Facial expression is an easily interpreted nonverbal communication cue.
Spoken language is only one aspect of a conversation; the things we communicate in the form of gestures and body language can be just as important as those we say. Learning to read nonverbal communication cues unlocks the unspoken nuances of everyday conversations, allowing you to pick up on everything the other person is telling you, whether they're aware of it or not.
Body Movement
Literally, every move we make can unconsciously communicate to others details about our personality, mood or state of mind. The manner in which we hold ourselves, known as posture, suggests many things about our emotional state. The impact of posture can be illustrated by considering the difference between someone who is slouching in a chair with shoulders hunched forward and someone who is puffed up and towering over everyone else in a room. The simple act of locomotion, or moving from one place to another, can nonverbally communicate our state of mind as well. For example, your first impression of someone who is stumbling down the street is very different than your reaction to someone who is striding with purposeful movements.
Some bodily responses cannot be controlled. Physiologic responses to certain stimuli are fundamentally uncontrollable, as much as we might want to squelch them. Blushing is a very common example of a physical response that is both telling and irrepressible, says psychiatrist Dr. Adam Blatner.
Gestures
Gestures are deliberate motions that have specific meanings, although those meanings may vary radically from culture to culture. Examples include a finger wagging in disapproval, making the "OK" sign with forefinger and thumb in a circle and holding the arm straight out with hand up, palm facing out to say, "Stop!," explains business anthropologist and mediator Jennifer Beer, Ph.D.
Facial Expression
Facial expressions are one of the easiest nonverbal communications to read. They are cross-cultural and carry most of our nonverbal meaning. Therefore, expressions of sadness, joy and surprise are nearly universally understood, says Dr. Blatner.
Personal Space
The distance at which we are comfortable interacting with others is known as personal space. This personal comfort zone is largely influenced by culture; people from Northern European prefer a comparatively larger zone of personal space than individuals from Middle Eastern or Hispanic cultures.
The distances that define our personal space also vary depending on how well we know someone. People we are comfortable with, such as a family member or lover, tend to stand much closer to us than those we do not know as well, such as a coworker or a stranger, according to Dr. Blatner.
Touch
Touch, and sometimes the lack of touch, between two people can provide insight into their relationship. For example, guidance is displayed when a mom holds her child's hand; a father might communicate his pride by clapping his son on the back.
But touch is not always nice. Aggressive touch involves pushing or shoving, but certain kinds of hand-holding or tugging while leading can show control or coercion, which is equally unwelcome.
Adornment
In a society that tends to make judgments based on appearance, our clothing, accessories and other bodily decorations make statements about our personalities and lifestyles. What first impression do you have about someone wearing a military uniform as opposed to someone wearing tattered clothing and holey shoes? The way we present ourselves and how we choose to decorate our bodies communicates our values, tastes and personalities with just a glance.
Paralinguisitics
How something is said is often more telling than what is actually said. Paralinguistics, which encompasses the variables of spoken communication, includes such sub-categories as inflection, pitch, tone, dialect and language usage, according to Dr. Blatner.
Eye Contact/Gaze
Eye contact is an important element of nonverbal communication. It provides conversation cues and feedback, both of which regulate the flow of verbal communication. Eye contact can be used to assert dominance or aggression or imply longing or affection, says Dr. Beer.
The implications of meeting someone's gaze or avoiding eye contact are very deeply tied to culture; some societies view averting your gaze as being furtive, while in other cultures, not making eye contact is considered respectful, adds Dr. Blatner.
Pacing
Pacing refers to the manner in which an action is completed; in other words, it is possible to determine someone's reaction or attitude toward what they are doing by examining how they do it. For example, a business owner will enter his shop with intent and purpose, acting confident in his place there. A thief might enter the same shop in a furtive, sneaky manner, because his intentions upon entering are not honorable.
