Toomey & Chung (2005) asserts that a significant portion of human communication is usually nonverbal. Each day, humans communicate through postures, tonal voice, gestures, and various facial expressions. Nonverbal communication can also manifest who we are. For instance, what we wear, hairstyles and handshakes we make with others. One of the most significant concepts in the chapter addresses the forms of nonverbal communication. These forms manifest themselves in seven important forms; proxemics, kinesics, haptics, coalesces, paralanguage, physical appearance, and facial expressions.
These forms examine the various types of manifesting nonverbal communication. These forms represent specific meanings regarding how and when they get used. The second concept regarding nonverbal communication is the need for interpersonal space (Psychological boundaries) where one may seek psychological silence and privacy during the discussion (Toomey & Chung, 2005).
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The first concept examines different types in which nonverbal communication gets expressed. I fancy facial expression and oculesics because they directly portray information between two people more straightforwardly. “Nonverbal messages symbolize who we are, and are based on what we wear, how we speak, and how we present ourselves” (Toomey & Chung, 2005, Pg. 132). For instance, shaking your head may mean that you disagree with someone. Avoiding eye contact may say that one is shy or fears of another person. The need for interpersonal space is good for meditation. The Monks mostly do them as a way of connecting their souls to the environment without any interference.
I often wear sneakers, and oversized body wears to show my allegiance to the hip hop society. Most of hip hop lovers use this type of nonverbal communication as their identity, unlike Rock music lovers who may prefer to wear fitted clothing as their source of identity. “The use of nonverbal communication can be both intentional (e.g., by the clothes that we wear and how we want to present ourselves (Toomey & Chung, 2005, Pg. 133).
Questions for Discussion
How can nonverbal communication be miscommunicated across different cultures/ societies?
What are the typical impacts of nonverbal communication?
Reference
Ting-Toomey, S., & Chung, L. C. (2005). Understanding intercultural communication. New York: Oxford University Press.
