Interpreting the true meaning behind someone’s words can be tricky. A gesture, on the other hand, such as a wink or smile, clearly suggests a person’s intention and feelings. Nonverbal communication effectively conveys thoughts, feelings and ideas on its own.
Body Language
Nonverbal communication subtly influences a person’s awareness and interactions with others. Professor Albert Mehrabian’s classic study on communication conducted at the University of California at Los Angeles found that 93 percent of effective communication is based on nonverbal signals. According to the psychology professor, body language makes up 55 percent of effective communication. You may or may not be aware of the signals you are giving, but nonverbal communication reveals aspects of your personality. A light touch on a recent acquaintance’s arm indicates a tendency toward the interpersonal. If you shy away from contact and greet long time friends with a smile rather than a warm hug you may give the impression that you are closed off.
Voice
The volume of your voice and the intonations you use when speaking influence nonverbal communication. Mehrabian’s study indicated that 38 percent of effective communication related to the way people said things, as opposed to what was actually being said. Soft-spoken people are typically considered non-assertive and easy-going, while those who speak loudly are considered bold and aggressive, regardless of whether these perceptions are accurate reflections of true personalities.
Style
The clothing people choose to wear is another form of nonverbal communication that influences people’s perceptions. Individuals' living space likewise communicates aspects of their nature, as they expose their preferences aesthetically, allowing people to paint a clearer picture of their personalities and style.
Five Purposes of Nonverbal Communication
Michael Argyle defined the five primary functions of communication in his book, “Bodily Communication.” People use nonverbal communication to express emotions, communicate interpersonal relationships, support verbal interaction, reflect personality and perform rituals, such as greetings and goodbyes. Some of these non-verbal cues are learned; others are involuntary. But they shed light on a person’s desires, motivations and intentions.
How Nonverbal Communication Relates to Verbal Communication
Nonverbal communication accompanies the majority of your verbal interactions.. Professor Edward G. Wertheim, who focuses on human resources management, identifies the importance of nonverbal communication in “The Importance of Effective Communication.” Nonverbal cues such as gestures, expressions and vocal inflection, reinforce, contradict, substitute, complement or emphasize verbal communication. The tightness in a person's jaw or the way a person avoids eye contact indicates worry, tension and distraction even if his words say something different. Chances are the individual listening is focused much more on nonverbal cues than spoken words.
Improving Nonverbal Communication
Improving nonverbal communication starts with an awareness of the gestures, facial expressions and intonations you commonly use. Video tape yourself to see what gestures and postures you adopt when interacting with others. Record yourself with an audio recorder to see this, as well as to familiarize yourself with the pitch and tone of your voice.
Watch other people's physicality and listen carefully to the sound of their voices, while monitoring the effect their nonverbal communication has on you. If you notice nonverbal cues working on you effectively, then employ those same nonverbal gestures in your next exchange, and watch your relationships and interactions with others flourish. Being conscious of the things you say and how you say them is the primary component of effective communication in any relationship.
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