Chapter 5 Nonverbal Communication

1. Nonverbal
Communication
We speak only with our mouths,
but we communicate with our
whole bodies.

2. 80% of Communication is
Nonverbal
Gestures
Body Position
Facial Expressions
Tone of Voice

3. Why is it important to
understand body language?
See how people react to
us and our ideas
You can control nervous
habits and negative
signals.
People respond and
remember more of what
they see than hear.

4. What is Positive Body
Language?
Relaxed posture
Relaxed arms
Good eye contact
Nodding agreement
Smiling at humor
Leaning closer
Using gestures

5. What is Negative Body
Language?
Body tension
Arms folded
Speaking hand to
mouth
Fidgeting
Yawning

6. Interpreting
Nonverbal Messages
Don't just look - see
Consider person's
normal physical behavior
Look for clusters of
signals, not just one

7. Facial Expressions
Six emotions are the foundation
Surprise
Fear
Anger
Disgust
Happiness
Sadness

8. Facial Expressions
Different Facial
Areas for different
emotions
Disgust - nose, cheek,
mouth
Sadness - brows and
forehead
Happiness - cheeks
and mouth
Fear - eyes and eyelids

9. Tone of Voice
The pitch and timbre (distinctive tone) show the
true feelings
“Oh” can mean…
"You surprised me."
"I made a mistake."
"You're a pain in the neck!"
"You made me so happy!"
"I'm bored."
"I'm fascinated."
"I don't understand."

10. How to Tell Lying
Decreased hand activity
Concerned subconsciously, hands will give you away
Hide them, sit on them, clasp them together
Increased Facial touching
Earlobe pull
Hand on brow
Mouth cover
Lip Press
Hair Groom
Stiff and rigid posture
Increased body shifting

11. Multicultural Messages
What means “Hook ‘em Horns”
in Texas, means…
Italy - insult
Brazil - good luck
Hindus - cow
In business, body language
wins out over verbal
communication.
Frame of reference is important in understanding
symbols.

12. Greetings are different
around the world
Latinos hug
Japanese bow
French kiss both cheeks
English & Americans shake hands
Romans clasped forearms
Arab citizens say “Salaam”
Eskimos slap hands on heads or
shoulders
Maoris rub noses
Polynesians embrace each other and
rub backs

13. How Countries
Feel About Distance
Enjoy Touching
Middle East
Latin America
Italy
Greece
Russia
Don't Like Touching
Japan
U.S. and Canada
England
Australia
Middle Ground
France
China
Ireland
India

14. Women vs. Men
Women respond to touch differently than
men
Nurse's touch
Women- blood pressure down
Men- blood pressure up

15. Types of Space
Personal
1-1/2 to 4 feet
Social
4 to 12 feet
Intimate
Under 18 inches
Public
Over 12 feet
Confidential
Exchanges
Conversations with
friends & colleagues
Social & Business
Exchanges
Public Spaces like
Shopping Malls

16. Nonverbal Communication
in the Workplace
"We talk with our vocal
chords, but we
communicate with our facial
expressions, our tone of
voice, our whole body,”
Psychologist Paul Ekman

17. Steps to
a Professional Personality
To be successful, you have to look successful.
Have confident posture- shoulders erect (it shows
interest)
Don't smile constantly
Cocking your head suggests hesitation
Touching your face makes you look nervous
Be the first to interact
Keep body position open
Be in command when seated
Forearms on the table
Don't slouch or jiggle your foot
Work on your handshake
Maintain good eye contact

18. Recalling the Facts
What type of communication can you only get in
face-to-face meetings?
Which are you likely to believe–what you see or
hear?
Is body language the same worldwide?
How does space define the type of communication?
What type of nonverbal communication is the most
easily controlled?
How can you tell when someone is lying?
Are you always aware of your body language?
Should you always smile in business situations?
Look Back on Page 136 of textbook

19. Vocabulary
Nonverbal message
Body language
Tone of voice
Gesture
Personal space
Intimate distance
Personal distance
Social distance
Eye contact
List on Page 113 of textbook