NON VERBAL

COMMUNICATION
G U R K I RA N S I N G H 2 2 5 0 3 8
ANSHUL SETHI 229012
GUNDEEP SINGH 225011
SHUBH GANDHI 221024
GAUTUM PRUTHI 221019
SUMIT SINGLA 222188
MEANING
Human beings communicate in many ways other than through words. Words
often fail to convey the exact meaning. Therefore, pictures, drawings, sounds
are often used to convey messages. The practice of drum beating in jungles
has been used for communication from the very beginning of history.
Laughter, cry, sob, scream, gestures, facial expressions, are used for
communication. All these means used in communication are known as non
verbal communication. Non verbal communication includes the way we
move, appear, our gestures, the physical distance between people, facial
expressions, etc.
FUNCTIONS
1. To provide information either consciously or unconsciously.
2. To regulate the flow of conversation.
3. To express emotion.
4. To qualify, complement, contradict or expand verbal messages.
5. To control or influence others.
6. To facilitate and simplify specific tasks.
ADVANTAGES
1. Reliability – People can tell lies with their words. But body language and
other non verbal signs speak the truth.
2. Efficiency – Non verbal message can be sent and received more easily and
quickly.
3. Credibility – Managers can create positive impressions through non verbal
communications.
4. Understanding attitudes – One who can read non verbal messages can
better understand the underlying attitudes and intentions of others more
accurately.
LIMITATIONS
1. Lack of secrecy.
2. Face to face interactions are essential.
3. Lack of written proof.
4. More difficult to study.
5. Useful for short messages only.
6. Gestures may be misunderstanding.
7. It fails to reveal past events and ideas.
TYPES OF NON VERBAL
COMMUNICATION
TYPE 1 – SIGN LANGUAGE
1. AUDIO
Buzzers, push bell buttons, electric bells, and other sound signalling systems
are used in offices. Sirens, hooters and whistlers or various types are other
examples of audio signals.
Advantages of audio signals:
Sound signals convey the message very quickly. For example, the hooting of
a siren in a factory immediately makes the workers active.
Sounds signals are very useful for managing time.
The working of an organisation can be streamlined with the help of buzzers
and such other sounds signals.
2. VISUAL
A visual aid is an illustration in tabular, graphic or pictorial form. Visual aids
help to get the message across more effectively by making the message
interesting, by clarifying and simplifying the topics, and by highlighting
important topics.
Advantages of visual signals:
Visual signals like pictures and posters convey the message very easily and
economically.
Colourful photographs and paintings make communication interesting and
motivating.
Pictures, posters, etc. reflect the mental make-up and cultural background of
the communicator.
Posters are an effective means of advertising.
LIMITATION OF SIGN LANGUAGE
1. A great amount of effort and skill is required to draw effective pictures,
posters and cartoons.
2. Only simple and elementary ideas can be communicated through sign
language.
3. Sign language cannot be a substitute for but only a supplement to verbal
communication.
4. People may not understand sign language.
5. On the spot correction is not possible in sign language.
TYPE 2 – BODY LANGUAGE
1. Head – the position of our head conveys a lot of meaning. There is an old
saying ‘hold your head high’. It is a sign of honour, self respect and
confidence. A head bent low, shows modesty, politeness and guilt. A stiffy,
held or backwards drawn head indicates pride or haughtiness. Nodding the
head shows listener’s response to the speaker
2. Face – face has been called the mirror of the mind because whatever the a
person feels deep inside is reflected on his face. Every facial muscle is an
instrument of face to face communication. The lines of forehead, the
forehead, the eyebrows, the muscles of cheeks, lips all speak louder than
words. Our face is the primary site for expressing emotions.
3. Eyes – eyes communicate our deepest feelings. Tehrefore, eye contact is
of great importance in face to face communication. Eyes adopt different
positions in different situations. Fixed eyes show concentration, raised
eyes indicate surprise or fear, smiling eyes reflect happiness. A long fixed
gaze shows interest whereas evasive eyes indicate lack of interest or
nervousness. Thus, eyes along, with eye brows, eye lids and size of pupils
send important messages.
4. Gestures – gestures refer to movement of our legs, arm , hands, torso etc.
Arms spread out to convey the meaning of wide, shuffling legs indicate
nervousness, an erect forefinger raised above head indicates, ‘number 1’.
Gestures are often used to emphasise words. Gestures and movements
are culture specific. The same gesture content of communication. The way
we greet others tells them whether the occasion is formal or social,
friendly or distant.
FEW MORE TYPES OF NON VERBAL COMMUNICATION
1. PARA LANGUAGE
2. SPACE, SURROUNDINGS AND TIME
3. SILENCE
SIGNIFICANCE
There are numerous areas where non – verbal communication is more
effective than verbal (when explaining the shape, directions, personalities,
etc. these are expressed non – verbally)
Non verbal signs are powerful. Non verbal cues primarily express inner
feelings (verbal messages deal basically with the outside world). The non
verbal message is likely to be more genuine, this is because non verbal
behaviours cannot be controlled as easily as spoken words. Non verbal signals
can express feelings that are inappropriate to state, social etiquette limits
what can be said, but non verbal cues can communicate thoughts. A separate
communication channel is necessary to help send complex messages, a
speaker can add enormously to the complexity of the verbal message through
simple non verbal signals.
DRAWBACKS
Imprecise and vague – It is true that non-verbal communication is poor in conveying specific
information and often leaves people with a feeling of uncertainty. It is less precise than verbal
communication, which can increases chances of misinterpretation
Long conversations are not possible – Non-verbal communication is often used for communication so
verbal language can be saved for more important matters. People who have a hard time
understanding or expressing themselves verbally often use body language or facial expressions to
get their point across. However, non-verbal messages can only convey what they want in the
moment; they cannot keep up with the flow of dialogue between two people.
Meaning varies across cultures – Verbal communication is a lot easier to understand and take in
because it is explained with words. Non-verbal communication is often the opposite of this and can
be difficult to understand. For example, the hand sign where the index finger touches the thumb
while forming an ‘O’ refers to “okay” or “super” in Indian culture. However, this same sign has a
derogatory meaning in other cultures, notably in South America.
Might Distort information – Non-verbal communication is very complex and relies heavily on visual
cues. One key challenge to non-verbal communication is that it can be misinterpreted, which can
lead to misinterpretations in verbal communication. Non-verbal signals can also be confused with
one another.
CASE STUDY
At an early stage project meeting Mary, the project team leader, presented her
suggested project timetable to meet the project goals. During the presentation she
noticed that two team members were showing non-verbal signs of disapproval. Simon
was frowning and shaking his head and Justin had leant back in his chair and folded
his arms.

Mary stopped what she was saying, turned to Simon and Justin and asked ‘I sense you
are not supportive of what I’m saying. Can I clarify anything for you?’ Simon replied
‘You are right. I think the project timetable is unachievable.’ Mary responded by
directing a question to the whole group ‘How do the rest of you feel about the
timetable I’m suggesting?’

By observing these valuable non-verbal cues Mary was able to open up