Effects of Noneverbal Communication

Effects of Nonverbal Communications

And

Codes on Interpersonal Communication

Johanna Perez-Nomm

SPC 1017

Professor Muniz

Dec 10, 2012

Effects of Nonverbal Communications and Codes on Interpersonal Communication

According to Dr. Edward Wertheim of Northeastern University, communication is a multistep process with room for misinterpretation along the way. The speaker has a message to convey which must first be “decoded,” or put into words. When the message is spoken, the receiver interprets its meaning. Tone, body language and other factors are often just as important as the words in conveying a message. Dr. Wertheim explains that, nonverbal communication includes body language such as facial expressions, body movements, posture, gestures, eye contact, touch, space and voice. Nonverbal communication uses the total body. It ranges from pointing a finger to verbal sounds of "ahhhh" and "uhum." According to Argyle, the primary functions of nonverbal body communication are to express emotion and interpersonal attitude, support speech/verbal communication in managing cues between the messenger and sender, self-represent one's personality, and maintain rituals such as greetings. Nonverbal communication has a significant impact on the messages sent and it could affect relationships, cultural interactions and business transactions.

Nonverbal communication adds significant value information to the verbal messages sent. According to Stella Ting-Toomey, writing in "Communicating Across Cultures," nonverbal signals can be used to complement, emphasize, substitute, and even contradict what you are saying through your verbal communication. Nonverbal signals can place the verbal message in a context that provides a basis for how the message should be interpreted. In addition, nonverbal cues help you to clarify what the other person is trying to say by responding to their words with your nonverbal signals, suggests Ting-Toomey.

Cultural differences can cause...