nonverbal communication essay questions

100 Nonverbal Communication Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best nonverbal communication topic ideas & essay examples, 🎓 good research topics about nonverbal communication, ⭐ simple & easy nonverbal communication essay titles, ❓ nonverbal communication research questions.

• Importance of Nonverbal Communication to Children’s Growth Since there is positive correlation between the use of nonverbal cues and emotional responses in children, the nature of families determines the extent to which the children use nonverbal communication. In addition, Nonverbal communication benefits […]
• Nonverbal Interpersonal Communication in “Friends” Show The relationships between Ross and Monica are obvious, as they are brother and sister; all of them are friends except Julie, who is a new girlfriend of Ross. We will write a custom essay specifically for you by our professional experts 808 writers online Learn More
• Verbal and Nonverbal Communication: Principles and Cues Humans give meaning to words, and the lack of clarity and subsequent misunderstanding in verbal communication might lead to severe consequences.
• The Psychology of Verbal and Nonverbal Communication On the other hand, one is to keep in mind that the main purpose of the kind of communication is to aid in the formulation of thoughts or ideas, which are expressed through speech.
• Nonverbal Communication in Foreign Language Acquisition The research, which has been carried out, is aimed at analyzing the role of nonverbal communication in the acquisition of the foreign language.
• Nonverbal Communication in Advertising Industry Many of those in the film and media industries have had to use it. One can also monitor the non-verbal signals and react to it with immediate effect.
• Self-Awareness in Nonverbal Communication The ability to correctly use nonverbal signs during a dialogue helps to position people and interest them in an idea or project.
• Nonverbal Communication in Nursing It is of utter significance for building a trusting rapport that nonverbal cues and nurses’ verbal communication transmit the same message.
• Nonverbal Communication in Comedy and Drama Judging from her body language, we can argue that Katherina attempts to prove some point to other women, probably, about the role of a woman in the family and her dependence on the spouse.
• The Differences in Nonverbal Communication Between Men and Women in the Workplaces The design of crossing ones legs is also a significant aspect in understanding the nonverbal cues of both men and women.
• The Use of All Senses in Nonverbal Communication In these settings, using all the senses can become a key prescription in assessing the importance of nonverbal communication. In conclusion, using all the available senses in competent verbal and nonverbal communication skills is crucial […]
• Nonverbal Communication: The Facial Expression Finally, if someone can display warmth and express interest in the person they are speaking with, it will create a connection and help them feel more open to the gospel message being shared.
• Nonverbal Cues and Advance Nonverbal Communication Skills It is essential to comprehend how to utilize and interpret nonverbal cues and advance nonverbal communication skills if one wishes to communicate, prevent misunderstandings, and have strong, trustworthy relationships both personally and professionally.
• Nonverbal Communication in the “Seinfed” Series Jerome, in turn, actively gestures, which can be a way of emphasizing the importance of the information that a man wants to convey.
• Nonverbal Communication: Decoding and Encoding Most often, I study body language by analyzing the behavior of people in cafes and other public places; in this way, I get to study the maximum possible number of people, which allows me to […]
• Nonverbal Behavior and Communication Process All of the group members appear to belong to the middle to upper middle class. The place is shaped to create the feeling of comfort and safety.
• The Influence of Nonverbal Communication The difference between Verbal and Nonverbal communication is discussed and the superior abilities of nonverbal communication will also be emphasized upon.
• Nonverbal Communication in the Eyes Review The purposes we set are to study human’s emotions in their close connection with facial expressions, to assess and to develop our ability to read others’ emotions through their expressions, to conclude what factors influence […]
• Nonverbal Communication: Proxemics, Gestures, Objects It refers to the fact that nonverbal communication conveys a sufficient amount of information that is essential in many cases. For example, it refers to those active individuals who tend to penetrate the personal space […]
• The Concept of Nonverbal Communication If one learns to encode the decoded features of nonverbal clues, he or she is more likely to understand the true intentions of the people around and can adapt to the environment better.
• Nonverbal Communication and Workplace Relationships At my workplace, both the manager and I followed the norms of nonverbal behavior appropriate for the social situation in which we were.
• Nonverbal Communication Observation The first group of the observed participants consists of a white female approximately 30 years old and a white male of the same age.
• Nonverbal Communication and Relationships at Workplace The purpose of this paper is to decompose the nonverbal communication in a supervisor-employee relationship at the author’s previous workplace. In the same manner, the supervisor established proper contact with me to show that he […]
• Nonverbal Communication and Cultural Standards However, addressing seniors with hands in the pocket was considered to be a sign of disrespect, just like it was the case in the past.
• Nonverbal Behaviors and Cross-Cultural Communication As for the positive points of the article, it contains a lot of useful information that can be applied during everyday communication.
• Women’s Nonverbal Communication During Courtship The complexities surrounding the dating practices of young women require a heightened understanding of the communication dynamics that dominate this process.
• Nonverbal Communication in Business and Politics The Body Language Documentary concentrates on and illustrates the use of human body language as a means of communication. Hence, the assumption of dissimilar postures could have at least a slight impact on the way […]
• Nonverbal Aspects and Communication Climate Though people rarely give an account of the nonverbal elements of their speech and the effects that these elements have on their perception of the opponent, these elements, define the communication climate to a considerable […]
• Kinesics and Proxemics in Intercultural Negotiations There are a myriad of kinesics and it will be hard for the US Company to learn all of the applicable kinesics when relating to the Japanese people.
• Nonverbal Communication as an Essential Tool in Effective Lie Detection It is therefore important to increase our consciousness of the things that we are not aware of in our environment an aspect that helps us to have a broader understanding of the same environment. Blake’s […]
• How Cultural Psychology Impacts Nonverbal Communication
• Courtroom Graphics and Nonverbal Communication
• Verbal and Nonverbal Communication Strategies
• Situational Determinants and Oculesics in Nonverbal Communication
• Nonverbal Communication and Eye Contact
• Stop, Look and Listen: Nonverbal Communication and Active Listening
• Asia and the U.S.: Nonverbal Communication Differences
• Behavioral Interviewing and Nonverbal Communication
• Emotional Intelligence and Nonverbal Communication
• Body Language and Nonverbal Communication During Physical Intimacy
• Cultural Differences and Nonverbal Communication
• Emotions and Nonverbal Communication
• Social Interaction, Verbal, and Nonverbal Communication
• Exchanging Information Through Verbal and Nonverbal Communication
• Between the Lines: The Importance of Nonverbal Communication
• Conflict and Its Relationship With Nonverbal Communication
• Body Posture and Nonverbal Communication
• Integrating Verbal and Nonverbal Communication in a Dynamic Neural Field Architecture for Human-Robot Interaction
• Speech Seminar: Nonverbal Communication Skills in Intercultural Settings
• Gestures and Nonverbal Communication
• Difference Between Communication and Nonverbal Communication
• Misunderstanding and Conflicts in Nonverbal Communication
• Look and Listen: Nonverbal Communication and Active Listening
• Gender and Differences in Nonverbal Communication
• Effective Verbal and Nonverbal Communication
• Nonverbal Communication and Children
• Communication: Nonverbal Communication and Adult Social Care
• Speak Without Words: Nonverbal Communication
• Customer Service: Improving Nonverbal Communication
• Nonverbal Communication Skills in Intercultural Settings
• Identity and Nonverbal Communication in the Virtual World
• The Criminal Justice System and Nonverbal Communication
• Intercultural Communication and Nonverbal Communication
• Alcohol and Nonverbal Communication: Decoding of Nonverbal Language in Alcoholism
• Identifying Deception Through Nonverbal Communication
• Appearance and Nonverbal Communication
• Nonverbal Communication With Children With Disabilities
• Men and Women Nonverbal Communication English Language
• Nonverbal Behavior and Nonverbal Communication
• Marketing: Nonverbal Communication and Reflective Thinking
• How Many Types of Nonverbal Communication Are There?
• What Are the Five Major Categories of Nonverbal Communication?
• Why Is Nonverbal Communication Important With Examples?
• What Human Factors Influence Nonverbal Communication?
• Why Is Nonverbal Communication So Important?
• How Can Nonverbal Communication Be More Powerful Than Verbal Communication?
• Which of These Is the Main Element of Nonverbal Communication?
• What Is the Most Potent Form of Nonverbal Communication?
• What Are Nonverbal Communication Advantages and Disadvantages?
• What Is Actual Nonverbal Communication?
• How Much Body Language Is Nonverbal Communication?
• What Forms the Basis of Nonverbal Communication?
• Why Is Nonverbal Communication More Critical Than Verbal?
• What Are the Challenges of Nonverbal Communication?
• What Is the Most Important Nonverbal Communication?
• How Effective Is Nonverbal Communication?
• Why Are Nonverbal Communication Important?
• How Many Forms of Nonverbal Communication Are There?
• How Nonverbal Communication Influenced Our Social Environment?
• Why Is It Important to Research and Discuss Nonverbal Communication?
• What Are Nonverbal Communication?
• What Percentage Is Interpreted of Nonverbal Communication?
• What Are the Different Types of Nonverbal Communication?
• Why Is Nonverbal Communication Unconscious?
• What Are the Six Types of Nonverbal Communication?
• What Is the 12 Nonverbal Communication?
• What Are the Three Elements of Nonverbal Communication?
• How Do Marketers Use Nonverbal Communication to Influence?
• What Is an Example of Nonverbal Communication?
• How Does Cultural Psychology Impacts Nonverbal Communication?
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113 Nonverbal Communication Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

Nonverbal communication is a crucial aspect of human interaction, as it can convey just as much information as verbal communication. From facial expressions to body language, nonverbal cues can reveal a person's emotions, intentions, and attitudes. In this article, we will explore 113 nonverbal communication essay topic ideas and provide examples to help you better understand this fascinating form of communication.

• The importance of nonverbal communication in everyday interactions
• How facial expressions can convey emotions such as happiness, sadness, anger, and surprise
• The role of eye contact in nonverbal communication
• How body language can reveal a person's confidence, nervousness, or discomfort
• The impact of gestures on communication, such as waving, pointing, or nodding
• Cultural differences in nonverbal communication practices
• Gender differences in nonverbal communication styles
• The use of touch as a form of nonverbal communication
• How proxemics, or the use of personal space, can affect communication dynamics
• The influence of nonverbal cues on forming first impressions
• The role of nonverbal communication in building trust and rapport
• Nonverbal communication in romantic relationships
• How nonverbal cues can be used to detect deception or dishonesty
• The impact of technology on nonverbal communication
• The use of nonverbal communication in leadership and management
• Nonverbal communication in negotiation and conflict resolution
• The role of nonverbal communication in public speaking and presentations
• How nonverbal cues can enhance or detract from a message's effectiveness
• The influence of nonverbal communication on customer service interactions
• The use of nonverbal communication in marketing and advertising
• The role of nonverbal communication in job interviews and hiring decisions
• How nonverbal cues can affect perceptions of power and authority
• The impact of nonverbal communication on interpersonal relationships
• Nonverbal communication in healthcare settings, such as doctor-patient interactions
• The use of nonverbal cues in educational settings, such as teacher-student communication
• Nonverbal communication in sports and athletic performance
• The role of nonverbal communication in law enforcement and security
• How nonverbal cues can influence voting behavior and political decisions
• The use of nonverbal communication in social media and online interactions
• Nonverbal communication in virtual environments and video conferencing
• How nonverbal cues can be misinterpreted or misunderstood
• The impact of nonverbal communication on mental health and well-being
• Nonverbal communication in non-human animals, such as primates or birds
• The use of nonverbal cues in storytelling and narrative communication
• How nonverbal communication can enhance cross-cultural understanding and empathy
• The role of nonverbal communication in building inclusive and diverse communities
• Nonverbal communication in improvisational theater and performance art
• The influence of nonverbal cues on music and dance performances
• The use of nonverbal communication in therapy and counseling
• How nonverbal cues can affect learning and memory retention
• The impact of nonverbal communication on creativity and innovation
• Nonverbal communication in disaster response and emergency situations
• The role of nonverbal cues in environmental conservation and sustainability efforts
• How nonverbal communication can promote social justice and activism
• The use of nonverbal cues in conflict resolution and peacebuilding initiatives
• Nonverbal communication in storytelling and oral traditions
• The influence of nonverbal cues on social norms and etiquette
• The impact of nonverbal communication on self-esteem and self-perception
• Nonverbal communication in religious and spiritual practices
• The role of nonverbal cues in building community and social connections
• How nonverbal communication can foster empathy and compassion
• The use of nonverbal cues in nonverbal communication training and education
• Nonverbal communication in journalism and media reporting
• The influence of nonverbal cues on consumer behavior and purchasing decisions
• The impact of nonverbal communication on mental health stigma and discrimination
• Nonverbal communication in conflict-affected and post-conflict settings
• The role of nonverbal cues in intergenerational communication
• How nonverbal communication can promote interfaith dialogue and understanding
• The use of nonverbal cues in disaster preparedness and response
• Nonverbal communication in the criminal justice system and legal proceedings
• The influence of nonverbal cues on social media activism and advocacy
• The impact of nonverbal communication on body image and self-acceptance
• Nonverbal communication in community organizing and grassroots movements
• The role of nonverbal cues in microaggressions and covert discrimination
• How nonverbal communication can promote environmental conservation and sustainability
• The use of nonverbal cues in promoting mental health awareness and support
• Nonverbal communication in political campaigns and advocacy efforts
• The influence of nonverbal cues on workplace culture and organizational behavior
• The impact of nonverbal communication on social media influencers and online personalities
• Nonverbal communication in disaster response and recovery efforts
• The role of nonverbal cues in promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace
• How nonverbal communication can foster empathy and understanding in healthcare settings
• The use of nonverbal cues in promoting mental health literacy and awareness
• Nonverbal communication in promoting social justice and equity in education
• The influence of nonverbal cues on interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution
• The impact of nonverbal communication on body language and self-expression
• Nonverbal communication in promoting environmental conservation and sustainability efforts
• The role of nonverbal cues in promoting mental health awareness and support

In conclusion, nonverbal communication is a powerful tool that can enhance our understanding of human behavior and interactions. By exploring these 113 nonverbal communication essay topic ideas and examples, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the complexity and richness of this form of communication. Whether you are studying communication, psychology, sociology, or any other related field, nonverbal communication is a fascinating area of study that can offer valuable insights into our social interactions and relationships.

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Home — Essay Samples — Sociology — Interpersonal Relationship — Nonverbal Communication

Essays on Nonverbal Communication

When it comes to nonverbal communication, there are countless essay topics to choose from. Nonverbal communication is a complex and fascinating subject that encompasses a wide range of behaviors and cues, and as such, it offers a wealth of potential topics for exploration and analysis. In this essay, we will explore some of the most interesting and relevant nonverbal communication essay topics, and discuss why they are important.

The Role of Nonverbal Communication in Interpersonal Relationships

One of the most compelling topics in nonverbal communication is the role that nonverbal cues play in interpersonal relationships. Nonverbal communication encompasses a wide range of behaviors, including body language, facial expressions, eye contact, and gestures, all of which can have a profound impact on how we interact with others. Research has shown that nonverbal cues can often convey more information than verbal communication, and can significantly influence the dynamics of a relationship.

Nonverbal Communication in the Workplace

Nonverbal communication also plays a crucial role in the workplace, and can significantly impact our professional relationships and success. From the way we present ourselves in job interviews to the way we interact with colleagues and clients, nonverbal cues can have a major impact on our professional reputation and success.

Nonverbal Communication in Cross-Cultural Contexts

Nonverbal communication is also deeply influenced by cultural factors, and can vary significantly across different cultural contexts. Exploring the role of nonverbal communication in cross-cultural interactions can be a fascinating and important topic for an essay. From the cultural differences in body language and gestures to the role of nonverbal cues in intercultural misunderstandings, there is a wealth of material to explore.

Nonverbal Communication and Deception

Another intriguing topic in nonverbal communication is the role of nonverbal cues in deception. Research has shown that nonverbal cues can often betray our attempts to deceive others, and that skilled observers can often detect deception through subtle body language and facial expressions.

Nonverbal Communication and Technology

The rise of digital communication has significantly altered the landscape of nonverbal communication and has introduced new challenges and opportunities for understanding and interpreting nonverbal cues.

Nonverbal communication is a rich and multifaceted subject that offers a wealth of potential essay topics. From the role of nonverbal communication in interpersonal relationships to its impact in the workplace and in cross-cultural contexts, there are countless avenues for exploration and analysis. It is possible to offer valuable insights and practical advice that will be relevant and helpful to a wide audience.

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Nonverbal Communication and Factors Influencing an Individual's Behavior

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Action Speaks Louder than Words: Nonverbal Communication

The importance of nonverbal communication: actions speak louder than words, verbal and nonverbal communication, achieving success through nonverbal communication, the verbal and non-verbal communication, what body language can tell us, the meaning of non-verbal correspondence, significance and importance of nonverbal communication in relationships, nonverbal communication differences in gender communication, an experiment on the factors that influence nonverbal communication, the importance and meaning of body language, the world that speak the same language, the meaning of body language in a conversation, the relationship between jeopardy by kinesics and deception in nonverbal communication, the link between unconscious mind and body language, the role of nonverbal communication in society, expression of power through body language, body language effects in amy cuddy's research, 19th century sign language in jane austin’s pride and prejudice, the characteristics of my communication, relevant topics.

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Nonverbal Communication Skills: 19 Theories & Findings

In it, he introduces the concept of dramaturgy, which compares everyday social interactions to actors’ portrayals of characters, suggesting that one’s social interactions are analogous to a string of varying performances (Ritzer, 2021).

Goffman’s work also included the concept of impression management. The key to impression management includes appearance; your manner of interacting; and the attitudes conveyed through gestures, facial expressions, and nonverbal skills (Ritzer, 2021).

William Shakespeare said, “All the world’s a stage.”

I’m not a trained actor, but teaching public speaking courses has made me aware that audiences seem to prefer speakers who use a variety of hand gestures. These gestures signify the speaker as “warm, agreeable, and energetic” (Goman, 2021).

Just that nugget of information has taught me to incorporate hand gestures to develop my public speaking skills.

What other nonverbal communication skills enhance daily interactions?

Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Positive Communication Exercises (PDF) for free . These science-based tools will help you and those you work with build better social skills and better connect with others.

This Article Contains:

What is nonverbal communication, 9 types of nonverbal communication skills, is nonverbal communication important, 2 psychology theories and models, 8 fascinating research findings, importance in counseling and healthcare, resources from positivepsychology.com, a take-home message.

Nonverbal communication is a way to convey information “achieved through facial expressions, gestures, touching (haptics), physical movements (kinesics), posture, body adornment (clothes, jewelry, hairstyle, tattoos, etc.), and even the tone, timbre, and volume of an individual’s voice (rather than spoken content)” (Navarro & Karlins, 2008, p. 2–4).

In this YouTube video, Joe Navarro explains several nonverbal communication cues, exposes some myths, and discusses his work with nonverbal communication in law enforcement.

Marco Iacoboni (2008, p. 81), author of Mirroring People , takes it a step further, stating that “gestures accompanying speech have a dual role of helping the speakers to express their thoughts and helping the listeners/viewers understand what is being said.”

To competently read body language, Navarro and Karlins (2008) provide suggestions such as rigorous observation and a familiarity with the person’s baseline behaviors. They also recommend watching for changes, or ‘tells.’

Navarro and Karlins (2008) advise becoming familiar with universal behaviors and contextualizing nonverbal cues. However, cultural norms could inhibit rigorous observation.

Characteristics of nonverbal communication

The United States is considered a low-context communication culture (MacLachlan, 2010). This means that much of the information in a message comes directly from words rather than through implication or body language.

This style of communication involves lots of verbal detail so as not to confuse listeners. Low-context cultures rely less on nonverbal communication, which can obscure or censor portions of the message.

Nonverbal communication is culturally determined, and it is largely unconscious. It indicates the speaker’s emotional state. When nonverbal cues conflict with the verbal message, it may convey confusion or deception (Navarro & Karlins, 2008).

Finally, nonverbal communication varies by gender and displays power differentials, information effective leaders can use to influence others (Hybels & Weaver, 2015; Henley, 1977).

Nonverbal communication of successful leaders

It’s essential for leaders to read body language, also known as decoding. Deciphering between engagement (e.g., nodding, tilting the head, open body postures) and disengagement (e.g., body tilting away, crossed arms and legs) can be the difference between success and failure (Goman, 2021).

Successful actors could be considered professional first-impression artists. Like actors, leaders often find themselves center stage; they must learn the art of creating first impressions.

Subjective awareness and the ability to express yourself nonverbally are known as encoding – crucial for positive first impressions. Advice from professional actors includes a maintaining a pleasant facial expression, good posture, pausing, breathing, relaxing, and avoiding hiding your hands (Shellenbarger, 2018).

This video , 8 Things Successful People Do to Look Confident , provides quick tips for confident body language even if you’re not feeling confident.

First impressions are said to be formed in less than seven seconds (Goman, 2021). In this short time, others formulate labels such as “powerful,” “submissive,” or “trustworthy.” Evolved leaders incorporate mindfulness to help.

Naz Beheshti (2018) states, “Evolved leaders… use nonverbal tools mindfully and deliberately to reinforce their message.” She goes on to say, “this lifts the value of your communication and your value as a leader” (Beheshti, 2018).

Awareness of self, others, and the situation (mindfulness) allows us to ensure that our gestures and body language align with our spoken words. This creates congruence and generates trustworthiness (Beheshti, 2018; Newberg & Waldman, 2013).

This means we are analyzing several, simultaneous nonverbal cues. A frustrated person may tap their foot, cross their arms, and tightly squeeze their biceps (Jones, 2013). These clusters may cross over and include a variety of nonverbal categories, summarized below.

1. Kinesics

Kinesics is the study of how we move our body, specifically the head, hands, body, and arms (Jones, 2013). This includes sending messages through facial expressions, gestures, eye contact, and posture.

Haptics is the study of touch or coming into physical contact with another person (Hybels & Weaver, 2015). Throughout history, touch has been surrounded by mystery and taboo. We are perplexed by healing touch and riveted by stories of infants who perished due to lack of touch. Touch can denote relationship, status, power, and personality (Henley, 1977).

Cultural norms dictate guidelines regarding touch. Mindfulness regarding social and environmental settings is prudent. We greet a friend at an informal party differently than we would greet a boss or coworker in a professional setting.

3. Proxemics

The study of space and distance is called proxemics, and it analyzes how people use the space around them (Hybels & Weaver, 2015).

This YouTube video is a fun demonstration of students completing a school project on personal space and the discomfort felt by both humans and animals when social norms are violated.

4. Territory

Territory is often used to display power or reveal a lack thereof.

“'[P]osture expansiveness,’ positioning oneself in a way that opens up the body and takes up space, activated a sense of power that produced behavioral changes in a subject independent of their actual rank or role in an organization” (Goman, 2021).

Expansiveness conveys power.

5. Environment

Environment includes objects we use to adorn ourselves and the artifacts we surround ourselves with in order to create an impression. These objects provide nonverbal cues that help others form impressions (Jones, 2013).

6. Paralinguistics

Paralinguistics, also known as vocalics, is the study of how we speak and involves pitch, volume, rate of speech, tone, quality, tempo, resonance, rhythm, and articulation to help determine the context of the message (Jones, 2013).

7. Chronemics

Chronemics is the study of time, including how it is used. Nancy Henley (1977, p. 43), author of Body Politics: Power, Sex & Nonverbal Communication , asserts “Time is far from a neutral philosophical/physical concept in our society: it is a political weapon.”

Henley (1977, p. 47) describes the concept of “ritual waiting,” stating, “The more important the person, the longer we will ungrudgingly wait for the service or honor of attention.”

8. Attractiveness

The power of drawing attention to oneself doesn’t rely on physical appeal alone. Although facial symmetry and fashion of adornment are important (Jones, 2013), people who master good eye contact, have a lively face, offer encouragement, and use open gestures are also considered attractive (Kuhnke, 2012).

9. Olfactics

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Nonverbal communication is very important, as you could reveal unintentional information, as well as cause your communication to be misinterpreted.

Leakage: Unintentional messages

Teaching social–emotional skills to incarcerated people provided me with a powerful lesson about the nuances of nonverbal communication. On a particularly challenging day, I thought it wise to meditate and center myself prior to entering the jail. However, upon seeing me, the people inside began inquiring what was going on with me. What did they detect?

Nonverbal leakage can be shown through micro-expressions, which are “very fast facial movements lasting 1/25 to 1/5 of a second” and indicate a person’s real feelings (Ekman, 2003, p. 214).

This YouTube video is the opening scene of the series Lie to Me , based on the work of Paul Ekman regarding micro-expressions.

Varying statistics on the value of nonverbal communication may cause concern for those less practiced, but which statistics are accurate?

Crossed messages

The original research from Mehrabian and Ferris (1967) regarding nonverbal communication is widely interpreted. Elizabeth Kuhnke (2012, p. 10), author of Body Language for Dummies , interprets the study, saying, “55% of the emotional message in face-to-face communication results from body language.”

A nonverbal communication formula often cited is 7–38–55, which indicates 7% of the message comes from words, 38% vocal, and 55% facial. However, Lapakko (2007) believes this formula is reckless, faulty, and misleading. Sometimes the nonverbal elements of a message, such as gestures with directions, are incredibly important, and at other times incidental.

In addition, what something “means” in communication is connected to such variables as culture, history of the relationship, people’s intentions, personal experiences, time of day and specific words used. It would be naive to suggest all these nuances could be neatly quantified, and therefore attributing a precise formula to nonverbal communication is flawed in many ways.

So regardless of statistics and formulas, we know that nonverbal communication is essential and that people skilled at both reading and interpreting body language tend to enjoy greater success in life than those not skilled (Goleman, 1997).

Basic emotion theory

Basic emotion theory (BET) posits that emotions are a “grammar of social living” that situate us in the social and moral order of society (Keltner, Sauter, Tracy, & Cowen, 2019, p. 133). In addition, emotions structure interactions, particularly in relationships that matter. BET is integral to emotional expression.

Foundational to BET is the assumption that emotional expressions coordinate social interactions in three ways:

• Through rapid conveyance of important information to aid in decision making
• To evoke specific responses
• To serve as incentives for others’ actions

This is accomplished through reward systems such as parents smiling and caressing a child who exhibits specific behaviors (Keltner et al., 2019).

BET initially focused on six basic emotions. Literature reveals there are over 20 emotions with distinct, multimodal expressions, providing a deeper structure and highlighting the advancing nature of emotional expression (Keltner et al., 2019).

Neural resonance

Two people who like each other will mirror each other’s facial expressions, gestures, postures, vocalics, and movements. This is known as neural resonance, and it aids the accurate transfer of information from one person to another (Newberg & Waldman, 2013).

To fully understand what another is saying, “you have to listen to and observe the other person as deeply and fully as possible” (Newberg & Waldman, 2013, p. 81). Neural resonance uses mirror neurons to create cooperation, empathy, and trust.

Studying nonverbal communication is revealing and intriguing. Most experts will include aspects such as eyes, facial expressions, and hands, but digging deeper reveals less-acknowledged nonverbal nuggets.

1. The benefits of yawning

Yawning is one of the fastest and simplest ways to lower mental stress and anxiety (Waldman & Manning, 2017). Social norms dictate that we refrain from yawning in specific settings, but yawning has many benefits. Did you know that snipers are taught to yawn before pulling the trigger (Waldman & Manning, 2017)?

According to Waldman and Manning (2017), yawning stimulates alertness and concentration; optimizes brain activity and metabolism; improves cognitive functioning; increases recall, consciousness, and introspection; decreases stress and relaxes the upper body; recalibrates a sense of timing; enhances social awareness and empathy; and increases sensuality and pleasure.

2. Feet don’t lie

According to Navarro and Karlins (2008), the most honest part of our body is our feet, as demonstrated by small children who dance with happiness or stomp in frustration. Many people look to the face for truth; Navarro and Karlins take the opposite approach:

“When it comes to honesty, truthfulness decreases as we move from the feet to the head” (Navarro & Karlins, 2008, p. 56), reasoning that emotions are suppressed through fabricated facial expression.

3. Gestures that help

Gestures improve memory and comprehension skills. Gestures may convey information that can influence how listeners respond, depending on the hand being used. “We tend to express positive ideas with our dominant hand and negative ideas with the other hand” (Newberg & Waldman, 2013, p. 44).

4. The eyes have it

“Social network circuits are stimulated through face-to-face eye contact, decreasing cortisol, and increasing oxytocin. The result is increased empathy, social cooperation, and positive communication” (Newberg & Waldman, 2013, p. 135).

Eyes reveal a lot about us. When we are aroused, troubled, concerned, or nervous, our blink rate increases. Once we relax, our blink rate returns to normal (Navarro & Karlins, 2008).

5. Power posing for success

Body language affects how others see us and how we view ourselves. In this YouTube video, Amy Cuddy discusses her research on power posing and how it affects success.

Amy Cuddy’s book is also discussed in our article listing books on imposter syndrome .

6. Fingers crossed

One explanation of the origin of crossing fingers for good luck comes from early beliefs in the power of the cross. The intersection of the digits, epitomizing the cross, was thought to denote a concentration of good spirits and served to anchor a wish until it came true (Keyser, 2014).

7. Fake positivity is harmful

Positivity that doesn’t register in your body or heart can be harmful. According to Barbara Fredrickson (2009, p. 180), “fake smiles, just like sneers of anger, predict heart wall collapse.” To truly benefit from a smile, touch, or embrace, you need to slow down and make it heartfelt.

8. Stand up straight

Poor posture can reduce oxygen intake by 30%, resulting in less energy (Gordon, 2003). Stooping over can make us look and feel old and out of touch. By straightening up, we can make significant differences in how we think and feel. The effect is bi-directional; attitude influences posture, just as posture influences attitude.

Good rapport between clients and practitioners stems from mirroring and synchronicity associated with neural resonance (Finset & Piccolo, 2011; Newberg & Waldman, 2013).

Carl Rogers’s Client-Centered Therapy is based on an empathetic understanding of clients. Nonverbal communication provides valuable information for both the client and the therapist. Showing you like and accept a client may be the most important information a therapist can convey (Finset & Piccolo, 2011).

Nonverbal patterns in therapy evolve over time. Specific behaviors that further the therapeutic process include “a moderate amount of head nodding and smiling; frequent, but not staring, eye contact; active, but not extreme, facial responsiveness; and a warm, relaxed, interested vocal tone” (Finset & Piccolo, 2011, p. 122).

Conscious awareness of nonverbal cues can aid in rapport building. Leaning toward the other signals comfort, whereas leaning away or crossing your arms signals discomfort (Navarro & Karlins, 2008).

Torsos and shoulder blades seem innocuous; however, blading away (turning slightly) from another person shows discomfort, while blading toward or facing another squarely shows a level of comfort (Navarro & Karlins, 2008).

Open palms are an ancient sign of trustworthiness that help establish rapport and are considered nonthreatening (Kuhnke, 2012). Hidden hands (placed in pockets or behind backs) signal disconnection and reluctance to engage. To display respect, keep an open posture with your muscles relaxed and weight evenly distributed.

Mirroring and matching go a long way to show synchronicity. Be careful to avoid mimicry, which signals disrespect (Kuhnke, 2012). Too much of a good thing can jeopardize credibility. An extended, fixed gaze into another’s eyes or effortful smiling can seem awkward, or worse.

This short YouTube video explains the dynamics of fluctuating facial expressions, based on the work of Charles Darwin and Paul Ekman.

This Silent Connections worksheet is an exercise for groups that combines mindfulness and nonverbal communication to build connections.

Someone who lacks the ability to make eye contact during conversation can be easily misinterpreted. To overcome this nonverbal communication issue, our Strategies for Maintaining Eye Contact can be very useful.

Our blog post 49 Communication Activities, Exercises, and Games includes six nonverbal communication activities for adults and three nonverbal exercises that work for families and children.

The blog post What Is Assertive Communication? 10 Real-Life Examples includes nonverbal qualities that complement and enhance assertive statements. Hints for eye contact, facial expressions, and posture can be found throughout.

In the blog post Cultivating Social Intelligence : 3 Ways to Understand Others , we discuss characteristics of social intelligence, including body language.

If you’re looking for more science-based ways to help others communicate better, this collection contains 17 validated positive communication tools for practitioners. Use them to help others improve their communication skills and form deeper and more positive relationships.

17 Exercises To Develop Positive Communication

17 Positive Communication Exercises [PDF] to develop help others develop communication skills for successful social interactions and positive, fulfilling relationships.

Created by Experts. 100% Science-based.

Nonverbal communication is an essential communication skill. Nonverbal expertise aids in delivering clear messages and forming positive impressions. It doesn’t have to be a big gesture to make a difference. Gently stroking the hand of a grieving friend speaks volumes.

Viewing life as a series of dramatic performances, as implied by both Shakespeare and Goffman, can add a sense of intrigue and adventure to enhancing nonverbal communication. These essential skills will help us achieve goals.

Just as the highly motivated thespian will study and polish their craft, anyone wanting to succeed in their career or interpersonal relationships can study and practice the nuances of nonverbal communication.

Actors and public speakers often practice their craft in front of a mirror or videotape themselves to reflect on strengths and weaknesses.

This article includes a myriad of resources to help improve nonverbal communication skills with many additional resources available.

By starting with something as simple as posture, we exit stage right, headed toward the competency of center stage. Break a leg!

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don’t forget to download our three Positive Communication Exercises (PDF) for free .

• Beheshti, N. (2018, September 20). The power of mindful nonverbal communication. Forbes . Retrieved April 26, 2021, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/nazbeheshti/2018/09/20/beyond-language-the-power-of-mindful-nonverbal-communication/?sh=6f40b3d71501
• Ekman, P. (2003). Emotions revealed: Recognizing faces and feelings to improve communication and emotional life . Holt Paperbacks.
• Finset, A., & Piccolo, L. D. (2011). Nonverbal communication in clinical contexts. In M. Rimondini (Ed.), Communication in cognitive-behavioral therapy (pp. 107–128).  Springer Science + Business Media.
• Fredrickson, B. L. (2009). Positivity . Crown Publishing Group.
• Goffman, E. (1956). The presentation of self in everyday life . University of Edinburgh.
• Goleman, D. (1997). Emotional intelligence . Bantam Trade Paperback.
• Goman, C. K. (2018, August 26). 5 Ways body language impacts leadership results. Forbes. Retrieved May 1, 2021, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolkinseygoman/2018/08/26/5-ways-body-language-impacts-leadership-results/?sh=5c1b235c536a
• Gordon, J. (2003). Energy addict: 101 Physical, mental, & spiritual ways to energize your life . Berkley Publishing Group.
• Henley, N. M. (1977). Body politics: Power, sex and nonverbal communication . Simon & Schuster.
• Hybels, S., & Weaver, R. L. (2015). Communicating effectively . McGraw-Hill Education.
• Iacoboni, M. (2008). Mirroring people: The new science of how we connect with others . Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
• Jones, R. (2013). Communication in the real world: An introduction to communication studies . University of Minnesota Libraries.
• Keltner, D., Sauter, D., Tracy, J., & Cowen, A. (2019). Emotional expression: Advances in basic emotion theory. Journal of Nonverbal Behavior , 43 (3), 133–160.
• Keyser, H. (2014, March 21). Why do we cross our fingers for good luck? Mental Floss . Retrieved May 27, 2021, from https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/55702/why-do-we-cross-our-fingers-good-luck
• Kuhnke, E. (2012). Body language for dummies . John Wiley & Sons.
• Lapakko, D. (2007). Communication is 93% nonverbal: An urban legend proliferates. Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal , 34 (2), 7–19.
• MacLachlan, M. (2010, February 12). Cross-cultural communication styles: High and low context. Communicaid. Retrieved May 10, 2021, from https://www.communicaid.com/cross-cultural-training/blog/high-and-low-context/
• Mehrabian, A., & Ferris, S. R. (1967). Inference of attitudes from nonverbal communication in two channels.  Journal of Consulting Psychology, 31 (3), 248–252.
• Navarro, J., & Karlins, M. P. (2008). What every body is saying . Harper-Collins.
• Newberg, A. M., & Waldman, M. R. (2013). Words can change your brain . Avery.
• Ritzer, G. (2021). Essentials of sociology (4th ed.). SAGE.
• Shellenbarger, S. (2018, January 30). The mistakes you make in a meeting’s first milliseconds. Wall Street Journal . Retrieved May 22, 2021, from https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-mistakes-you-make-in-a-meetings-first-milliseconds-1517322312
• Waldman, M. R., & Manning, C. P. (2017). NeuroWisdom: The new brain science of money, happiness, and success . Diversion Books.

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• How Cultural Psychology Impacts Nonverbal Communication
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• Body Posture and Nonverbal Communication
• Integrating Verbal and Nonverbal Communication in A Dynamic Neural Field Architecture for Human-Robot Interaction
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Simple & Easy Nonverbal Communication Essay Titles

• Difference between Communication and Nonverbal Communication
• Misunderstanding and Conflicts in Nonverbal Communication
• Look and Listen: Nonverbal Communication and Active Listening
• Gender and Differences in Nonverbal Communication
• Effective Verbal and Nonverbal Communication
• Nonverbal Communication and Children
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• Nonverbal Communication Skills in Intercultural Settings
• Identity and Nonverbal Communication in the Virtual World
• The Criminal Justice System and Nonverbal Communication
• Intercultural Communication and Nonverbal Communication
• Alcohol and Nonverbal Communication: Decoding of Nonverbal Language in Alcoholism
• Identifying Deception Through Nonverbal Communication
• Appearance and Nonverbal Communication
• Nonverbal Communication with Children with Disabilities
• Men and Women Nonverbal Communication English Language
• Nonverbal Behavior and Nonverbal Communication
• Marketing: Nonverbal Communication and Reflective Thinking

Nonverbal Communication Research Questions

• How Many Types of Nonverbal Communication Are there?
• What Are the Five Major Categories of Nonverbal Communication?
• Why Is Nonverbal Communication Important with Examples?
• What Human Factors Influence Nonverbal Communication?
• Why Is Nonverbal Communication So Important?
• How Can Nonverbal Communication Be More Powerful Than Verbal Communication?
• Which of these Is the Main Element of Nonverbal Communication?
• What Is the Most Potent Form of Nonverbal Communication?
• What Are Nonverbal Communication Advantages and Disadvantages?
• What Is Actual Nonverbal Communication?
• How Much Body Language Is Nonverbal Communication?
• What Forms the Basis of Nonverbal Communication?
• Why Is Nonverbal Communication More Critical Than Verbal?
• What Are the Challenges of Nonverbal Communication?
• What Is the Most Important Nonverbal Communication?
• How Effective Is Nonverbal Communication?
• Why Are Nonverbal Communications Important?
• How Many Forms of Nonverbal Communication Are there?
• How Nonverbal Communication Influenced Our Social Environment?
• Why Is It Important to Research and Discuss Nonverbal Communication?
• What Are Nonverbal Communications?
• What Percentage Is Interpreted of Nonverbal Communication?
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What is body language?

The importance of nonverbal communication, types of nonverbal communication, how nonverbal communication can go wrong, how to improve nonverbal communication, how to read body language, nonverbal communication and body language.

Your facial expressions, gestures, posture, and tone of voice are powerful communication tools. Here’s how to read and use body language to build better relationships at home and work.

While the key to success in both personal and professional relationships lies in your ability to communicate well, it’s not the words that you use but your nonverbal cues or “body language” that speak the loudest. Body language is the use of physical behavior, expressions, and mannerisms to communicate nonverbally, often done instinctively rather than consciously.

Whether you’re aware of it or not, when you interact with others, you’re continuously giving and receiving wordless signals. All of your nonverbal behaviors—the gestures you make, your posture, your tone of voice, how much eye contact you make—send strong messages. They can put people at ease, build trust, and draw others towards you, or they can offend, confuse, and undermine what you’re trying to convey. These messages don’t stop when you stop speaking either. Even when you’re silent, you’re still communicating nonverbally.

In some instances, what comes out of your mouth and what you communicate through your body language may be two totally different things. If you say one thing, but your body language says something else, your listener will likely feel that you’re being dishonest. If you say “yes” while shaking your head no, for example. When faced with such mixed signals, the listener has to choose whether to believe your verbal or nonverbal message. Since body language is a natural, unconscious language that broadcasts your true feelings and intentions, they’ll likely choose the nonverbal message.

[Read: Effective Communication]

However, by improving how you understand and use nonverbal communication, you can express what you really mean, connect better with others, and build stronger, more rewarding relationships.

Your nonverbal communication cues—the way you listen, look, move, and react—tell the person you’re communicating with whether or not you care, if you’re being truthful, and how well you’re listening. When your nonverbal signals match up with the words you’re saying, they increase trust, clarity, and rapport. When they don’t, they can generate tension, mistrust, and confusion.

If you want to become a better communicator, it’s important to become more sensitive not only to the body language and nonverbal cues of others, but also to your own.

Nonverbal communication can play five roles:

• Repetition: It repeats and often strengthens the message you’re making verbally.
• Contradiction: It can contradict the message you’re trying to convey, thus indicating to your listener that you may not be telling the truth.
• Substitution: It can substitute for a verbal message. For example, your facial expression often conveys a far more vivid message than words ever can.
• Complementing: It may add to or complement your verbal message. As a boss, if you pat an employee on the back in addition to giving praise, it can increase the impact of your message.
• Accenting: It may accent or underline a verbal message. Pounding the table, for example, can underline the importance of your message.

Source:  The Importance of Effective Communication , Edward G. Wertheim, Ph.D.

The many different types of nonverbal communication or body language include:

Facial expressions. The human face is extremely expressive, able to convey countless emotions without saying a word. And unlike some forms of nonverbal communication, facial expressions are universal. The facial expressions for happiness, sadness, anger, surprise, fear, and disgust are the same across cultures.

Body movement and posture. Consider how your perceptions of people are affected by the way they sit, walk, stand, or hold their head. The way you move and carry yourself communicates a wealth of information to the world. This type of nonverbal communication includes your posture, bearing, stance, and the subtle movements you make.

Gestures. Gestures are woven into the fabric of our daily lives. You may wave, point, beckon, or use your hands when arguing or speaking animatedly, often expressing yourself with gestures without thinking. However, the meaning of some gestures can be very different across cultures. While the “OK” sign made with the hand, for example, usually conveys a positive message in English-speaking countries, it’s considered offensive in countries such as Germany, Russia, and Brazil. So, it’s important to be careful of how you use gestures to avoid misinterpretation.

Eye contact. Since the visual sense is dominant for most people, eye contact is an especially important type of nonverbal communication. The way you look at someone can communicate many things, including interest, affection, hostility, or attraction. Eye contact is also important in maintaining the flow of conversation and for gauging the other person’s interest and response.

Touch. We communicate a great deal through touch. Think about the very different messages given by a weak handshake, a warm bear hug, a patronizing pat on the head, or a controlling grip on the arm, for example.

Space. Have you ever felt uncomfortable during a conversation because the other person was standing too close and invading your space? We all have a need for physical space, although that need differs depending on the culture, the situation, and the closeness of the relationship. You can use physical space to communicate many different nonverbal messages, including signals of intimacy and affection, aggression or dominance.

Voice. It’s not just what you say, it’s how you say it. When you speak, other people “read” your voice in addition to listening to your words. Things they pay attention to include your timing and pace, how loud you speak, your tone and inflection, and sounds that convey understanding, such as “ahh” and “uh-huh.” Think about how your tone of voice can indicate sarcasm, anger, affection, or confidence.

Can nonverbal communication be faked?

There are many books and websites that offer advice on how to use body language to your advantage. For example, they may instruct you on how to sit a certain way, steeple your fingers, or shake hands in order to appear confident or assert dominance. But the truth is that such tricks aren’t likely to work (unless you truly feel confident and in charge). That’s because you can’t control all of the signals you’re constantly sending about what you’re really thinking and feeling. And the harder you try, the more unnatural your signals are likely to come across.

However, that doesn’t mean that you have no control over your nonverbal cues. For example, if you disagree with or dislike what someone’s saying, you may use negative body language to rebuff the person’s message, such as crossing your arms, avoiding eye contact, or tapping your feet. You don’t have to agree, or even like what’s being said, but to communicate effectively and not put the other person on the defensive, you can make a conscious effort to avoid sending negative signals—by maintaining an open stance and truly attempting to understand what they’re saying, and why.

What you communicate through your body language and nonverbal signals affects how others see you, how well they like and respect you, and whether or not they trust you. Unfortunately, many people send confusing or negative nonverbal signals without even knowing it. When this happens, both connection and trust in relationships are damaged, as the following examples highlight:

• Jack believes he gets along great with his colleagues at work, but if you were to ask any of them, they would say that Jack is “intimidating” and “very intense.” Rather than just look at you, he seems to devour you with his eyes. And if he takes your hand, he lunges to get it and then squeezes so hard it hurts. Jack is a caring guy who secretly wishes he had more friends, but his nonverbal awkwardness keeps people at a distance and limits his ability to advance at work.
• Arlene is attractive and has no problem meeting eligible men, but she has a difficult time maintaining a relationship for longer than a few months. Arlene is funny and interesting, but even though she constantly laughs and smiles, she radiates tension. Her shoulders and eyebrows are noticeably raised, her voice is shrill, and her body is stiff. Being around Arlene makes many people feel anxious and uncomfortable. Arlene has a lot going for her that is undercut by the discomfort she evokes in others.
• Ted thought he had found the perfect match when he met Sharon, but Sharon wasn’t so sure. Ted is good looking, hardworking, and a smooth talker, but seemed to care more about his thoughts than Sharon’s. When Sharon had something to say, Ted was always ready with wild eyes and a rebuttal before she could finish her thought. This made Sharon feel ignored, and soon she started dating other men. Ted loses out at work for the same reason. His inability to listen to others makes him unpopular with many of the people he most admires.

These smart, well-intentioned people struggle in their attempt to connect with others. The sad thing is that they are unaware of the nonverbal messages they communicate.

[Read: Tips for Building a Healthy Relationship]

If you want to communicate effectively, avoid misunderstandings, and enjoy solid, trusting relationships both socially and professionally, it’s important to understand how to use and interpret body language and improve your nonverbal communication skills.

Find your space for healing and growth

Regain is an online couples counseling service. Whether you’re facing problems with communication, intimacy, or trust, Regain’s licensed, accredited therapists can help you improve your relationship.

Nonverbal communication is a rapidly flowing back-and-forth process that requires your full focus on the moment-to-moment experience. If you’re planning what you’re going to say next, checking your phone, or thinking about something else, you’re almost certain to miss nonverbal cues and not fully understand the subtleties of what’s being communicated. As well as being fully present, you can improve how you communicate nonverbally by learning to manage stress and developing your emotional awareness.

Learn to manage stress in the moment

Stress compromises your ability to communicate. When you’re stressed out, you’re more likely to misread other people, send confusing or off-putting nonverbal signals, and lapse into unhealthy knee-jerk patterns of behavior. And remember: emotions are contagious. If you are upset, it is very likely to make others upset, thus making a bad situation worse.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by stress, take a time out. Take a moment to calm down before you jump back into the conversation. Once you’ve regained your emotional equilibrium, you’ll feel better equipped to deal with the situation in a positive way.

The fastest and surest way to calm yourself and manage stress in the moment is to employ your senses—what you see, hear, smell, taste, and touch—or through a soothing movement. By viewing a photo of your child or pet, smelling a favorite scent, listening to a certain piece of music, or squeezing a stress ball, for example, you can quickly relax and refocus. Since everyone responds differently, you may need to experiment to find the sensory experience that works best for you.

Develop your emotional awareness

In order to send accurate nonverbal cues, you need to be aware of your emotions and how they influence you. You also need to be able to recognize the emotions of others and the true feelings behind the cues they are sending. This is where emotional awareness comes in.

[Read: Improving Emotional Intelligence (EQ)]

Being emotionally aware enables you to:

• Accurately read other people, including the emotions they’re feeling and the unspoken messages they’re sending.
• Create trust in relationships by sending nonverbal signals that match up with your words.
• Respond in ways that show others that you understand and care.

Many of us are disconnected from our emotions—especially strong emotions such as anger, sadness, fear—because we’ve been taught to try to shut off our feelings. But while you can deny or numb your feelings, you can’t eliminate them. They’re still there and they’re still affecting your behavior. By developing your emotional awareness and connecting with even the unpleasant emotions, though, you’ll gain greater control over how you think and act. To start developing your emotional awareness, practice the mindfulness meditation in HelpGuide’s free Emotional Intelligence Toolkit .

Once you’ve developed your abilities to manage stress and recognize emotions, you’ll start to become better at reading the nonverbal signals sent by others. It’s also important to:

Pay attention to inconsistencies. Nonverbal communication should reinforce what is being said. Is the person saying one thing, but their body language conveying something else? For example, are they telling you “yes” while shaking their head no?

Look at nonverbal communication signals as a group. Don’t read too much into a single gesture or nonverbal cue. Consider all of the nonverbal signals you are receiving, from eye contact to tone of voice and body language. Taken together, are their nonverbal cues consistent—or inconsistent—with what their words are saying?

Trust your instincts. Don’t dismiss your gut feelings. If you get the sense that someone isn’t being honest or that something isn’t adding up, you may be picking up on a mismatch between verbal and nonverbal cues.

Evaluating nonverbal signals

Eye contact – Is the person making eye contact? If so, is it overly intense or just right?

Facial expression – What is their face showing? Is it masklike and unexpressive, or emotionally present and filled with interest?

Tone of voice – Does the person’s voice project warmth, confidence, and interest, or is it strained and blocked?

Posture and gesture – Is their body relaxed or stiff and immobile? Are their shoulders tense and raised, or relaxed?

Touch – Is there any physical contact? Is it appropriate to the situation? Does it make you feel uncomfortable?

Intensity – Does the person seem flat, cool, and disinterested, or over-the-top and melodramatic?

Timing and place – Is there an easy flow of information back and forth? Do nonverbal responses come too quickly or too slowly?

Sounds – Do you hear sounds that indicate interest, caring or concern from the person?

More Information

• About Nonverbal Communications - Different categories of nonverbal communication, along with a detailed list of signals. (Adam Blatner, M.D.)
• Body Language: Understanding Nonverbal Communication - Particularly as it applies to the workplace. (MindTools)
• Take Control of Your Nonverbal Communication (video) - How to notice and use body language. (Harvard Business Review)
• The Importance of Nonverbal Communication (PDF) - Piece by Edward G. Wertheim, Ph.D. about the communication process. (Northeastern University)

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Sample Essays On Nonverbal Communication

Type of paper: Essay

Topic: Communication , Culture , Behavior , Body Language , Body , Emotions , Study , Nonverbal Communication

Words: 1000

Published: 03/10/2020

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All communication devices are divided into two large groups: verbal and nonverbal. It may seem that nonverbal means are not as important as verbal. In fact, it is not true. Although verbal communication is of central importance for the majority, it is incomplete without nonverbal devices. Even after developing language, people consciously or unconsciously use body movements. Eye contact, facial expressions, head movements, positioning of feet and legs, torso shifts, postures, tone of voice and even space between people during conversation are elements of body language. Professionals in the field of communication studies define these body movements as the forms of the nonverbal communication, which can convey a person’s true emotional and cognitive condition. There are many sciences that study the major types of nonverbal behavior. Kinesics studies facial expressions, eye contact, body postures and movements. Oculesics more specifically analyzes eye contact or its avoidance. Haptics studies touching behavior. Proxemics deals with personal space usage. Chronemics refers to the study of how people use time to communicate. Olfactics is the study of sense of smell. Paralinguistics investigates non-verbal vocal clues, such as loudness, pitch, tone of voice (Esposito, Bratanic, Keller & Marinaro 86). The term “nonverbal communication” was firstly used by G.H. Hewes in 1952 when he wrote his World Distribution of Certain Postural Habits (Calero 2). Nonverbal communication allows obtaining more accurate and complete picture of people’s hidden meanings than verbal communication. Ability to decipher nonverbal behavior accurately can help in any negotiation or other situation involving people. The key to reading nonverbal elements is the ability to feel speakers’ emotional condition while listening to the speech and taking into account the circumstances of the conversation. Alan Pease has introduced the investigation of body language in the late 70th of the last century. He is a recognized expert in the psychology of human communication. Pease claimed that the prominent feature of the nonverbal communication is its dependence on the subconscious impulses. The inability to forge these impulses does not allow people to hide true intentions. According to Pease, only 10 % of the message is expressed through the words, 40 % is transferred through tone of voice, and 50% accounts for gestures and postures (Pease & Pease 4). Nonverbal behavior of people is inextricably linked to their mental condition and serves as a means of expression. Therefore, the inner world of the individual can be revealed on the basis of nonverbal behavior. People pretty quickly adapt their verbal behavior to changing circumstances, but they cannot so easily control their nonverbal behavior. Nonverbal communication includes such forms of expression that do not rely on words and other verbal symbols. Words can convey only factual knowledge, but words alone are not enough to express feelings. Since nonverbal communication usually manifests itself unconsciously and spontaneously, hidden feelings can "leak" through facial expressions, gestures, intonation, and tone of voice. Each of these non-verbal elements of communication can help to verify the truthfulness of the spoken words or put them into question. Body language conveys more truthful message than the language of words. However, most signals of body language are ambiguous. Precise decoding is possible only with the consideration of the following factors: environment, mood, stimuli. For example, crossed arms on chest are perceived as an unconscious attempt to block out possible threat. However, some people may habitually cross their arms. The success of any communication and business negotiations in particular depends on the ability to establish trustful relations with a partner. It depends not so much on what people say, but on how they hold themselves. Spitzberg and Barge claimed “How people hold themselves, stand, sit, and walk communicates strong nonverbal messages. Whether you intend to send a message or not, every move you make potentially communicates something about you to others (Tussy & Gustafson 255).” Business people are inclined to trust the information transmitted nonverbally. They can catch hidden meaning focusing on intonation, facial expressions, gestures, body postures. If the meaning of the verbal message is contrary to the meaning of nonverbal message, it is more obliviously that the interlocutor lies. Communication studies show the impact of culture on nonverbal behavior and reveal the similarities and differences in nonverbal communication across cultures. Various cultures may use the same gestures, movements and facial expressions. However, these gestures can have completely different meanings. Understanding the American’s behavior may not help to decode the hidden meaning behind the Frenchman’s gestures. For example, a sign “OK” formed with thumb and forefinger means that all is well in the United States. The same gesture means zero or worthless thing in France. Forms of emotional expression are also different. For example, in some Eastern cultures, people learn to restrain emotions, and representatives of other cultures, on the contrary, try to be more expressive during conversation. Representatives of the Western cultures consider direct eye contact as a live interest in partner and conversation. Chinese, Indonesians and Mexicans try to avoid long eye contact since it is a sign of bad manners for them (Samovar, Porter & McDaniel 40). Nonverbal communication more accurately reveals the position of the interlocutor because it expresses hidden feelings. As a result, it proves the sincerity of spoken words or shows that the interlocutor is trying to withhold certain information. Moreover, nonverbal communication enables a person to transmit information when other methods are impossible. The only problem that may occur while decoding the nonverbal signs is a confusion caused by cultural peculiarities of different nationalities.

Works Cited

Calero, H. Power of nonverbal communication: what you do is more important than what you say (1st ed.). California: Silver Lake Publishing, 2005. Esposito, A., Bratanic, M., Keller, E. & Marinaro, M. Fundementals of verbal and nonverbal communication and the biometric issue. Netherlands: IOS Press, 2007. Pease, A. & Pease, B. The definitive book of body language. Australia: Pease International, 2004. Samovar, L., Porter, R. & McDaniel, E. Communication between cultures (7th ed.). Massachusetts: Cengage Learning, 2010.

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Comparison of Verbal and Nonverbal Communication

Communication is an instrumental tool which facilitates effective interaction among individuals. Although it is vital in improving interpersonal relationships, most people take it for granted and fail to enhance their communication skills. It can be either verbal or nonverbal, and the type used to exchange information or ideas is influenced by various factors, including the parties involved as well as the environment. Verbal communication involves the conveyance of a message using oral or written words. Conversely, nonverbal communication uses body language to send a particular message. While verbal and nonverbal communications involve transferring and receiving information and are not connected to the brain, they are significantly different in such features as structure, miscommunication, continuousness, and distance and time.

Verbal communication develops differently in various cultures and is structured while nonverbal communication is not. Verbal communication is regulated by grammar rules to ensure that the conveyed message is clear (Wahyuni 80). This aspect of specific pattern of communication is vital since it guarantees a similar understanding of a particular message among the individuals using the same language. Conversely, nonverbal communication lacks a definite array of conveying a message. It has no guiding rules, and one can interpret the sent information according to their wish. Nevertheless, nonverbal communication has an instrumental role in supporting verbal communication to enhance meaning of sent information.

The chances of miscommunication in verbal communications are significantly lower than in nonverbal communication. Notably, every word used in verbal communication has a specific meaning, minimizing the possibility of being misinterpreted. The intended message significance is preserved even when words are translated into other languages. Conversely, there are numerous facial expressions which people can make using muscles in their faces. The lexes depend on how someone responds to a particular stimulus. Additionally, there are types of nonverbal communications whose meaning varies from one culture to another (Wahyuni 82). For instance, avoiding direct eye contact when speaking to an older person is a sign of respect in some cultures, but it can be interpreted as a person being shy. Therefore, the likelihoods of misinterpreting nonverbal communication are high, mainly when cultural background differs.

The chances of miscommunication depending on situations and places are also lower in verbal communication than in nonverbal communication. Whereas one receives immediate feedback when using verbal communication, it is impossible in nonverbal communication because it takes some time to show the emotions (Wahyuni 82). Indeed, an individual has to process the meaning of a message conveyed verbally before responding nonverbally. The tone of verbal communication minimizes the possibility of miscommunication in different situations, even when someone is playacting. However, miscommunication can be inevitable in various places, such as Asia and the United States because of varying cultures. Nevertheless, misunderstanding of nonverbal communication does not occur in all situations. Thus, verbal communication is easily influenced by social as well as cultural factors.

Distance is insignificant in verbal communication, and it takes a short period of time to convey a message, contrary to nonverbal communication. People use different means of sending information such as phone calls, letters, and chats to transmit messages. The distance does not matter even though one has to choose the medium wisely to guarantee effective communication. However, long-distance inhibits nonverbal communication, requiring individuals’ face-to-face interaction to show and receive a particular message. Additionally, it is time consuming compared to verbal communication. One can take time to receive and interpret nonverbal messages before giving appropriate feedback. Therefore, verbal communication is faster, efficient, and convenient regardless of location of involved parties.

Contrary to nonverbal communication, verbal communication has limited continuousness because it is easier for someone to interrupt. It has a starting point when one initiates communication and stops when it is terminated or interrupted. Different factors such as sound and visible movements can interrupt verbal communication. On the other hand, nonverbal communication continues without inference once it is initiated. Nonverbal cues are evident even when individuals have stopped talking. For instance, people smile or laugh after they comment on something good. Therefore, nonverbal communication can endure external elements that interfere with transmission of information.

Despite the differences between nonverbal and verbal communication, their role and usage consistency are similar. Both forms of communication involve sending and receiving messages, regardless of the medium used to transmit information. In most cases, individuals use verbal and nonverbal communication in parallel to guarantee the useful meaning of the anticipated outcomes (Bhat and Kingsley 39). Nonverbal communication has various functions such as reinforcement, regulation, accentuation, and substitution. Moreover, both verbal and nonverbal communication are not inherent because they are learned. People learn how to pronounce words, write well-structured sentences, and use their faces and other parts of the body to convey a meaningful message. Further, they have no direct connection to the brain of individuals. Undeniably, the brain only receives, processes and interprets messages, and generates appropriate feedback. Thus, verbal and nonverbal communications complement each other to enhance the meaning of conveyed messages.

In conclusion, verbal and nonverbal communication differ in structure, miscommunication, continuousness, and distance and time. Verbal communication is regulated by grammar rules, has minimum miscommunication possibilities, is not inhibited by distance, takes a short time, and is quickly interrupted, contrary to nonverbal communication. However, common features associated with verbal and nonverbal communication are that they are not inherent or directly connected to individual’s brain and involve transferring and receiving of information. Additionally, they are used in parallel in most cases, with nonverbal playing the role of reinforcement or accentuation of particular message.

Works Cited

Bhat, B. Vishnu, and Manoj Kumar Kingsley. “Effective Non-Verbal Communication.” Effective Medical Communication , edited by Subhash Chandra Parija and Balachandra V. Adkoli, Springer, 2020, pp. 39–47.

Wahyuni, Akhtim. “The Power of Verbal and Nonverbal Communication in Learning”. Proceedings of the 1St International Conference on Intellectuals’ Global Responsibility (ICIGR 2017) , vol. 125, 2018, pp. 80-83. Web.

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110 Communication Essay Topics for You

Communication is the act of exchanging information with other people. It can be verbal, written, or non-verbal. It can also be direct or indirect, intentional or unintentional. In intentional communication, we’re aware that we’re trying to communicate something to another person when we send them a message, email, or text message. 

In unintentional communication, we don’t know that what we say or do is sending a message to someone else.

It is important to note that all forms of communication can result in some degree of misunderstanding between two people. For example, if one person says, “Your shoes look great today,” but the other person hears, “Your shoes look great today ,” (meaning they didn’t look so great on other days), then there has been some kind of misunderstanding between them. And this can result in hurt feelings for both parties involved.

Since communication is a sensitive field, you may need some help selecting good communication topics.  

Why Do You Need Help Choosing Communication Topics?

There are a lot of reasons why you should get help when selecting topics on communication.

• Firstly, communication is a very important and sensitive topic. So, usually, you’ll need an expert who can guide you through the process of choosing the right topic for your needs. This person can be a friend or family member, but ideally, it should be someone who has experience with the topic you’re interested in learning more about.
• Secondly, it’s important to have someone who can answer any questions that might come up when you want to select a topic. Since communication is a broad topic, you might not know what topic to choose, where to start learning about a topic, or what resources are available for further reading and researching. A professional can provide these answers for you!
• Finally, there’s no way around it: communication skills improve over time. An expert can help you hone your skills by providing feedback as you work through the topic selection process. So, whether you need communications research topics or topics for essays, we’ve got you covered.  

How to Choose a Topic in Communication?

Choosing a topic for your communication essay or paper is one of the most important things you need to do. The topic will set the tone for your entire piece and reflect the needs and interests of your audience.

You’ll want to choose something relevant but also something they’ll want to hear about. If you’re writing a blog post, for example, you might want to write about how people should always watch out for non-verbal communication cues. But if they don’t want to hear that advice, they may not read your article!

It’s also important to pick something that will be interesting and informative for both you and your audience. If you choose something too boring or trivial, then no one will care. On the other hand, if you choose something too complicated or technical for anyone except a few experts in the field, then it will probably turn off everyone else who reads it.

Some Communication Topics You Can Choose From

Life is greatly dependent on communication. It is the method by which we communicate with others, exchange knowledge, and exert influence on one another. If you’re seeking a communication topic for your essay, here are 10 communication topics you can choose from:

• What is communication and how has it evolved over the last century?
• How does culture influence human behaviors?
• When does communication end in a discussion?
• Communication involves effective listening and good feedback.
• How fast should communication feedback be?
• How can you improve your communication skills?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of each type of communication?
• How can you get better at communicating with different people?
• What is the purpose of communication?
• How can you improve your listening skills?

Interpersonal Communication Topics

When it comes down to interpersonal communication, keep in mind that it is a very broad, emotional, and heart-filled field. So when selecting an interpersonal communication topic, make sure it reflects that. To help you, we have compiled 10 interpersonal topics on communication below.

• Discuss the importance of interpersonal communication skills in our day-to-day life.
• Types of interpersonal communication
• The language of interpersonal communication
• Rules of interpersonal communication
• How to communicate with people who have accents or other communication difficulties.
• Is listening truly a part of communication?
• How to give feedback when someone hasn’t done something correctly.
• How to handle sensitive situations like conflict and confrontation.
• What makes a great conversation between people or groups?
• Can you communicate with yourself?

Business Communication Topics

When trying to select a business communication topic, you should keep in mind that business communication involves you making effective use of words to persuade your audience of your ideas or opinions.

Usually, you’ll need to use persuasion techniques such as logic, emotion, or appealing to authorities. Here are 10 business communication topics for research, essays, blogs, etc.:

• Is business communication primarily interpersonal or transactional?
• How to use non-verbal communication in business communication
• Business communication beats talent and ideas.
• Business communication involves audience perception
• How to be more effective in your communication with your team members
• The best way to get the most out of a meeting or conference call
• The biggest communication mistakes people make when doing business
• How to deal with difficult people at work and in life
• How to write an email that communicates your thoughts effectively
• Does workplace etiquette include business communication?

Intercultural Communication Topic

Our globe is more interconnected than ever, and culture is one of the things that makes humanity unique and beautiful. Your intercultural communications research topics should reflect this as much as possible. This is why we have compiled a list of 10 intercultural communication topics that you can select from below:

• What is intercultural communication?
• Who are the people involved in intercultural communication?
• How do different cultures communicate?
• What are the main elements of intercultural communication?
• How do we study intercultural communication and why is it important?
• Why should you care about intercultural communication?
• What skills do you need to be good at intercultural communication?
• Is there a better way to learn about other cultures than by being exposed to them yourself?
• How can you be more aware of your biases when interacting with people from different cultures?
• How has technology changed intercultural communication?

Mass Communications Research Topics

Mass communication has evolved over the years. People all over the world can now receive information at their convenience. Do you need some mass communication research topics for your essay? Here are 10 top topics you can choose from:

• A brief history and evolution of mass communications
• How has technology impacted mass communication?
• Mass communication theories and models
• How do people respond to advertising?
• The importance of mass communication research
• A discussion on the popular mass communication methods today
• How can you communicate effectively with millions of people at a time?
• Should public speakers care about mass communication degrees or training?  
• Future directions for mass communications research
• Is non-verbal communication important in mass communication?

Communication Phenomenon Topics

It can be challenging to find a topic that is related to something factual while trying to choose a phenomenon communication research topic for your essay. For your convenience, we have listed ten phenomenon-related subjects below:

• How does the brain work when we communicate?
• Communication styles of people with different personalities
• The importance of speaking up when there’s something you need or want
• How to resolve conflict in your relationships with others
• Understanding personality types
• How to start a conversation with someone you’ve just met
• How to ask for help from others
• Why it’s important to give compliments
• How to make people feel better about themselves
• How to recognize your communication style and work on it if necessary

Communication Thesis Topics Examples

Usually, you would need to conduct extensive research to come up with a worthwhile thesis topic. Here are 10 communication research topics to guide you in your selection of thesis topics.

• Communication and its impact on society
• How people communicate with each other in social settings
• How people communicate with each other during meetings or conferences
• How do groups of people use language to communicate?
• What are the best methods to communicate with the public?
• How do you communicate with colleagues in an academic environment?
• The effect of communication on the development of a country.
• The best communication methods in business.
• The best communication methods in schools.
• How do you communicate with other scientists? What are some of the barriers?

Business Communication Topics for Presentation

It is common knowledge that choosing topics for presentations usually requires a lot of time and effort because you need to make sure the audience will find your work engaging and the points make sense. Here are 10 corporate communication topics below to help you avoid making a mistake.

• The best business communication skills to have.
• How to write a business communication plan
• The different types of business communication
• How communication affects corporate decision-making
• How effective marketing is impacted by communication
• How to utilize effective communication to persuade consumers to purchase goods
• Why does your business’s ability to grow and thrive depend on effective communication
• The diverse functions played by communication theories in the business world
• How efficiently do marketing and corporate communication work together?
• Overcoming business obstacles with dialogue

Organizational Communication Research Topics

Organizational communication research is a subfield of organizational behavior that studies human-to-human interactions within organizations and how they affect the success of an organization. Are you looking for some organizational communication topics? Here are the top ten!

• How do employees feel about their employer’s communication?
• How satisfied are employees with their workplace freedom for interpersonal communication?
• How much impact do organizational culture and communication have on the organization’s success?
• How does the structure of a company affect how it communicates with its employees?
• How do you know if your communication efforts are effective for your company?
• What is the best way to use email as an organizational tool?
• What are the most effective ways to communicate with customers?
• What are the most effective ways to communicate with employees?
• Leadership and organizational communication
• How much impact does organizational communication have on the organization’s success?

Virtual Communication Topics

Virtual communication is one of the most common forms of communication today. People across continents can communicate without barriers through virtual communication. Are you looking for virtual communication topics? We’ve compiled a list of 10 virtual communication topics for you!

• How to make virtual communication more effective
• The importance of building relationships with virtual communication before you start discussing business
• How to avoid misinterpretation in virtual communication
• How do you feel about working with people who don’t have an office?
• What’s the best part about working and communicating from home?
• What are the tips for managing distractions while working remotely?
• What’s your take on virtual meetings?
• Which is most preferable between face-to-face and virtual communication?
• How to make sure everything is recorded correctly when using video chat software.
• How to deal with trolls in the virtual world

Nonverbal Communication Research Topics

Nonverbal communication is any form of communication that does not involve speech (i.e., body language). Nonverbal communication includes things like nodding or shaking the head, smiling or frowning, and touching someone on the shoulder while talking to them right in front of their face.

If you’re looking for communication topics for research on non-verbal, take a look at the best 10 non-verbal topics below.

• The effect of nonverbal cues on the perception of dominance
• The role of nonverbal communication in the formation of trust
• The effect of context on the organization and interpretation of nonverbal cues
• The interplay between nonverbal communication and facial expressions
• The impact of nonverbal communication on relationships
• How social class affects nonverbal communication
• The effect of culture on nonverbal communication
• How does gender impact our perception of facial expressions and body language?
• How our surroundings can influence our behavior
• Nonverbal as a tool for self-expression

Oral Communication Speech Topics

The term “oral communication” refers to verbal communication that involves using the mouth to convey thoughts or ideas. Sometimes, finding an oral speech topic might be challenging. That’s why we have put up a list of 10 oral speech communications topics for you:  

• The history of oral communication
• Oral communication as a way to learn a foreign language
• Oral communication in education
• Oral communication in business and the workplace
• Oral communication in sports and entertainment
• How to give a persuasive speech
• How to give an informative speech
• How can you improve your interpersonal communication skills
• The importance of a good speaking voice
• Oral Communication in a Parent-Child Relationship

Communication Speech Topics

Are you searching for topics about speech and communication? Here is a list of the top 10 communication speech essay topics you can choose from.

• The importance of communication in the workplace
• The power of good communication skills
• How to make a good first impression with your boss or client
• How to express gratitude for a job well done or a favor returned
• The value of making others feel comfortable about speaking up
• How to interact with people from different cultures, backgrounds, and ethnicities
• The importance of communication skills
• How to give a presentation
• How to deal with difficult people and situations at work or school
• How to speak in front of a group of people

Cultural Communication Essay Topics

Cultural communication refers to understanding how people from different cultures communicate with each other through verbal and non-verbal means. Do you need to write an essay about cultural communication? Below are 10 fascinating cultural communication topics:  

• Communication is a two-way street, not a one-way street. Discuss.
• The importance of cultural communication
• What is cultural communication in the modern world?
• Cultural communication and intercultural dialogue
• Does cultural communication affect our understanding of the world?
• How to communicate with people from other cultures.
• Cultural differences in communication styles
• How does cultural communication affect business?
• Is the importance of cultural communication slowly fading?
• What is the most common mistake people make when trying to communicate with someone from another culture?

Communication is a crucial aspect of life. It’s the key to everything, whether we’re trying to sell a product, tell someone we’re sorry, or just say “hi.”

Communication research paper topics can be challenging to find. With these 110 communication topics, you can choose a topic faster! And if you need help with your paper or essay, you can always turn to trusted writing companies to help you!

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Nonverbal Communication Essay

Nonverbal communication is the act of delivering communication without the use of words. Nonverbal communications are essential in the workplace. During communication at a workplace, nonverbal communication accounts for 93% of the communication, while the remaining 7% is verbal communication (Mehrabian, 1981). During negotiations in a workplace, 60% to 80% of the communication is nonverbal (Pease, 2017). This type of communication highlights the importance of correct utilization and understanding of nonverbal skills in the workplace for better communication and the subsequent success of the organization.

There are many situations through which nonverbal communication applies in a workplace. These include facial expressions, touching examples during handshakes, paralinguistics examples changes of tone and communication speed, use of space while elaborating, use of time example while pausing for effect, general appearance during communication, and use of gestures and standing poses, for instance, hands-on-hips.

During my time in the workplace, facial expressions, gestures and postures, and appearance and dressing were among some of the nonverbal communication strategies I experienced.

Facial expressions in nonverbal communication

The manager used facial expressions in the meeting while communicating with the employees. The manager spoke directly, going directly into the agendas of the meeting. He showed good planning by the way he navigated the objectives of the meeting. He had a calm attitude and maintained good eye contact with the employees.

He used facial expressions such as smiling, eye contact, raising of one or both eyebrows, the movement of cheek muscles, frowning, lowering of eyebrows, making puzzled faces, movement of the eyes, moving the nose muscles, changing the breathing pattern, for example deep exhale to express his mood on particular topics of discussion.

At one instance, he made a disappointed look by creating a deep exhale and making a long stare on an employee who appeared to be distracted from the events of the meeting. The employee quickly realized the look and sat upright and maintained eye contact with the manager. The manager was once again contented and resumed on the topics of discussion, usually changing his mood. From this, we can see the importance of nonverbal cues in communication.

Functions of facial expressions in communication

Facial expressions as nonverbal communication cues are essential tools in expressing emotions and attitudes to other people. They are considered to be the primary form of communication between humans and other animal species. People can use these expressions to express joy, anger, fear, surprise, fear, and disgust (Argyle,1988). Facial expressions are vital since they help in the communication of thoughts, ideas and emotions. In addition, they are useful indicators of trust. People who fail to maintain proper eye contact are perceived to be untrustworthy.

Use of gestures and postures in nonverbal communication

Gestures are movements made by a person during speech using one or multiple parts of the body. Gestures and body postures are huge indicators of the mood and interest of a person during communication (Harappa diaries, 2021). Gestures and body poses were used a lot by the manager during the meeting while addressing the employees.

Some of the gestures and poses used by the manager include hand gestures, for example, thumbs up to signal satisfaction. He also raised his hands to insist on specific points during communication, raising alertness levels of the employees listening. He also rubbed his hands to signal positive expectations from the employees. He maintained a straight poise when standing, which signaled his dominance and preparedness, thereby better communicating with the employees and promoting efficient information delivery.

Functions of gestures and postures in non-verbal communication

Appropriate gestures and body postures are helpful in opinion emphasis. They help capture the audience’s attention and help keep them involved in the discussion. They are also good indicators of audience alertness and the message’s reception (Harappa diaries, 2021). By studying audience postures and gestures, one can tell whether they are positively or negatively taking the communication. It is therefore vital to maintain good postures and gestures during communication.

Appearance and dressing in nonverbal communication

Appearance and dressing are important nonverbal cues one should always maintain in communication. However, the dressing should always match the occasion. In the meeting with the employees, the manager kept an excellent appearance and dressing. He wore a well-fitting black suit and white shirt with a nice tie. The meeting was formal, and the manager maintained a formal appearance, which promoted better communication since employees were less distracted by his appearance.

Functions of appearance and dressing in nonverbal communication

Appearance plays a significant role in a person’s image. It can change the way people respond to your communication how they judge and understand you (Bartleby Research, 2021). However, the dressing code is dependent on the occasion. Good choice of dressing is vital in an event for good communication to occur. Appearance is significant since it helps the audience become more alert, thereby perceiving the message better. Appearance is also important since it can determine whether people respect you in your leadership role. Therefore, it is always good to maintain a good impression and dress to promote good communication.

How unconventional language and word choice hinder nonverbal communication situations

In some instances, the manager’s word choice was poor, leading to misunderstanding the intended meaning. The poor word choice led to confusion and mood change when for example, the intended meaning was positive, and yet, due to poor word choice, the employees interpreted it negatively. There were other instances the manager strayed away from the topic of discussion and discussed different matters outside his talking points, which led to distraction and boredom by the employees, who responded by showing inattentiveness, poor sitting postures, and even signs of drowsiness. Therefore, this brings out the effects of poor communication on poor listening habits, making communication efficiency poor.

Listening techniques used by the manager in the nonverbal communication situations

The manager used good listening techniques when employees asked questions or made suggestions on particular discussion topics. He paid close attention to the person speaking by maintaining eye contact and observing the nonverbal cues closely. He also used nonverbal cues such as nodding, smiling, and encouraging the speaker with verbal comments such as showing that he was listening. He also asked for clarification whenever he didn’t understand and ensured the employee finished speaking before asking for clarification. He was also appropriately responsive and respectfully gave his opinions on matters, thereby promoting good communication between the manager and employees.

Argyle, M. (1988), Bodily Communication, 2nd Edition, Methuen, New York.

Bartleby Research. (2021).  Importance of appearance in nonverbal communication . Homework Help and Textbook Solutions | Bartleby. https://www.bartleby.com/essay/Importance-Of-Appearance-In-Nonverbal-Communication-FCYYE46LZQR

Harappa diaries. (2021, August 13).  Role of gestures in communication . Harappa. https://harappa.education/harappa-diaries/gestures-and-body-language-in-communication/

Khanna, P. (2020). Techniques and Strategies to Develop Active Listening Skills: The Armour for Effective Communication across Business Organizations.  The Achievers Journal: Mehrabian, A. (1981), Silent Messages: Implicit Communication of Emotions and Attitudes, 2 nd Edition, Belmont, Wadsworth, CA. Journal of English Language, Literature and Culture ,  6 (3), 50-60.

Pease, A. & Pease, B. The Definitive Book of Body Language, Harlequin,2017.

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