NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY ARLA R. PAYNE July 22, 2010 My paper will be discussing different types of non-verbal communication. To start one must define exactly what non-verbal communication is: non-verbal stimuli in a communication setting that are generated by both the source (speaker) and his or her use of environment and that have potential message value for the source or receiver (listener). Basically it is sending and receiving messages in a variety of ways without the use of verbal codes (words).
POSITIVE NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION There are many positive non-verbal communication methods such as: touch which could be showed by messing with ones hair, holding a hand, rubbings a hand, friendly pats and touches, hugs and even wrestling. Eye contact is critical to the success of an interview and is another method of positive non-verbal communication and to actively listen when the employer is talking is another. Many experts suggest eye contact in intervals not lasting more than four to five seconds.
Facial expression is so important also in non-verbal communication sometimes it is not what you say but how you express it and never forget to smile which is a fantastic communication. Another positive non-verbal communication is done by gestures and some common ways to express these are: waving, pointing, and using fingers to indicate number amounts. I have a poodle and he follows directions and responds to hand and body movements than words. NEGATIVE NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION This is one communication you should steer clear of at all times.
There are a variety of these communications that should be avoided at all cost and these are: glancing at you watch while on an interview of just reacting with another person. Depending on your situation looking out the window is a definitely no and frowning or yawning while talking is a very bad communication. Certain facial expressions could be considered intimidating or confrontational which would leave a negative impact. Not all gestures and body language are for the good.
One bad example is gang signs, these signs will show who belongs to what gang or what area you are from. Clothes you wear could also be a negative communication showing you are in a gang or gang related. Once the hand signs go up you are in for big trouble, if in a gang because now the other gang member wants to fight. NEUTRAL NON- VERBAL COMMUNICATION Facial expression is not necessarily good or bad. Sometimes it just happens with or without trying. Facial expressions can show contempt, surprise, fear, anger, happiness or disgust.
Rubbing hands together shows anticipation which could mean you are waiting for something good to happen, a visitor to come, or to receive a gift. Also rubbing hands together could mean I really don’t like the gift or idea but did not want to give a bad facial expression. Other neutral non-verbal communication could be a face that seems puzzled, little or no facial expression, arms crossed, all these signals would be used if the buyer was not sure person whether to buy a product or not.
Also the thought of being neutral could be showed by the constant movement of the hands. Communication whether positive, negative, or neutral they are all behaviors other than spoken words. All the non-verbal communications that are described above represent some sort of meaning. This type of communication is called talking without speaking a word. REFERENCES http://ga. essortment. com/gangsignsands reyp. htm. http://library. thinkquest. org/04oct/nonverbalcom. htm http://www. allbusiness. com/management/443058-1. html
