Types of non-verbal communication

Everything communicates is one of the axioms of communication (Watzlawick, 1993). There is nothing in our daily interactions with other people that does not convey a message, even silence speaks. A look, a gesture, a body posture, movement, physical appearance, everything, absolutely everything, communicates.

Thus, roughly speaking, we can say that we all communicate in two ways, one verbal – over which we have more control – and another non-verbal – over which we would have less control.

Non-verbal communication refers to set of signs and systems non-linguistic signs that communicate or are used to communicate (Cestero and Penadés, 2017). This definition involves, on the one hand, cultural habits and customs (cultural signs and systems) and, on the other hand, the non-verbal communication system. Both elements have universal and particular properties of each language and culture.

If we analyze non-verbal communication in our interpersonal relationships or when expressing a message verbally, we can observe its different functions. Among these functions the following stand out:

Emphasize non-verbal language: For this, illustrators are used, whose function is to reinforce the message we are giving. Illustrations are usually made with the hands, although the eyebrows and upper eyelids also participate, to give emphasis (Ekman, 2009).Express feelings and emotions: we can communicate that we are sad, happy or distressed. For this we mainly use the face.Substitute a word: when we make a gesture with our thumb to express that something is right or wrong.Guide the way in which the verbal message should be interpreted: a message can be understood in one way or another according to the tone of voice we use, the expression we have or the gestures we make.Regulate communication: when we use gestures or facial expressions to regulate the verbal message we are transmitting.

The 3 types of non-verbal communication

For Patterson (2011), non-verbal communication is made up of two components: the first of them is the fixed features that are related to design, space layout and physical appearance. That they are fixed does not mean that they cannot change, but rather that at the exact moment of communication they do not vary constantly, as the other component does.

The second component is the dynamic characteristics which result in “the fluid exchange between people in different social settings” (Patterson, 2011). These include distance and orientation, gaze, facial expression, posture, movement, body contact, vocal behaviors and olfactory signals.

We can classify all these forms of non-verbal communication into three broad categories: paralinguistics, kinesis and proxemics.

1. Paralinguistics

Study the non-semantic aspects of language and that generally depend on the emotions and intentions of the sender. Among these we can find:

tone of voice

It is the degree of raising our voice, it can be serious or high-pitched. It is related to the feelings and the content of what we are saying. High-pitched voice tones tend to be associated, depending on the context, with indecision or doubt. While the bass firmly, confidently.

Rhythm

It is the verbal fluency, the number of words we say per minute. When a person speaks very quickly, they are said to be shorthand; When she speaks very slowly, she is said to be bradylalic. It is common for people who are desperate or anxious to speak very quickly, while those who are calm and relaxed speak more slowly.

The volume

It refers to the intensity with which we speak. A low volume is related to shyness, sadness or submission. On the other hand, a high volume conveys security, authority, dominance.

The ringer

Is it the spectrum or specific register of our voice. It allows us to recognize a person by their voice. It is a unique characteristic of each person’s voice.

2. Kinesis

Kinesia is the study of what we express through body movements, gestures and postures. The following are found in this form of communication.

facial expression

They are all those gestures that we transmit with the face. The smile is a type of facial expression. Some common types of smiles have been identified, smiles with tense lips, the crooked smile, the smile with the jaw down, smile with an upward gaze (Allan and Barbara, 2006).

The looks

Through our eyes, we transmit a lot of information. For example, Looking at a person for a long time can be a sign that we are interested, although it can also be a sign of hostility, depending on the context.. If we look down, it can be an indicator of insecurity or that we don’t like what we are seeing.

In the same way that eye movements transmit attitudes and feelings, they can also express personality. Some people look more than others. Those who are naturally more affectionate tend to look a lot, as do individuals who are more in need of affection (Davis, 1998).

The posture

It is the position in which the body is when walking, sitting, lying or standing. It tends to reflect the emotional state of people, especially if they are tense.. When a person is anxious or nervous he tends to assume rigid postures or move constantly from one side to another. The body parts that are most analyzed are the arms, hands and legs.

The gestures

Gesture is another form of non-verbal communication that communicates a given message instead of or in conjunction with speech. With them you can communicate feelings, contempt, hostility, approval, affection. They can also indicate moments of cognitive instability and reflect thinking not yet found in speech (Goldin-Meadow, 2014).

The most common gestures include waving, pointing, and using fingers to indicate numerical quantities. Other common gestures are clasping hands, rubbing the chin, ears or eyes.

3. Proxemics

Proxemics refers to space and the distance that people keep when they communicate. We all have a minimum living space that we protect. Sometimes we feel invaded when another person gets too close to us. The areas that mark the distance at which we allow a person to be are:

Intimate distance (up to 45 cm): is the distance reserved for family and close friends.Personal distance (45 cm – 120 cm): stays with familiar people, work or school colleagues, neighbors, etc. They are non-intimate encounters.Social distance (120 cm – 360 cm): It is the distance you have from unknown people as a means of protection.Public distance (more than 360 cm): It is used for conferences, speeches or public events.

The meaning of each of the types of non-verbal communication that we have seen cannot be understood in isolation from the context. The meaning of a gesture can vary from one culture to another, and even from one situation to another. Nor can they be understood separately from other non-verbal and verbal indicators. Therefore, all interpretation must be carried out connected to the social and communicative context in which a certain non-verbal expression appears.

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