Demonstrative_Communication_as_Non-Verbal_Communication

Demonstrative Communication as Non-Verbal Communication. Simply, communication can be defined as the sending and receiving of messages. Mehrabian (1971) found that the effectiveness of a message was 7% verbal, the words, themselves; 38% vocal paralinguistic, tone, inflection, verbal pauses; But 55% of the messages effeteness was in non-verbal communications. Eye contact, posture and body orientation, gestures, facial expressions, and proxemics are all types of non-verbal communications (Subapriya). Communication by sender and receiver are important to complete understanding of the communication. Demonstrative communication i.e. non-verbal communication is vital, if not the most important aspect of the clearest and sincere communication. The sender of a message must first have a message, from that moment on, face-to-face communication between sender and receiver starts. Eye contact can begin with no eye contact at all. Lack of interest or attention can be inadvertently or purposely communicated through eye-contact. The receiver of the message could communicate many responses by how or if the message sender is being looked at. If the sender does not make eye contact with the receiver, the perception of the receiver might be that it is an unimportant message, not directed towards them or could be of sarcastic in nature meant to alienate the receiver. Conversely the sender might try to use a gaze to make the message receiver uncomfortable. Elevator-eyes or an intimidating stare can communicate on their own. Some organization leaders believe that when speaking to a woman, the verbal communication is less important than the expression in her eyes (Hulea). Hulea also believes that there is a “sixth sense” within non-verbal communication that can be revealed in eye contact as well as and facial expressions. Many people respond within smiles and raising the eyebrows without knowing. Reading these signs on the faces of the receivers of the message can give insight to the sender as to the effectiveness of the communication. The communicator can use non-verbal facial gestures to add emphasis or show emotion. The use of facial expressions can be used to add humor to the message as well. Showing the nature of a sarcastic comment might be done only in facial expression or exaggerations of a non-verbal clue can be used as well. The advent of picture phones and Skype as made long distance communication more interactive and complex. The messages that can be sent with the addition of the face can create more messages within the communication. The eyes and face can show much about communication and its effectiveness and well as the messages being communicated. The face is only one part of the non-verbal communication. “The posture of the body may also provide data about attitude, emotions, kindness or the power of negotiation, including the openness towards a sincere communication.” (Hulea) “…hugging someone when congratulating her…”(Sutton) is a great example of gesture but also proxemics. Proxemics is the uses of space while communicating. Being that proxemics can be a part of the message, this would fall into non-verbal communication. From a great distance, communication might be unclear because it might be hard to hear the message, but the physical distance can distort the meaning and or dampen the effectiveness of the message. To show understanding or to show interest to the sender of a message, a receiver might move closer, though the volume might not be affected. Similarly, distance and posture can also communicate a hierarchy of power, like the use of proximity to show dominance or intimidation. In a large theater, actors may use exaggerated non-verbal communications to send their message to the audience, but if people used such physical exaggerations in everyday communication, the message they are sending might hold a slight change in meaning within closer proximity to the non-verbal cues. Sender and receiver, encoding and decoding, the process of communication might seem simple, but the complexity and importance of face-to-face communication cannot be recreated or dismissed. Demonstrative communication i.e. non-verbal communication is vital.Eye contact, posture and body orientation, gestures, facial expressions, and proxemics are all important aspects to the communication process. References Mehrebian A (1971) Silent Messages. Wadsworth, California Subapriya, K. K. (2009). The Importance of Non-Verbal Cues. ICFAI Journal of Soft Skills, 3(2), 37-42. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. HULEA, L. (2010). COMMUNICATION - ORGANIZATIONS' WORK DEVICE. Annals of the University of Petrosani Economics, 10(3), 197-206. Retrieved from EBSCOhost Sutton, N. (2011, March 26). Pros and cons of nonverbal communication. Retrieved fromhttp://www.ehow.com/info_8117087_pros-cons-nonverbal-communication.html