Importance of Non-Verbal Cues in Communication Research (Essay Sample)

Importance of Non-verbal Cues in Communication
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Non-verbal cues are all communication between people that have no direct translation. The cues include body movement, body orientation, voice nuances, dressing code/choice and facial expressions (Business Dictionary, 2016). The cues carry with them a lot of emphasis in the communication, and unless captured by the person receiving the communication, much of the communication content is lost (Isbister and Nass, 2000). Considering a case study of a phlebotomist (Donna) and her patient, this paper examines the importance of non-verbal cues in communication.
In the context of their interaction, Donna chooses to avoid maintaining eye contact with her patient. She continues with preparing her equipment instead while nodding affirmatively to the patient’s comments. In so doing, Donna sends the wrong message to the patient, who seemingly was not ready to have his blood sample drawn by the phlebotomist. In the end, the patient refuses to act by pulling off the needle from his arm. This action confirms that Donna’s non-verbal cues consented to the patient’s intentions of not having his blood sampled.
The patient’s non-verbal gestures were meant to inform Donna that he was not ready to have his blood drawn. His frowned face, clenched hand, and narrowed eyes clearly indicated the ‘no consent’ message that she needed. Donna ignored the clear message and continued forcefully by trying to do her job. Such action triggered a violent response from the patient.
It could have been different had Donna paid attention to her patient’s gestures through maintaining eye contact with him even if she could not understand what he had to say. Upon realization that the patient was reluctant to have his blood collected, Donna should have restrained from forcibly trying to have the patient yield to her advancements.
Nonverbal cues are very integral part of communication as they carry much information that helps in the delivery of a message in a conversation (Granhag and Stromwall, 2002). The gestures act as a source of emphasis where words cannot be employed to help in communicating the same.
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