The The Operation And Effectiveness Of Verbal Communication Essay Example

to speech and serve to illustrate what is being said, such as pointing at an object. These gestures are intentionally used to aid communication, but to a lesser degree than emblems. Folding one's arms can be seen as a gesture of defensiveness. Freedman and Hoffman (1967) distinguish between gestures that are linked to speech and those directed towards oneself. The former are intended to communicate, whereas the latter serve to release tension.

According to McNeil (1985), gestures and speech are interconnected components of an individual's psychological structure. He suggests that gestures serve as direct manifestations of a speaker's inner speech and thinking process. Gaze and mutual gaze, while distinct, have various features. Kleinke (1986) states that intimacy, submission, or dominance can be conveyed through gaze, adverted glance, or stare. Gaze refers to an individual's looking behaviour, whereas mutual gaze is the act of two individuals looking at each other. Gaze can have multiple functions. For instance, Knapp (1978, p297) highlights that gaze can be cognitive - when a person averts their gaze when they struggle with encoding information - or expressive - when the level of involvement is expressed through looking. Eye contact can also establish a sense of obligation to interact in some instances.

Eye contact is crucial for effective communication, as it helps establish a connection and keep conversations flowing. It can be especially useful in situations where attention needs to be drawn, such as flagging down a waiter at a restaurant. However, during moments of negative emotions, people may avoid making eye contact. Nonverbal communication (NVC) is essential for adjusting the level of intimacy between individuals by indicating their level of engagement during interactions.

Ensuring

smooth transitions between speaker and listener roles is crucial. Nonverbal cues, like nodding and eye contact, assist in conversation flow. Sequences of head nods and vocalizations further help speech, indicating positive listener responses and reassuring the speaker. Nonverbal communication (NVC), including tone of voice, proximity, and gaze, helps establish and maintain relationships. For instance, lack of eye contact in a meeting could signal hostility or dislike towards someone.

Verbal communication is aided by NVC that has a specific purpose and goal directed signals. Non-verbal behaviour (NVB) or a psychological response are considered signs without intention, such as blushing. However, NVC may hinder verbal communication when a signal is misinterpreted due to poor sending or poor decoding by the receiver.

If NVC is poorly encoded or decoded, it can lead to faulty communication. According to Heslin and Patterson (1982, p44), the nonverbal aspect of persuasion has been underappreciated because academic studies on persuasion have mostly taken place in controlled environments and focused on verbal communication. However, in reality, most decisions are influenced by persuasive communication and a desire to imitate others. Nonverbal cues can be helpful when determining the honesty of a person during conversation. It seems that the saying 'actions speak louder than words' holds some validity based on available evidence.

Deceitful individuals may exhibit anxiety about getting caught and may give non-verbal cues (NVC) that reveal their deception. NVC, such as avoiding eye contact or appearing unsure, may signal that a person is being dishonest. According to police officers, NVC and non-verbal behavior (NVB) are crucial in determining a suspect's behavior. Factors such as posture, facial expressions, eye behavior, and vocal characteristics are significant indications

of a potential suspect's honesty, desperation, and sophistication (Rozelle and Baxter, 1975). Officers often rely on these clues to form an impression of the communicator.

According to Heslin and Patterson (1982), nonverbal communication (NVC) used by a communicator can assist the listener in assessing not only the communication but also the communicator. Charles Darwin (1892) believed that fundamental forms of emotion are consistent across all individuals due to evolution. The face is the main source of meaning, as emotions are conveyed through facial expressions. Ekman and Frieson's (1978) investigation of individuals from various cultural backgrounds provides evidence to support Darwin's hypothesis.

A study was conducted on a secluded community in New Guinea, where individuals had minimal interaction with outsiders. Participants were instructed to express emotions pertaining to scenarios such as the hypothetical loss of a child. Videotapes of these displays were shown to North American students who could accurately recognize the emotions. According to Myers (2001, p474), these results, along with similar studies, provided evidence for Ekman's belief that facial expressions and their interpretation are inherent in humans. Another study by Eibl-Eibesfeldt in 1973 also supported Darwin's theory.

According to Eibl-Eibesfeldt, six children were born deaf and blind. Their emotional responses, such as smiling during pleasurable activities or frowning when offered disliked items, appeared innate as they couldn't have learned them through observation. This implies that nonverbal communication (NVC) is a potent way of expressing emotions and attitudes without words. By observing body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions, we can comprehend individuals' feelings better (Myers, 2001,p470; Giddens, 2001,p85).

The effective exchange of information through speaking involves various aspects such as timing, gestures, vocal pitch, gaze and

eye contact. These elements are closely linked in order to establish successful communication between speakers and listeners. Nonverbal communication is a fundamental factor that contributes greatly to the effectiveness of conversations.