Theories Of Nonverbal Communication

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Despite how us humans are prone to communication, communication is a complex phenomena. That is why Personal and Scholarly concepts are made, to act as a guide, making communication easy. Personal theories are based on, one’s own observation about how they themself communicate. Scholarly theories and concepts are based on evidence and research. Though the fundamentals of personal and scholarly theory are different, they can often relate to each other. My two personal theories are related to non-verbal communication. While conversing, I have a tendency to avoid eye contact. I usually have to refrain myself from averting my eyes while conversing. My other non-verbal theory is about how I give different types of hugs, depending on the relationship …show more content…

During conversations, I have to put extra effort to maintain eye contact. One of the most important aspect of nonverbal communication is eye contact. The use of eye contact can be one of the most crucial and influential feature of our face. In America eye contact is essential “eye contact serves as a signal of readiness to interact and the absence of such contact, whether intended or accidental, tends to reduce the likelihood of such interactions”(Ruben & Stewart, 2015, 34). Eye contact shows that the person is interested in communicating with you, and has respect and appreciation for you. It gives the conversation a sense of flow. However the lack of eye contact can often seem disrespectful across culture. It is due to cultural comparison present regarding nonverbal communication. Every culture has its own altered …show more content…

Usually while communicating we do not give space ( proxemics ) much thought. But proxemics is a very important aspect of non-verbal communication. I am a very affectionate person and I hug people a lot. It is my portrayal of affection. Though my manner of hugging is different, as it is according to my comfort level with that person. This is because there are different level of appropriate space, depending on your relationship with the person you are communicating with. I give side-way hugs to people I know but aren’t that close to. This type of hug would be considered in information and business distance. Another type of hugs I give are back rub hugs. I usually give back rub hugs to those whom I am comfortable with, making these type of hugs to be casual conversation distance. My much more intimate hug, where I snuggle into another person would be considered to be in intimate distance. Every type of my hugs are categorized in different space levels. These space levels are important because it affects the receiver influence on the message my hugs give. The receiver is going to interpret the message my hugs give through these space. Though not everyone define proxemics the same way due to cultural gap. Every culture defines appropriate space while communicating differently. Sometimes it creates misunderstanding between receiver and sender due to misinterpretation

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