1. Nonverbal
Communication
What
is it?
Relationship Between Verbal
and Nonverbal
Difficulties with Interpretation
Nonverbal Codes
Strategies for Improvement
Created by students for students
Fall 07

2. What is it?
Definition: The process of using messages
that are not words to generate meaning
Examples:
 Non-Word Vocalizations
 Emails
 Online Chatting
 Emotions/Emoticons

3. Relationship Between Verbal and
Nonverbal
Related in Six Ways
1. Repetition: When same message is sent
verbally and nonverbally
2. Emphasis: Use of nonverbal cues to
strengthen message
3. Complementation: Verbal and non verbal
codes add meaning to each other and
expand on either message alone

4. Relationship Between Verbal and
Nonverbal
Continued…
4. Contradiction: When verbal and
nonverbal messages conflict
5. Substitution: When no verbal language is
used at all
6. Regulation: To monitor and control
interactions with others

5. Difficulties with Interpretation
I.
II.
III.
People use the same code to
communicate a variety of meanings
People use a variety of codes to
communicate the same meanings
People have different interpretations of
the purpose of nonverbal codes

6. Difficulties with Interpretation
I.
People use the same code to
communicate a variety of
meanings
A. Raising your right hand
1. Taking an oath
2. Answering a question

7. Difficulties with Interpretation
II.
People use a variety of codes to
communicate the same
meanings
A. Love and Affection
1. Speak Softly
2. Sit or Stand Closer

8. Difficulties with Interpretation
People have different interpretations of
the purpose of nonverbal codes
III.
A.
Intentional nonverbal communication
interpreted as intentional
1.
A.
Hugging a Friend
Intentional nonverbal communication
interpreted as having another intention
1.
Guy reading a lady’s t-shirt

9. Nonverbal Codes







Body Movement and Facial Expression-blue pg.
85 red pg. 109
Know five categories Ekman, Friesen (1969)
Attraction- 3 types: physical, social, task
Hall’s Zones of Interaction blue 88 red pg. 113
Time-chronemics: temporal communication is
the way people organize and use time.
Touching- tactile communication
Vocal Cues-paralinguistics

10. Strategies for Improvement
 Giving Feedback
 Adapt to Your Audience
 Context