Nonverbal communication 

(NVC) is usually understood as the process

of communication through sending and receiving wordlessmessages. i.e., language is not the
only source of communication, there are other means also. NVC can be communicated
through gesturesand touch (Haptic communication), by body language or posture, by facial
expression and eye contact. NVC can be communicated through object communication such
as clothing, hairstyles or even architecture, symbols and infographics. Speech contains nonverbal
elements known as paralanguage, including voice quality, emotion and speaking style, as well
as prosodic features such as rhythm, intonation andstress. 

According to experts, a substantial portion of our communication is nonverbal. Every day, we

respond to thousands on nonverbal cues and behaviors including postures, facial expression, eye
gaze, gestures, and tone of voice. From our handshakes to our hairstyles, nonverbal details reveal
who we are and impact how we relate to other people. 

Scientific research on nonverbal communication and behavior began with the 1872 publication
of Charles Darwin’s The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals. Since that time, there
has been an abundance of research on the types, effects, and expression of unspoken
communication and behavior. While these signals are often so subtle that we are not consciously
aware of them, research has identified several different types of nonverbal communication. 

TYPES OF Nonverbal communication

1. Facial Expression

Facial expressions are responsible for a huge proportion of nonverbal communication. Consider
how much information can be conveyed with a smile or a frown. While nonverbal
communication and behavior can vary dramatically between cultures, the facial expressions for
happiness, sadness, anger, and fear are similar throughout the world.

2. Gestures

Deliberate movements and signals are an important way to communicate meaning without
words. Common gestures include waving, pointing, and using fingers to indicate number
amounts. Other gestures are arbitrary and related to culture.

3. Paralinguistics

Paralinguistics refers to vocal communication that is separate from actual language. This
includes factors such as tone of voice, loudness, inflection, and pitch. Consider the powerful
effect that tone of voice can have on the meaning of a sentence. When said in a strong tone of
voice, listeners might interpret approval and enthusiasm. The same words said in a hesitant tone
of voice might convey disapproval and a lack of interest.
Paralanguage is the way inflections are used when sending a message verbally. Paralanguage
creates a nonverbal communication barrier when it is misunderstood or not applied
appropriately. It could be a person’s tone of voice, pitch or volume that defines the words to
mean one thing or another. For example, someone can say, “get out of here,” and depending on
how it was said could either mean the person is upset or could be using the phrase as an
expression of awe. If someone is talking, but they are mumbling their words or speaking very
softly, you may think they don’t care about what they’re saying or they may be shy and
intimidated.

4. Body Language and Posture

Posture and movement can also convey a great deal on information. Research on body language
has grown significantly since the 1970’s, but popular media have focused on the over-
interpretation of defensive postures, arm-crossing, and leg-crossing, especially after the
publication of Julius Fast’s book Body Language. While these nonverbal behaviors can indicate
feelings and attitudes, research suggests that body language is far more subtle and less definitive
that previously believed.

5. Proxemics

People often refer to their need for “personal space,” which is also an important type of
nonverbal communication. The amount of distance we need and the amount of space we perceive
as belonging to us is influenced by a number of factors including social norms, situational
factors, personality characteristics, and level of familiarity. For example, the amount of personal
space needed when having a casual conversation with another person usually varies between 18
inches to four feet. On the other hand, the personal distance needed when speaking to a crowd of
people is around 10 to 12 feet.

6. Eye Gaze

Looking, staring, and blinking can also be important nonverbal behaviors. When people
encounter people or things that they like, the rate of blinking increases and pupils dilate. Looking
at another person can indicate a range of emotions, including hostility, interest, and attraction.

7. Haptics

Communicating through touch is another important nonverbal behavior. There has been a
substantial amount of research on the importance of touch in infancy and early childhood. Harry
Harlow’s classic monkey study demonstrated how the deprivation of touch and contact impedes
development. Baby monkeys raised by wire mothers experienced permanent deficits in behavior
and social interaction.

8. Appearance
Our choice of color, clothing, hairstyles, and other factors affecting appearance are also
considered a means of nonverbal communication. Research on color psychology has
demonstrated that different colors can invoke different moods. Appearance can also alter
physiological reactions, judgment, and interpretations.

Characteristics of nonverbal communication

1. Non-verbal messages primarily communicate emotions, attitudes.

2. Non-verbal cues substitute for, contradict, emphasize or regulate verbal message.
3. Non-verbal cues are often ambiguous.
4. Non-verbal cues are continuous.
5. Non-verbal cues are more reliable.
6. Non-verbal cues are culture bound.

Functions of nonverbal communication

Argyle in 1970 put forward the hypothesis that whereas spoken language is normally used for
communicating information about events external to the speakers, non-verbal codes are used to
establish and maintain interpersonal relationships. It is considered more polite or nicer to
communicate attitudes towards others non-verbally rather than verbally, for instance in order to
avoid embarrassing situations.

Argyle in1988 concluded there are five primary functions of nonverbal bodily behavior in human
communication:

 Express emotions
 Express interpersonal attitudes
 To accompany speech in managing the cues of interaction between speakers and listeners
 Self-presentation of one’s personality
 Rituals (greetings)

The relative importance of verbal and nonverbal communication

An interesting question is: When two people are communicating face-to-face, how much of the
meaning is communicated verbally, and how much is communicated non-verbally? This was
investigated by Albert Mehrabian and reported in two papers .The latter paper concluded: "It is
suggested that the combined effect of simultaneous verbal, vocal, and facial attitude
communications is a weighted sum of their independent effects - with coefficients of .07, .38,
and .55, respectively." This "rule" that clues from spoken words, from the voice tone, and from
the facial expression, contribute 7 %, 38 %, and 55 % respectively to the total meaning, is widely
cited. It is presented on all types of popular courses with statements like "scientists have found
out that . . . ". In reality, however, it is extremely weakly founded. First, it is based on the
judgment of the meaning of single tape-recorded words, i.e. a very artificial context. Second, the
figures are obtained by combining results from two different studies which potentially cannot be
combined. Third, it relates only to the communication of positive versus negative emotions.
Fourth, it relates only to women, as men did not participate in the study.

Since then, other studies have analysed the relative contribution of verbal and nonverbal signals
under more naturalistic situations. Argyle using video tapes shown to the subjects, analysed the
communication of submissive/dominant attitude and found that non-verbal cues had 4.3 times
the effect of verbal cues. The most important effect was that body posture communicated
superior status in a very efficient way. Thus, the relative importance of spoken words and facial
expressions may be very different in studies using different set-ups.

Interaction of verbal and nonverbal communication

When communicating, nonverbal messages can interact with verbal messages in six ways:
repeating, conflicting, complementing, substituting, regulating and accenting/moderating.

Repeating
"Repeating" consists of using gestures to strengthen a verbal message, such as pointing to the
object of discussion.
Conflicting
Verbal and nonverbal messages within the same interaction can sometimes send opposing or
conflicting messages. A person verbally expressing a statement of truth while simultaneously
fidgeting or avoiding eye contact may convey a mixed message to the receiver in the interaction.
Conflicting messages may occur for a variety of reasons often stemming from feelings of
uncertainty, ambivalence, or frustration. When mixed messages occur, nonverbal communication
becomes the primary tool people use to attain additional information to clarify the situation; great
attention is placed on bodily movements and positioning when people perceive mixed messages
during interactions.
Complementing
Accurate interpretation of messages is made easier when nonverbal and verbal communication
complement each other. Nonverbal cues can be used to elaborate on verbal messages to reinforce
the information sent when trying to achieve communicative goals; messages have been shown to
be remembered better when nonverbal signals affirm the verbal exchange.
Substituting
Nonverbal behavior is sometimes used as the sole channel for communication of a message.
People learn to identify facial expressions, body movements, and body positioning as
corresponding with specific feelings and intentions. Nonverbal signals can be used
without verbal communication to convey messages; when nonverbal behavior does not
effectively communicate a message, verbal methods are used to enhance understanding.
Regulating
Nonverbal behavior also regulates our conversations. For example, touching someone's arm can
signal that you want to talk next or interrupt.
Accenting/Moderating
Nonverbal signals are used to alter the interpretation of verbal messages. Touch, voice pitch, and
gestures are some of the tools people use to accent or amplify the message that is sent; nonverbal
behavior can also be used to moderate or tone down aspects of verbal messages as well. For
example, a person who is verbally expressing anger may accent the verbal message by shaking a
fist.

IMPORTANCE OF NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION:

Non-verbal communication conveys attitude, intentions and feelings, just like the spoken
word. However, non-verbal communication--such as body language--can be more difficult
to control than the words coming out of your mouth because it is often subconscious.

Professional
In a professional setting, conveying the right message through non verbal communication is
crucial to ensure client, employee, employer, and peer confidence. A clearly-developed
presentation, for example, should accompany a professional appearance. A brilliant sales pitch
should pair with a strong, confident demeanor.

Personal
In personal situations, non-verbal communication can make or break a relationship. Body
language should express respect and care; for example, when listening to a friend, make sure
your body is being just as attentive as your spoken invitation to share a confidence.
Expatriates
Non-verbal communication can have important cultural implications. Before moving to a new
country, take some time to learn, not just the spoken language, but the non-verbal cues you may
send.

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN VERBAL & NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION:

Verbal and nonverbal communication techniques are used in many of the same ways to send and
receive messages during a conversation. Together they emphasize emotions and draw attention
to your point of view. While these techniques are different in their delivery, they share certain
unique similarities.

Interpretive
Both verbal and nonverbal communication requires interpretation. This interpretation can yield a
message significantly different from the original gesture or statement based on the receiver's
perception. The mood of the receiver is also significant. A positive mindset in the receiver yields
a significantly different message than a negative mindset. Personal experience adds another
element of interpretive static as the receiver's experiences can alter the reception of the message.

Manipulative
Verbal communication is manipulated through the use of lies. Nonverbal communication allows
for the same sort of manipulation by using specific gestures that convey an inaccurate emotion --
for example, reassuring gestures or fake smiles meant to relax those around you.

Emotion
People use both verbal and nonverbal communication to express an emotional state, and these
are often used together for this purpose. Simple emotions such as happiness and sadness are
simple to convey using either medium, but more complex emotions such as confusion,
nervousness and self-doubt are also possible. You can also unintentionally convey emotions
using either medium. Nervousness, for instance, shows both through broken speech patterns and
stuttering, but also through gestures like wringing your hands or popping your knuckles.

Identity
Verbal speech patterns identify specifics about your life, such as where you grew up and your
level of education. Nonverbal communication is more subtle but does the same thing. If you
grew up in a specific region or country, you will use certain words that are indicative of that area
and use specific gestures that are not widely utilized elsewhere. Your level of education is
evident in the sophistication of your word choice but also in the utilization of professional speech
gestures that are gained though training.
Relationships
Both forms of communication are important for maintaining healthy relationships. You inspire
open communication and inform your partner of your current emotional state. You also use both
to encourage and create intimacy between partners.

Regulate Conversations
Both verbal and nonverbal communication alert others that you wish to speak or that you are
finished with your message. When people wish to speak, they open their mouths, raise their
eyebrows and can interject subtle words to draw attention to their expressions. Upon completion,
they close their mouths and draw back as a sign that they are done.

DIFFERNCES BETWEEN VERBAL AND NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION

Communication is an important aspect of everyday life. Any form of communication intends to

help facilitate exchange of information and better understanding. As with verbal and nonverbal
communication, each form is different from the other because they have varying purposes.
Nonetheless, the evident difference between these two forms of communication does make one
superior to the other. Rather, they are intended to complement each other.
Verbal Communication Components
Crucial components of verbal communication include language, sound, words and speaking. The
emphasis in verbal communication is the act of speaking. Words alone are not enough to put
across the gravity of the message or the real meaning. It's the uttering part that makes verbal
communication a distinct type.

Nonverbal Communication Components

Nonverbal communication, on the other hand, puts more emphasis on actions. Components
comprising nonverbal communication include kinesics (posture, body movements, synching and
the degree of relaxation or tension), gesture (intended movements), facial expressions, spatial
relations, touch and display (appearance). It is that part of the message which cannot be
expressed in words that is conveyed by nonverbal communication. The components of each type
of communication also determine the difference in intent of the two.
Intent of Verbal Communication

Intent of Verbal Communication

Basically, the intent or the purpose of verbal communication is to provide the necessary
information and direction. When a person employs verbal communication, he delivers
information. Speaking about something means clarifying or stating how things are. Thus, there is
the direction part. Through verbal communication, it's possible to direct perception into certain
thoughts and meaning. In verbal communication, people have the ability to manipulate things
using words.
Intent of Nonverbal Communication
Nonverbal communication intends to put more meaning into verbal communication. In some
cases, the use of words or manipulation is not enough to emphasize the emotions or thoughts
behind the message. The use of other objects, facial expressions and hand gestures provides a
different kind of clarity. Nonverbal communication provides cues and hints to the real meaning
behind the words used.

Limitations/Extent of Use
While both verbal and nonverbal communication serves as reflections of people's thoughts, ideas
and emotions, they vary in the extent of use. For instance, nonverbal communication is imprecise
and limited to explaining certain things but not all complex ideas. Verbal communication can
explain complex ideas because the use of words and speaking are the main forms of
communication that people use to get any message across. Regardless of how complex the idea
is, people can always explain it verbally. Further, nonverbal communication is only possible
within a certain distance. Unless there is some form of video conversation, nonverbal
communication cannot be applied over great distance. Verbal communication does not exactly
need visuals to be able to convey thoughts. Verbal communication can transmit factual
information but nonverbal cannot.