Body Language And Its Effect On Communication

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

Introduction:

Language consists of verbal-language and nonverbal-language. Nonverbal-language, which is called body-language, plays an important role in delivering message when people communicate with other. A research show than in total impact of a message, 7 per cent comes from verbal, 38 percent comes from vocal, and the rest comes from non-verbal (55%). Moreover, the largest sector of a face-to-face conversation, over 65 %, is done by non-verbal, while verbal consists of less than 35%. (Pease, 1981)

The effect of body-language in daily life is significant. This paper discusses the question of what body language is, what its specific effects on communication are and how to use body language effectively.

Discussion of finding:

What is body-language?

Body-language can be defined in some different ways. Wang (2009, p154) augured that "nonverbal communication involves all those nonverbal stimuli in a communication setting that are generated by both the source and his or her use of the environment and that have potential message value for the source or receiver." On other words, Pease (1981) points out "most researchers generally agree that the verbal channel is used primarily for conveying information, while the non-verbal channel is used for negotiating interpersonal attitudes, and in some cases is used as a substitute for verbal messages". Based on those, it can be understood that body-language is a skill of human to use behavior and different body movement to express feeling in communication.

Body-language can be divided into four main types: body behavior, space and distance, silence and signs and symbols. The meaning of each of them depends on the culture it belongs. First, body behavior can be understood is any of several changes in the physical location, place, or position of the material parts of the human form (Givens, 2002). It includes: general appearance, body movement, posture, gesture, facial expression, eyes and gaze, touch, smell, paralanguage… (Wang, 2009, pp.156). Another kind of body language is distance and space. According to a study, the space between people keep when they communicate relies on the relationship between the speakers, insists of four zones: intimate zone (1-18 feet), personal zones for close friends (1.5-4 inches), social zone (4-12 inches) and public zone (over 12 inches). The third main kind of body language is silence. "Silence is also speech", said an African. The silence can express the concerning of the communication we take part in. Last but not least, signs and symbols are "a type of nonverbal communication form which can represent verbal communication" (Wang, 2009, pp 156). Two main forms of them are: symbolic signs and symbols and notional sign and symbols.

What are the effects of body-language in communication?

As everybody knows, body language plays an important role in daily communication. According to Wang (2009), in the interpersonal communication, each aspect of body language has its special impact. Person’s appearance is the first impression to other people judgment to do or not talk with a stranger. Moreover, the age, class, occupation are be assessed by the way people dressing up themselves. For example, students usually wear active uniform, a successful businessman in suit with luxury watches or rings… In the other way, body movement can show special message of itself: the attitude toward other, the emotion state, the desire to control surrounding, for example, showing a low spirits by slumped poster or expressing open and interest by leaning forward… Another angle, silence results in "providing an interval in an ongoing interaction or feedback", be understood as "evidence of agreement, lack of interest, injured feelings, or contempt…". In addition, using signs and symbols not only gets rid of language barrier, but is accepted by people universally as well. As the result, symbols and signs are used on banner, traffic routes such as road sign, lamp signal,…

Lieberman (1998) pointed out that body language can helps us to get the truth out of anyone. In the book "Never be lied to again", he suggest some sign of deception by some body language evidence such as make little or no eye contact, limit the physical expression, try to relax and appear casual so on. Zhou and Zhang (2008, p94) argued that "positive attitudes indicated by body language may signal a sincere effort to achieve win results" in a negotiation. If a person can use body language correctly, he/she can show her positive attitudes and get sympathy from other.

Okon’s ‘Role of Non-Verbal Communication In Education’ (Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, vol. 2 (5) 2011, pp. 37) suggests that in classroom, there are a number of specific purposes of non-verbal communication such as "expressing emotions, conveying interpersonal attitudes, presenting personality, and amplifying verbal communication". He also points that "educators whose verbal and non-verbal communication patterns are congruent and reinforcing will be able to provide students with a clear sense of confidence in their actions".

How to use body language effectively?

To make use of using body language, there are some useful tips. Firstly, you more understand body language, you can use it for your benefit more effectively. Secondly, we should dress up ourselves suit with our intelligence, age, gender approachability, financial well-being, class, taste, values and culture background from attractiveness dress, and person artifacts (Wang, 2009, pp.157). Making eye contact also creates, indicate attraction. Then, people should keep the distance and space on conservation, suit with specific situation. Fifth, vocalics such as the tone, pitch, vocal expressive, fluency… impacts on the attraction of the receiver on conservation and the success of the communication, so that people should sound good to other (Peters, 2007, pp.97). Last but not least, there are seven signals for success:

- Walk slowly, deliberately, and tall upon entering the room.

- On greeting the interviewer, give (and, hopefully, receive) a friendly

- "Eyebrow flash": that brief, slight raising of the brows that calls attention to

the face, encourages eye contact, and (when accompanied by a natural smile)

Sends the strong positive signal that the interview has gotten off to a good

start.

- Use mirroring techniques. Say the interviewer leans forward to

make a point; a few moments later, lean forward slightly in order to hear

better. Say the interviewer leans back and laughs; "laugh beneath" the

interviewer's laughter, taking care not to overwhelm partner by using

an inappropriate volume level. This technique may seem contrived at first,

but you will learn that it is far from that, if only you experiment a little.

- Maintain a naturally alert head position; keep your head up and your eyes

front at all times.

- Remember to avert your gaze from time to time so as to avoid the impression

that you are staring; when you do so, look confidently and calmly to the right

or left; never look down.

- Do not hurry any movement.

- Relax with every breath.

Conclusion:

Body language is an important part of communication. It not only support verbal language to be understand more clearly, but have itself voice to show emotion and message as well. In order to success, people should interpret and make used of using body language. In addition, with the differences of meaning depending on culture, it is necessary to be careful to each of your signal.