Nonverbal Communication Worksheet

1. Based on information in the introduction to chapter five, explain why nonverbal communication is a significant form of human communication. 

 Nonverbal communication is a powerful tool that can help one more clearly communicate his or her ideas.  Just like there is verbal feedback when communicating, there is also nonverbal feedback.  Facial expressions, gestures, eye contact, touch, posture, and the tone of voice are all aspects of nonverbal communication that facilitate what one really means when speaking.  Not only that, but nonverbal communication plays a significant role in understanding and developing relationships with other people.

8. Explain one of the aspects of physical appearance as it related to nonverbal communication.  

The first one is Physical Attractiveness: The Beauty Bias. People have the notion that more attractive people are also happier, outgoing, successful and kinder among other positive traits.  This can act as a self-fulfilling prophecy. Even if a physically attractive person does not possess such positive traits, the absence of such traits may be overlooked because people who are communicating with the alleged attractive person would likely want the whole package, therefore remembering the positive and ignoring the negative.  Nonverbal communication can come across as more powerful from a physically attractive person.

9. What is one way that the eyes are used for nonverbal communication? 

The book says that the eyes are "your personal windows."  This suggests that you are able to tell what a person really means through their eyes, regardless of what they might actually be saying. Eye-contact is imperative for communicating -- it can reveal a person's interest and attention while communicating. The less eye-contact, the more distracted the person is and vice versa.  Gazing into someone's eyes deeply is a nonverbal sign of attraction.  This is not a proven fact, but it's a fun myth: if you gaze into a person's eyes for four minutes, your chances of marrying that person significantly increase.

11. What is one way that touch is used for nonverbal communication according to the text?  

When you touch someone, you are moving into their personal proximity, or in other words breaking into their personal bubble.  According to the book, touch is not to be given to strangers out of the context of shaking hands when being introduced.  There are many ways touch is used for nonverbal communication.  Hugging and high fives convey friendships, pats on the pack show encouragement.  According to the book, the love and intimacy touch is reserved only for a very few, special individuals and the sexual touch is the most intimate.  The meaning conveyed from touch is highly dependent upon the context of the situation, the relationship between communicators, and the manner of touch.