NON- VERBAL

COMMUNICATION
Nonverbal
communication
includes
facial
expressions, gestures, eye contact, spatial
arrangements, and other nonverbal acts.
Research
suggests
that
non
verbal
communication
is
more
important
in
understanding human behaviour than words
alone. The nonverbal channels seem to be more
powerful than what people say. Studies show
that during interpersonal communication 7% of
the message is verbally communicated while
93% of the message is nonverbally transmitted.
Of the 93% non verbal communication, 38% is
through vocal tones, 55% is through facial
expressions and nonverbal acts.

FORMS OF NON-VERBAL
COMMUNICATION
Facial Expressions
Eyes
Proxemics
Hands
Head
Lips
Palm
Finger

Facial Expressions
The act of communicating a mood, attitude, opinion,
feeling, or other message by contracting the
muscles of the face is called Facial Expression. The
combined expressive force of our mobile chin, lip,
cheek, eye, and brow muscles makes facial
expression. Better than any body parts, our faces
reveal emotions, opinions, and moods. While we
learn to manipulate some expressions, many
unconscious facial expressions reflect our true
feelings and hidden attitudes. Many facial
expressions are universal, though most may be
shaped by cultural usages and rules.

Facial Expressions Contd.,

Nose: nostril flares (arousal).
Lips: grin (happiness, affiliation, contentment); grimace (fear);

lip-compression (anger, emotion, frustration); canine snarl

(disgust); lip-pout (sadness, submission, uncertainty); lip-purse
(disagree); sneer (contempt; see below).
Brows: frown (anger, sadness, concentration); brow-raise
(intensity).
Tongue: tongue-show (dislike, disagree).
Eyelids: flashbulb eyes (surprise); widened (excitement,
surprise); narrowed (threat, disagreement); fast-blink (arousal);
normal-blink (relaxed).
Eyes: big pupils (arousal, fight-or-flight); small pupils (rest-anddigest); direct-gaze (affiliate, threaten); gaze cut-off (dislike,
disagree); gaze-down (submission, deception).

Facial Expressions
Contd.,
Eyes
Eye Contact: A visual connection is made as one person gazes into the eyes of
another. Eye contact shows that both speaker and listener are actively involved in the
process of communication. Eye contact rarely lasts longer than three seconds before
one or both viewers experience a powerful urge to glance away.
Eye-Blink: A rapid closing and opening of the eyes reflect emotional stress, as
aroused, e.g., in the fight-or-flight response.
Eyebrow Lower: To frown or scowl, as in anger, concentration, displeasure, or
thought. Sudden lowering the eyebrows is a sensitive indicator of disagreement,
doubt, or uncertainty.
Eyebrow Raise: It is an indicator of uncertainty, disbelief, surprise, and
exasperation. Raising the eyebrows adds intensity to facial expressions. Brow-raising
can strengthen a dominant stare, exaggerate a submissive pout, or boost the energy
of a smile. We may unconsciously lift our eyebrows as we give orders, argue important
points, or make demands.
Gaze-Down: Bowing or tilting the head forward so that the eyes face the ground or
floor. Gaze down may convey a defeated attitude. It may also reflect guilt, shame, or
submissiveness, as when distorting the truth or telling a lie.

Facial Expressions Contd.,

Proxemics
Spatial signs, signals and cues. According to its founder,
Edward T. Hall, proxemics is the study of human kind's
"perception and use of space". Like facial expressions,
gestures, and postures, space "speaks." The prime directive of
proxemic space is that we may not come and go everywhere
as we please. There are cultural rules and biological
boundaries explicit as well as implicit and subtle limits to
observe everywhere. Hall identified four bodily distances
i. Intimate (0 to 18 inches),
ii. Personal-Casual (1.5 to 4 feet),
iii. Social-Consultative (4 to 10 feet), and
iv. Public (10 feet and beyond)

Facial Expressions Contd.,

Hands
Folding the arms: Folding the arms over the lower chest or upper
abdomen, with one or both hands touching the biceps muscles. It is a selfcomforting, self-stimulating posture, unconsciously used to alleviate anxiety
and social stress. Though often decoded as a defensive barrier sign, the
arm-cross represents a comfortable position for relaxing the arms, e.g.,
while speaking, as well. With arms and elbows pulled tightly into the body
(i.e., flexed and adducted), the gesture may reveal acute nervousness or
chronic anxiety. Held less tightly against the chest with elbows elevated and
projecting outward (away from the body, i.e. abducted), the arm-cross
presents a guard-like stance, suggestive of arrogance, disliking, or
disagreement.
Hand behind Head: In a conversation, hand-behind-head may be read as
a potential sign of uncertainty, conflict, disagreement, frustration, anger, or
disliking (i.e., social aversion). It usually
reflects negative thoughts,
feelings, and moods. In counseling, interviewing, and cross-examining, the
gesture telegraphs a probing point, i.e., an unresolved issue to be
verbalized and explored.
Hands on Hips: Hands-on-hips shows that the body is prepared to "take
steps" to perform, to take part in, or to take charge of an event, activity, or
work assignment. The outward-bowed elbows widen, expand, and visually
"enlarge" the upper body, making it look more powerful in size. In standard
thumbs-backward position, hands-on-hips are made with hands in the more
dominant, prominent position of the high-stand display. Thus, the latter is a

Facial Expressions
Contd.,
Head
Head Nod: Rhythmically raised and lowered, the head-nod is an
affirmative cue, widely used throughout the world to show understanding,
approval, and agreement. Emphatic head-nods while speaking or
listening may indicate powerful feelings of conviction, excitement, or
superiority, and sometimes even rage.
Head Shake: Rotating the head horizontally from side-to-side to
disagree, or to show misunderstanding of a speaker's words. In an
emotional conversation, a rhythmic side-to-side rotation of the head
expresses disbelief, sympathy, or grief. The head-shake is used to
demonstrate cognitive dissonance, or emotional empathy.
Head Tilted Back: Lifting the chin and looking down the nose are used
throughout the world as nonverbal signs of superiority, arrogance, and
disdain.
Head Tilted Sideways: Head-tilt-side may be used to show friendliness
and foster rapport; to strike a submissive pose.

Facial Expressions
Contd.,
Lips
Lip Compression: Lip-compression is a specific version of the tensemouth display. A sudden lip compression may signal the onset of anger,
disliking, grief, sadness, or uncertainty.
Lip Purse: The paramount message of lip-pursing is "thoughtful
dissentience" i.e., "I disagree." The tightly screwed-out lips of the pig
snout show that a listener has gone beyond the pout of uncertainty to a
more dissenting frame of mind. As a mood sign, the lip-purse reflects
formation of an alternative verbal reply in the brain's primary speech
center, Bocas area.
Lip Touch: One of our most common self-touch cues, the lip-touch
signals a variety of moods and mental states including anxiety,
boredom, excitement, fear, horror, and uncertainty. Stimulating the lips
diverts attention, e.g., from disturbing thoughts and people who may
upset us.

Facial Expressions
Contd.,
Palm
Palm Down: While speaking or listening to another's remarks, palmdown gestures show confidence, assertiveness, and dominance.
Accompanied by aggressive, palm-down "beating" signs, our ideas,
opinions, and remarks appear stronger and more convincing.
Palm Up: Uplifted palms suggest a vulnerable or no aggressive pose
which appeals to listeners as allies, rather than as rivals or foes.
Throughout the world, palm-up cues reflect moods of congeniality,
humility, and uncertainty. Accompanied by upward "palm shows," our
ideas, opinions, and remarks may seem patronizing or conciliatory
rather than aggressively "pointed." Psychologically, reaching out to
someone with an upwardly rotated, opened palm draws that person
closer and helps build rapport.
Sweaty Palms: The excretion of endocrine-gland moisture onto the
palmer surface of the hands in response to anxiety, stress, or fear.
Sweaty palms may be detected while shaking hands.

Facial Expressions
Contd.,
Finger Point
We point with the second digit to turn another
person's attention to something we, ourselves,
see, hear or smell. Because it refers to the
outside world, the referential point is a highlevel, language-like gesture. At close quarters,
pointing at another human being is almost
universally considered an aggressive, hostile, or
unfriendly act. Because it focuses so much
attention upon the recipient, close-quarters
pointing are frowned upon throughout the world

Other forms of Non-Verbal Communication

Sit: The manner of sitting transmits information about one's status (mental, physical, and

social), feelings, and unvoiced opinions, attitudes, and moods.

Table Slap: The table-slap is used to accent a key speaking point; to object to another
speaker's statement; to demonstrate an emotion, e.g., anger or mirth; and to call attention to
one's own presence.
Throat Clear: In a staff meeting or discussion a listener's unwitting throat-clear may suggest
disagreement, anxiety, or doubt. While speaking, the throat-clear may reveal uncertainty; acute
or abnormal throat-clearing is a possible sign of deception. An aggressive version of the throatclear may be used to interrupt, overrule, or challenge a speaker. Consciously, the throat-clear
may be used to announce one's physical presence in a room.
Tongue Show: The tongue-show is a universal mood sign of unspoken disagreement, disbelief,
disliking, displeasure, or uncertainty. It may modify, counteract, or contradict a verbal remark.
Following the statement, "Yes, I agree," e.g., a protruded tongue may suggest, "I don't agree.
Walk: The manner and style of our gait (e.g., marching, mincing, or swaggering) convey
information about our status, feelings, and moods.
Yawn: An involuntary deep breath due to sleepiness, fatigue, boredom, or emotional conflict.
Usually a sign of drowsiness, yawning also occurs, in tense business meetings as a sign of mild
anxiety, disagreement, or uncertainty. When alert listeners yawn in response to controversial
suggestions or ideas, the yawn signals a probing point, i.e., an opportunity to explore non-verbal
objections or clarify unvoiced concerns.