Non-Verbal Communication: Understanding the Power of Unspoken Words - Prof. J. Crump, Study notes of Communication and Development studies

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Non Verbal Communication  Nonverbal communication comprises those behaviors and characteristics that convey meaning without words  Nonverbal communication is present in move interpersonal interactions o Communications are attuned to facial expressions, tone of voice, accents, clothing, smell, touch o Nonverbal signals are present even in channel-lean communication, such as a telephone call or email message.  One cannot not communicate (no matter what you are always communicating weather its intentional or not) o Nonverbal communication often conveys more information than verbal communication  Nonverbal channels are the various behavioral forms that nonverbal communication takes  Channels rely on our five senses: seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling, tasting o Nonverbal communication is usually believed over verbal communication  Nonverbal and verbal behaviors often conflict with each other  We usually believe the nonverbal cues because we believe they are harder to control o Nonverbal communication is our primary means of expressing emotion  Two important channels are facial expressions and vocal behaviors  Meta communication is communication about communication o Nonverbal communication is meta communicative  Facial expressions or gestures can indicate how someone else should interpret our verbal message  Example include a wink to indicate a joke or a smile to indicate sincerity  Not cross-cultural, we learn this as we get older  Ten Behaviors o Facial Behaviors – the face communicates more information than any other channel  Men communicate with their hands, and women their hips.  Facial displays have three primary functions: identity, attractiveness, and emotion. o Eye Behaviors – the eyes communicate more info than any other channel  Eye contact can note: honesty, attraction, confidence, and intimidation o Body Movement  Gestures include:  Emblem – a gesture with a direct verbal translation (waving, hi)  Illustrators – a gesture that communicates emotion (when your nervous you ring your hands)  Regulators – controlled flow of communication  Adaptors – a gesture used to satisfy a personal needs(When its cold you shrug your shoulders)  Touch conveys at least five forms of meaning: affection, care giving, power and control, aggression, ritualistic o Vocal Behavior  Pitch, inflection, volume, speaking rate, filler words, pronunciation, articulation, accent, silence o Use of Smell  Memories  Sexual attraction – you are sexually attracted to someone who smells exactly opposite of you o Use of Space  When we interact socially, we constantly negotiate our use of space  How much space we prefer depends on several factors: o Some words are more concrete than others  Language is bound by context and culture o Many differences between societies and cultures are reflected in the way they use language (Example: Envy)
Sapir Whorf Hypothesis: The idea that language influences the ways members of a culture see the world.  Two principles o Linguistic determinism – the structure of language determines how we think o Linguistic relativity – people see the world differently because we speak different languages

The Power of Words  Naming defines and differentiates us o Most names suggest demographic characteristics, such as sex, age group, and ethnicity o Naming practices vary by culture and evolve over time o We often make judgments about a persons character on the basis of his or her name  Persuasion is the process of convincing people to think or act in a certain way o Three persuasion strategies  Anchor and contrast – make a large request that is denied followed by a more reasonable request  Norm and reciprocity – to repay favors  Social validation principle – maintains that people will comply if they think that others are complying (everyone is doing it so you should do it to)  Creditability is the extent to which others perceive us as competent and trustworthy o Ways of enhancing or damaging credibility  Clichés (at a job interview don’t say you’re a “people person”)  Dialects - variations on language that is shared by a certain region or social class (Example: wash cloth (upper class) and wash rag (Low class)  Equivocation – language that disguises the speakers true intentions by being vague  Weasel words – words that intend to mislead the listener by implying something they don’t actually say (Example: “Clinically Tested”)  Allness statements – implying that a claim is true without exception. (Example: There is no known cure for depression)
Using and Abusing Language  Humor violates expectations  Humor can enhance communication o Putting others at ease o Defuse stress and reinforce intimacy  Humor can be harmful o Demeaning social cultural groups o Offending or harassing others  Euphemisms are vague, mild expressions symbolizing something more harsh or blunt o Can provide a way to talk about sensitive topics o Can desensitize people to important issues  Slang comprises informal words often understood only by others in a particular group o Can differentiate in group and out group members o Can also alienate outsiders  Libel and slander are defamatory statements made about others o Libel is a defamatory statement made in print or some other fixed medium o Slander is a defamatory statement made aloud  Profanity is rude or obscene language o Profanity is context specific o It can serve to put people at east  Hate speech is a form of profanity meant to degrade or intimidate people based on their sex, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability state, or political or moral views.  Own your thoughts and feelings o I-statements claim ownership of what you are thinking or feeling o You-statements shift responsibility for your thoughts and feelings to the other person

3. Simulation – acting that you are feeling an emotion (acting drunk at a party) 4. Inhibition – acting like you aren’t experiencing emotions even though you are 5. Masking – expressing one emotion when your feeling another
Emotion  Emotion Contagion: The tendency to mimic the emotional experiences and expressions of others. (yawning)
Gender and Emotion  Guys feel sexual jealousy, Girls feel emotional jealousy  Emotional expression is influenced by gender roles and biological sex.
Emotional Intelligence: the ability to perceive and understand emotions, use emotions to facilitate thought, and manage emotions constructively Deception 02/24/2011
Deception
The knowing and intentional transmission of information to create a false belief in the hearer.
Can you lie to yourself?
Deception is a common component of politeness (when you tell someone their cooking is good) (your mom told you to be polite and lie if you don’t like the food)
Deception is common when communicating online.
Two eye behaviors are associated with lying
Eye blinking
Pupil dilation
Liars often use fake smiles
Many liars use minimal body movement