Training “Verbal and non-verbal means of communication”

Verbal and nonverbal communication, their impact on humans

Every person has access to the gift of communicating with others like themselves. We have the opportunity to express our thoughts, prove our opinions, and even simply remain silent with meaning. This is verbal and non-verbal communication.

The most common way for people to exchange information is verbal. Verbal communication is a combination of all means that help accurately express thoughts using phrases. These include oral and written speech. People transmit enormous amounts of information through these verbal means of communication.

But if you suspect that the interlocutor is telling a lie, then pay attention to his gestures and emotions. They will most fully tell about the thoughts of a given person. This method of communication is called non-verbal. Scientists have proven that speech carries only 20% of the information. While the non-verbal method of communication conveys 80% to the interlocutor. People understand information on an unconscious level. Nonverbal means of communication include not only gestures, but also sounds. For example, coughing, crying, pause in conversation, change in tone, speech accents, logical stress, etc. The principle of nonverbal communication is clearly demonstrated by the “conversation” between mother and newborn. He tries to show his mood and problems by crying and making other sounds. And the woman easily recognizes what the baby needs at the moment.

People often communicate using visual-tactile principles. In this case, information is transmitted literally by the entire body. A person tries to influence his interlocutor with facial expressions and movements. He, in turn, visually perceives all this and understands subconsciously. This group also includes gaze and touch.

If verbal and nonverbal communication contradict each other, then you should still trust your feelings. We can express anything with words, but we cannot constantly control gestures and facial expressions; they reveal the truth. So, if a person crosses his arms over his chest while talking to you, it means that he is either hiding the truth or simply does not want to communicate. But if the interlocutor looks at you with an open gaze, makes gestures with open palms, then he is inclined to talk. But keep in mind that gestures can be random. If a person gives the same nonverbal signal several times, then he really thinks so. If the gesture was isolated, then you should not attach significance to it.

Verbal and nonverbal communication also do not match if a person, while talking about something, looks away to the left. At the moment, his thoughts are busy inventing the situation. When the interlocutor looks to the right, he is really telling you the truth now. If a person leans slightly towards you, then he is interested in communication. These are just a few body signals; you don’t need to know them by heart to understand the non-verbal signs of your interlocutor. Intuition will help you recognize what a person wants to tell you.

Verbal and non-verbal communication can also be expressed in spatio-temporal form. The distance that arises between people during a conversation expresses the degree of intimacy. A distance of up to half a meter is an intimate distance. His relatives adhere to him. If the interlocutors maintain a distance of up to 1.2 meters, then we can say that they are interested in each other. This is how friends and acquaintances usually talk.

Verbal communications are perceived by the eyes, ears, fingers (blind people). Nonverbal communication is captured by all senses (vision, hearing, touch, smell, taste), as well as intuition.

So, verbal and non-verbal communication are important means of communication. It is important that a person can influence his interlocutor quite convincingly and skillfully control speech, emotions and gestures. This is especially necessary for people whose profession involves constant communication. For example, a sales manager, consultant, bank employee, etc.

Workshop 6. Nonverbal communication

“You may not be aware of many things, but only feel them. You can know a lot unconsciously" ( F.M. Dostoevsky

).

Introductory Notes

Nonverbal messages can be transmitted through: an optical-kinetic system of signs

(gestures, facial expressions, pantomimics),
tactile system
(various touches),
paralanguage
(paralinguistic and extralinguistic system of signs),
organization of the microenvironment of communication
(changes in the characteristics of the communication space),
olfactory system
(various odors),
visual contact
(eye contact).

Functions of nonverbal communication

1. Obtaining information about the communicator's identity

. With the help of nonverbal communication, you can obtain information about a person’s temperament, his emotional state in a given situation, self-esteem, communicative competence, social status, membership in a certain group, subculture.

2. Obtaining information about the relationships of participants

, namely: about the desired level of communication (social and emotional closeness - distance), about the nature or type of relationship (dominance - dependence, disposition - dislike), about the dynamics of relationships (the desire to maintain or end the relationship, the desire to clarify the relationship).

3. Information about the attitude of communication participants to the communication situation itself

. Information about involvement in the situation (comfort, interest) or the desire to get out of it (nervousness, impatience).

There are several functions

, which nonverbal messages perform in combination with verbal ones.

1. Addition

: nonverbalism makes speech more expressive, clarifies and clarifies its content. For example: hugs when meeting; children clarify the numbers by pointing with their fingers.

2. Refutation

: When the nonverbal message contradicts the verbal one. Example. To the question “Are you interested?” the person demonstrates confusion, looks away, smiles guiltily and says: “In general, yes.” Even if a person controls a nonverbal reaction at the first moment, it is detected after 4–5 seconds. Conversely, if the nonverbal expression lasts longer than this time, your interlocutor may also be insincere.

3. Substitution

: Using a nonverbal message instead of a verbal one. You can communicate your desire or opinion with your gaze, or with a gesture or touch.

4. Regulation

: the use of non-verbal signs to coordinate interaction between people (non-verbal messages about one’s condition, about one’s attitude towards communication) and relieving tension that arises during communication (scratching the back of the head, tapping the foot, squeezing the hands during a conversation).

Purpose of the lesson

Study of the functions, features and techniques of nonverbal communication.

Tasks:

– determine the functions of nonverbal communication;

– determine the specifics of non-verbal communication in comparison with verbal;

– improve non-verbal communication skills.

Equipment

Classroom, sheets of A4 paper, pencils.

Operating procedure

Stage 1. Identification of the features of nonverbal communication.

Determining the specifics of nonverbal communication by comparing it with verbal communication according to several criteria. Definition of the concept of nonverbal communication.

Stage 2. Determining the functions of nonverbal communication.

Formulation of the functions of nonverbal communication based on personal experience of its use.

Stage 3. Study of human expressive behavior.

Stage 4. Study of some systems and techniques of non-verbal communication.

Stage 1. Identification of features of nonverbal communication

Procedure: the first and second tasks can be given for work in different microgroups.

Task 1. Students are asked to compare verbal and non-verbal communication based on the criteria they propose. The teacher himself can offer students criteria for comparison.

Stage 2. Determining the functions of nonverbal communication

Students are given task 2. Describe the five gestures that you most often use in conversations with people. What do you use them for? Based on an analysis of their own communication experience, students formulate the functions of nonverbal communication. The teacher summarizes and complements the students' knowledge.

Stage 3. Study of human expressive behavior

Procedure:

students in microgroups describe expressive signs of emotion. K. Izard's classification of emotions can be used. Each subgroup can describe 3–4 emotions.

Task 3. Describe the expressive signs of some emotions: joy, attention, surprise, indifference, contempt, sadness (grief), anger, fear (Appendix 6.1) (literature: Piz A.

Sign language / Transl. from English; NPO "MODEK". – Voronezh, 1992. – 218 p.).

Stage 4. Study of some systems and techniques of nonverbal communication

1. Paralanguage

Procedure:

All tasks at this stage can be given for work in different microgroups.

Task 4. Think about how your voice changes in different situations. In what situations does it change the most? When do you raise your voice? When do you speak quietly? Fast? Slowly? How does your voice change under stress? Are you aware of these changes (in any situation)?

Discussion and summing up, informing the teacher.

Voice characteristics: pitch, volume, tempo, timbre.

– Pitch: changes with volume. When people are nervous, they raise their voices, and when they try to insist on their own, they speak in a low voice.

– Volume is used to attract attention and to express emotional state.

– Tempo – speed of speech. People speak faster when they are happy, scared, nervous, excited, and slower when they want to convince their interlocutor of something.

– Timbre – the sound of the voice. The timbre of the voice depends on the emotional state. The complaint has a whining, nasal timbre; anger is characterized by a raspy, harsh timbre.

Vocal interference: unnecessary sounds or words that interfere with speech fluency. They prevent listeners from concentrating on the meaning of what is being said, but if there are few of them, they emphasize the expressiveness of speech (as they say, you know, like, uh-uh, etc.). Sometimes they have a substitute meaning (we can say “mmm” to indicate a pause).

2. Touch (tactile system).

Task 5. What can different touches mean? What touches express power, interest, love, understanding?

Discuss why the same touch can be perceived positively or negatively in different situations (intimate or social).

3. Organization of space.

Form of work:

work in micro groups.

Task 6. You have a table, two chairs, a sofa, a wardrobe, a window with a curtain, a lamp, a floor lamp, a vase of flowers. Place these objects (in the picture) in such a way that the communication environment corresponds to a conversation with a person you don’t like; with a person to whom you are friendly; with the person you love; for business communication.

Each microgroup presents its own drawing. Then the environmental parameters influencing the communication situation are discussed.

Distance between seats:

intimate distance – up to 45 cm, for conversations between family and friends; personal distance – 45 cm – 1.2 m, normal conversation with a friendly person; social distance – 1.2–3.5 m, business communication; 3.5 m or more is a public distance.

Temperature, lighting and color in the room.

Temperature changes the level of attention (hot, stuffy). When a person is cold, he begins to get nervous.

Light level:

helps or hinders the receipt of information, changes mood - bright light stimulates activity and noisy conversations, dim light promotes calm, peaceful communication.

Color:

stimulates emotional and physical reactions. Red - excites, blue, blue - softens and calms, yellow - improves mood.

Control questions

1. What are the similarities and differences between verbal and nonverbal communication?

2. What is non-verbal language of communication used for?

3. What functions do nonverbal messages perform when interacting with verbal ones?

4. What channels of non-verbal communication do you know?

5. Does the organization of communication space relate to nonverbal communication?

Appendix 6.1

Expressive signs of emotional reactions

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Voice and intonation

It is advisable to perform the exercise with a partner. As in the previous exercise, you conduct a dialogue, but this time you can only use your voice, without words. Choose one vowel sound, for example, [A]. You can only talk using this sound. The following will help you understand each other:

• intonation;
• voice volume;
• pauses;
• phrase length;
• range (high and low sounds).

The purpose of the exercise is to practically find and analyze all the means of expression used in speech, in addition to words, to learn to distinguish them and use them.

As a result of the lessons you will be able to:

1. Pay attention to the nonverbal characteristics of someone else's speech, analyze it and guess the emotional state of the speaker.
2. Consciously control the characteristics of your own speech, give it the desired sound, master the training of emotions, that is, learn to hide or, conversely, imitate the necessary emotions.
3. Develop the vocal apparatus, develop flexibility of intonation, expand the range of the voice.

Psychological impact of speech in advertising

Scientists studying the components of communication have come to different conclusions: the psychologist Meyerabian found that 7% of verbal and 55% of non-verbal components of speech influence are required to transmit information, the remaining 38% belong to sound. Another American professor, Birdwissl, believes that information is transmitted through 35% of language units (verbally), and 65% through facial expressions and gestures. In this regard, in advertising, how it is said is much more important than what is said.

Finished works on a similar topic

• Course work Verbal and non-verbal speech influence in advertising 410 rub.
• Abstract Verbal and non-verbal speech influence in advertising 270 rub.
• Test work Verbal and non-verbal speech influence in advertising 190 rub.

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Note 1

The purpose of each advertising message is to attract the attention of a potential buyer.

This can be achieved through the skillful use of communicative components of language when creating advertising text. Authors of advertising messages most often use the following verbal means:

1. Parcellation. A stylistic device that consists in dividing the structure (of an advertising message) into several intonation and semantic units to achieve the effective implementation of the target content of the statement - simple syntactic wholes are absorbed and remembered by the recipient more easily: “Territory of comfort. Dynamics of passion. This is how character is reflected. Honda Accord."
2. Segmented structures. Consist of two or more segments, with a double designation of the same object or phenomenon (product), in the first part the nominee, and in the second - his pronoun or synonym or description of the merits of the product: “Yogurts. What exactly do we know about their usefulness?”
3. Question-and-answer structures: “Problems in your personal life? Pay your taxes and sleep well."
4. Repetitions. The repetition of a word or phrase (usually the name of a product) on an emotional level attracts the attention of potential customers and indicates its significance. “May tea is my favorite tea!”
5. Parallelism. Identical syntactic construction of two adjacent sentences. The effect is achieved with the help of ri.
6. Antithesis. “In the cold - warmth, in the heat - a Samsung air conditioner will bring coolness!”
7. Rhetorical questions and appeals (usually the name of the target audience): “Have you seen more beautiful furniture than ours?”, “Dear moms and dads...”.
8. Exclamatory sentences and incentive constructions. Inviting to action (in advertising for the purchase of a product or (Sprite).
9. Incomplete sentences. One of the main members of the sentence is missing, most often a linking verb: “Hummer. Nothing like this".
10. Direct speech and dialogues.
11. Truisms. This is a statement that cannot be doubted and is obvious to everyone, a banality, a well-known truth. In advertising it is used for the unconscious consent of the recipient. “You are constantly changing. The “Individual” tariff changes with you.”

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EXERCISE “BLUFF TOURNAMENT”

EXERCISE “HOW TO SAY THIS?”

EXERCISE “MEMORY TO A COLLEAGUE”

TELEGRAM GAME

EXERCISE “NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION”

MINI-LECTURE “NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION”

The trainer tells the participants a brief history of the study of facial expressions and gestures in psychological science. Next, he can talk about open, closed and mirror poses and gestures, about “hand to face”, “pyramid” gestures, etc., about how important it is to be able to control your facial expressions in the process of communication.

Stage setting

This exercise is used as a reinforcement exercise after the previous three. It will use all non-verbal means at once, while verbal communication remains prohibited. It is advisable to come up with circumstances in which this is possible, for example, the scene is “primitive tribe” or “deaf and dumb”. Scenes with an emphasis on pantomime are possible, for example, “behind glass”.

The scene should be small, about 10 minutes of playing time. Three main blocks:

• plot, some kind of conflict;
• climax, central event;
• denouement, how it all ended.

If the etude is impromptu, the participants simply coexist with each other on the stage, but the central event must still happen.
Don’t agree on what exactly it will become, let the course of action develop as usual, correct behavior and communication will themselves lead you to the event. It is advisable to do all independent exercises on nonverbal communication, especially the latter, under the supervision of a theater teacher in a group. The most expensive courses are not always the best. Sometimes the price for lessons in a theater studio is high, only because the hall has air conditioning, soft chairs, a water cooler, chic design or very expensive equipment.

Gestures, actions and space management

This exercise is used at the initial stage of training for students of theater universities and acting studios. It consists, in fact, of two different exercises - on the memory of physical actions and on interaction and communication. There are two people on the site, each with their own proposed circumstances. For example, a guy and a girl in a subway car. The guy’s task is to find a way to express sympathy, the girl’s task is not to pretend that she also likes the guy. You cannot talk, use facial expressions or voice. Communication is achieved through adaptations to the partner, behavior, actions, gestures, distance management, etc. For example, a guy sat down next to a girl, the girl turned away and hid behind a book. The guy demonstratively began to look into her book, the girl closed the book and took out a mirror, began to preen herself, etc.

Objectives of the exercise:

1. Find and analyze the expressive means that make up body language and gestures, learn to use them.
2. Learn to analyze the behavior of other people, guess its reasons and motives.

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EXERCISE 7. Sculpting our own monuments This exercise can be done in pairs or in a group. One of the participants plays the role of “sculptor” (when playing in pairs, this role is interchangeable, in a group it passes from one player to another). The “sculptor” establishes a silent “material” submissive to his will - the human body in such a way that the positions of the body, hands, and facial expressions are typical for the person depicted. Your partner can order you to take a certain position, touch your face and body, and can give verbal orders (“smile,” “look at me,” etc.). The “sculptor” can give you a specific, often repeated element of movement that is inherent to you, and ask you to use your voice (without verbal elements). During the process of “creativity”, provisions can be changed until the authors are satisfied with the expressiveness of the “work”. In the group, it becomes possible to “sculpt” all the participants and receive their own monument from each one. And therefore, get more impressions and information for analysis. This does not mean that we will be able to use all the impressions we receive. Choose the best option for you and analyze it. Pay attention to how you feel in both roles. What have you learned about yourself? Which of this information can you use and for what purposes? EXERCISE 8. Let's play chess You will need the help of one person. Other working couples can perform the exercise at the same time. However, you must exclude the presence of a group watching you and commenting on your actions. Prepare a thick sheet of paper no smaller than A5. You will also need two markers of different colors. You should not talk while doing the exercise. Each participant takes a marker and draws a large colored dot on a piece of paper, indicating the starting position from which this amazing conversation will begin. The game consists of alternating drawing on paper. You make the first move from the designated point. Your partner draws an answer that starts at their colored dot. The slogan of this game is: “You are like this for me, and I’m like this for you...” The game makes it possible to get a wonderful variety of material. Remember that you don't need to draw anything specific. Your movements on paper leave traces in the form of scribbles, lines, spirals, waves, zigzags, etc. Only the first moves are tied to certain points. Subsequent ones are done anywhere, and both participants have the opportunity to use the entire surface of the sheet. However, everything must fit on one sheet. The exercise must end with the agreement of both participants, who declare that they have already said everything to each other in this way. You can’t stop anyone from drawing their “answer.” Remember that you cannot use verbal means and should take turns drawing. What is happening should be a dialogue, not two monologues, so respond to your partner’s “graphic actions”. At the end of the exercise, talk about the emotions experienced and the sensations received, about the general mood and level of mutual understanding. If you are working in a group, you can change partners and repeat the exercise. Take a closer look at the sheet of paper. Pay attention to how much of the surface is occupied by “speech” of one and another color, note signs of struggle, competition, but also cooperation, perhaps even mutual assistance. EXERCISE 9. Nonverbal Communication: Apparatus Work This exercise requires the presence of at least two more people. It works best with the participation of 5-7 people. The game begins with preparing a set of tasks. On small sheets of paper we write down tasks, for example: 1. Ask for something. 2. Apologize for the wrongdoing. 3. Ask about something. 4. Laugh at someone. 5. Attack someone. 6. Explain something difficult. 7. Don't agree with something. 8. Give up something. 9. Claim something that is yours. 10. Give thanks for something. 11. Take care of someone. 12. Comfort someone. 13. Flirt with someone. 14. Praise someone. 15. Judge, scold someone. There must be no less than the number of participants multiplied by 2. Participants draw out pieces of paper with tasks by lot. It’s good if the authors of the tasks are strangers (perhaps your Travel Companion could help with this?). The point is to eliminate the possibility of pre-thinking or preparing for the task; You can use the set of tasks proposed above (for a group of no more than 7 people). The person who draws the card quickly decides whether they will need the help of another participant (for example, as someone to take care of or to attack). But this opportunity should not be abused. Try to get by on your own. The player can use voice, gesture, facial expressions, eye contact, but not verbal communication. He must play in such a way that the audience understands the content of the task. If the task is completed accurately and clearly, the game is considered finished. If the participants cannot guess the content, the player must ask someone for help, which can be provided in one of two ways: giving advice or playing with him. If you like this form of exercise, you can try to create entire etudes - monodramas or scenes with the participation of a large number of actors. In these scenes, try to express basic emotions: fear, shame, anger, sadness, helplessness. Think about how they can be expressed differently, more clearly for the audience? Don't rate each other's acting skills. Focus on your ability to correctly perceive nonverbal messages. Are you able to recognize basic emotional states? Note that such exercises expand our natural means of expression. Exercise 10. How can I reach you non-verbally? Choose a person from your environment with whom you understand each other without words. Conduct an interview with him on this topic. The main interview question that both you and your interlocutor should focus on is: “What allows us to understand each other?” Also find out which communication channels you use most often? You should remember the history of your acquaintance. Did you understand each other without words from the very beginning or is this the result of long-term communication? Which channel do you use as a sender and which channel do you use as a receiver? Is there a preferred means of expression? How ^^ do you communicate (gestures, grimaces, glances)? Is this related to the dominant perceptual channel for you and your partner? What information can you convey to each other non-verbally, and what only verbally? Do you both have the same answers to the above questions, or do you perceive some aspects differently? Exercise as much as possible. I wish you success! Homework 18 1. Which type of communication is more conscious and controlled? a) Verbal. b) Non-verbal. c) Interactive. 2. The ability to perceive and understand non-verbal messages: a) is innate; b) is formed in the process of life; c) appears as a result of special exercises. 3. Give three examples of transmitting inconsistent signals 4. When meeting for the first time, you must: a) demonstrate self-confidence and relaxedness; b) establish eye contact; c) reduce personal space. 5. Depending on the situation, laughter can be the result of various emotional reactions of a person. Give at least 5 different explanations for laughter depending on situations in this article

Facial expressions

It is advisable to perform the exercise to develop facial expressions with a partner, but as a last resort, you can also train in front of a mirror. The essence of the exercise is a dialogue between you and your partner, but one in which only facial expressions are allowed. Even turning or tilting the head is a gesture that has nothing to do with facial expressions. Only the work of facial muscles can be considered facial expressions.

The task is to understand each other, learn to construct the simplest phrases and answers first and gradually move on to more complex dialogues. It will be difficult at first, since neither you nor your partner use facial expressions for such purposes every day, but do not think that they are not suitable for this. A little habit, and you will be able to understand each other without words, even when you are not developing facial expressions.

The result of training will be two important skills:

1. You will replenish your own arsenal of facial expressions, at the same time develop your facial muscles and learn not to be shy about using them.
2. You will develop attentiveness to the smallest changes in other people's facial expressions and learn to consciously interpret them, that is, read people's thoughts a little by their faces.