March 9, 2015
Communication can be verbal or nonverbal, written, unwritten, or visual. While there over 6,000 different languages spoken around the world. People just don’t communicate by words alone. Demonstrative communication involve facial expression, body language, tone of voice, and hand gestures. There can be positive and negative effect using this form of communication for the sender and receiver. Additionally it can be effective or ineffective for the sender or receiver. Even though this form of communication is nonverbal it still involve listening and responding. (about.com) 2013 According to different experts body language account between 50 to 70% of all communication. Understand body language is very important but it is also important to look at other cues to how a person is felling. Facial expression are the most recognizable forms of body languages. People can usably tell if someone is happy, sad, afraid, or angry by their facial expression. A smile can be interrupted as approval or happiness where a frown can be related to disapproval or unhappiness.
Eyes have been called the “windows to the soul” since they are able to convey away a person is feeling. If a person is looking directly into your eyes when you are speaking to them this usually means they are engaged and paying attention to what you are say. Sometime starring to long may make a person feel uncomfortable and breaking eye contact may be need. Blinking of the eyes rapidly might mean a person is in distress or uncomfortable. Slow blinking might mean the person is trying to control their eye movements.
There is also the power of touch when communicating nonverbally. Hand holding usually conveys love or closeness, a hug might con sympathy or fondness. A pat on the back a high five might suggest approval or congratulations. In team activities ‘A friendly touch help build trust and social connection.’ says Dr. Dacher Kelner. Many times a touch can convey a message to the receiver better than words. Some people struggle to find the right words to say and this could result in the message being ministered or misread. (Amy Beal 2013)
Appearance can also be a form of nonverbal communication. What you wear, the choice of color, your hairstyle. Can send different messages to the receiver. Certain colors can evoke different feelings about the person. Wear a red tie convey power and confidence, while wearing a blue tie convey easy going. Your appearance can affect how people judge you and react to you. Most expert suggest that you dress appropriately for job interviews. Like the old saying “you never get a second chance to make a first impression. A study done in 1996 suggest people who are more attractive than their peers made more money and where more likely to be promoted faster. Different cultures value appearance in different ways. While in the western culture thinness is valued in some African cultures full figured people represent wealth, health, and social status. (Kendra cherry 2014)