Nonverbal communication

 Nonverbal communication:

Nonverbal communication describes the process of conveying meaning in nonword

messages. Examples of nonverbal communication include haptic communication,

chronemic communication, gestures, body language, facial expression, eye contact, and how

one dresses. The speech also contains nonverbal elements known as paralanguage, e.g. rhythm,

intonation, tempo, and stress. There may even be a pheromone component. Research has

shown that up to 55% of human communication may occur through non-verbal facial

expressions and a further 38% through paralanguage. It affects communication most at the

subconscious level and establishes trust. Likewise, written texts include nonverbal elements

such as handwriting style, spatial arrangement of words and the use of emoticons to convey

emotion.

Nonverbal communication demonstrates one of Wazlawick's laws: You can not

communicate. Once proximity has formed awareness, living creatures begin interpreting any

signals received. Some of the functions of Nonverbal Communication in humans are to

complement and illustrate, reinforce and emphasize, replace and substitute, control

and regulate, and contradict the denotative message.