Nonverbal
communication can be conceptualised as any form of communication that does not
use the written or spoken word. It is more than just body language, since it
includes use of time, space, furniture and clothing.
Nonverbal communication can be categorised into 6 main types:
KINESICS are the movements
of our bodies and body language.
PROXEMICS is use of space and territory to communicate.
CHRONEMICS is time as communication.
HAPTICS are our use of touching behaviour.
VOCALICS/PARALANGUAGE are variations in our voices to create or reveal mood and attitude.
ARTEFACTS are the things we bring into our environments.
PROXEMICS is use of space and territory to communicate.
CHRONEMICS is time as communication.
HAPTICS are our use of touching behaviour.
VOCALICS/PARALANGUAGE are variations in our voices to create or reveal mood and attitude.
ARTEFACTS are the things we bring into our environments.
KINESICS is
what we commonly call body language and refers to those movements of our body
that communicate meaning. Our eyes and face convey a wide range of meanings in
interpersonal meetings. This is one of the most powerful expressions of
communication that is constantly being read by observers. Kinesics are our
communication through eye contact and movement, facial expression, body
movement, hand gesture and posture to name just a few. This behaviour can be
thought out and a deliberate statement, or it can also be a subconscious
expression. Kinesics can be classified into 5 types: Emblems, Illustrators,
Affect Displays, Regulators and Adaptors.
PROXEMICS studies the use of space: both interpersonal space and the space within rooms, buildings, precincts and cities. This also applies to the way we use space to convey a persona or to support our use of kinesics. Our own concept of ‘personal space’ relies greatly upon our cultural influences. If someone with whom we are not intimate with moves into our personal space, we feel uncomfortable, or threatened. If someone remains overly distant, they may seem untrustworthy.
Proxemics may also be applied to furniture; the way that it is arranged around the room effects our perceptions and attitudes to our surroundings. The structure of furniture within a classroom setting, as well as its aesthetics greatly influences the learning environment.
CHRONEMICS is time as communication. Westerners generally regard time as an inflexible entity, with only a small degree of latitude. When people make appointments in Australia, they are normally expected to be on time, give or take five minutes: a generally allowable period of lateness. A teachers’ use of chronemics may be as simple as allowing a generous wait time to allow for students to formulate and express an answer, or by pausing the lesson, silently requesting a disruptive class to remain on task.
HAPTICS are our use of touching behaviour. This is the way we manipulate perception through bodily contact, or communication via touching. An understanding of one's relationship with another is essential before haptics are employed to potentially strengthen connections, or instil trust.
VOCALICS, also called paralanguage or paralinguistics, is the study of how we use tonal variations of our voices to emphasise certain words or phrases. Paralinguistic behaviour is always concurrent with language usage and includes vocalisations such as volume, rhythm, pronunciation, use of pauses, and vocal accent or timbre. The emphasis placed on different words in a sentence, for example, can change the nature of the statement all together.
ARTEFACTS are the things we bring into a classroom, including our persona, appearance, clothes, teaching aids and resources. These reflect on how we are perceived as a whole by our peers, and students.
PROXEMICS studies the use of space: both interpersonal space and the space within rooms, buildings, precincts and cities. This also applies to the way we use space to convey a persona or to support our use of kinesics. Our own concept of ‘personal space’ relies greatly upon our cultural influences. If someone with whom we are not intimate with moves into our personal space, we feel uncomfortable, or threatened. If someone remains overly distant, they may seem untrustworthy.
Proxemics may also be applied to furniture; the way that it is arranged around the room effects our perceptions and attitudes to our surroundings. The structure of furniture within a classroom setting, as well as its aesthetics greatly influences the learning environment.
CHRONEMICS is time as communication. Westerners generally regard time as an inflexible entity, with only a small degree of latitude. When people make appointments in Australia, they are normally expected to be on time, give or take five minutes: a generally allowable period of lateness. A teachers’ use of chronemics may be as simple as allowing a generous wait time to allow for students to formulate and express an answer, or by pausing the lesson, silently requesting a disruptive class to remain on task.
HAPTICS are our use of touching behaviour. This is the way we manipulate perception through bodily contact, or communication via touching. An understanding of one's relationship with another is essential before haptics are employed to potentially strengthen connections, or instil trust.
VOCALICS, also called paralanguage or paralinguistics, is the study of how we use tonal variations of our voices to emphasise certain words or phrases. Paralinguistic behaviour is always concurrent with language usage and includes vocalisations such as volume, rhythm, pronunciation, use of pauses, and vocal accent or timbre. The emphasis placed on different words in a sentence, for example, can change the nature of the statement all together.
ARTEFACTS are the things we bring into a classroom, including our persona, appearance, clothes, teaching aids and resources. These reflect on how we are perceived as a whole by our peers, and students.
(Archee,
Mohan & Gurney, 2013. pp. 91-94)
(DeVito, 2004, pp. 181-183)
(DeVito, 2004, pp. 181-183)