Exam 1 - Nonverbal Communication

What is another term for nonverbal communication?

nonverbal behavior

What helps in developing a stronger relationship between people?

1. reading another person's nonverbal behavior
2. understand significance of behavior
3. do the same with our own nonverbal behavior

What are the three main types of nonverbal behavior?

1. kinesics
2. proxemics
3. paralinguistics

Define kinesics.

the study of body movements (body language)

Open posture" in kinesics indicates:

honesty, sincerity, we are open to listen, we are open to talk

What are some of the main components involved in kinesics?

1. facing person directly with shoulders square to the front
2. body should be leaning slightly forward with head up and shoulders back
3. arms rest comfortably at the side with palms outward
4. not a forced position

Facial Expressions component within Kinesics:

1. emotional language of the face is universal
2. events that trigger facial expressions may vary by culture
3. more than 50% of the feelings generated between 2 people come from facial expressions that they make

Eye contact within Kinesics:

1. tells the person that you are interested
2. steady view with person's facial expressions
3. avoid staring
4. no eye contact = missed or lost messages

Define Proxemics.

the study of our personal space.
-affects their ability to relate to one another
-the distance separating 2 people is a function of what is going on between them.

Proxemic: Zones of Personal Space: Intimate

Intimate: touching to 18 inches
a. Close ####
b. Far- very close friend

Proxemic Zones of Personal Space: Personal

Personal: 18 inches-4 feet
a. close- close friends
b. far- 'just friends'

Proxemic Zones of Personal Space: Social

Social: 4-12 feet
a. close- transact business, counsel patients
b. far- formal social or business relationships (good eye contact is critical)

Proxemic: Zones of Personal Space: Public

Public: over 12 feet
a. Close- when a group listens to a speaker, or boss and employee communicate
b. Far- generally reserved for politicians

Meaning behind "touching

-signals 'i care about you'
-touch used as a means of message reinforcement
-means of persuasion

Define Paralinguistics.

It is nonverbal yet it is verbal. Includes the rate of speech, accent, pitch, and volume. It is said that paralinguistics outweigh the words used by 5 fold.

Why is paralinguistics useful?

it helps to evaluate another person's state of mind.

Types of Emotions:

Anger: beginning of expiration
Depression: end of expiration
Anxiety: during inspiration
Stress: "uhs", "ahs", stuttering

Step 1 to Putting theory into action:

-words provide the basic meaning of message
-nonverbal imparts the feelings, emotions, and attitudes associated with the message
-the actual meaning of the words can only be understood in the context of the situation in which they are said.

Step 2 to Putting theory into action:

Mixed Messages: the nonverbal does not lie

Step 3 to Putting theory into action:

in a professional situation, don't forget to take into account a person's illness behavior

Why is the effective use of nonverbal communication considered to be empathic?

-it puts the other person at ease
-demonstrates your interest and concern