Nonverbal Communication: any meaning conveyed through sounds, behaviors, and artifacts other than words.

Differences Between Verbal and Nonverbal Communication

Types of Nonverbal Communication

Kinesics is the study of how we use body movement and facial expressions.

Haptics is the study of touch

Proxemics is the study of how our use of space influences the ways we relate with others.

Chronemics is the study of how people use time.

Paralanguage is the term we use to describe vocal qualities such as pitch, volume, inflection, rate of speech, and rhythm.

Personal Appearance, Objects, and Artifacts

Environment

Silence

Functions of Nonverbal Communication

• duplicate verbal communication
• replace verbal communication
• complement verbal communication
• accent verbal communication
• regulate verbal communication
• contradict verbal communication
• mislead others
• indicate relational standing
• demonstrate and maintain cultural norms
• communicate emotions

Key Terms

• chronemics
• conscious
• context
• continuous
• distinct
• environment
• haptics
• kinesics
• nonverbal communication
• paralanguage
• personal appearance
• proxemics
• silence
• unconscious

A PDF of this Nonverbal Communication Study Guide can be downloaded here.