VERBAL AND NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION

Means of communication: verbal and nonverbal.

Verbal communication

• Speech is the most powerful tool for influencing others.
• Allows you to specify the subject matter of the message.
• It allows defining causal relationships.

Types of verbal communication (by number of participants)

• Monologue
• Monologue to myself
• Dialog
• Speaking in a small group
• Speech to a large group

 

Structure of verbal expression

1. Say what you will say.
2. Say it.
3. Say what you said.

 

Rules of verbal expression

• Speak only when you have something to say.
• Speak briefly.
• Information slowly dosing.
• The intensity of vocal expression to adapt the number of listeners and the size of the space.
• Do not use too long sentences.
• Speak clearly.
• Do not attack the audience.

Paralinguistic characteristics of speech

In context of verbal communication we talk about paralinguistic characteristics of speech:

• Volume
• Tone height
• Speed and smoothness
• Intonation of the melody
• Phrasing

Nonverbal Communication

• Tells about emotions, attitudes, and relationship to another.
• Includes facial expression, body movements, body position, distance and touch.

Types of nonverbal communication:

• Kinetics
• Mimics
• Gesticulation
• Posturology
• Proxemics
• Haptics

Kinetics

Total mobility in communication is primarily related to temperament.

Mimics

Communication through facial muscles.

Gesticulation

Communication by the movements of the limbs and head.

• Conscious gestures - can be replaced with verbal expression.
• Unconscious (unsuspected) gestures - The individual is unaware of them. Mostly they report on the psychological state.

Posturology

Communication through body positions.

• Tendency to zoom in and out
• Tendency to expand and narrow
• Barrier and open tendence

Proxemics

Communication by distance. 

There is an intimate zone, zone of personal, social area and public area. It is related to how we trust the other person.

 

Haptics

Communication through touch (stroking, banging, shaking hands, hugging…)

Recommendations for nonverbal communication:

• reduce distracting gestures,
  
• maintain eye contact from time to time,
• nod your head, smile,
• look at the other person directly,
• relax your arms, arms and shoulders, lean slightly towards the other, do not sit stiffly on a chair,
• use gestures in moderation,
• avoid waving your hands too dramatic, playing with a pencil, or touching personal touches too much.