Understanding Nonverbal Communication in Organizations
Nonverbal Communication in Organizations
Introduction
Communication is the process of assigning meaning to facts and behaviors. Nonverbal communication, or body language, plays a crucial role in this process, encompassing facial expressions, gestures, posture, and even tone of voice. This type of communication became a subject of rigorous study after World War II.
General Features of Nonverbal Communication:
- Interdependence with verbal interaction
- Significance often exceeding verbal messages
- Unavoidable in communicative situations
- Predominantly expressive or emotive function
- Culturally diverse systems
- Specialized behaviors for communication
- Descriptive research focus
Understanding nonverbal communication enhances interpersonal interactions.
Interpreting Posture
Posture provides insights into an individual’s character and attitudes. People often mirror the postures of those they agree with, a phenomenon known as postural congruence. Conversely, incongruent postures can create psychological distance.
The Role of Touch
Touch is a fundamental sense, conveying closeness and intimacy. The type of touch and the body part touched significantly impact the message. While touch is often associated with sex, it also expresses friendship and affection, varying across cultures.
Body Movements
Body movements, such as walking, reveal personality traits. The quality of movement, rather than the act itself, is key. The ratio of postural movements to gestures indicates an individual’s level of engagement.
Gestures
Interpreting gestures requires considering the entire set, not just isolated movements. Gestures form “phrases” that reveal true feelings and attitudes. Context and age also influence interpretation.
Gestures at the Beginning of a Conversation
The initial seconds of a conversation are crucial for establishing rapport. Nonverbal cues quickly convey liking or disliking.
Body Rhythms
Body movements synchronize with speech rhythms, with alterations indicating potential health issues.
Territories and Personal Space
Zonal Distances
- Intimate Zone (15-45 cm): Reserved for close relationships.
- Personal Zone (46 cm-1.22 m): For social interactions and office settings.
- Social Zone (1.22-3.6 m): For strangers and acquaintances.
- Public Zone (Over 3.6 m): For addressing groups.
Ritual Use of Space
People maintain spatial distances to avoid disturbing others, a ritual particularly noticeable in urban settings.
Spatial Differences: Urban vs. Rural
Individuals raised in rural areas tend to require more personal space than those from urban environments.
Hand Gestures
The Palm
Open palms signify honesty and submission, while downward-facing palms convey authority. A closed fist with a pointing finger symbolizes a command.
The Handshake
Handshakes can communicate dominance, submission, or equality. The position of the palm during a handshake reveals the intended message.
Handshakes: Submissive and Dominant
A downward-facing palm asserts dominance, while an upward-facing palm indicates submission. A vertical handshake signifies equality.
Handshake Styles
Different handshake styles, such as the dominant handshake or the glove handshake, convey varying levels of aggression and trust.
Interlaced Fingers
Interlaced fingers, despite appearing relaxed, often mask frustration or hostility.
Hands on Head
This gesture signifies confidence and superiority, common among professionals.
Holding Hands, Arms, and Wrists
Holding hands behind the back conveys authority, while holding one’s wrist or arm indicates frustration.
Gestures with the Thumb
Thumbs often express dominance or superiority, particularly when contradicting verbal messages.
Hands on Face
Touching the face can indicate deception, but should be interpreted in conjunction with other gestures.
The Mouth Guard
Covering the mouth suggests an attempt to suppress deceitful words.
Touching the Nose
Touching the nose is a subtle version of the mouth guard.
Rubbing the Eye
Rubbing the eye indicates a desire to avoid witnessing deception.
Scratching the Neck
Scratching the neck signifies doubt or uncertainty.
Fingers in Mouth
This gesture reveals a need for security.
Boredom
Resting the head on the hand indicates boredom.
Rubbing or Patting the Head
Rubbing the neck expresses anger or frustration, while patting the head suggests acceptance of a mistake.
Defensive Arm Gestures
Crossed Arms
Crossed arms create a barrier, signaling defensiveness or negativity.
Facial Expressions
Eye Signals
Pupil dilation indicates excitement, while constriction suggests negativity. Eye contact duration also conveys meaning.
Leg Gestures
Crossed Legs
Crossed legs can indicate defensiveness, but should be interpreted in context, especially with women.
Other Gestures
Head Positions
A neutral head position indicates attentiveness, a tilted head shows interest, and a downward-facing head suggests negativity.
Gestures of Coquetry
Both men and women use specific gestures to signal romantic interest, with women possessing a wider range of signals.
Cigarettes and Glasses
Smoking Gestures
The direction of exhaled smoke can reveal a person’s attitude, with upward exhales signifying confidence and downward exhales indicating negativity.
Gestures with Glasses
Putting glasses in the mouth signifies a need for reassurance, while looking over glasses can convey judgment or scrutiny.
Indicators
Body and feet direction can reveal a person’s desired course of action.
The Possibility of Faking
Faking body language is difficult due to micro-signals that betray incongruence between gestures and speech.
Analysis of Sign Language
The study of body language, though ancient, has only recently become a scientific field. Nonverbal communication is crucial in a visually-oriented era.
In conclusion, gestures are culturally learned and vary across different groups. Analyzing communication reveals a wealth of information about individuals and societies.