Nonverbal Expectations

By observing us children learn how to interact with others, accomplish goals, and get along in the world. We are the examples, and what many do not realize is that our non-verbal messages and actions are stronger than our verbal ones. Non-verbal communication consists of expressions, tone of voice, eye contact, and actions.  The way you listen, look, move, and react tells the other person whether or not you care, if you’re being truthful, and how well you’re listening. When your nonverbal signals match up with the words you’re saying, they increase trust, clarity, and rapport. When they don’t, they generate tension, mistrust, and confusion. There are many different types of nonverbal communication. Together, the following nonverbal signals and cues communicate your interest and investment in others.

5. a. there is three types of body language and nonverbal communication, eye contact, body positioning, and encouragement. Making eye contact is extremely important. Making eye contact in a conversation shows the other person that you are listening and you are interested in what is being said. Not making any eye contact makes the other person think you have no interest. Adjusting body positions are important because sitting straight up shows you care, when you slouch during an important conversation you are communicating you don’t care. Facing the person sitting straight up shows you respect them and what is being said. Nonverbally encouraging or discouraging what others say can be demonstrated in a conversation by using hand gestures and facial movement. Actively nodding and showing you are interested without talking are nonverbal ways of communication. (Lewicki, p 184-185)

How to deliver positive nonverbal communication is quite simple. Starting with facial expressions, make sure they are positive, give a genuine smile, others can tell a genuine smile from a fake one. Fakes smiles will make you less approachable, when a genuine smile makes others feel welcome. Maintain eye contact, but do not stare. Maintaining good eye contact shows that you are focused on the other person. Staring is seen as standoffish. Leaning forward shows that you are interested, but distance yourself correctly, use the space around you. Otherwise it is seem as intimidating or awkward. Adjust nonverbal signals according to the context. If you are responding or listening and your

There are eight key forms of nonverbal communications used on a daily basis. These forms can affect the way people view another person; however, without understanding the forms of nonverbal communication there is certain to be a lot of misinterpretations. Cultural and language differences are a common reason for miscommunication. When communicating with people in different cultures, a person should be extremely aware of the hand gestures and nonverbal communication tools they are using. Many of the hand gestures used in the United States that mean good things, mean offensive and profane things to other cultures. Nonverbal communication is described as body language, hand gestures, and facial expressions. It is known that people reveal more information through nonverbal communication, than words alone to get a point across. There will always be some interaction between two or more people that everyone’s

Usually you use eye contact with your parents if you are in trouble to show respect (rez, 1999). If you are just having a normal conversation you do not need to use eye contact. If you are speaking to a stranger especially two males, eye contact can be interpreted into a challenge or to intimidate. With younger people you also do not need to use eye contact. Facial expressions are also use to show special meaning. When you are sad, angry or happy your facial expressions will show others what you feel. The acceptable way of greeting people is by giving a hand shake that ends with a hug if you are a male greeting another male. And if you are a female, you usually give kisses on the cheek to greet another female or

According to Liu, there is much difference in nonverbal communication and their meanings among China and the United States. In Chinese culture for example, direct eye contact and staring is uncommon and is considered disrespectful to stare into another person's eyes. Even in crowded situations Chinese people avoid eye contact to give others and them privacy. But here in the US we consider eye contact to be a form of attentiveness, listening, honesty, and directness. When it comes to body language we usually see it as a way of expressing feeling, exchanging ideas, and conveying messages. Many people feel that with body

Throughout an entire day we use nonverbal messages as eye contact saying hello without speaking. While in class an instructor can look at your body posture and see if you are listening or understanding what is being discussed. We as listeners have to choose to believe in nonverbal message that a person is showing us feelings. We use nonverbal communication in relationships with a touch that can show love or being introduced to another with a hand shake.

In his article about eye contact studies, also known as Oculesics, Anderson (2015) states that studies conducted over many years by different researchers have come to a consensus about how eye contact is perceived. Looking someone directly in the eye especially when you or they are talking is considered polite because it shows attention is being given even if that isn’t the case inside the person’s head. Sometimes eye contact can also be misleading. The example given in the popular press proposal about the neighbor asking your help to move and you don’t want to but yet say yes, it is an example of misleading. A common myth however is that because a person isn’t directly looking at a person when they are talking, you are being rude and not listening. However there is no research that can validate this myth. There are many people who actually listen better when they are tinkering with an object and even looking away. The other social aspect, especially in Asian cultures, is considered to be rude by showing little to no eye contact, especially during a handshake.

The aspect of nonverbal communication has been studied extensively for at least four decades. During the 1960s, volumes were printed about "body language." While that label has become trite to the point of jokes, the subject itself is valid and has been given a more appropriate label: nonverbal communication. Words, in and of themselves, do not convey the entire message in any communication interaction. There are always nonverbal cues. Even in a telephone conversation, there is are cues in terms of voice inflection, tone, volume, speed. Loudness and/or a harsh tone, for instance, communicates hostility and/or anger. Whether the speaker means to convey that message or not is immaterial because it is the listener's interpretation that will set the tone for the rest of the conversation.

Nonverbal communication plays an essential role in any conversation. Individuals who are aware of nonverbal actions during conversations can more effectively interpret what is being communicated.

In my household, there has always been a strong emphasis on the importance of eye contact. Eye contact falls under the category of kinesics, or body movements and positions. Even though eye contact seems like a small gesture, it is still extremely important in the act of communication. I remember when I was growing up, my dad would often tell me things such as “look at me when I’m talking to you”. Even though I would mainly hear those statements when I was in trouble, they left an impact on me. I also remember my grandma telling me that “your eyes are the window to your soul”. Americans place a strong worth on eye contact. The textbook supports this idea by stating “To the European American, direct eye contact is expected” (Lustig & Koester 289). I’ve always been told by my elders to make strong eye contact and it has stuck with me throughout my life. Making eye contact is now second nature to me and I don’t put much thought into it. When I was having a conversation with Christina recently, I noticed I make a lot more direct eye contact then she does. When I’m telling her something or responding to something she said, I make sure to look at her directly, so she knows she has my full attention. But, when she’s talking, she’ll glance away or sometimes even look at her phone while talking to me. I know that she is paying attention to me because of the feedback she gives, but if I didn’t know her

The relationship of the verbal and nonverbal communication is essential in our daily outlook. Our body language can express a great deal on how comfortable we are, and how our interactions go. People have little ticks that give a hint of what our true thoughts and intentions are. With a better understanding of our body language and tone, we can manipulate how other people interact with us. It can also fool a lie detector test if need be. When someone has open arms, we tend

Expectancy violation theory, which is a communication theory developed from the Nonverbal expectancy violation model by Judee K. Burgoon, attempts to explain the unexpected behaviors of individuals while interacting with one another. While communicating, most people often predict or expect a particular behavioral response, such as making appropriate eye contacts. However, if the other person’s response does not match their expectations, the response can be either be perceived positively or negatively, depending on the relationship between the people. The theory emphasizes on an individual’s perception of the interaction in certain situation, and because people differ in their own ways, due to distinctive cultural or personal values, the reactions

Whether you realize it or not, almost all of what you say doesn 't come out of your mouth. In 1967, the Journal of Consulting Psychology published a study conducted by two researchers, UCLA professor Albert Mehrabian and Susan R. Ferris, that concluded that 93% of communication is considered nonverbal. Nonverbal communication can be anything from tone of voice, body language, and anything that doesn 't come out of your mouth basically. Nonverbal communication varies across cultures and sexes and is an essential part of our world. Knowing the facts about how we communicate and the way we react to communication is important to increase trust, clarity, and add interest to your presentation and appearance. Learning how to become sensitive to body language and nonverbal cues will help you become better at portraying your intention.

“Systematic research on the role of nonverbal behavior in social interaction has been common only in the past 20 to 25 years.”(Edinger and Patterson, 1983, p. 30).because that statement was published in 1983, it is apparent that the study of nonverbal behavior has been around for roughly 50 to 55 years. However, that is still a relatively recent amount of time compared to research in other science fields such as chemistry or biology. Despite the fact that this field is relatively recent there are many theories about our interaction with others. This paper will discuss the nonverbal expectancy theory along with two other theories, and describe how these theories can work together.