Universals Of Verbal And Nonverbal Communication

376 Words2 Pages
Universals of verbal and nonverbal communication In communication there are two major signal systems, verbal and nonverbal communication. Verbal communication is a communication that uses both oral and written words, and nonverbal is communication without words. Verbal messages have nine principles. (1) Messages are packaged; both verbal and nonverbal signals happen simultaneously. (2) Meanings are in people; it not only depends on the package of messages but also the interaction of these messages and the receivers own thoughts and feelings. (3) Meanings are denotative and connotative; the denotation of a word is its objective definition where as the connotation of a word is the subjective and emotional meaning (4) Messages vary in abstraction; effective verbal messages include words at many levels or abstraction. (5) Messages vary in politeness; includes both negative and positive politeness. (6) Messages can criticize and praise; throughout communication you are expected to criticize, to evaluate, and otherwise render judgment against someone. (7) Messages vary in assertiveness; assertive people tend to operate with “I win, you win” philosophy. (8) Messages can confirm and disconfirm; the language behaviors known as confirmation and disconfirmation have to do with the extent of which you acknowledge a person. (9) Messages vary in cultural sensitivity; recognizing that messages vary in cultural sensitivity is a great step toward developing confirming and avoiding disconfirming messages. I use both nonverbal and verbal messages every day, and most people do. I use more non verbal communications than I do verbal, it’s just the person that I am and the personality that I have. I have never been much of a talker, as I think nonverbal communication is easier. Nonverbal messages have eight channels. (1) Body communication; usually the gestures you
Open Document