There are many situations when you can’t explain your thoughts with the second person by speaking and writing. At that time, you have to use non-verbal communication like symbols, physical posture, and facial expressions.
You also must have seen people who can’t speak trying to convert their feelings, thoughts, and ideas through physical gestures, posture, and facial expressions. Similarly, in many situations, we can’t use verbal communication.
If you are interested to know about non verbal communication then, below you will find the answer to what non-verbal communication is and why is non verbal communication important for you to understand.
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What Is Non Verbal Communication?
When two and more people share their thoughts and ideas with each other by speaking and writing, it is called communication. It is usually defined as the transmission of information.
But non verbal communication refers to how beings convey information about their emotions, needs, intentions, attitudes, and thoughts without using words.
In simple words, non-verbal communication is the information passed without spoken and written words.
A study conducted at UCLA found a majority of communication to be non-verbal, although the study’s exact statistics, which showed only 7% of any message to be relayed through words, 38% through vocal elements like tone, and 55% through non-verbal elements like posture and gesture are often disputed.
Types of non verbal communication
There are various types of non verbal communication. Let’s talk about it.
S.NO | TYPES OF NON VERBAL COMMUNICATION | MEANING | EXAMPLE |
| 1 | Body language | It is the way someone positions their body depending on the situation, the environment, and how they are feeling. | Good and positive body language shows that your movements and gestures are engaged, interested, approachable, and open. |
| 2 | Movement | Moving your arms and legs, like walking quickly and slowly, standing, sitting, or fidgeting can convey different messages to onlookers. | Walking, running, dancing, swimming, and yoga are a few examples of physical movement. |
| 3 | Posture | How you sit and stand can also communicate your comfort level, professionalism, and general disposition towards a person and conversation. | Someone might slouch their shoulders if they feel tired, frustrated, and disappointed. |
| 4 | Gestures | While gestures are widely used across communities, they are used intentionally and unintentionally to convey information to others. | Someone might display a “thumbs up” to communicate confirmation. |
| 5 | Paralanguage | Paralanguage includes the non-language elements of speech, like your talking speed, pitch, intonation, volume, and more. | You might speak quickly and fast if you are excited. |
| 6 | Facial expressions | Using the eyebrows, mouth, eyes, and facial muscles to convey emotion or information can be very effective. | Someone might raise their eyebrows and open their eyes widely if they are surprised. |
| 7 | Eye contact | How you look at someone can communicate many things, including interest, affection, hostility, or attraction. | Looking away from someone and at the ground or your phone may convey disinterest or disrespect. |
| 8 | Touch | How people and animals communicate and interact via the sense of touch | You can show compassion and empathy for someone by hugging them when they feel sad. |
| 9 | Tone of voice | The range of pitch in the voice may communicate something other than the words being spoken. | A phrase that is as simple as “I don’t know” can be taken in different ways depending on how you decide to express it. |
| 10 | Volume | It is the degree of loudness or softness of your voice when communicating with someone | Someone loud may alienate others; such a person is often viewed as overbearing or aggressive. |
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The reason why is non verbal communication important.
It Helps People Understand What You’re Saying:
It is used to help people have a better understanding of the message you are trying to share. For example, if someone is saying something important and he/she is using very serious facial expressions, it can help them to understand the importance of what he/she is communicating.
It Can Show Confidence
Good body postures, gestures, and eye contact is the most important factor in nonverbal communication. Making eye contact with good body postures and gestures shows that you are engaged with your conversation partner and interested in what they say. When you make strong eye contact with good body postures and gestures, you are displaying confidence and authenticity.
It Helps You Make A Good First Impression
Everyone wants to make a good first impression, and everyone knows some simple ways to be likable:
- Make eye contact.
- Ask questions about the other person.
- Listen significantly more than you speak and smile.
Many people make their judgment of your body language and nonverbal cues. It can be hard to overcome a bad first impression in many situations. This is why it’s important to pay attention to what you are communicating non-verbally to others.
Increasing Intimacy
If you teach yourself to recognize how your family, teachers, friends, and family are expressing themselves without words, it can make communication flow better and easier. Practicing being more attuned to your friend’s non-verbal cues will force you to become a good listener.
Improving Empathy
Recognizing facial expressions and other non-verbal cues are important aspects of expressing empathy. Increasing your capacity for empathy will allow you to have a deeper understanding of your friend and family members’ experiences. Non-verbal communication increases understanding and will help to forge a stronger, more trusting bond.
Creates Effective Impact
Non-verbal communication is the best way to communicate feelings, as individuals will likely empathize with feelings expressed through this form. Because we automatically pay more attention to non-verbal cues like tone of voice, body posture, and body language than verbal commands, non-verbal communication can frequently be more productive as compared to verbal communication.
Tips for improving non verbal communication
Eye Contact: look at the person’s eye during the conversation.
Physical distance: maintain a comfortable distance between you and the other person.
Posture: lean slightly forward in a relaxed and open posture.
Gestures: avoid fidgeting and distracting motions.
Volume: loud enough to be heard.
Facial expression: relaxed, showing positive regard to the other.
Tone: even, natural. Avoid sarcasm and whining.
Volume: maintain loudness or softness.
Conclusion on Why Is Non Verbal Communication Important
How you communicate with others, verbally and non-verbally, can play an essential role in relationships. As you read above, there are many reasoning why is non verbal communication important. I hope you understand what non verbal communication is and why is non verbal communication important.