Introduction
Non-verbal communication conveys meaning through body language, facial expressions, gestures, eye contact, and posture. Non-verbal conversations are detectable in our everyday lives. People use non-verbal language from babyhood and easily understand elements such as gestures as they grow up. Scholars have studied ways in which non-verbal messages manifest in how people interact. This paper examines how non-verbal elements such as proxemics, object, and posture manifest and influences conversations.
Proxemics
Proxemics is the language of space that stands out as a crucial influencer of verbal communication. Since elucidation in the contemporary world is dominated by virtual connections, proxemics continues to affect face-to-face and online talks. After watching the video, it is understandable why parents often hold their babies so close to their bodies in elevated positions. Such positions communicate parents’ love and affection for their children (Burgoon et al., 2021). Unmissable non-verbal communication is comparable to how hugging is perceived in different places. Mostly, hugging is perceived as an indicator of intense love and care. Overall, proxemics influences non-verbal interactions in various ways, including how men and women interact culturally.
Proxemics can also be used with objects when people show others that some things belong to them. For instance, it is common for people to take photos while in contact with their cars. Such poses are a form of proxemic communication. Leaning against a car or touching it indicates that the car belongs to the person. Otherwise, most people who take photos beside strangers’ cars rarely lean against them. However, such aspects of proxemics are also prone to vices like intimidation (Burgoon et al., 2021). For example, a boss can intimidate employees by putting his feet on the table whenever employees sit across the table. Such invasions of personal spaces do not facilitate interaction but rather derail message articulation. Generally, spatial zones are essential in message conveyance, although their efficiency is still influenced by the environment, personalities, culture, and situations.
Objects
Objects communicate vital information that can be easily read and understood because people relate objects to specific things. For instance, it is almost obvious that a person in a tracksuit with runners and earphones is heading for a walk or a run. Also, a person in a suit and tie is heading for a business meeting or venture (Eaves & Leathers, 2017). Dressing the part is a widespread perception that can be deciphered by understanding non-verbal communication. Sometimes, people tend to overdo or mix up objects in their dressing. For example, a flashy watch and a shiny neckpiece would not go well with a business outfit. The rule of five limits jewelry to a maximum of five pieces and encourages subtleness. Since objects are effective communicators, their usage and intent must be perceived in desirable contexts.
In some cases, however, people have no option but to wear objects tied to their nature of work. For example, policemen and women can put on badges, hats, and sometimes medals in their line of duty. Work attire emphasizes the influence of objects as tools of non-verbal communication. (Eaves & Leathers, 2017). For instance, in a hospital, it is expected that everyone with a stethoscope is a qualified health practitioner. Health practitioners also wear white lab coats or clothes with plain colors while on duty. Such attires and objects make it easy for professionals to announce their occupations and potentially welcome their clients. Overall, objects and attires reveal peoples’ jobs or intentions in a conspicuous way.
Posture
Posture is another crucial influencer of communication, especially in public speaking. Ideally, body language reveals underlying emotions that can convey crucial information. For example, leg crossing and arm crossing are examples of defensive postures that manifest involuntarily. To a vast extent, the human hands are the main revealers of information through posture. There are more nerve connections between the brain and the hand than any other body organ (Burgoon et al., 2021). A person can communicate authority or dominance when they put their hands over the arms of a chair. At the same time, fidgeting or clenching fists while talking indicates that someone is not confident or nervous. These are widespread postures that are detectable in most social setups.
On the other hand, legs also reveal a person’s unstated information through his or her posture. Usually, a person sits with his legs crossed if indicating reservation or conservation. Also, a person who does not stand straight might be perceived as weak or unconfident. Psychologists suggest that straight postures disclose assurance, energy, and authority (Wahyuni, 2018). Similarly, a bent posture indicates a lack of energy and low self-esteem. Such aspects of communication can play a considerable part in workspaces and social spaces. A sloppy posture would depict someone as lazy or inefficient at work, even if the person is hardworking and efficient. Also, sloppy postures might portray someone as tired or bored in social spaces depending on the situational factors (Wahyuni, 2018). Overall, postures are good indicators of a person’s underlying feelings and emotions. However, more research can be done to establish the scientific accuracy between emotions and body posture.
Conclusion
Non-verbal communication forms a fundamental part of information exchange. People use posture, objects, and proximity every day to supplement their messages where necessary. Some scholars argue that non-verbal expressions are more accurate than verbal communications since they are representations of underlying emotions. Indeed, research has proven that non-verbal conversations reveal underlying emotions that people might be trying to conceal. Generally, non-verbal elements such as posture, objects, and proximity are vital influencers of information sharing that affect people’s daily interactions.
References
Burgoon, J. K., Manusov, V., & Guerrero, L. K. (2021). Nonverbal communication (2nd ed.). Routledge.
Eaves, M. H., & Leathers, D. (2017). Successful nonverbal communication: Principles and applications (4th ed.), New York: Routledge.
Wahyuni, A. (2018). The power of verbal and nonverbal communication in learning. In The 1st International Conference on Intellectuals’ Global Responsibility (ICIGR 2017). Atlantis Press.