NonverbalCommunication

Heidi ThomasComm 201

Topic Top Five

What Is Nonverbal

Communication?

Nonverbal communication is any and all facial expressions and body

movements, voluntary and involuntary, in order to communicate meaning

without using words.

Who Uses NonverbalCommunication?

Nonverbal communication is used by every person everyday, but

there are two areas of communication where it really matters. Mass communication, especially politics, scrutinizes nonverbal communication of many candidates in order to

decide if they are truthful in what they are saying, and are good

enough to take office. Interpersonal communication

uses nonverbal communication because when communicating

with other people, nonverbal communication is always used in

body language, facial expressions, etc.

“I got the impression that here was a man that could be relied

upon when he had given his word” British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain after a

meeting where Hitler swore he would not invade Czechoslovakia .

So What?

In everyday life, we read the faces of people close to us and complete

strangers and make inferences based on these expressions about their feelings

and intentions. We also use expressions we see to express our own feelings later, either sincerely or insincerely. Accurately

assessing others’ facial expressions is serious business in everyday life (Porter,

2012, p. 24)

Disagreements?

Some studies have been criticized for the fact that they are scientist observation and can not be replicated, however there are a few recent

studies that have tried to find a coding system to decipher true inner feelings. There is little

criticism in nonverbal communication studies because there is no agreed upon way to

decipher facial expressions and body movements in order to distinguish feelings or

intentions. (Dael, 2012, p. 27).

Any Other Important Info?

According to Porter’s study on secrets and lies (2012), it is physically impossible to mask 100%

of your inner feelings. Some things are controllable, (such as smiles) but some things

(especially the brow) are uncontrollable and can give you away when trying to lie.

Imagine the possibilities (especially in the court room) once this type of detection is mastered!

InformationDael, N., Mortillaro, M., & Scherer, K. (2012). The body action and posture coding system (BAP):

development and reliability. Journal of Nonverbal Behavior. 36(2), 97-121. doi:10.1007/s10919-012-0130-0

Porter, S., ten Brinke, L., & Wallace, B. (2012). Secrets and lies: involuntary leakage in deceptive facial expressions as a function of emotional intensity. Journal of Nonverbal Behavior, 36(1), 23-37. doi:10.1007/s10919-011-0120-7

Pictures (all free images used from sxc.hu)Slonecker, M. (2007) U.S. capital building [picture]. Washington D.C.

http://www.sxc.hu/photo/918333Richards, B. (2006) Dachau -- Arbeit Macht Frei [picture]. Aushwitz.

http://www.sxc.hu/photo/545040Stacey, S. (2007) Balance [picture]. http://www.sxc.hu/photo/875413Chowdhurry, A. (2006) The vendor boy [picture]. http://www.sxc.hu/photo/562756Zacharzewski, M. (2012) Man standing [picture]. http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1390297Zacharzewski, M. (2012) Man standing [picture]. http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1390296Zacharzewski, M. (2012) Chat [picture]. http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1391244