Quote: "Nonverbal communication (NVC) is the transmission of messages or signals through a nonverbal platform such as eye contact, facial expressions, gestures, posture, use of objects and body language."
The ways in which nonverbal communication varies across different cultures.
Cultural differences: A general overview of cultural differences and how they impact communication.
Nonverbal communication: Understanding the importance of nonverbal communication and expression.
Body language: Understanding body language and its significance in different cultures.
Gestures and postures: Learning about different cultural gestures and postures that can convey different meanings.
Facial expressions: Understanding how facial expressions differ across cultures and their varying interpretations.
Eye contact: The role of eye contact in nonverbal communication, and how it differs between cultures.
Touch: The significance of touch in different cultures and how it varies across cultures.
Appearance: Understanding how appearance can influence the interpretation of nonverbal communication.
Space and distance: The importance of personal space and distance in communication and how it varies across cultures.
Time and punctuality: How cultural differences in the perception of time can impact communication.
Etiquette and manners: Understanding different cultural etiquettes and manners that may impact communication.
Taboos and sensitivities: Being aware of cultural taboos and sensitivities that may impact communication.
Emotions and expression: Understanding how emotions and their expression can vary between cultures.
Gender differences: How gender differences impact nonverbal communication and expression.
Communication styles: Recognizing different communication styles and preferences in different cultures.
Conflict resolution: Understanding cultural differences in conflict resolution and negotiation.
Stereotyping and biases: Understanding and overcoming biases and stereotyping in cross-cultural communication.
Cross-cultural empathy: Developing cross-cultural empathy to better understand and communicate with people from different cultures.
Body language: Different cultures have different ways of using and interpreting body language. For example, in some cultures, eye contact is seen as a sign of respect, while in others it can be perceived as confrontational or aggressive.
Facial expressions: Facial expressions can also differ between cultures. While a smile is generally seen as a universal sign of happiness, some cultures might interpret certain facial expressions differently from others.
Gestures: Hand gestures can have different meanings depending on the culture. For example, the "ok" sign with the thumb and forefinger forming a circle is interpreted differently in different cultures.
Personal space: Different cultures have varying levels of comfort with physical proximity. Some cultures value personal space, while others might stand much closer to one another during conversations.
Posture: Posture can communicate a lot about the emotions and intentions of the person. Some cultures might see a relaxed posture as a sign of disrespect or laziness, while others might view it as a sign of confidence.
Touch: Touching can also be culturally dependent. While some cultures might see an embrace or a pat on the back as friendly, others might find it uncomfortable.
Silence: Silence can also be interpreted differently in different cultures. Some cultures might view long periods of silence as a sign of disrespect or discomfort, while others might see it as a sign of thoughtfulness or reflection.
Appearance: Dressing and grooming can also vary between cultures. Some cultures value formality and conservative attire, while others might value relaxed dress and style.
Quote: "It includes the use of social cues, kinesics, distance (proxemics) and physical environments/appearance, of voice (paralanguage) and of touch (haptics)."
Quote: "A signal has three different parts to it, including the basic signal, what the signal is trying to convey, and how it is interpreted."
Quote: "These signals that are transmitted to the receiver depend highly on the knowledge and empathy that this individual has."
Quote: "The study of nonverbal communication started in 1872 with the publication of The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals by Charles Darwin."
Quote: "Darwin began to study nonverbal communication as he noticed the interactions between animals such as lions, tigers, dogs etc. and realized they also communicated by gestures and expressions."
Quote: "Today, scholars argue that nonverbal communication can convey more meaning than verbal communication."
Quote: "Ray Birdwhistell concludes that nonverbal communication accounts for 60–70 percent of human communication."
Quote: "Just as speech contains nonverbal elements known as paralanguage, as well as prosodic features, so written texts have nonverbal elements such as handwriting style, spatial arrangement of words, or the physical layout of a page."
Quote: "much of the study of nonverbal communication has focused on interaction between individuals, where it can be classified into three principal areas: environmental conditions where communication takes place, physical characteristics of the communicators, and behaviors of communicators during interaction."
Quote: "Nonverbal communication involves the conscious and unconscious processes of encoding and decoding."
Quote: "Encoding is defined as our ability to express emotions in a way that can be accurately interpreted by the receiver(s)."
Quote: "Decoding is called 'nonverbal sensitivity', defined as the ability to take this encoded emotion and interpret its meanings accurately to what the sender intended."
Quote: "For example, in the picture above, the encoder holds up two fingers, and the decoder may know from previous experience that this means two."
Quote: "Both of these skills can vary from person to person, with some people being better than others at one or both."
Quote: "women are found to be better decoders than men since they are more observant of nonverbal cues, as well as more likely to use them."
Quote: "Culture plays an important role in nonverbal communication, and it is one aspect that helps to influence how learning activities are organized."
Quote: "In many Indigenous American communities, for example, there is often an emphasis on nonverbal communication, which acts as a valued means by which children learn."
Quote: "Within cultures around the world there are extreme differences and similarities between a lot of nonverbal gestures or signals."
Quote: "In this sense, learning is not dependent on verbal communication; rather, it is nonverbal communication which serves as a primary means of not only organizing interpersonal interactions but also conveying cultural values, and children learn how to participate in this system from a young age."