Paralanguage or Vocalics- are all the nuances of the voice,
pitch, volume, rate, vocal quality, and fillers. I include breathing, sneezing,
laughing, etc. It helps us assess personality, emotional intensity, and humor
and helps give us cues to regulate the flow of conversation. Many experts
consider paralanguage to be the most honest nonverbal communication and the
best way to assess deceit.
I
can analyze someone's sneeze and tell you their personality type on the DISC assessment
tool. Fun example -When under stress, someone may suddenly cough or clear their
throat. So, if you are in a movie theater and a character is revealed as
unfaithful, stop and listen to the people in the theater. If someone suddenly clears
their throat or cough may be unfaithful! I include Silence under this heading
and also include it under Chronemics, while some researchers give it its own category.
Chronemics – is the use of time to reflect personal
or cultural identity, power, status, and liking. I have a chapter in one of my
books on lateness as a nonverbal communicator and the common meanings of tardiness!
If you have ever waited for a return call or text, you have experienced it.
Kinesics –
are all body movements. It includes; gestures, body motions, and positions, as
well as facial expressions. They reflect our perception of ourselves and others
and the situation and topic. For example, a tilted head, a hair toss, an open
palm, a crossed leg, a tight smile, a foot tap, and winking are all body
movement cues.
Proxemics
– are the zones of space we use to communicate the level of trust, intimacy, and status. We are drawn toward what we like and are repelled
by what we don't.
The zones of space are
intimate (0 to one and a half feet), personal (1and ½ to two feet., social (two
to six), and professional (six to twelve. (Unless you are Putin.
We saw interesting
changes in Proxemics uring Lockdown for Covid. Even before "six feet'
Was given as a safe distance, people would often freeze when they got within
six feet of someone. That is a natural stopping point for assessment and previously
the distance where you might start to put out your hand to shake hands. And
many people also reserved what is called "Intimate Zone"of space" of 0
to 15 inches for only close family. And the body bubble of intimate space has
grown from 12 inches in the '90s to up to 1 and a half feet. The zones of space
have changed. They have increased over time so if you look them up, you will
see disagreement about the defined distances.
Physical appearance – physical
characteristics such as skin color, height, weight, facial features, and facial
and body symmetry and attractiveness influence how people perceive us and vice
versa. People often perceive trustworthiness, introversion or extroversion,
maturity, and friendliness by someone's looks, sometimes incorrectly. For example,
the tallest, broadest candidate in political debate is often perceived as the "winner,"
and attractive people are often perceived as having more positive traits.
Artifacts - are material things we wear or
attach to our bodies to express our identities. These include earrings, makeup,
tattoos, a small dog we carry, etc. In addition, they include
things like long painted fingernails, uniforms to display professionalism and
draw respect from people, colors like red that create excitement, and high-end luxury
branding on items.
Territory/Environmental Factors are the elements of a surrounding or
setting. Colors, lighting, furniture arrangement, design, and many others
affect our actions.
These days we analyze what
I have labeled someone "ZOOM Box" to assess someone's personality, status,
and emotional state. Music and scent in stores and other businesses can create
different moods and actions and are even used to make a "brand"
sense.
Haptics is the sense of touch to convey
emotions. This includes hugging, kissing, holding, shaking hands, patting, etc.
Research shows that touch is the first sense to develop, and it plays an essential
role in well-being. In some cultures, skin contact between men and women is
considered offensive, and in others, people touch the mate over 100 times in an
ordinary conversation. As we learned in the MeTo movement, touch can be used to
show power and status.
My original doctoral dissertation
was on touch in the workplace, so I can give you more if you need it.
Technics –are cues are given through and by our use of technology. (
I created this category. There is not a universally recognized name for this category.
I include things like ghosting, font type, and how you hold your phone. The
kind of phone you carry would be an artifact, but someone's addition and
constant use would be considered part of Technics.
Patti Wood, MA - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com.
