Chapter 5 Nonverbal Communication Across

CulturesManaging Organizations in a Global Economy: An Intercultural Perspective

First Edition

John Saee

Copyright by South-Western, a division of Thomson Learning. All rights reserved.

Do not the most moving moments of our lives find us all without words?

Marcel Marceau

Definition of Nonverbal Communication

The transfer of meaningful information from one person to another by means other than written or spoken language” (Elashmawi and Harris 1993).

The Importance of Nonverbal Communication

Your actions really speak louder than words.

Eyes are more accurate witnesses than ears.(Heraclitus)

Nonverbal communication is often responsible for first impressions.

Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication

All behavior has communicative value.

Nonverbal messages are primarily attitudinal.

Nonverbal communication is ambiguous.

Similarities Between Verbal and Nonverbal Communication

Both use a culturally agreed upon set of symbols.

Both are products of the individuals. Someone is attaching meaning to the

symbols we produce.

Differences Between Verbal and Nonverbal Communication

Many of our nonverbal actions are governed biologically.

Nonverbal communication is learned much earlier in life.

A nonverbal message can be more emotional in its appeal and impact.

Differences Between Verbal and Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal communication is more universal. A number of nonverbal messages can be sent

simultaneously. Nonverbal communication is continuous and

never ending. Verbal messages can be confusing, nonverbal

messages can be more so.

Functions of Nonverbal Communication

Repeating Substituting Complementing and accenting Regulating Contradicting

Nonverbal Communication and Culture

Nonverbal communication is a “silent language” (Hall).

Nonverbal cues facilitate understanding of underlying attitudes and values.

Nonverbal Behavior in the Workplace

Culture differences in decoding non-verbal behavior can create confusion.

Decoding ability and nonverbal sensitivity.

Nonverbal measurement. Encoding and impression management.

Categories and Types of Nonverbal Communication

Those produced by body. Those that the individual combines

with the setting.

General appearance and dress.

Body Movements: Kinesics and Posture

Posture. Gestures. There were 247 gestures cataloged

that the Arabs use when speaking. Morris in his study of 40 countries had

isolated 20 common hand gestures that had different meaning in each culture.

Facial expressions Eye contact Touch Smell

Paralanguage Paralanguage involves the linguistic

elements of speech, that is, how something is said and not the actual meaning of the spoken words.Vocal characterizersVocal qualifiersVocal segregates

Variables external to communicator – space, time and silence – are also utilized and manipulated to send a message.

Space and Distance The distance between us and people

with whom we communicate is conveying a message.

Furniture arrangement.

Time Monochronic and polychronic time. M-time: time is linear, segmented, and

manageable. P-time: time is less tangible and

feelings of wasted time are not as prevalent as in M-time cultures.

Four important temporal concepts: Appointment time. Schedule time. Discussion time. Acquaintance time.

SilenceSilence sends us nonverbal cues about the communication situation in which we participate.

What you need to remember:A greater part of the meaning conveyed

by a spoken message is communicated non-verbally.

The message sender is often unconscious of sending these cognitive messages, and the receiver is unconscious of how and why they convey specific impressions.

What you need to remember: Non-verbal communication creates

impressions which work below the conscious threshold.

Much non-verbal communication is culturally conditioned.

The interpretations placed upon non-verbal messages sent by members of the other culture may not correspond to what is intended.