Nonverbal Communication

The manner in which people communicate attitude, emotion, and intent through body stance and movement, facial expression, and vocal sound. The term also refers to the scientific analysis of body movement and sound.

There are several components within the study of nonverbal communication: (a) kinesics, (b) proxemics, (c) haptics, (d) oculesics, (e) vocalics, and (f) chronemics.

Kinesics, also known as body language, may be the most recognizable term for nonverbal communication. Included are facial and hand gestures, such as smiles and frowns, open palms and clenched fists, the way people relax and tense their bodies, and how they walk or position their heads.

Proxemics refer to interpersonal space factors, such as the physical distances people put between themselves and others, how they orient their bodies, and the physical planes they choose to inhabit. For instance, standing close to or leaning toward another person may indicate an attempt at intimacy, while standing tall when conversing with a shorter person may indicate a lesser willingness toward intimacy.

Haptics refer to tactile communications. A firm handshake may signal cordiality, and a gentle stroke across an arm or face may signal loving feelings.

Oculesics refer to eye contact and gaze. Meeting someone's eyes while listening may indicate interest; meeting someone's eyes while speaking may indicate sincerity.

Vocalics, also known as paralinguistics, are sounds without words, such as grunts, groans, cries of agony or exclamation, and laughter.

Chronemics refer to time spent on interactions, to their synchrony or congruence. A short peck on the lips between a married couple, for instance, may indicate a lack of time or disinterest. For more information, see Anderson (1985) and Burgee (1980).