Nonverbal communication and its elements
Definitely, when we communicate not only communicate with words but with a nonverbal language. The concept of nonverbal communication refers to the signs and all the systems we use to express ourselves while communicating. With the help of different types of tools, for example, gestures or other signs we can interact in a conversation. The different functions of nonverbal communication are: express emotions, communicate attitudes, replace language or serve the support of verbal communication. The importance of handling verbal communication has been evident throughout history, since its use complements words and, in general, language normally used for communication. According to Flora Davis, nonverbal communication is “more than a simple emotional signals system, which cannot be separated from verbal communication. Both systems are closely linked to each other, since when two human beings are face to face, they communicate simultaneously at several levels, consciously or unconsciously, and use all the senses: the sight, the ear, the touch, the smell. Then they integrate all these sensations through a coding system, which sometimes we call ‘the sixth sense’: intuition."
There are two elements that make up nonverbal communication these are the following:
- Cultural signs and sign systems are the set of behavioral and environmental habits, as well as beliefs of a community that communicates, broadly and strictly, say aspects of society, folklore, religion, politics, history, history , geography, art, etc., and ‘minor cultural habits’, that is, those that constitute the true daily essence, the beliefs about the physical aspect of people and everything it implies; Customs to decorate and enable places; the use of utensils and objects; The behavior, environment and beliefs in different types, public and private or in public and private services.
- Nonverbal communication systems include the set of signs that make up nonverbal communication systems, that is, the paralinguistic, kinetic, proxemic and chronic system.
Until today we know four nonverbal communication systems: paralinguistic, quinésic, proxemic and chronicle.
The paralinguistic system is studied from the phonic point of view. Reinforces verbal communication, these are characteristics that cannot be considered as verbal. It is based on the way we talk and that can be controlled. There is some evidence in favor, as with linguistic transmissions, paralinguistic information implies a learned code since, for example, speakers from a part of the world would not use the same sound variants or signs that speakers use the other part to express your feelings, for example, surprise. The factors associated with verbal language are part of the paralinguistic system. These factors are: tone, rhythm, volume, silence and bell. We can distinguish three types of tone: the ascending with which we express the doubt, interrogation or indecision. With the descending type we transmit firmness, determination and trust. When we will emerge irony and sarcasm we use the mixed tone. The rhythm is based on verbal fluidity. A person who uses more than 200 words per minute is said to be Taquilálica and who uses less than 100 is Bradilalic. The intensity with what we are talking about is related to the volume of the voice. The low volume can indicate a shy or sad person. But who speaks in a high volume transmits security or authority. Silence means pauses in verbal communication which can be significant in communication. And finally, the bell has four degrees: very low, medium low, high and very high. With this record we can immediately differentiate a person.
The quinetic system analyzes gestures, body postures, facial expression, look and smile. Three system categories: “1, facial and bodily gestures or movements. 2, conventional ways or ways to perform actions or movements. 3, the positions or static communicative positions, resulting or not of the realization of certain movements. "
Body contact is what indicates a physical relationship between two or more people and these are gestures. With the help of this we can convey a burden of emotions. They can be performed with hands, arms and head. There are two types of gestures: “1) Facial gestures, mainly made with eyes, eyebrows, quot and frown, forehead, cheekbones, nose, lips, mouth and chin. 2) Body gestures, mainly made with the head, shoulders, arms, hands, fingers, hips, legs and feet."For example, a fundamental element of nonverbal communication is the look that is one of the facial gestures and is the most multifunctional of all. With eyes we can express different emotions. The gaze also serves as an issuer and receiver. There are several types of looks: intense look that indicates feelings. On the contrary, the deviant look indicates shyness. Another important element inside the gaze is the duration. This can depend on the culture of speakers. We can also regulate eyes communication. The positions are the positions adopted or can be adopted by the human body and communicate actively or passively. They can function as independent communicative signs or as gestures.
The proxemic system studies space and distance during verbal communication between speakers and their origin comes from anthropology. The distance people keep by respect and distances can be indicators of the culture to which speakers belong. The distance depends on several factors, such as the personality of the speaker, for example, the introverts need more distance than the extroverts. Other factors are age, degree of intimacy, and culture or race. There are four types of distance, the intimate that is less than 45 centimeters, the staff between 45cms – 120cms, the social between 120cms – 360cms and the public that is more than 360cms. Communication depends as we regulate the distance, in situations with this we can establish a hierarchy. Chronicles is the use of time and structuring that speakers do during communication.
Nowadays nonverbal communication has a domain and lawyers, vendors, politicians, managers, teachers, therapists and other professionals apply that tool in their daily practices. Several investigations have evidenced that nonverbal communication has more influence than words in the reactions we cause us. Many times a gesture or expression can be more sincere than words when a conversation is carried out; We must look at the position of the person who gives us signs of predisposition and security. The angle or body orientation will indicate different types of expressions face to face means competition and when two people feel together it means cooperation. It is important to observe the movement of the body, excessive gesture could cause the thread of conversation to be lost, cause nervousness or distraction.
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