Skip to main content
Social Sci LibreTexts

4.5: Chapter 4 Summary

  1. Last updated
  2. Save as PDF
  • Page ID
    346933

    • \( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)

    \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)

    \( \newcommand{\dsum}{\displaystyle\sum\limits} \)

    \( \newcommand{\dint}{\displaystyle\int\limits} \)

    \( \newcommand{\dlim}{\displaystyle\lim\limits} \)

    \( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)

    ( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)

    \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)

    \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)

    \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\)

    \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)

    \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)

    \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)

    \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\vectorA}[1]{\vec{#1}}      % arrow\)

    \( \newcommand{\vectorAt}[1]{\vec{\text{#1}}}      % arrow\)

    \( \newcommand{\vectorB}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)

    \( \newcommand{\vectorC}[1]{\textbf{#1}} \)

    \( \newcommand{\vectorD}[1]{\overrightarrow{#1}} \)

    \( \newcommand{\vectorDt}[1]{\overrightarrow{\text{#1}}} \)

    \( \newcommand{\vectE}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash{\mathbf {#1}}}} \)

    \( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)

    \(\newcommand{\longvect}{\overrightarrow}\)

    \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)

    \(\newcommand{\ket}[1]{\left| #1 \right>}\)
    \(\newcommand{\bra}[1]{\left< #1 \right|}\)
    \(\newcommand{\braket}[2]{\left< #1 \vphantom{#2} \right| \left. #2 \vphantom{#1} \right>}\)
    \(\newcommand{\braopket}[3]{\left< #1 \vphantom{#2}\vphantom{#3} \right| #2 \vphantom{#1}\vphantom{#3} \left| #3 \vphantom{#1}\vphantom{#2} \right>}\)
    \(\newcommand{\qmvec}[1]{\mathbf{\vec{#1}}}\)
    \(\newcommand{\op}[1]{\hat{\mathbf{#1}}}\)
    \(\newcommand{\expect}[1]{\langle #1 \rangle}\)
    \(\newcommand{\dfn}[1]{\emph{\textbf{#1}}}\)

    \(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)

    Nonverbal Communication Review

    Big picture

    • Nonverbal communication = meaning sent without words (faces, eyes, posture, touch, voice, clothing, space, time, environment).
    • You cannot not communicate: even silence, absence, or posture sends messages.
    • When words and nonverbals clash, people usually believe the nonverbal.

    How nonverbal works

    • Encoding/decoding: We “encode” messages with our bodies/voice; others “decode” them.
    • Emblems: Gestures with clear, learned meanings (thumbs up, OK sign, uniforms, certain tattoos).
    • Intentional vs unintentional: “Cues given” (on purpose) vs “cues given off” (leakage, habits/adaptors).

    Verbal vs nonverbal: key differences

    • More ambiguous: meaning depends heavily on context and clusters of cues.
    • Continuous/inevitable: we’re always sending signals.
    • Multi‑channeled: sight, sound, touch, smell, time, space.
    • More emotionally revealing and often more believable.
    • More culturally specific: the “same” cue can mean different things across cultures.

    Common myth check

    • The “93% of communication is nonverbal” claim came from narrow lab studies of single words. Real conversations are richer; takeaway: nonverbal matters a lot, but not as a fixed percent.

    Major channels (know these)

    • Kinesics (body): facial expressions (six likely universals: anger, fear, disgust, sadness, happiness, surprise), eye contact, gestures, posture, body artifacts (clothing, hair, scent, tattoos, jewelry).
    • Paralanguage (voice): pitch, rate, volume, quality, articulation, enunciation, pronunciation; watch disfluencies (“uh, um, like”)—minimize, don’t obsess.
    • Space:
      • Territoriality: ownership/markers (central, boundary, ear markers); size, location, control of access, and artifacts send power/status cues.
      • Proxemics (distance zones, U.S.): intimate (touch–18"), personal (18"–4'), social (4'–12'), public (12’+). Cultures vary widely.
    • Chronemics (time): monochronic (schedule/one‑thing‑at‑a‑time) vs polychronic (fluid/multiple). Differences show up in punctuality, duration, activity level.
    • Haptics (touch): powerful; rule‑bound by relationship, context, and culture. Violations dominate attention.

    Functions of nonverbal (what it does with/without words)

    • Duplicate: “yes” + head nod.
    • Replace: just the nod (no words).
    • Complement: smile + hug with “Congrats!”
    • Accent: vocal stress/gesture to emphasize a word.
    • Regulate: eye contact, posture, pauses to start/hold/end turns.
    • Contradict: “I’m fine” with a flat tone or slumped posture.

    Culture and context

    • Cues are learned and culture‑bound (e.g., OK sign means different things globally; norms for smiles, space, same‑gender touch vary).
    • Adjust expectations for space/time/touch when interacting across cultures.

    Nonverbal competence (practical tips)

    • Aim for congruence: align face, posture, hands, and tone with your words.
    • Think in clusters: don’t read single cues in isolation.
    • Manage first impressions: attentive posture, steady eye contact, appropriate artifacts (clothing/scent), and clear enunciation.
    • Monitor leaks: reduce nervous adaptors (leg bounce, filler words) in high‑stakes moments.
    • Use regulation skills: lean in, brief hand cue to take a turn; glance to watch/door to close a convo.
    • Listen actively: smile, lean in, eye contact. 

    Quick self‑check

    • Can you define each channel and give one example?
    • If someone’s words say “OK” but their tone/frown says “not OK,” which do you trust and why?
    • How would you adapt space/touch when moving from U.S. to a more contact‑oriented culture?

    References

    Andersen, P. A., Nonverbal Communication: Forms and Functions (Mountain View, CA: Mayfield, 1999), 125.

    Ambady, N., & Weisbuch, M. (2010). Nonverbal behavior. In S. T. Fiske, D. T. Gilbert, & G. Lindzey (Eds.), Handbook of social psychology, (pp. 464-497). Wiley.

    Burgoon, J. Buller, D, & Woodall, W. (1989) Nonverbal communication: The unspoken dialogue. Harper and Row.

    Changing Minds (2013). Proxemic Communication. Changing Minds.org. Retrieved 9/6/2013 from http://changingminds.org/explanation.../proxemics.htm

    DePaulo, P. J., “Applications of Nonverbal Behavior Research in Marketing and Management,” Applications of Nonverbal Behavior Theories and Research, ed. Robert S. Feldman (Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum, 1992), 64.

    Gifford, R. (2011). The role of nonverbal communication in interpersonal relations. In L. Horowitz, & S. Strack (Eds.), Handbook of interpersonal psychology Theory, research, assessment, and therapeutic interventions (pp. 171-190). Wiley.

    Goffman, E. (1959). The presentation of self in everyday life. Anchor Books.

    Goffman, E., Relations in Public: Microstudies of the Public Order (New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction Publishers, 2010), 322–31.

    Graham, J. (2007). Global psyche: A hands-on approach. Psychology Today. Retrieved from http://www.psychologytoday.com/artic...hands-approach

    Griffen, E. (2013). "Proxemic theory of Edward Hall." A First Look at Communication Theory. New York, NY: McGraw Hill. Retrieved 9/6/2013 from http://www.afirstlook.com/docs/proxemic.pdf

    Hackman, M.Z., & Johnson, C.E. (2000). Leadership: A communication perspective. Waveland.

    Hargie, O., Skilled Interpersonal Interaction: Research, Theory, and Practice, 5th ed. (London: Routledge, 2011), 81.

    Jones, E.J. (2009). Westlake Stop Bench [Photograph]. Retrieved 7/5/2017 from https://www.flickr.com/photos/elijui...-6zsU1JG3LCiH- 9CcHWx-nh87Uv-9tK1gk-dt3uzB-92EKR5-79H281-bo145F-d1K1vE-HpoQfY-Pz32Yy- e8yymB-fnugw-oC7uat- aTnANR-9nVyx3-diRLiq-Khf2c-8UQjUb-o2Vhwc-shrTqh-e4FUu8-7Xsh2E-aDr7rL-r1GJpg- fR3b7A-85RnLP-71cyhh-nHBVcu-rC8THu-tNvZ64-ToDZqE-p82nbh-TbTBYz-VBJ6Cg- UBawBm-ckvEZQ-boiqnH-bo21iM-boPGxH-SrKzMp-bnwUaH-9qbqFD-qnHakS-S79trT- U2LWwQ-9qm1cc-pFA8Ys-SacvYG

    Knapp, M. L. (1972). Nonverbal communication in human interaction. Holt, Rinehart and Winston.

    Knapp, M., Earnest, W., Griffin, D., & McGlone, M. (2020). Lying and deception in human interaction (3rd ed.). Kendall Hunt.

    Knapp, M., Hall, J., & Horgan, T. (2014). Nonverbal communication in human interaction (8th ed.). Wadsworth Cengage Learning.

    Krakovsky, M. (2009). Global psyche: National poker face. Psychology Today. Retrieved from www.psychologytoday.com/print/20211.

    Malandro, L. A., & Barker, L. (1983). Nonverbal Communication. Addison-Wesley.

    Matsumoto, D., & Hwang, H.S. (2011). Reading facial expressions of emotion. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from www.apa.org/science/about/psa...pressions.aspx

    McKay, M., Martha Davis, and Patrick Fanning, Messages: Communication Skills Book, 2nd ed. (Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications, 1995), 54.

    Mehrabian, A. (1981). Silent Messages: Implicit Communication of Emotions and Attitudes (2nd ed.). Wadsworth.

    Mehrabian, A. & Ferris, S. (1967). Inference of attitudes from nonverbal communication in two channels. Journal of Consulting Psychology, 13, 248-252.

    Mehrabian A., & Wiener, M. (1967). Decoding of inconsistent communications. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 6, 109-114.

    Metts, S. and Sally Planlap, “Emotional Communication,” in Handbook of Interpersonal Communication, 3rd ed., eds. Mark L. Knapp and Kerry J. Daly (Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2002): 339–73.

    Mottet, T. P., Steven A. Beebe, Paul C. Raffeld, and Michelle L. Paulsel, “The Effects of Student Verbal and Nonverbal Responsiveness on Teachers’ Liking of Students and Willingness to Comply with Student Requests,” Communication Quarterly 52, no. 1 (2004): 27–38.Robinson, T. (2010). Google calendar [Photograph]. Retrieved 7/5/2017 from www.flickr.com/photos/starga...-yAWQd-4wNpAp- 5NVk6J-7xhje-iLRQfU-5RzApz-8U4eLG-7enwc-8U1aoR-4ikLU-7uzWio-8ptQeU-94PxfL- 5SYLq3-94jK2e-8WwN2q-5RL7UJ-eRogS-rXQJ3-aKR6N-8WwN7j-7FTiDe-ooBwT- 4hAA66-wwN3Z-8U4exu-dy6Es5-x97EQ-5uw7Rk-4hAzWe-4hEDYd-4hEDRm-96fg9t-HJbRf -4ikLS-7AfyJu-5Ut4eU-wwMXu-92iCQV-3TGGXK-ddy4us-8YvoyY-kvCVA-pSuPX-3JF3Bk- 4hEEFo-33BNJy-oyF1G-4jZJgh-b37Sqe

    Pease, A. and Barbara Pease, The Definitive Book of Body Language (New York, NY: Bantam, 2004), 21.

    Riggio, R. E., “Social Interaction Skills and Nonverbal Behavior,” in Applications of Nonverbal Behavior Theories and Research, ed. Robert S. Feldman (Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum, 1992), 23.

    Sprague, J., Stuart, D., & Bodary, D. (2014). The speaker’s compact handbook (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.

    University of Oregon Center on Teaching and Learning (2013). Phonemic awareness. Retrieved 9/6/2013 from http://reading.uoregon.edu/big_ideas/pa/pa_what.php

    Vecchio, R. (2007). Global psyche: On their own time. Psychology Today. Retrieved from www.psychologytoday.com/print/23962

    Walker, A. (2008, January 16). 21 Accents. Retrieved January 09, 2018, from https://www.youtube.com/embed/3UgpfSp2t6k

    Watzlawick, P. (1978). The language of change: Elements of therapeutic communication. Norton W.W., & Company, Inc.

    This page titled 4.5: Chapter 4 Summary was last modified on Tue, 15 Sep 2026 03:03:44 GMT and is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Lia Calhoun.

    1. Back to top
    • Was this article helpful?

    Recommended articles

    1. Article type
      Section or Page
      Author
      Lia Calhoun
      License
      CC BY-NC-SA
      Show TOC
      yes
    2. Tags
      This page has no tags.