Chapter 7 Verbal and Written Communications 147
Nonverbal Communication
Nonverbal communication, or body language, is a critical form of com-
munication. This natural, unconscious language reveals your true feelings
and intentions in any given moment.
When you interact with others, you continuously give and receive
wordless signals. All of your nonverbal behaviors—the gestures you make,
the way you sit, how fast or loud you talk, how close you stand to oth-
ers, whether or not you make eye contact—send strong messages. These
messages do not stop when you stop speaking. Even when you are quiet,
you’re still communicating your thoughts and feelings (Figure 7.9).
Some nonverbal messages are subtle, such as posture. What message
does the posture of the students in Figure 7.10 give to their instructor dur-
ing a lecture?
Frequently, what we say and what we communicate through body lan-
guage are two different things. When faced with these mixed signals, the
listener has to choose whether to believe your verbal or nonverbal mes-
sage. Often, a listener will be more infl uenced by nonverbal signals because
these tend to be more reliable than words.
nonverbal
communication
any form of communica-
tion that does not involve
speech, including gestures,
the way one sits, eye con-
tact (or lack of), and facial
expressions; body language
Inattention
Rusty is quite anxious to discuss an upcoming exam, so he makes an appoint-
ment with his instructor. The instructor greets Rusty and asks him to sit down.
However, as Rusty begins to ask questions, the instructor continues to look at
his e-mail. What message does the instructor’s inattention send to Rusty?
Real Life Scenario
auremar/Shutterstock.com
Figure 7.9 What does this
man’s body language suggest?
Does he seem welcoming?
Simone van den Berg/Shutterstock.com
Figure 7.10 Do these students look like they are listening to the instructor?