Interpersonal Communication- A Mindful Approach to Relationships, 2020a

feedback.
Video record a conversation between you and a friend/s. (Make sure everyone
approves of being recorded.) As a group, review your facial expressions, body
movements, and gestures. Discuss your nonverbal behavior as a group being
certain to compliment areas of success and ask for constructive feedback if you
are comfortable doing so.
Select a nonverbal specific behavior such as greeting through a wave or eye contact.
Use this nonverbal behavior in a manner that is inconsistent with the accepted
use of this nonverbal behavior. For example, avoid eye contact completely with a
friend or kiss a friend on the cheek instead of simply saying hello. Make a note of
your reaction as well as the reaction of your friend. (Be prepared to explain your
behavior to your friend.)
Take an inventory of your nonverbal communication skills by answering the
following questions. Do you believe nonverbal communication is important?
Why or why not? Which subcategories of nonverbal communication are your
strengths and weaknesses? How can you improve on these weaknesses?
Chapter Wrap-Up
In this chapter, we discussed the importance of nonverbal communication. To be an effective nonverbal
communicator, it is necessary to understand that nonverbal communication conveys a tremendous
amount of information. However, the meaning of nonverbal communication most often must be
understood within the context of the interaction. There are very few nonverbal behaviors that can be
understood outside of context.
This chapter also discusses the functions of nonverbal communication. Nonverbal communication
serves many purposes and works to clarify the meaning of verbal communication. Verbal communication
and nonverbal communication, in combination, increase the chances of stimulating accurate meaning in
the minds of others. One without the other dilutes the effectiveness of each.
Finally, this chapter discusses the subcategories of nonverbal communication. The subcategories of
nonverbal communication allow us to account for the multitude of cues sent between the sender and
receiver. The human brain must account for cues resulting from eye contact, facial expressions, distance
between sender and receiver, touch, sound, movement, and scent. Amazingly, the human brain processes
all of these cues very quickly and with a high degree of accuracy.
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