Premium Essay

The Effectiveness of Body Language in Communication

In:

Submitted By tsarna
Words 1065
Pages 5
The Effectiveness of Body Language In communication.

Body language refers to various forms of nonverbal communication, where in a person may reveal clues as to some unspoken intention or feeling through their physical behaviour. These behaviours include (but are not limited to) facial expressions, body posture, gestures, eye movement, touch and the use of space. Body language exists in both animals and humans, but this article focuses on interpretations of human body language. It is also known as kinesics.
Body language must not be confused with sign language, as sign languages are full languages like spoken languages and have their own complex grammar systems, as well as being able to exhibit the fundamental properties that exist in all languages. Body language, on the other hand, does not have a grammar and must be interpreted broadly, instead of having an absolute meaning corresponding with a certain movement, so it is not a language like sign language, and is simply termed as a "language" due to popular culture.
Body language, a subset of nonverbal communication, complements verbal communication in social interaction. In fact some researchers conclude that nonverbal communication accounts for the majority of information transmitted during interpersonal interactions.
Body language is a part of communication that very few actually study yet it makes up most of what we use to communicate and is generally much more accurate a judge of meaning than are the words we use. I’m going to share some reasons why body language is so important and then give you a very short quiz to take to see how well you understand its meaning.

They say actions speak louder than words and sometimes we can communicate things even without the aid of a single word. We can shrug our shoulders and, without a word, we’ve just said, “I don’t know.” We can raise our eyebrows and we’ve

Similar Documents

Free Essay

Too Manby L's

...team’s overall effectiveness in meeting objectives and for your recommendations for improvements. Team working: purpose eg to achieve goals, increase efficiency and productivity Skills as a team member: clarifying objectives, agreeing tasks, valuing people, being receptive to feedback; encouraging other team members to recommend improvements; conflict situations; interpersonal skills eg communication (active listening, questioning, body language, assertiveness) Make it clear how your findings provide supporting evidence for your team’s overall effectiveness in meeting objectives and for your recommendations for improvements. Team working: purpose eg to achieve goals, increase efficiency and productivity Skills as a team member: clarifying objectives, agreeing tasks, valuing people, being receptive to feedback; encouraging other team members to recommend improvements; conflict situations; interpersonal skills eg communication (active listening, questioning, body language, assertiveness) Make it clear how your findings provide supporting evidence for your team’s overall effectiveness in meeting objectives and for your recommendations for improvements. Team working: purpose eg to achieve goals, increase efficiency and productivity Skills as a team member: clarifying objectives, agreeing tasks, valuing people, being receptive to feedback; encouraging other team members to recommend improvements; conflict situations; interpersonal skills eg communication (active listening...

Words: 681 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Conversations: More Than Just Words

...More than Just Words Communications is the process by which information and thoughts are shared between two or more people by means of speech, behavior, or nonverbal cues. Thereby, meaning the process of conversing does not only occur with verbalization but also through demonstrative communications. Demonstrative communications involves all actions that do not comprise of spoken language. Every day, we send out and receive messages nonverbally, using them to emphasize and enhance our verbal messages. Everything from the way we dress to the way we carry ourselves speaks to others and says a lot about our character. Silent messages encompass a considerable portion of our daily communications. A study showed that only seven percent of communications is verbal whereas ninety-three percent is composed of demonstrative communications, indicating that we use nonverbal actions to listen and respond more than we do with words (Mehrabian, 1995-2011). What we are thinking and feeling is communicated through our body language and sent out in unspoken language. Therefore, when carrying out a conversation we are not only listening with our ears but also our eyes, just as we respond with body language and not only with words. Developing communication skills to be more conscious of body language and their meanings will enable a person to read other people better, in turn, allowing them to be more conscious of their own body language. Sending out the wrong kind of body language can deliver the wrong...

Words: 1134 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Demonstrative Communication

...Demonstrative Communication Whether we are aware of it or not in our lifetime we have utilized, acquired, and practiced the use of demonstrative communication skills. As we mature, we adapt to our environments differently on various levels. These abilities assist us with the countless number of daily interactions we face as well as our diverse associates. Demonstrative communication proficiencies systematically assist us with routines and our ever-changing schedules and associates. Along polishing and modifying our verbal skills, our nonverbal, facial expressions, and body language they require daily modifications. Through our motions or languages, our personalities, traits, and habits stand exposed for others to judge by. Demonstrative communication is the primary enhancer in assisting us with nonverbal interactions. It has positive reinforcement aspects when giving speeches or conducting meetings at the workplace. Not everyone feels confident in front of crowds therefore hand gestures are an intrical tool for them to use as some of the attention by the audience reverts from the speaker. The magnitude and direction of the message the sender wants to convey translates through the tone of their voice. Through persuasiveness or dull rhetoric, speakers influence the audience or receiver to make judgments. Proper attire or the lack of also plays an important role as unwritten communication when trying to send any type of message. Voice tones are more believable if...

Words: 1088 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Agatha Christie Essay

...excellent flow and structure. The topic sentences and the body of the essay went well with the thesis statement. There are several aspects that you need to keep in mind when writing an essay; catching the reader's attention such as writing a challenging question which the essay starts with, "who does not enjoy a good mystery story?" this question, motivates a reader's attention of concern. There should not be unnecessary sentences: straight to the point, but well developed paragraphs. Stay within topic, each paragraph needs to have a single idea that supports your thesis and still have excellent flow. The essay has a great introduction, it maintains the "triangle standing on its point" structure, meaning that the writer moved from general to specific. The writer went from people enjoying "mystery stories", to Agatha Christie's, "strong characters, her interesting settings, and her strong morality." As I read on I am more intrigued to find out more. The body paragraphs are in the same order as the thesis statement, each paragraph with supporting examples, details, and opinions. In the first body paragraph, the writer compares Christie with other writers, creating more anticipation for the readers. Next, the second body paragraph describes interesting setting where Christie's characters are found. The last paragraph ends with the strongest argument, which is the personal aspect of Christie's writing. All in all, the body paragraphs are simple and complex. Lastly, the...

Words: 622 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Demonstrative Communication

...Demonstrative Communication Shanta Richards BCOM/275 February 24, 2014 Eric Belmar, Jr. Demonstrative Communication Abstract Demonstrative communication is a form of communication that includes nonverbal and unwritten means of communication. There is body language, tone of voice, eye contact, and facial expression. Demonstrative communication helps to reach and bond others those whom don’t speak the same language or from a different culture. This paper will review effectiveness ineffectiveness, positive and negative of nonverbal communication. The listening and responding of demonstrative communication. Demonstrative Communication Demonstrative communication (DC) is a form of communication that includes nonverbal and unwritten communication between a sender and a receiver. There are roughly 6,800 languages in the world, with people communicating using more than words. According to Manero, 2014 “It is estimated that only seven percent of communication is composed of words, 38 percent is tone of voice, while 55 percent is physiology. This 93 percent is known as demonstrative communication, or nonverbal communication.” DC is the major part of advertising with the key being the emotions of the receiver. The influence of advertising in our nation is universal and elusive. Take Weight Watchers it shows famous individuals whom were plus size that reduce their size...

Words: 1105 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Unit 1

...One to one communication In the one to one interaction I had to do role play of a situation that took place in an elderly home, in the interaction the role alternated and me and my partner was able to get a feel and understanding of what it was like to be in that situation, in the interaction our speaking and listen skills were assessed by our teacher and our partner so we were able to see what we did wrong so that we were improve our skills and understand what skills are needed in a health and social care setting, my speaking was strong when I did the interaction, but I was hesitant at times and my body language wasn’t showing that I was very comfortable with the situation that I was In, when I was acting as the care worker it had to deal with someone’s son the thought that his mother’s bag had been stolen, in this situation I had to be careful with the way that I dealt with the person, in the conversation I had to use my body language, tone of voice, touch, proper language, proximity and good listen skills, these skills were used to hap defuse the situation and the anger that the person was feeling, in the situation my I had to be very understanding and listen carefully to what was being said so that I could respond in an appropriate way, when I was trying to calm the individual it had to use eye contact and positive and open body language to show that I was trying to be nice and help with the problem, as I used these methods to deal with the situation It was said that my non-verbal...

Words: 931 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Demonstrative Communication Essay

...Demonstrative communication plays a critical role in all forms of communication. Demonstrative communication is the process of sending and receiving information and/or messages by non-verbal communication through actions, gestures, expressions, and tone of voice. The importance of these actions can set the tone for the conversation that ensues, thus the importance of demonstrative communication is essential. Body language such as actions and gestures and general bodily movement during conversation can be a very dominant device. An important aspect of body language is eye level. An individuals eye level during a conversation can set the tone, if someone is looking at the ground and not making eye contact the conversation can be observed as negative. Arm positioning is also important in body language, if someone crosses their arms or has their hands in their pockets also gives off the same negative vibes. These little gestures and actions can have a conversation take the turn from positive and confident to negative. Body language is essential in face-to-face interactions. These factors would play a huge role in how the receiver of the message would perceive the sender and if they would in fact receive the message. According to Huntington (2014), “Nonverbal cues affect how people understand what you are attempting to communicate, and their reaction corresponds to how you delivered your message. If you are expecting a certain response by the receiver of your message, your...

Words: 632 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Nrs 451 Assignment Presentation Organizational Culture

...NRS 451 Assignment Presentation Organizational culture Click Link Below To Buy: http://hwcampus.com/shop/nrs-451-assignment-presentation-organizational-culture/ Prepare a 10-minute presentation (10-15 slides, not including title or reference slide) on organizational culture and values. Describe how alignment between the values of an organization and the values of the nurse impact nurse engagement and patient outcomes. Discuss how an individual can use effective communication techniques to overcome workplace challenges, encourage collaboration across groups, and promote effective problem solving. Identify a specific instance from your own professional experience in which the values of the organization and the values of the individual nurses did or did not align. Describe the impact this had on nurse engagement and patient outcomes. While APA style format is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected and in-text citations and references should be presented using APA documentation guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. This assignment uses a grading rubric. Instructors will be using the rubric to grade the assignment; therefore, students should review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the assignment criteria and expectations for successful completion of the assignment. Organizational Values Presentation (Benchmark Assessment) 80.0 %Content ...

Words: 1375 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Nrs 451 Assignment Presentation Organizational Culture

...NRS 451 Assignment Presentation Organizational culture Click Link Below To Buy: http://hwcampus.com/shop/nrs-451-assignment-presentation-organizational-culture/ Prepare a 10-minute presentation (10-15 slides, not including title or reference slide) on organizational culture and values. Describe how alignment between the values of an organization and the values of the nurse impact nurse engagement and patient outcomes. Discuss how an individual can use effective communication techniques to overcome workplace challenges, encourage collaboration across groups, and promote effective problem solving. Identify a specific instance from your own professional experience in which the values of the organization and the values of the individual nurses did or did not align. Describe the impact this had on nurse engagement and patient outcomes. While APA style format is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected and in-text citations and references should be presented using APA documentation guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. This assignment uses a grading rubric. Instructors will be using the rubric to grade the assignment; therefore, students should review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the assignment criteria and expectations for successful completion of the assignment. Organizational Values Presentation (Benchmark Assessment) 80.0 %Content ...

Words: 1375 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Demonstrative Communication

...Communication is defined as the process of sending and receiving messages between sender and receiver. The effectiveness of the communication through this simplistically defined communication model may vary. Many factors can influence the effectiveness of communication. One key to effective communication is a shared understanding of the information communicated between the sender and receiver (Moore, Parker 2009). Demonstrative communication is a method of altering the effectiveness of communication. Demonstrative communication includes nonverbal and unwritten communication and involves such things as facial expressions, tone of voice, body language, and so forth (wiki answers). Many times the sender and receiver are unaware of the nonverbal messages they are conveying along with their verbal communication. The sender can use demonstrative communication to enhance or degrade the transmitted message. Likewise the receiver can use demonstrative communication to enhance the feedback they are providing to the sender. The power of nonverbal communication can overshadow the spoken word. Irrespective of how bubbly a speaker is in saying he is happy to be presenting, a long face and sober continence will send a very different message to the audience. An employee with folded arms during a performance review may say she is open to constructive feedback, but her body land reveals she is probably not open to such feedback. Uttering a word is sometimes unnecessary for effective...

Words: 708 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Demonstrative Communication

...COM/275 Ivy Chiangwa Cesar Chavez August 11, 2014 Demonstrative Communication Communication on its own is very essential in everything in this world. It is used every day every minute and every second. There are types of communication. We all know that people talk to each other when trying to communicate and write to each other as well, but they can also communicate without writing and/or talking. My focus today is on demonstrative communication. Demonstrative communication is defined as nonverbal and unwritten communication. There are many types of demonstrative communication. Examples are facial expressions, body language, eye contact, hand gestures and even the tone of one’s voice. Effectiveness and Ineffectiveness of Demonstrative Communication As unbelievable as it may seem, demonstrative communication is important in many things especially interrogations. For example, if there is a terrorist that is being interrogated by the FBI or CIA, the FBI or CIA will not only rely on information relayed by the terrorist through talking, but they will also read the his/her body language. If the terrorist is shaking his/her leg or tapping his/her foot, it might show anxiety or nervousness and it might enlighten something within the case that is being investigated. Facial expressions might also show if the terrorist is being honest or lying to the interrogators. This shows that non-verbal and non-written communication is very effective in most, if not everything in our lives. ...

Words: 821 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Demonstrative Communication

...Running head: DEMONSTRATIVE COMMUNICATION Demonstrative Communication BCOM 275 Business Communications and Critical Thinking June 19, 1 DEMONSTRATIVE COMMUNICATION 2 Demonstrative Communication Communication is an essential part of our existence. People communicate through verbal or nonverbal form. The ability to communicate allow us to established a relationship as both sender and receiver shared a common understanding of information among family, peers, subordinates, associates, and so forth. Part of communication interactions is the used of demonstrative communication, the process of sending and receiving messages that include verbal and nonverbal form. Nonverbal communication is an important component of communication; it enhances the message that was send and received by reinforcing the verbal communication through body gestures and movement. In this essay we will the effectiveness and infectiveness of demonstrative communication. Explore the positive and negative consequences for both the sender and receiver. Finally examine how listening and receiving is involve through demonstrative communication. Demonstrative communications are nonverbal and unwritten actions involve during a communication process. The use of arm and hands movement, visual contact, and body position are some examples of elements of a demonstrative communication. Most of the messages send toward others are nonverbal motion. Verbal communication components contain less than...

Words: 971 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

The Communication Process

...The Communication Process Communication is defined by the Oxford dictionary as the imparting or exchanging of information by speaking, writing, or using some other medium (Oxford, 2013). At its fundamental basis communication represents the quality and proficiency that one is able to send and receive messages. However, communication as an academic discourse and its implied relationship to leadership, yield wide-ranging and often ambiguous results. Perhaps the is due to the observations that “from a sociological perspective communication is perhaps one of the most extensively studied of all aspects of human behavior (Ogreene, 2013). Communication is essential to being an effective leader. Forbes contributor Matt Myatt goes as far as saying that: “It is simply impossible to become a great leader without being a great communicator” (Myatt, 2012, para. 1). So what is communication and how is it related to leadership? Communication studies, as a theoretical academic discipline, cover a variety of communication related topics. However, there is an assumption by communication scholars that communication at a base level is rooted in semiotics. This results in scholars agreeing that communication involves signs, which can be words and writing; and codes, which are the context that is added in order to understand the sign (Fiske, 2012). Strong and effective leaders have a firm grasp on communication and are able to use signs and codes to their advantage providing guidance and inspiration...

Words: 831 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Guidelines to Overcome Communication Barriers

...it's not easy to communicate effectively because there are a lot of communication barriers faced by all such as misinterpretations, semantic blocks, filtering etc. The following measures may be adopted to overcome the barriers and maintain the effectiveness of communication. 1. Simple Organizational Structure The organizational structure should not be complex. The number of hierarchical levels should be optimum. There should be an ideal span of control within the organization. More simple will be the organizational structure; more effective will be the communication. 2. Active Listening Listening attentively and carefully is essential for effective communication. There is a difference between “listening” and “hearing”. Active listening means hearing with proper understanding of the message that is heard. By asking questions the speaker can ensure whether his/her message is understood or not by the receiver in the same terms as intended by the speaker. 3. Feedback The effectiveness of communication is measured through feedback. Communication is a two-way process. The communication is complete when the receiver understands the message. In case of face to face communication, immediate feedback by seeing the emotions and expressions on the face of the listener can be of great help to the communicator. There should be a follow up action to ensure that the message is rightly understood. All communications should be followed up to generate feedback. 4. Proper Medium Selection ...

Words: 969 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Effects of Verbal and Nonverbal Cues

...The  Effects  of  Verbal  and  Nonverbal   Cues  on  Interpersonal   Communications           Jorge  Fernandez   Professor  Steven  Muniz   Communication   13  December  2012             Many  people  nowadays  are  discriminated  against.  No,  I’m  not  talking  about   skin  color  or  ethnicity.  I’m  talking  about  body  language  and  tone  of  voice.  It  doesn’t   matter  what  color  or  sex  you  are.  You  are  constantly  being  judged  and  examined  by   your  peers.  Not  much  you  can  do  about  it  except  embrace  it  and  use  it  to  your   advantage.     Correcting  your  image  has  its  way  of  defining  how  you  are  perceived   instantaneously.  Breaking  down  your  image  you  may  realize  it  is  actually  made  up   of  things  such  as  body  language,  tone  of  voice,  and  appearance.  All  important,  but   equal  in  different  ways.  For  example  your  body  language  might  get  you  through  the   door,  but  once  you  open  your  mouth  the  jigs  up. ...

Words: 1954 - Pages: 8