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Types of Nonverbal Communication and Their Functions

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Types of Nonverbal Communication and their functions
A large percentage of meanings, approximately 65% of all communications, we derive from interactions is derived from the nonverbal cues that the other person gives. , Nonverbal communication is defined as messages expressed through symbols instead of words. It is non-linguistic. Nonverbal communications include gestures, eye contact, voice, touch, smell, facial expressions, proxemics, time and artifactics.
Although there are many nonverbal cues, we are going to focus on the following five cues, facial expressions, gestures, eye contact, touch and voice, with examples, in this essay. And before we end, we will discuss how these nonverbal cues may transmit different meanings in …show more content…

Through regulating, she is trying to encourage the guy to open up to her and to tell the guy that she is ready to take the relationship to the next level.

Eye contact is an important nonverbal cue and it can indicate a range of emotions, including interest and hostility. The following pictures were taken during a morning assembly.

In Picture 3.1, the discipline master is reprimanding a pupil, who did not follow the rules of silent reading. Rather he was disturbing the pupils around him who were trying to do their silent reading. Therefore, the DM is trying to ‘stun’ the pupil 1st by using prolonged eye gaze and it also defines the power and status of the DM over the pupil. Thus, it is most likely that the pupil will listen to the DM when the DM finally talks to him.
Picture 3.2 shows a boy during the morning assembly performance. From his eye contact, it is obvious that he is very bored and uninterested in the performance. His eyes are also drooping and he has a ‘blank and dreamy’ look in his eyes.

Pictures 3.1 and 3.2 show that eye contacts and gazes can be used to communicate disinterest, non-involvement, and it is a powerful nonverbal cue that can be used to substitute verbal messages with nonverbal cues. In picture 3.1, the Discipline master substituted his verbal communication with the intensity of his eye contact. The intensity and focus of the eyes of the DM on the student sends a message of anger

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