What is Nonverbal Communication? (Essay Sample)

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Nonverbal Communication
What is nonverbal communication?
Nonverbal communication refers to several communication methods that do not involve any form of speech. It ranges from facial expression, body postures, hand and arm gestures and movement of various part oif th body to express a point. It has been found out that good communication not only entails direct speech but has to be incorporated by various nonverbal cues for the message to clearly come out. One having such ability to incorporate nonverbal communication in his or her speech tend to connect well with others, enhance better relationship and also express the meaning of the content clearly.
Many a time when one is faced with mixed signals, that is, the speech differing from nonverbal cues, the listener usually tend to focus on nonverbal cues and picks the communication associated with it rather than the direct speech. Nonverbal communication tends to broadcast one’s true feelings and what one intents to say at any moment. It is both unconscious and natural language.
(http://loki.stockton.edu/~crossp/nonverbalcomm.htm)
Why nonverbal communication matters
The way we apply these nonverbal communication, that is, movement, looks, reactions among others clearly depicts one’s sincerity in terms of truthfulness and your listening ability. More often when the direct speech matches with nonverbal communication, there is a corresponding increase in clarity, trust and rapport. At any time when they do not match, tension, confusion and mistrust erupts. If one therefore has to communicate better, he or she has to be more sensitive not only to nonverbal communication and body language of others but also to his/her own. (Brownell, 10)
Roles that nonverbal communication plays
One of the role nonverbal cues play is repetition. They repeat the message that is delivered by direct speech. Furthermore, they can play a role of contradiction. Verbal cues may contradict the message one is trying to convey. They also play the role o substitution. They can substitute direct speech that is delivered verbally. Moreover, they can also complement direct speech. Finally, nonverbal cues may accent a verbal message.
Types of nonverbal communication
They are numerous types of nonverbal cues that are used in communication. First, facial expression is one of the key nonverbal cues commonly used. Facial expression is a universal cues commonly used by the majority and usually depicts one’s emotion. Body movement and posture is another key nonverbal cues. The way we stand or walk depicts our actions. Use of gestures such as waving, pointing and use of our own hand while expressing our points are the best examples of gestures commonly used.
Moreover, eye contact is also one of nonverbal cues commonly used. Eye contact may depict one’s fear, attraction, hostility or affection. Touch is also another one commonly used, especially in greetings and also in congratulating an individual. Space and voice may also be nonverbal cues that one can use. /4683122/THE_ROLE_OF_NON-VERBAL_COMMUNICATION_SKILLS_IN_CONSECUTIVE_INTERPRETING_PROCESS
How nonverbal communication can go wrong
What one communicates through use of nonverbal cues greatly impact on how others perceive him or her, how they respect, like or trust him or her. Majority of people often use confusing nonverbal cues hence leading disconnection and mistrust. (/ips/nonverbal-communication.html)
How to Improve Nonverbal communication
Learning how to manage stress is the key way of improving on nonverbal communication since stress hinders one’s ability to communicate well. When one is stressed out, he/she is capable of misreading other people and hence send confusing nonverbal signals. Also, stress tends to be contagious especially when it comes to one’s emotion. One being emotional may also trigger others to be emotional too, hence making the situation worse. Therefore, it is important one to come down if he/she has stressful issues before jumping into conversation. One also has to be able to apply elements of emotional awareness to overcome stress. Emotional awareness helps one to clearly read out other people, create trust in interactions, and respond well and to discover whether stress meets his/her emotional needs. (Burgoon, Jude, 32)
(/articles/relationships/nonverbal-communication.htm)
What Nonverbal Communication Allow People to do
First, nonverbal cues reinforces what is said. For instance, nodding is associated with the word yes, hence used to emphasize on agreement. They also pass the information about one’s emotional state of the mind. Nonverbal cues also define people’s relationship and also controls how the communication flows.
Moreover, they are used to modify speech. Some of the modifications may be voice pitch, speed of speaking, shape of the whole body and also the skin color and texture. They also pay a role of replacing speech. For instance, pointing with hand, tilting of head or gestures with fingers ar some of the key examples of replacing the speech. Nonverbal cues also play a role of conveying personality. They extend beyond action portrayed by the body to anything that conveys message such as office and desk space in job place, and personal adornments such as jewelry. (http://changingminds.org/explanations/behaviors/body_language/using_non-verbal.htm)
Principles Associated with Nonverbal Communication
The first principle is that nonverbal cues passes vital emotional and interpersonal communication. Usually, more meaning is generated from nonverbal cues rather than verbal communication
The second principle is that nonverbal cues is more of involuntary than direct speech. For many instances, people tent to involuntary communicate verbally. This is usually due to unexpected stimulus. Involuntary body movement signals are much common and is often below one’s consciousness and tend to be more difficult to control.
Another principle is that nonverbal cues is more ambiguous. Most of nonverbal signals can portray different meanings which many a time lead to misinterpretation and confusion on on has he/she delivers the message. This may make some of the verbal cues to be ambiguous.
Another principle is that nonverbal cues is more credible. Often, people tend to believe on what people express through the use of nonverbal cues rather to what they say. This therefore tends to make nonverbal cues more credible than verbal communication.(http://2012books.lardbucket.org/books/a-primer-on-communication-studies/s04-nonverbal-communication.htm)
Categories of Implicit Nature of Nonverbal Communication.
1 Emblem – it comprises of nonverbal cues that they do not pisses any ambiguity and can be translated accurately into words. Examples includes handshake, frown and smile.
2 Illustrator – they are nonverbal cues that are often used to emphasize a given condition or situation. For instance, nodding is one of the example.
3 Adaptor –this are nonverbal cues that has to do with satisfying body nee. An example I scratching.
4 Regulator - this refers to those nonverbal cues that assist in terminating and initiating the speech of those in engagement in a social situation.
5 Affect Display - they are nonverbal cues that express feelings that are associated with our body.
 (http://loki.stockton.edu/~crossp/nonverbalcomm.htm)
Negative Nonverbal communication One Should Avoid
Negative nonverbal communication impedes progress and often brings up a negative impression. For instance, someone playing with the pen or glancing frequently on the watch may be perceived as if he or she is disinterested and this may lead to faltering of negotiations. Other negative nonverbal cues one has to avoid include clenched fists, rolling eyes, imitation of one’s actions, shrugs and shuffles an folding arms. (Siegman, Aaron W, 2014)
One can easily learn to use of nonverbal cues by observing on how other people carry themselves along during communication. It is good one to mimic on something that is positive and completely avoid picking negative things during conversation. (Georgescu, Alexandra Livia,2014)
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Effects of Nonverbal communication
The first effect of nonverbal cues is on adding value. It can add to an individual valuable and vital information to the verbal message that he/she sends. Nonverbal cues are useful in complementing, substituting, emphasizing and may even contradict on wh