NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION
What is nonverbal communication? This blog post investigates what exactly nonverbal communication is, how to read nonverbal cues, how it helps when communicating face-to-face with someone, and more.
In today’s advanced technologic society, face-to-face communication is considered by many to be a lost art. One unfortunate aspect that is lost when face-to-face communication is not present is nonverbal cues. Nonverbal communication is defined as wordless messages communicated through gestures, body language, facial expression, and eye contact (Subramani, 2010). Tone of voice can also be considered a nonverbal cue as it helps a person better understand a conversation when communicating with another individual.
In a world where everything has become digital, we miss out on receiving those non-verbal cues when communicating with others. These missed cues can also form misperceptions between the sender and receiver. For example, “text messages present high-risk opportunities for misinterpretations” (Cupp 2). “Text messages take the context out of the conversation and leave your messages subject to the interpretations of your recipients” (Cupp 2). With face-to-face communication becoming more foreign to the younger generations, many are starting to worry that this lack of face-to-face interpersonal communication will affect kids communication skills. As a mom of three, Margaret Ward says, “We need to encourage face-to-face communication. Kids need to learn basic skills for future relationships and real-life situations such as college or job interviews” (Marrazzo, 2010). Many teachers have commented on the fact that they have seen changes in the way their students communicate with them face-to-face. Janet Sternberg, Ph.D., assistant profession of Communication and Media Studies at Fordham University in New York, said “I have very smart students, but they can’t look me in the eye. They’re not shy, but not having the personnel skills are hard for them” (Smith, 2013). With kids spending most of their time communicating through digital devices these days, many struggle with the aspect of interpersonal communication with others. Is this a problem for the future of our society? Or is the way in which we are communicating with each other just evolving?
In 1971, Albert Mehrabian conducted a study about non-verbal communication. He determined only 7% of messages are exchanged by words. The remaining 93% of messages are comprehended by nonverbal cues and expressions (Subramani, 2010). This study shows how most of our communicating is done nonverbally. So if in this modern, technologically savvy world we do most of our communicating through text were non-verbal communication is not present are we missing out on 93% of the messages our senders are trying to communicate to us? Also, many nonverbal cues occur unconsciously. We do not always realize we are doing them when we are communicating; therefore they are difficult to mask. It is also impossible to regulate our nonverbal behavior in such a manner that no impression is conveyed at all (DePaulo, 1992). Because most of our messages are nonverbal, and because it is nearly impossible to mask one’s non-verbal expressions, non-verbal communication becomes unavoidable. Due to the fact that non-verbal communication is unavoidable, although we do communicate a lot through text, we do still communicate face-to-face and will come across situations in life were face-to-face communication is important, so in retrospect, it is in an individual’s best interest to know how to and feel confident and comfortable talking with others face-to-face.
In a world where everything has become digital, we miss out on receiving those non-verbal cues when communicating with others. These missed cues can also form misperceptions between the sender and receiver. For example, “text messages present high-risk opportunities for misinterpretations” (Cupp 2). “Text messages take the context out of the conversation and leave your messages subject to the interpretations of your recipients” (Cupp 2). With face-to-face communication becoming more foreign to the younger generations, many are starting to worry that this lack of face-to-face interpersonal communication will affect kids communication skills. As a mom of three, Margaret Ward says, “We need to encourage face-to-face communication. Kids need to learn basic skills for future relationships and real-life situations such as college or job interviews” (Marrazzo, 2010). Many teachers have commented on the fact that they have seen changes in the way their students communicate with them face-to-face. Janet Sternberg, Ph.D., assistant profession of Communication and Media Studies at Fordham University in New York, said “I have very smart students, but they can’t look me in the eye. They’re not shy, but not having the personnel skills are hard for them” (Smith, 2013). With kids spending most of their time communicating through digital devices these days, many struggle with the aspect of interpersonal communication with others. Is this a problem for the future of our society? Or is the way in which we are communicating with each other just evolving?
In 1971, Albert Mehrabian conducted a study about non-verbal communication. He determined only 7% of messages are exchanged by words. The remaining 93% of messages are comprehended by nonverbal cues and expressions (Subramani, 2010). This study shows how most of our communicating is done nonverbally. So if in this modern, technologically savvy world we do most of our communicating through text were non-verbal communication is not present are we missing out on 93% of the messages our senders are trying to communicate to us? Also, many nonverbal cues occur unconsciously. We do not always realize we are doing them when we are communicating; therefore they are difficult to mask. It is also impossible to regulate our nonverbal behavior in such a manner that no impression is conveyed at all (DePaulo, 1992). Because most of our messages are nonverbal, and because it is nearly impossible to mask one’s non-verbal expressions, non-verbal communication becomes unavoidable. Due to the fact that non-verbal communication is unavoidable, although we do communicate a lot through text, we do still communicate face-to-face and will come across situations in life were face-to-face communication is important, so in retrospect, it is in an individual’s best interest to know how to and feel confident and comfortable talking with others face-to-face.
“The expression of emotion via eye attracts special notice in dramatic works. Eyes are seen as a means of expressing feelings, of imposing silence, will, love, or reverence” - M.S. Thirumalai |
According to linguistic scholar M.S. Thirumalai, “the expression of emotion via eye attracts special notice in dramatic works. Eyes are seen as a means of expressing feelings, of imposing silence, will, love, or reverence” (Subramani, 2010, 6). Facial expressions are universal, and in communication they have been said to reflect the inner feelings of a person, as the eyes are the measurement scale to examine the mind of the other individual (Subramani 2010). When communicating through text, all of the eye contact and facial expression is lost. If children do most of their communicating through text, parents and teachers worry that they will not have the capability of holding social conversations with others when they are older.
Due to the concerns of children growing up and not knowing how to properly communicate face-to-face, some researches have conducted studies to see if these apprehensions raise probable concern. Scientists at UCLA ran a study to see if screen time and digital communication had an impact on the way children read the emotions of others. They found that students who spent more time each day on electronic devices were more unlikely to read the emotions of others compared to students who did not spend time on electronic devices.
Non-verbal communication plays a huge role in face-to-face communication. Without it there can be many misperceptions and misunderstandings between the sender and the receiver. Although communication through mobile devices and digital text has become more popular, faster, and more efficient are we missing out because we cannot receive non-verbal cues through these mediums? Has face-to-face communication really become a lost art? Or have we just changed the way we communicate face-to-face?
Call to Action:
After reading this blog post, I encourage you to be more conscious of nonverbal cues. Spend more time paying attention to the nonverbal cues people you interact with communicate to you. Paying closer attention to the nonverbal cues others give off will help you better understand how one is feeling or thinking. Remember, nonverbal communication does not transfer over digital text therefore, it is most beneficial to talk with people face-to-face.
Due to the concerns of children growing up and not knowing how to properly communicate face-to-face, some researches have conducted studies to see if these apprehensions raise probable concern. Scientists at UCLA ran a study to see if screen time and digital communication had an impact on the way children read the emotions of others. They found that students who spent more time each day on electronic devices were more unlikely to read the emotions of others compared to students who did not spend time on electronic devices.
Non-verbal communication plays a huge role in face-to-face communication. Without it there can be many misperceptions and misunderstandings between the sender and the receiver. Although communication through mobile devices and digital text has become more popular, faster, and more efficient are we missing out because we cannot receive non-verbal cues through these mediums? Has face-to-face communication really become a lost art? Or have we just changed the way we communicate face-to-face?
Call to Action:
After reading this blog post, I encourage you to be more conscious of nonverbal cues. Spend more time paying attention to the nonverbal cues people you interact with communicate to you. Paying closer attention to the nonverbal cues others give off will help you better understand how one is feeling or thinking. Remember, nonverbal communication does not transfer over digital text therefore, it is most beneficial to talk with people face-to-face.
References
Cupp, A. (n.d.). Text-Only: Missed Messages and Misunderstandings. Retrieved February 19, 2015, from http://www.onecallnow.com/docs/default-source/collateral/prm-article-texting-only.pdf
DePaulo, B. (1992). Nonverbal Behavior And Self-presentation. Psychological Bulletin, 111(2), 203-243. Retrieved March 4, 2015, from Google Scholar.
Marrazzo, A. (2010, January 15). Face-to-face conversations becoming a lost art. Retrieved February 19, 2015, from http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-01-15/news/1001130682_1_face-to-face-texting-conversations
Smith, T. (2013, April 30). Lost art of conversation. Retrieved February 19, 2015, from http://www.timesdaily.com/archives/lost-art-of-conversation/article_f8118f14-9849-5cc5-88f3-3dbd68d600d9.html
Subramani, R. (2010). Insight through Body Language and Non-verbal Communication References In Tirukkural. 10(2). Retrieved March 3, 2015, from Google Scholar.
Images
Effective Interpersonal Communication {Online Image}. (2013). Retrieved April 28, 2015 from http://justtothepoint.com/selfHelp13Sec2.shtml
D, Gingerich. (2013). Visible but Overlooked {Online Image}. Retrieved April 28, 2015 from http://www.dennisgingerich.com/visible-but-overlooked
Microexpressions – A Key to Studying Human Behavior {Online Image}. (2011). Retrieved on April 28, 2015 from http://www.social-engineer.org/interesting-se-articles/microexpressions-a-key-to-studying-human-behavior/
L, Roberts. Games to Improve a Child's Nonverbal Communication Skills {Online Image}. Retrieved April 28, 2015 from http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/games-improve-childs-nonverbal-communication-skills-14339.html
{Untitled image of an eye} Retrieved May 10, 2015 form http://globe-views.com/dreams/eye.html
Cupp, A. (n.d.). Text-Only: Missed Messages and Misunderstandings. Retrieved February 19, 2015, from http://www.onecallnow.com/docs/default-source/collateral/prm-article-texting-only.pdf
DePaulo, B. (1992). Nonverbal Behavior And Self-presentation. Psychological Bulletin, 111(2), 203-243. Retrieved March 4, 2015, from Google Scholar.
Marrazzo, A. (2010, January 15). Face-to-face conversations becoming a lost art. Retrieved February 19, 2015, from http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-01-15/news/1001130682_1_face-to-face-texting-conversations
Smith, T. (2013, April 30). Lost art of conversation. Retrieved February 19, 2015, from http://www.timesdaily.com/archives/lost-art-of-conversation/article_f8118f14-9849-5cc5-88f3-3dbd68d600d9.html
Subramani, R. (2010). Insight through Body Language and Non-verbal Communication References In Tirukkural. 10(2). Retrieved March 3, 2015, from Google Scholar.
Images
Effective Interpersonal Communication {Online Image}. (2013). Retrieved April 28, 2015 from http://justtothepoint.com/selfHelp13Sec2.shtml
D, Gingerich. (2013). Visible but Overlooked {Online Image}. Retrieved April 28, 2015 from http://www.dennisgingerich.com/visible-but-overlooked
Microexpressions – A Key to Studying Human Behavior {Online Image}. (2011). Retrieved on April 28, 2015 from http://www.social-engineer.org/interesting-se-articles/microexpressions-a-key-to-studying-human-behavior/
L, Roberts. Games to Improve a Child's Nonverbal Communication Skills {Online Image}. Retrieved April 28, 2015 from http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/games-improve-childs-nonverbal-communication-skills-14339.html
{Untitled image of an eye} Retrieved May 10, 2015 form http://globe-views.com/dreams/eye.html