Characteristics of Non- verbal communication

 

Characteristics of Non- verbal communication

Non- verbal communication has a number of characteristics that distinguish it from other communication system:

·         May be unintentional

·         Nonverbal communication consists of multiple codes

When non- verbal codes work together to send the same message their impact is intensified

• Nonverbal communication is immediate, continuous and natural. They occur when are in a face to face situation
• Nonverbal communication is both universal and cultural have socially shared meaning.

 

Non-verbal communication can be independent of verbal communication; but verbal communication is always accompanied by non-verbal communication. Nonverbal methods can be used as a substitute for words like the red color to mean danger, or nodding the head to mean "yes." Or both may be used together as when we shake the head and also say "no." Sometimes, a gesture like slapping the hand on the table may be used with words like, "We must do it," to emphasize the point.    

a)     Basing on Purpose and Style

Based on style and purpose, there are two main categories of communication and they both bears their own characteristics. Communication types based on style and purpose are:

• Formal Communication
• Informal Communication

Formal Communication

In formal communication, certain rules, conventions and principles are followed while communicating message. Formal communication occurs in formal and official style. Usually professional settings, corporate meetings, conferences undergo formal pattern. In formal communication, use of slang and foul language is avoided and correct pronunciation is required. Authority lines are needed to be followed in formal communication.

Informal Communication

Informal communication is done using channels that are in contrast with formal communication channels. It’s just a casual talk. It is established for societal affiliations of members in an organization and face-to-face discussions. It usually happens among friends and family. In informal communication use of slang words, foul language is not restricted. Usually informal communication is done orally and using gestures. Informal communication, unlike formal communication, doesn’t follow authority lines. It helps in building relationships.

 

b)  Basing on Levels/Settings of communication

Basing on the domains through which communication can occur, Communication can be classified into six types:

·         Intrapersonal Communication. This is the kind of communication that takes place within an individual. It is in that you deal with yourself directly, arguing and discussing back and forth, giving yourself constant feedback, and certainly constructing meanings.

·         Interpersonal Communication. This takes place between two people. Communication becomes interpersonal to the extent that the people involved can see each other’s uniqueness and can explain and predict each other’s behavior on the basis of that uniqueness.

 

·         Small Group Communication. This kind of communication takes place within a small number of people. Between 3-15 and not exceeding 20 people e.g. in a seminar, tutorial class. It takes place in a context where every person can participate actively with the others.

 

·         Large Group Communication. This is communication that takes place between 15-60 people and not exceeding 100. For example, in a lecture room of about 80 students.

 

·         Public Communication. This is similar to large group communication except that the numbers exceed 100 and people are always gathered in one place such as a political rally at the constitutional square or freedom square. Just one or few members talk, while the rest of the group serves as an audience. This speaker-audience relationship implies that there is less feedback than in small group communication. Feedback is certainly exhibited through nonverbal responses like applause, boos. Due to this lack of interaction, the speaker is held responsible to plan and structure remarks than may be felt by the speaker in smaller setting.

 

·         Mass Communication. It occurs when a message is constructed and transmitted so that many people, in different places and often at different times, can receive the same message. This is the kind of communication to a dispersed audience and it is always mediated. For instance, the radio, television, internet is part of the mass media that transmit to a dispersed audience. Feedback is greatly delayed as the speaker and the audiences are in different places.

Note:

In each of the above settings one has to have both sufficient Receptive (listening and reading) and productive(writing and speaking) skills to effectively communicate once encountered in such a situation that requires you act as a communicator be it at school, home, professional work, occupational work or in any other public domain.

 

Means/Channel/Media of Communication

A medium (plural: media or mediums) is the means of transmitting or conveying a message. Some media carry written words and/or pictures/graphics (like the mail) and other media carry the voice (like telephone). Electronic media can carry both voice and written material.

 

Conventional Media of Communication

Media which have been in use for a long time and depend on traditional carriers are called conventional for convenience and to distinguish them from the modern media based on advances in electronics. They include:

·         Mail – letters or parcels sent by post

·         Courier - a company or employee of a company that transports commercial packages and documents.

·         Hand delivery

·         Telegraph - a machine used to transmit messages in the form of electrical impulses that can be converted into data.

·         Telex (short form of Tele printer Exchange) an international system of telegraphy with printed messages transmitted and received by teleprinters using the public telecommunications network. Messages can be sent and received 24 hours a day.

 

Modern Media of Communication

Most communication in the more modern companies is done by electronic media. These are media which transmit signals instantly from any source to any destination in the world by modern electronic technology. They include:

·         Telephone

·         Cellular phone

·         Voice mail

·         Fax

·         E-mail

·         Teleconferencing

·         Internet

 

Choice of a Medium/Channel

You need to consider several aspects in choosing a medium for a particular message. The main aspects are:

·         The type of audience you want to reach.

·         The speed with which the message should be conveyed: The pressure of time and the distance between the sender and the receiver influence the choice of the medium. Some media are faster and can travel distances rapidly, like the telephone, the fax and the e-mail; these media also have the advantage of being person to person.

·         Need for confidentiality of the message is an important consideration. The choice will certainly be influenced by requirement of secrecy; all media do report on a customer's credit standing, demands for overdue payment, and so on, are confidential. They cannot be sent by media like telegram or telex or fax even if they are urgent.

·         Need for accuracy in transmission is not the same for all messages. If the content to be transmitted is mainly data, you make the choice for accuracy and speed in transmitting.

·         Need for reliability of the medium is an important factor. Sending a message by hand delivery is more reliable than ordinary mail; registered post is more reliable than ordinary mail.

·         Cost of the medium and its relative importance and urgency.

·         Availability of a particular medium to the sender and to the receiver is obviously an affecting factor. You can use only those media which both you and the intended receiver can access. You may have a fax machine but if the receiver does not have one and has no arrangements for receiving a fax message, you cannot use that medium.

·         Feedback capacity of the medium: For some messages, you need immediate feedback; you have to use a medium which will enable you to get it at once, like the telephone.

·         Availability of hard copy for record.

·         Formality of the medium must be suitable to content of the message. A letter of congratulation is more formal and has a different effect from conveying the same message orally.

·         Intensity and complexity of the message is a major factor.

 

Within each of these, there are further decisions to be made. Written messages are transmitted by the mail, courier, telegraph, telex, fax, E-mail, notice boards and bulletin boards, newspapers, magazines. Oral messages are carried by air vibrations, the microphone/loud-speaker, the telephone, cellular phone, voice mail and the radio. The cinema and the TV are the most powerful media as they can transmit all types of messages, written, oral, visual and auditory.

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