Differences in nonverbal communication in culture, gender, and age

1. Differences in Nonverbal Communication
Exploring the differences in nonverbal communication between
cultures, genders, and ages
By: Joan Gravseth, Kailey Norling, Lindsay
Prickett, Chelsea Tucker, Zaquel Major &
Rachelle Wright

2. Introduction
Have you ever had a miscommunication with someone because you
misunderstood their body language? Maybe you thought your friend took a joke
too seriously because they kept a straight face? Almost everyone can relate to a
situation like this because communication is a multi-conceptual process. For
this reason, our group decided to explore the differences that cause people to
communicate differently.
In this presentation, Rachelle and Lindsay will discuss cultural differences,
Joan and Chelsea will discuss gender differences, and Kailey and Zaquel will
discuss age differences affect how different individuals communicate
nonverbally.

3. The Building Blocks of Nonverbal Communication
To understand the differences associated with nonverbal communication, it must be known that nonverbal communication is
expressed through the following nine building blocks. Depending on how they are used together can result in various communication
outcomes. The nonverbal communication building blocks are more of a guide rather than a set of rules for how to communicate with
another person.
1. Kinesics refers to all of our body positions, body movements, and facial expressions (Hahn, Lippert, & Paynton, 2011, p. 3).
2. Haptics is the technical term we use to refer to our touching behaviors (Hahn et al., 2011, p. 4).
3. Physical appearance messages are frequently the first way we form perceptions of others when we meet them (Hahn et al., 2011, p. 4).
4. Artifacts are personal objects that we use to indicate to others important information about our self (Hahn et al., 2011, p. 4).
5. Environmental factors are aspects of the context in which we communicate that influence how we act and feel (Hahn et al., 2011, p.
4).
6. Proxemics is the technical term for space and how we use it (Hahn et al., 2011, p. 4).
7. How we use and value time is the study of chronemics (Hahn et al., 2011, p. 5).
8. Messages that we indicate with our voice, beyond the words we use, are called paralanguage (Hahn et al., 2011, p. 5).
9. Silence is the final type of nonverbal message (Hahn et al., 2011, p. 5).

4. Cultural Differences
The most important question to ask is what is
culture?
The beliefs, customs, arts, etc., of a particular
society, group, place, or time (“Culture,” n.d.).
Before going over the ways age, gender, and
culture affect nonverbal communication, it must
be understood how they affect each person.
Growing up in different cultures, during
different eras, or with different social classes can
make a big difference on how a person views the
world and how they communicate.
Image Citation: (“We Are All Different,” 2004)
By: Rachelle and Lindsay

5. Cultural Differences
We become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different
beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.
~Jimmy Carter (“Jimmy Carter Quotes,” n.d.).
● Many factors affect culture, and they affect how we are raised and gives us each a
different outlook on life and a different way to communicate.
● Culture varies widely can vary different countries and makes nonverbal communication
vary more. Just look at communication in Eastern culture Vs. Western culture.
● The United States is another example of varying cultures and communication styles. The
United States is known for being a melting pot, which leads to more variation of different
cultures from different regions and on the Native American reservations.

6. Cultural Differences: Large Scale
When looking at the differences in nonverbal communication across cultures, it is important to
first look at the broad differences.
A broad difference in nonverbal communication style can be seen through high context
and low context communication. A high context culture “examines the relationship between
what is implied in communication and what is stated outright” (Martindale, 2002). Whereas
a low context culture “focus(es) on the words in messages” (Novinger, 2004).
An example of a broad difference is time:
Time usage varies among cultures. There are polychronic and monochronic concepts of
time. A culture that is polychronic will have a “multiple-activity, matrix concept of time.”A
culture that is monochronic, however, will have a “predominantly linear and sequential
approach to time... and tends to focus on one activity at a time.” (Novinger, 2004).

7. Cultural Differences
One of the biggest examples of Cultural difference is between Eastern culture and
Western culture.
Examples: East West
Greetings: In Japan, the common greeting for men and women
as well is to bow when they greet someone, as
opposed to giving a casual handshake or a hug.
(“Greeting Customs,” 2011).
In the USA, it is normal for men to shake hands when
they meet, but it is quite unusual for men to kiss
when they greet each other. Greetings are casual – a
handshake, a smile and a ‘hello’ will do just fine
(“Greeting Customs,” 2011).
Eye contact:
The customs and significance of eye contact vary
widely between cultures, with religious and social
differences often altering its meaning greatly.
(Boundless, 2015).
Japanese children are taught to direct their gaze at the
region of their teacher's Adam's apple or tie knot
(Boundless, 2015).
Western cultures use a direct gaze more frequently
than Eastern cultures (Boundless, 2015).
Individualism / Collectivism
Collective cultures “require close, very personal
interaction, and people in these cultures are far more
dependent on one another than those reared in an
individualistic society” (Novinger, 2004).
“A human being is an integral part of the universe
and the society. People are fundamentally connected.
Duty towards all others is a very important matter.
Collectivism is stronger” (“Bibikova, A., &
Kotelnikov, V.,” n.d.).
“A human being has an individualistic nature and is
an independent part of the universe and the society.
Individualism is stronger” (“Bibikova, A., &
Kotelnikov, V.,” n.d.).

8. Cultural Differences
“As in most countries, in Brazil customs such as diet, dress, and attitudes differ from region to region.
The most significant division in Brazil lies between the North and the South, causing some Brazilians to
comment that their nation comprises two different countries” (Novinger, 2004).
While Eastern vs. Western culture shows large variations in communication from cultures from different
continents. However, cultures can vary greatly even in the same country. Several examples of this are:
North vs South Brazil, Chicago Vs New York, or even Native american culture. A great example of this
is eye contact.
“In mainstream Western culture, eye contact is interpreted as attentiveness and honesty; we are
taught that we should “look people in the eye” when talking. In many cultures, however, including
Hispanic, Asian, Middle Eastern, and Native American, eye contact is thought to be disrespectful
or rude, and lack of eye contact does not mean that a person is not paying attention. Women may
especially avoid eye contact with men because it can be taken as a sign of sexual interest.”
(Willingham, n.d.).

9. Gender Differences
Just as differences in cultures may cause miscommunication, there can be
miscommunication between genders because men and women tend to use nonverbal
communication cues differently.
When it comes to nonverbal communication there are many factors that can
influence how people interpret or communicate nonverbal cues, gender is just one of
the many differences (Carli, Lafleur & Loeber, 1995, p.1036). Before a child can
speak, nonverbal communication is taught, it is the first skill babies learn to
communicate. Often they learn this skill from their parents, and studies have shown
that a mother will speak to her daughter using more facial expression than her son
(Fischer, 2002, p.102). The way a person communicates can be linked to gender roles.
Gender roles are an important aspect of nonverbal communication, and contribute to
many differences between men and women(Carli, Lafleur & Loeber 1995, p.1038).
By: Chelsea and Joan

10. Gender Differences: Men
● Men are more likely to use their hands when expressing themselves (Carnes,
2015).
● Men rely on obvious non-verbal gestures (Carnes, 2015).
● Men see close proximity as a sign of aggression or confrontation (Carnes, 2015).
● Men often send out nonverbal cues that aren’t as subtle as women (Carnes, 2015).
● Men generally associate touch gestures with sexual intentions, so men tend to stay
away from touch gestures (Carnes, 2015).
● Men generally perceive nonverbal cues from their friends and their instructors
similarly (Miller, 2011).
● Men tend to sit with their legs wide taking up space to show their dominance
(Causewell, 2010).

11. Gender Differences: Women
● Women tend to use more nonverbal communication because they use more emotions when
they speak whereas men focus on the situation(Causewell, 2015).
● Women can read body language and nonverbal cues much more efficiently than men
(Carnes, 2015).
● Women are more tolerant with close proximity while communicating (Carnes, 2015).
● Women use certain nonverbal communication to feel close to people, but can adjust their
nonverbal cues based on the situation (Miller, 2011).
● Women tend to use little gestures that might be hard to pick up on (Causewell,2015).
● Women use touch gestures while communicating because they see it as a sign of friendship
or empathy (Causewell, 2015).
● Some scholars have said that women’s nonverbal communication often lacks “social power”
(Miller, 2011).

12. Gender Differences
As we see, men and women use nonverbal communication differently. Women are
overall more emotional and communication in such a way to let the other person
feel friendship and compassion. They are more adept than men at using and
recognizing nonverbal cues and will change how they use their nonverbal
communication based on the situation they are in. For example, they will use
certain nonverbal communication to feel psychologically close to their friends, but
when they are teaching a class they will not use this type of nonverbal
communication (Miller, 2011). Men on the other hand use the same type of
nonverbal communication when communicating with their friends and when they
are teaching a class. Men use and notice more obvious nonverbal cues, instead of
subtle ones like women.

13. Age Differences
Men and women nonverbally communicate in different way, and these differences
are apparent starting at childhood. As children develop, they enhance their outlets of
communication based on their cultural environments. It is a skill that with practice
becomes more effective. Age differences have the potential to cause miscommunication
errors just like gender differences and cultural differences can. An example of this can
be grandparents trying to talk to grandchildren who are millenials.
By: Kailey and Zaquel

14. Age Differences
There are generational differences in nonverbal communication channels. A study by Franklin B. Krohn attempted to
understand if emoticons in computer mediated communication are actually examples of nonverbal cues among
different age groups (A Generational Approach). He developed conclusions from his study based on the reactions
received among the ages. These are his findings:
● “Transcendentalists” born before 1946 shouldn’t use emoticons
● “Baby Boomers” born between 1946-1964 probably shouldn’t use emoticons
● “Generation Xers” born between 1964-1980 may use emoticons
● “Millennials” born after 1980 may use extreme amounts of emoticons (Krohn, 2004).
When Krohn referred to who shouldn’t and should use emoticons the context he was referring to using them was in
emails. Krohn’s divisions on what age groups should and shouldn’t use emoticons had do with the ability of those
generations to pick up on the cues. The older generations were not as intune to the nonverbal techniques whereas the
younger generations were because they have grown up being exposed to those emoticons.
Kailey

15. Age Differences
It’s no surprise that adults communicate differently than children. It is estimated that
children go through a transitional phase during their adolescent ages. The University of
Pittsburgh conducted a study that compared behaviors of adults to those of children. Adults
simultaneously use many channels of communication but for children it’s harder.
● The study emphasized on gestures, eye gaze, and facial expressions. Early in life, babies
and young children will point to their sippy cups, parents, and toys, and this step is the first
nonverbal skill they have.
● At five years old, children have voluntary control over their facial expressions. From ages
six to ten, children understand how to use facial expressions in a conversation and after ten
years old, children know how to hide or mask their facial expressions.
● By age eleven, children are able to hold eye contact with adults.
Children develop these nonverbal communication skills by watching adults interact and by
interacting with their peers (Koterba, 2010).
Kailey

16. Age Differences in Marketing
Marketing works as it’s on form of nonverbal communication, with it being tailored to each generation’s
needs and demands. As with conversations, in marketing each generation responds differently to needed
stimuli. (checklist for communicating)
● Silent Generation, use testimonials of product users, give them time to make decisions, and
consistently show patriotism, and cooperation. A focus on chronemics and slower response time is
required.
● Boomers, focus on their health and well-being. Give them choices and decisions. They are the
oldest generation that are online and social media adverts can affect them. Offering new
Experiences would drive them to buy.
● Generation X, connect them with their friends in experience and decision making. They need time
and patience in the buying process. Trust also factors into every purchase. GenX wants choice and
suggestions, with less pressure to buy. Using artifacts to convey a message would rope them in
easiest.
● Millennials want to share a good product. They can pick out meaningless buzzwords, and factor in
Environmental attitude into most purchases

17. Conclusion Slide
In conclusion, nonverbal miscommunication can happen because of all sorts of
reasons. Cultural barriers, gender differences, and age differences are only three of the
factors that can cause nonverbal miscommunication. Different cultures think that some
nonverbal gestures are rude, while others may think it is only polite. An example of this
is eye contact. American culture expects direct eye contact to show respect, while many
other cultures believe it is rude. Women use a more emotional approach to nonverbal
communication and are good at picking up cues, while men are not so emotional and
need more obvious cues to pick up on nonverbal communication. When it comes to
age, older generations have a hard time communicating with millenia children because
the younger generation can not read nonverbal cues. We can overcome these barriers
by adapting how we use our nonverbal communication depending on what situation we
are in.

18. Questions
1. What do you think are the biggest barriers in nonverbal communication across
cultures, genders, and age groups? How do you think society can break those
barriers?
1. Is there a way to make nonverbal communication more universal for everyone
without destroying a person’s culture and personal identity?
1. Have you personally encountered problems with nonverbal communication due to
culture, gender, or age? If so, how did you handle the situation?

19. References
Bibikova, A., & Kotelnikov, V. (n.d). Eastern versus Western Philosophy: Differences and Similarities. Cultural Intelligence: World Cultures.
Retrieved May 29, 2015, from http://www.1000ventures.com/business_guide/crosscuttings/cultures_east-west-phylosophy.html
Boundless. “Eye Contact.” Boundless Sociology. Boundless, 01 Jun. 2015. Retrieved 29 May. 2015 from https://www.boundless.com/sociology/
textbooks/boundless-sociology-textbook/social-interaction-5/types-of-social-interaction-51/eye-contact-324-3186/
Carli, L., Lafleur, S., & Loeber, C. (1995). Nonverbal behavior, gender, and influence. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1030-1041
Carnes, D. (2015, May 17). Do Men & Women Use Nonverbal Communication Differently? Retrieved May 26, 2015, from
http://www.livestrong.com/article/172581-do-men-women-use-nonverbal-communication-differently/
Causewell, M. (2010, April 7). Gender Differences in Non-Verbal Communication. Retrieved May 29, 2015, from
http://www.ehow.com/list_6306177_gender-differences-non-verbal-communication.html
Checklist for Communicating to Different Generations. (n.d.). Retrieved May 27, 2015, fromhttp://www.charmmdfoundation.org/resource-
library/
effective-communication/checklist-communicating-different-generations
Culture [Def. 1]. (2015). In Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved May 27, 2015, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/culture

20. References Continued
Greeting Customs Around the World. (2011). Retrieved May 29, 2015, from
https://www.moveoneinc.com/blog/relocations/greeting-customs-around-the-world/
Hahn, L. K., Lippert, L., & Paynton, S. T. (2011). Survey of Communication Study. Retrieved May 29, 2015, from
http://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?oldid=1886418
Jimmy Carter Quotes and Speeches. (n.d.). Retrieved May 31, 2015, from http://ushistorysite.com/carter_quotes.php
Koterba, E. (2010) Conversations Between Friends: Age and Context Differences in the Development of Nonverbal Communication in
Adolescents Retrieved from http://d-scholarships.pitt.edu/7971/1/EKoterbaDissertationETD_2010.pdf
Krohn, F. (2004). A Generational Approach to Using Emoticons as Nonverbal Communication. Journal of Technical Writing and
Communication, 34(4), 321-328. Retrieved from http://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ916170
Leading the Four Generations at Work (2014). Retrieved May 27, 2015, from http://www.amanet.org/training/articles/Leading-the-
Four-Generations-at-Work.aspx

21. References Continued
Martindale, V. (2002). Moving Mountains in the Intercultural Classroom. Ethnic Studies Review, 25(1).
Miller, A. (2011, February 1). Men and Women's Communication is Different-Sometimes. Retrieved May 26, 2015, from
https://www.natcom.org/CommCurrentsArticle.aspx?id=749
Novinger, T. (2004). Communicating with Brazilians : When "Yes" Means "No". Austin, TX, USA: University of Texas Press. Retrieved from
http://www.ebrary.com
We Are All Different. (2004). Retrieved May 27, 2015, from https://pnd.hseland.ie/corp/ohmpublications/newsletter/20040225111941.html
Willingham, E. (n.d.). Low Eye Contact Is Not Just An Autism Thing. Retrieved May 29, 2015, from
http://www.forbes.com/sites/emilywillingham/2012/10/16/low-eye-contact-is-not-just-an-autism-thing/