Реферат: NonVerbal Communication Essay Research Paper Spoken and

Posture is another very important part of non-verbal communication we can convey many unspoken messages simply by the way we are standing or sitting. Dr Raam has identified six different postural positions, which convey very different messages, these are;

1. “slumped posture = low spirit/bored

2. erect posture = high spirits,energy and confidence

3. lean forward = open and interested

4. lean away = defensive or disinterested

5. crossed arms = defensive

6. uncrossed arms = willingness to listen”

We must pay attention to our posture to convey a positive message when communicating and to ensure that we convey the correct attitude and message the receiver.

h Gesture

Gestures are also very important. Hand movements are probably the most recognised gestures, and can convey very different messages. Clenching a fist is the most understood hand gesture but we also wave our hand to say goodbye or to show anger, we must pay attention whilst communicating to ensure we do not display negative hand gestures. Gestures also include shrugging our shoulders, a shrug of the shoulders can display disinterest in the conversation or a flippant attitude but it can also display and I give up signal. David Givens wrote “men and women unconsciously shrug their shoulder when they find each other attractive. It is an ‘I give up’ signal almost childlike gesture that shows they are harmless.” In their book, Promoting Health Ewles and Simnett state “clenched fists, fidgeting hands (and sometimes tapping feet) reveal stress and tension, whereas still, open hands usually denote a relaxed frame of mind. Mental discomfort such as confusion or worry, is often shown by putting hands to the head and playing with hair, stroking a beard or rubbing the forehead” this shows how important it is to observe other peoples body language so that we can correctly evaluate how they are feeling, we may be treating someone who is in a lot of postoperative pain but who says that they feel fine, by correctly analysing their body language we can offer them the correct treatment.

h Touch

Messages conveyed through touch are among the most profound. Dr. Givens wrote “skin is our oldest sense organ, and when it is touched by someone it carries a strong emotional impact”. Touch can convey more than words can say. A touch when appropriate can convey sincerity and empathy to a message. When to touch can be an extremely difficult area of non-verbal communication because what is appropriate in one situation to one person may be very inappropriate to another, Dr Raam states “Touch is a very powerful communicator especially for establishing a link to a receiver or conveying emotion. However, touching is dangerous because it invades a persons intimate space and may be perceived as unwanted or breaking norms”. We must be aware of the appropriateness of touch within the differing age groups, cultures and sexes of people and react appropriately. We can easily invade someone’s personal space by inappropriate touch and make him or her feel uneasy, similarly a person may feel reassured by a simple touch on the hand. We must use our own judgement and act appropriately when deciding when to touch a client and gage their reactions accurately.

h Proxemics

Proxemics is the study of our use of personal space. We all unconsciously protect an area of personal space around us and us different zones of space when communicating with others these interaction zones are often referred to as our personal bubbles. Hall believed that we use four different types of space;

1. “intimate space – we use this for embracing and whispering (6-8 inches)

2. personal distance -for communication with good friends (1.5-4 feet)

3. social distance – for conversations amongst acquaintances (4-12 feet)

4. public distance – used for public speaking (12 feet or more)”

We must be aware of these zones of personal space and respect them when communicating with a client. If we invade another persons space they may feel intimidated and may become defensive, Hall further states ” should an intruder invade this personal space while also trespassing within territorial boundaries he placed himself in double jeopardy and must compensate for the other’s increased anxiety” Hall refers to territorial boundaries as the space that a person feels is their own such as the seat they always sit in during a college lecture or their place at the dining table. We have all been in situations were we have felt uncomfortable where we are sitting e.g. when visiting relatives and we sit in the fathers chair etc. if we are visiting a persons home in a professional capacity we must be aware that we are invading their personal space and must always ask is it ok to sit here and check that we do not invade their territorial zones.

h Dress/appearance

Dress and appearance are very important to our interpretation of a person, we may assume someone who is not well dressed or dirty is inferior to us or someone who is well dressed is superior to us or is a respectable person, we should not judge people on how they are dressed and should treat them all equally, however we are all guilty of judging a person by what they are wearing. If we were to visit a hospital and see a nurse whose clothes were dirty or creased or who’s hair was unkempt then we feel they are unprofessional or unhygienic, similarly if we saw a nurse in a crisply ironed fresh clean uniform who was well presented we would feel that she was professional, reliable, respectable and capable. Uniforms are a code of dress that separate people into their professional titles, we instantly recognise a policeman, fireman, lollipop person, shop assistant by their uniforms the same applies to nurses’ and doctors. Uniforms infer authority and we often afford people with respect because they are wearing a uniform those who wear a uniform must be careful not to abuse this privilege. In their book Promoting Health, Ewles and Simnett state” Kphysical appearance may be very important to health promoters because of the impression of professional competence, but it may also covey an unwelcome image of authority K” therefore we must be careful to use appropriate dress for the circumstance and to consider the situation and environment we are in whilst dressing after all we would not go to college in evening wear.

Non-verbal communication is vital in all communication encounters. . Ewles and Simnet state “…. Raised awareness of non-verbal communication can help you to improve communication between yourself and the people you work with K. Words, whether verbal or written, are only a small part of communication, and it is important to consider all aspects of communication” .

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