A research paper on the interpersonal communication topic 'Nonverbal Communication' - Essay Example

For thousands of years, mankind has used wordless messages to communicate thoughts, attitudes, ideas and emotions: by using gestures, posture, facial expressions, sounds and symbols, but research on this area of interpersonal communication is a comparatively new development.(Calero p.2). Scholars from the communication field have since earlier times, emphasized the need for an integrative approach towards the study of nonverbal behavior, along with verbal communication, whenever applicable. Especially in verbal communication, the nonverbal aspect of the interaction is taken into consideration.

(Knapp, Weimann and Daly p.272) strengthen this view-point: “verbal and non-verbal behavior are unquestionably part and parcel of the same overall system of communication”, and separating them would result in artificiality and potential distortion of the interaction. Influences on Nonverbal Communication: According to Mary Ritchie Key, both verbal and nonverbal communication can be seen as a means of establishing self and developing a self-image in order to cope with relationships. One has to validate oneself before one can relate to others in the social paradigm.(p.4).

Anderson states that the process of communicating warmth or intimacy to one another is the most central function of nonverbal communication in human interaction. The exchange of harmonious messages is of importance across a variety of relationships and contexts.(Eds. Siegman, Feldstein p.1). encodes a behavioral reaction. However, the primary emphasis of research on nonverbal communication is on explaining and predicting the encoding of behavior. Patterson reveals that the encoding and decoding processes are in a single system, driven by a common set of determinants and mediating processes. (Eds. Palmer, Barnett p.10). Harrison and Knapp (p.345) reiterate that three important aspects of nonverbal communication are: 1) A socially shared