Contradicting Contradicting verbal communication

Emblems Nonverbal gestures that carry a specific meaning and can replace or reinforce words

Illustrators Reinforce a verbal message

Masking Substituting more appropriate displays for less appropriate displays

Object-adaptors Using an object for a purpose other than its intended design

Regulators Control, encourage, or discourage interaction

Repeating Repeating verbal communication

Replacing Replacing verbal communication

Self-adaptors Adapting something about yourself in a way for which it was not designed or for no apparent purpose

Nonverbal Communication Is Universal

Consider the many contexts in which interaction occurs during your day. In the morning, at work, after

work, at home, with friends, with family, and our list could go on for quite a while. Now consider the

differences in nonverbal communication across these many contexts. When you are at work, do you jump

up and down and say whatever you want? Why or why not? You may not engage in that behavior because

of expectations at work, but the fact remains that from the moment you wake until you sleep, you are

surrounded by nonverbal communication.

If you had been born in a different country, to different parents, and perhaps as a member of the opposite

sex, your whole world would be quite different. Yet nonverbal communication would remain a universal

constant. It may not look the same, or get used in the same way, but it will still be nonverbal

communication in its many functions and displays.

Nonverbal Communication Is Confusing and Contextual

Nonverbal communication can be confusing. We need contextual clues to help us understand, or begin to

understand, what a movement, gesture, or lack of display means. Then we have to figure it all out based

on our prior knowledge (or lack thereof) of the person and hope to get it right. Talk about a challenge.