NON VERBAL COMMUNICATION

READING BEYOND WORDS

Lecture byM/s NandiniLecturerD.A.V College for GirlsYamuna NagarHaryana.

WHAT ARE THEY SAYING?

CAN U READ THE SILENCE?

HOW CAN WE READ?

HOW DO WE SEE WHAT WE CAN’T HEAR?

1 Facial Expressions 2 Eye Contact 3 Voice 4 Hand Gestures, 5 Body movements 6 Touch 7 Personal space. 8 Object communication

Open Gesture Closed Gesture

open hands  hand covering mouth

palms upmaking fists

spontaneous eye contact 

glancing at exit

smile  frown

leaning forward  leaning back

relaxed  rigid

hands away from face 

looking at floor

standing straight  moving away

feet apart legs crossed, shaking foot

shoulders squared  fidgeting

uncrossed legs  locked ankles

welcoming handshake folded arms

OPEN GESTURE

CLOSED GESTURE

rubbing palms together  hand wringing

affirmative head nods  head lowered

eye contact  lack of eye contact

calm use of facial movements 

staring or eyes closed

body positioned toward other 

rocking

seating arrangement with no barriers 

stalling for time (light pipe, clean glasses, etc.)

Open Gestures

Closed Gestures

Nonverbal Tips for Improving Communication

-Make yourself comfortable with the other. -Avoid being too close or too far away physically.

-Be relaxed and attentive.

-lean slightly toward the other. -Avoid slouching or sitting rigidly.

-Maintain frequent eye contact.

-Give nonverbal communication while the other is talking, such as a simple nod of approval.

Avoid staring, glaring, or looking away.

NON VERBAL ASPECTS OF SUBMISSIVE, ASSERTIVE AND

AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOUR

VOICE

EYE CONTACT

FACIAL EXPRESSIONS

BODY MOVEMENTS

  Submissive Assertive Aggressive

sometimes wobbly

steady and firm

very firm

  tone may be singsong or whining

tone is middle range, rich and warm,

tone is sarcastic, sometimes cold,    

  oversoft or overwarm,

sincere and clear

hard and sharp,

  often dull and in monotone,

not overloud or quiet.

strident, often shouting, rises at end.

  quiet, often drops away at end

   

VOICE

hesitant and filled with pauses,

fluent, few awkward hesitancies,

fluent, few awkward hesitancies

sometimes jerks from fast to slow,

emphasizes key words,

often abrupt, clipped,

frequent throatclearing.

steady, even pace.

emphasizes blaming word,

PASSIVE

ASSERTIVE AGGESSIVE

VOICE

unreal smiles when expressing anger, or being criticized,

smiles when pleased,

smile may become 'wry',

eyebrows raised in anticipation (eg of rebuke),

frowns when angry, scowls when angry,

  quickchanging features

otherwise 'open', eyebrows raised in amazement/disbelief,

 

 

   

Facial Expressions

Passive

Assertive

Aggressive

Evasive Firm but not a 'stare down'.

Tries to stare down and dominate.

EYE CONTACT

PASSIVE ASSERTIVE

AGRESSIVE

hand wringing, open hand movements (inviting to speak),

finger pointing,

hunching shoulders,

'measured pace' hand movements,

fist thumping,

stepping back, sits upright or relaxed (not slouching or cowering),

sits upright or leans forward,

covering mouth with hand,

stands with head held up.

stands upright head 'in air',

nervous movements which detract (shrugs and shuffles),

  strides around (impatiently),

arms crossed for protection.

  arms crossed (unapproachable).

BODY MOVEMENTS

PASSIVE

ASSERTIVE AGGRESSIVE

Summary

Body language in isolation carries no meaning

Certain aspects of non verbal communication are culture specific

Situational factors also influence one’s body language and therefore, should be taken into account.

The child appears to be nervous but he’s cold so he’s slouching!