Nonverbal message codes Essay

Interaction between people requires many forms of nonverbal communication – the exchange of information through a change in facial expressions, gestures and body movements. Non-verbal communication is sometimes called “body language”, but this term is not quite right, since we tend to use such non-verbal signs only in order to refute or add some sense to what is said in words. Nonverbal communication is a system of non-verbal symbols, signs, codes used to send messages with a high degree of accuracy that a greater or lesser extent alienated and is independent of the psychological and psycho-social personality traits.
Nonverbal communication includes five subsystems:
1. Spatial Subsystem (interpersonal space).
2. Look.
3. Opto-kinetic subsystem, which includes: appearance, gestures (facial expressions), postures and gestures.
4. Paralinguistic subsystem, including: vocal quality voice, his range, tone, timbre.
5. Extralinguistic subsystem, which includes: speaking rate, pauses, laughter, etc.
Psychologists believe that nonverbal communication is essential for effective communication. This is explained by the fact that about 70% of the information a person perceives it to the optic (visual) channel. Non-verbal communication and its signals allow us to understand the true feelings and thoughts of the interlocutor. With the help of face expression, gesture and posture people can show many emotions and meanings. There are many subtle signs of nonverbal communication, which can understood by interlocutors.
If we talk about intercultural communication, there is no such gestures or postures that are typical for all, or at least for most crops. For example, in some societies people nod their head when they disagree, which contradicts the widespread custom of nodding the head when agreeing with someone. Certain gestures, that Europeans and Americans use very often are absent in other cultures. It is important to add that when communicating people of different cultures use different kinds of touches to their interlocutors: handshakes, kissing, stroking, patting, hugging, etc.
Knowledge or ignorance of signs of nonverbal communication can interfere with communication of different cultures. For example, the behavior of business partners from different countries can be interpreted in different ways. Many Americans are experiencing discomfort and embarrassment, talking to representatives of several Asian cultures, because they avoid during conversation to look into eyes of other person. Americans often react negatively, starting to think that this man is probably angry, or bored, or lying. On the other hand, if a person is looking in the eyes too much and too directly, Americans perceive such person as aggressive. We are making such judgments, because we use the usual rules of interpretation for us. If the person with whom we interact belong to our own culture, these findings are likely to be correct. But if a person is from another culture, who is guided by a different set of rules, our interpretation of the visual behavior may be quite wrong.
Understanding cultural differences in nonverbal behavior is the first step to a true understanding of cultural differences in communication.