![]() This ‘mirroring’ indicates interest and approval between people.Įvery culture has different levels of physical closeness appropriate to different types of relationship, and individuals learn these distances from the society in which they grew up. If one partner frowns, it could be reflected in the other partner’s facial expression. For example, if one partner drapes an arm over the back of a chair this might be replicated in the other person’s position. You will see that the partners’ postures will match, as if one partner is a mirror reflection of the other. You might like to observe a close relationship in person or on television. Notice the way a loving couple relate to each other. An open posture can be used to communicate openness or interest in someone and a readiness to listen, whereas the closed posture might imply discomfort or disinterest. In an open posture, you might expect to see someone directly facing you with hands apart on the arms of the chair. Someone seated in a closed position might have his/her arms folded, legs crossed or be positioned at a slight angle from the person with whom they are interacting. Two forms of posture have been identified, ‘ open’ and ‘ closed’, which may reflect an individual's degree of confidence, status or receptivity to another person. Research has identified a wide range of postural signals and their meanings, such as: Open and Closed Posture Posture can reflect emotions, attitudes and intentions. Adaptive behaviours often accompany feelings of anxiety or hostility. AdaptorsĪdaptors are non-verbal behaviours which either satisfy some physical need.Īdaptors include such actions as scratching or adjusting uncomfortable glasses, or represent a psychological need such as biting fingernails when nervous.Īlthough normally subconscious, adaptors are more likely to be restrained in public places than in the private world of individuals where they are less likely to be noticed. Again, however, they may vary in different cultural contexts. Without receiving feedback, many people find it difficult to maintain a conversation. Regulators allow the other person to adapt his or her speech to reflect the level of interest or agreement. Gestures used to give feedback when conversing are called regulators.Įxamples of 'regulators' include head nods, short sounds such as 'uh-huh', 'mm-mm', and expressions of interest or boredom. Gestures which accompany words to illustrate a verbal message are known as illustrators.įor example, the common circular hand movement which accompanies the phrase 'over and over again', or nodding the head in a particular direction when saying 'over there'. For more about this, see our page on Non-Verbal Communication. However, be aware that whilst some emblems are internationally recognised, others may need to be interpreted in their cultural context. Gestures that serve the same function as a word are called emblems.įor example, the signals that mean 'OK', 'Come here!', or the hand movement used when hitch-hiking. There are several different categories of body movement, these include: Emblems However, it is also possible for body movements to conflict with what is said.Ī skilled observer may be able to detect such discrepancies in behaviour and use them as a clue to what someone is really feeling and thinking. This page is one of two on this issue, and explains the non-verbal communication associated with the body, including body language or body movements, also known as kinesics, posture, and proxemics, or the message given by how close we stand to someone else.īody Language or Body Movements (Kinesics)īody movements include gestures, posture, head and hand movements or whole body movements.īody movements can be used to reinforce or emphasise what a person is saying and also offer information about the emotions and attitudes of a person. There are many different types of non-verbal communication. The rest of the information is conveyed non-verbally, by tone of voice, facial expressions, eye-contact, gestures, how we stand, and so on. Some estimates suggest that speech only makes up about 20 to 30% of communication. Our page on Non-Verbal Communication explains that non-verbal communication is a vital part of understanding and communication. Personal and Romantic Relationship Skills.Conflict Resolution and Mediation Skills.Conversation Tips for Getting What You Want.Non-Verbal Communication: Face and Voice.Tips for Effective Interpersonal Communication.The SkillsYouNeed Guide to Interpersonal Skills
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |