Features of non-verbal means of communication: postures, gestures, facial expressions. Non-verbal and verbal communication. Verbal and non-verbal means of communication What situations of communication relate to non-verbal communication

There is a diverse division of functions between verbal and non-verbal means of communication: pure information is transmitted through the verbal channel, and the attitude towards the communication partner is transmitted through the verbal channel.

NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION - communication through gestures (sign language), facial expressions, body movements and a number of other means, excluding speech. Non-verbal communication in different peoples has its own specific characteristics. .

In psychology, there are four forms of non-verbal communication: kinesics, paralinguistics, proxemics, and visual communication. Each of the forms of communication uses its sign system.

NONVERBAL COMMUNICATIONS - These are nonverbal means of communication. They are needed in order to:

a) regulate the course of the communication process, create psychological contact between partners;

b) enrich the meanings conveyed by words, guide the interpretation of the verbal text; express emotions and reflect the interpretation of the situation.

Non-verbal means, as a rule, cannot convey accurate meanings on their own (with the exception of some gestures). Usually they turn out to be coordinated in one way or another with each other and with verbal texts. The totality of these means can be compared with a symphony orchestra, and the word - with a soloist against its background. The mismatch of individual non-verbal means significantly complicates interpersonal communication. Unlike speech, non-verbal means of communication are not fully understood by both speakers and listeners. No one can fully control all of their non-verbal means.

Non-verbal means of communication are divided into:

· visual(kinesics - movements of the arms, legs, head, torso; direction of gaze and visual contact; eye expression; facial expression; postures, in particular, localization, changes of postures relative to the verbal text);

visual communication- this is eye contact, the initial study of which was associated with intimate communication. However, now the range of such studies has become much wider: the signs represented by eye movements are included in a wider range of communication situations.

Kinesics- a system of means of communication, including gestures, facial expressions, pantomime. The kinetic system appears as a clearly perceived property of general motor skills, various parts of the body (hands - gestures; faces - facial expressions; postures - pantomime). This general motility of various parts of the body reflects the emotional reactions of a person. The inclusion of the optical-kinetic system in the situation of communication gives nuances to communication. These nuances turn out to be ambiguous when using the same gestures in different national cultures. For example, a nod of the head among Russians and Bulgarians has exactly the opposite meaning: agreement among Russians and denial among Bulgarians. Expressive movements represent a kind of "subtext" to some text that you need to know in order to correctly reveal the meaning of what is happening. The language of movement reveals the inner content in the outer action. “This language,” wrote S. L. Rubinshtein, “has the most refined means of speech. Our expressive movements are very often metaphors. etc., he himself portrays an image to which a figurative meaning is attached. An expressive movement ceases to be just an organic reaction; in the process of communication it itself becomes an action and, moreover, a social action, the most essential act of influencing people. "

skin reactions (redness, sweating);

· reflecting the distance(distance to the interlocutor, angle of rotation to him, personal space); communication aids, including body features (sex, age) and means of their transformation (clothing, cosmetics, glasses, jewelry, tattoos, mustaches, beards, cigarettes, etc.); Proxemics- a special area of ​​psychology dealing with the norms of spatial and temporary organization communication. The space and time of the organization of the process act as a special sign system, carry a semantic load, and are components of communicative situations. Thus, the placement of partners facing each other contributes to the emergence of contact, symbolizes attention to the speaker; shouting in the back can have a negative value. The advantage of some spatial forms of organization of communication both for two communication partners and in mass audiences has been experimentally proven. In the same way, some norms developed in different cultures regarding the temporal characteristics of communication act as a kind of supplement to semantically meaningful information.

· acoustic or sound(paralinguistic, that is, related to speech - intonation, loudness, timbre, tone, rhythm, pitch, speech pauses and their localization in the text); Paralinguistic system- this is a vocalization system, i.e. voice quality, its range, tonality.

· extralinguistic, that is, not related to speech - laughter, crying, coughing, sighing, gnashing of teeth, sniffing, etc.; Paralinguistic and extralinguistic systems of signs are also "additions" to verbal communication.

· tactile-kinesthetic(physical impact - leading the blind by the hand, contact dance, etc.; takeshika - shaking hands, clapping on the shoulder) and olfactory (pleasant and unpleasant odors environment; natural and artificial human odors).

Each specific culture leaves a strong imprint on non-verbal means, therefore there are no general norms for all mankind. The non-verbal language of another country has to be learned in the same way as the verbal one.

A number of studies in the field of proxemics are associated with the study of specific sets of spatial and temporal constants of communicative situations. These isolated sets are called "chronotopes". For example, such chronotopes as the chronotope of a "carriage fellow" and others are described.

Types of non-verbal means of communication

There are three main types of non-verbal means of information transmission (or they are also called paralinguistic means of communication): phonation, kinetic and graphic.

Phonational non-verbal means include the timbre of the voice, the pace and volume of speech, stable intonations, features of pronouncing sounds, filling pauses (e, me ...). The kinetic components of speech include gestures, postures, facial expressions. Graphic non-verbal means of communication stand out in written speech.

facial expressions

A special role in the transfer of information is given facial expressions - movements of the muscles of the face, which is not without reason called the mirror of the soul. The main characteristics of facial expressions are its integrity and dynamism. This means that in the mimic expression of the six basic emotional states (anger, joy, fear, suffering, surprise and contempt), all facial muscle movements are coordinated.

Psychological research has shown that all people, regardless of the nationality and culture in which they grew up, with sufficient accuracy and consistency, interpret these mimic configurations as an expression of the corresponding emotions. And although each mine is an expression of the configuration of the entire face, nevertheless, the main informative load is borne by the eyebrows and the area around the mouth (lips). By facial expressions we mean the movements of the muscles of the face. It should not be confused with physiognomy (the science by which the shape of the face can be used to judge the mental properties of a person).

As established by Darwin, human facial expressions are rooted in the animal world. Animals and humans have many common facial expressions - facial expressions of fear, fright, anxiety, etc. However, a person has specific feelings and their facial expressions - a state of inspiration, admiration, sympathy, enthusiasm, etc. Many human expressive means developed from movements, which in the animal world had an adaptive value. Thus, the expression of hatred in a person by lifting the upper lip is phylogenetically connected with the frightening exposure of fangs in an animal preparing for a fight.

Mimicry is associated with the spread of an intense excitatory process to the motor zone of the cerebral cortex - hence its involuntary character. At the same time, a corresponding excitation of the entire sympathetic nervous system occurs. Expressing dissatisfaction, we compress our lips and stretch them forward, wrinkling our face - all these movements are also made in cases where the rejection reflex of unsuitable food is triggered. This indicates that many of our facial expressions are genetically related to organic sensations.

Mimicry is different:

Strongly mobile facial expressions . Strongly mobile facial expressions indicate a liveliness and rapid change in the perception of impressions and internal experiences, a slight excitability from external stimuli. Such excitability can reach manic proportions.

Slow mimicry. Indicates, in principle, the constancy of mental processes. It indicates a rarely changing stable mood. Such facial expressions are associated with calmness, constancy, prudence, reliability, superiority and balance. A sedentary mimic game can, with reduced activity (motor strength and temperament), also give the impression of contemplation and comfort.

Monotony and rare change of forms. If such behavior is accompanied by slowness and weak tension, then we can conclude not only about mental monotony, but also about weak impulsivity. The reason for this may be melancholic movement disorders, stiffness or paralysis. Such behavior is characteristic of exclusively monotonous mental states, boredom, sadness, indifference, stupefaction, emotional poverty, melancholy, and a depressive stupor (complete stiffness) resulting from an exaggeratedly dull dominant feeling.

Associated facial expressions . Most facial expressions are made up of many individual expressions. Statements like “he opened his mouth and opened his eyes”, “cold eyes contradict a laughing mouth”, and others indicate that analysis is possible only by observing individual expressions and based on the conclusions obtained by doing so.

Also, facial movements are divided into:

1) aggressive-offensive facial expressions - anger, anger, cruelty, etc .;

2) active-defensive - disgust, contempt, hatred, etc.;

3) passive-defensive - humility, humiliation, etc.;

4) facial expressions of an orienting-research orientation;

5) facial expressions of pleasure-displeasure;

6) camouflage expressions - facial expressions of hiding the truth, ambiguity, dishonesty, etc.

Sight

Very closely related to facial expressions. sight, or visual contact, constituting an extremely important part of communication. When communicating, people strive for reciprocity and experience discomfort if it is absent.

One of the most important elements of facial expressions is the look. The look of a living being, and especially the look of a person, is one of the most powerful stimuli that carries a lot of information. In the process of communication, the views of people perform a synchronizing function - the rhythm of the views forms a certain channel of communication.

American psychologists R. Axline and L. Winters found that the gaze is associated with the process of forming an utterance and with the difficulty of this process. When a person is just forming a thought, he most often looks to the side ("into space"), when the thought is completely ready - at the interlocutor. But about a second before the end of a separate speech block, the speaker shifts his gaze to the listener's face, as if giving a signal about the onset of his turn to speak and evaluating the impression he made. The partner who has taken the floor, in turn, looks away, delving into his thoughts. The listener, on the other hand, gives with his eyes signals of his attitude to the content of the speaker's statements - these can be approval and censure, agreement and disagreement, joy and sadness, delight and anger. Eyes express the whole gamut of human feelings. And not only the eyes themselves, but the entire eye area.

When it comes to difficult things, they look at the interlocutor less, when the difficulty is overcome, more. In general, the one who is currently speaking looks less at the partner - just to check his reaction and interest. The listener, on the other hand, looks more towards the speaker and “sends” feedback signals to him.

Visual contact indicates a disposition to communicate. It can be said that if they look at us a little, then we have every reason to believe that they treat us or what we say and do badly, and if there is too much, then this is either a challenge to us or a good attitude towards us.

With the help of the eyes, the most accurate signals about the state of a person are transmitted, since the expansion or contraction of the pupils is not amenable to conscious control. With constant light, the pupils may dilate or constrict depending on the mood. If a person is excited or interested in something, or is in high spirits, his pupils dilate four times as normal. On the contrary, an angry, gloomy mood causes the pupils to constrict.

Thus, not only facial expression carries information about a person, but also his gaze.

The impression made by the gaze depends on the lumen of the pupils, the position of the eyelids and eyebrows, the configuration of the mouth and nose, and the general outline of the face. According to anthropologist Edward T. Hall, PLO leader Yasser Arafat wears dark glasses to prevent people from watching his pupils dilate. Scientists have recently found that the pupils dilate when you are interested in something. According to Hall, pupil reactions have been known in the Arab world for hundreds of years. The combination of these features is varied. Positive emotions increase the number of exchanges of glances, negative emotions reduce this number.

Thus, the analysis of all systems of non-verbal communication shows that they undoubtedly play a large auxiliary (and sometimes independent) role in the communicative process. Possessing the ability not only to strengthen or weaken the verbal impact, all systems of non-verbal communication help to identify such an essential parameter of the communicative process as the intentions of its participants. Together with the verbal communication system, these systems provide the exchange of information that people need to organize joint activities.

Although the face is reputedly the main source of information about a person's psychological states, it is in many situations much less informative than his body, since facial expressions are consciously controlled many times better than body movements. Under certain circumstances, when a person, for example, wants to hide his feelings or transmits deliberately false information, the face becomes uninformative, and the body becomes the main source of information for the partner. Therefore, in communication it is important to know what information can be obtained if the focus of observation is shifted from a person’s face to his body and movements, since gestures, postures, and style of expressive behavior contain a lot of information. Information is carried by such movements of the human body as posture, gesture, gait.

Gestures

Gestures are expressive movements of the head, hand or hand that are made for the purpose of communication, and which may accompany reflection or state. We distinguish:

index;

they are directed towards objects or people in order to draw attention to them.

Emphasizing (enhancing);

Emphasizing gestures serve to reinforce statements. Decisive importance is attached to the position of the hand.

demonstrative; Demonstrative gestures explain the state of affairs.

Touch gestures. With the help of touch gestures, they want to establish social contact or receive a sign of attention from a partner. They are also used to weaken the meaning of statements.

From the information that carries gesture, quite a lot is known. First of all, the amount of gesture is important. No matter how different cultures differ, everywhere along with an increase in a person’s emotional excitation, his excitement, the intensity of gesticulation grows, as well as if you want to achieve a more complete understanding between partners, especially if for some reason it is difficult.

The specific meaning of individual gestures is different in different cultures. However, in all cultures there are similar gestures, among which are:

1) communicative(gestures of greeting, farewell, attracting attention, prohibitions, satisfactory, negative, interrogative, etc.);

2) modal, i.e. expressing assessment and attitude (gestures of approval, dissatisfaction, trust and distrust, confusion, etc.);

3) descriptive gestures that make sense only in the context of speech utterance.

There are also:

Arbitrary

involuntary gestures.

Arbitrary gestures are movements of the head, arms or hands that are made consciously. Such movements, if made frequently, may turn into involuntary gestures. Involuntary gestures are movements made unconsciously. Often they are also referred to as reflex movements. These gestures do not need to be learned. As a rule, they are congenital (defensive reflex) or acquired.

All these types of gestures can accompany, complement or replace any statement. The gesture accompanying the statement is in most cases emphasizing and clarifying.

One of the biggest mistakes newcomers to learning body language can make is trying to single out one gesture and treat it in isolation from other gestures and circumstances. For example, scratching the back of the head can mean a thousand things - dandruff, fleas, sweating, insecurity, forgetfulness, or telling a lie - depending on what other gestures accompany this scratching, so for a correct interpretation, we must take into account the whole complex of accompanying gestures.

Like any language, body language is made up of words, sentences, and punctuation. Each gesture is like one word, and a word can have several different meanings. You can fully understand the meaning of this word only when you insert this word into a sentence along with other words. Gestures come in the form of "sentences" and accurately speak of the actual state, mood and attitude of a person. An observant person can read these non-verbal sentences and compare them with the speaker's verbal sentences.

Non-verbal cues can also be congruent , those. corresponding to the verbal expression, and incongruent . For example, you asked your interlocutor to express an opinion about what you just said. At the same time, he is in a pose that generally expresses a critically evaluative attitude.

The main thing here is the gesture of "supporting the cheek with the index finger", while the other finger covers the mouth, and the thumb lies under the chin. The next confirmation that the listener is critical of you is that his legs are firmly crossed, and the second hand lies across the body, as if protecting him, and his head and chin are tilted (hostilely). This non-verbal sentence tells you something like, "I don't like what you're saying and I don't agree with you."

If your interlocutor told you that he did not agree with you, then his non-verbal signals would be congruent , i.e., would correspond to his verbal statements. If he says that he really likes everything you say, he will lie, because his words and gestures will incongruent. Studies show that non-verbal signals carry 5 times more information than verbal ones, and if the signals are incongruent, people rely on non-verbal information, preferring it to verbal.

Pose – this is the position of the human body, typical for a given culture, an elementary unit of a person's spatial behavior. The total number of different stable positions that the human body can take is about 1000. Of these, due to the cultural tradition of each nation, some positions are prohibited, while others are fixed. The pose clearly shows how this person perceives his status in relation to the status of other persons present. Individuals of higher status adopt more relaxed postures than their subordinates.

One of the first to point out the role of a person's posture as one of the non-verbal means of communication was psychologist A. Sheflen. In further studies conducted by V. Schubts, it was revealed that the main semantic content of the posture is the individual's placement of his body in relation to the interlocutor. This placement indicates either closeness or a disposition for communication.

Shown, that " closed" postures (when a person somehow tries to close the front of the body and take up as little space as possible in space; “Napoleonic” posture - standing: arms crossed on the chest, and sitting: both hands rest on the chin, etc.) are perceived as postures of distrust, disagreement, opposition, criticism. "Open" the same postures (standing: arms open with palms up, sitting: arms outstretched, legs extended) are perceived as postures of trust, consent, goodwill, psychological comfort.

Is clear readable poses reflections (pose of the Rodin thinker), postures of critical evaluation (hand under the chin, index finger extended to the temple). It is known that if a person is interested in communication, he will focus on the interlocutor and lean towards him, if he is not very interested, on the contrary, orient himself to the side, lean back. A person who wants to declare himself, “set himself up”, will stand straight, in a tense state, with his shoulders back, sometimes resting his hands on his hips; a person who does not need to emphasize his status and position will be relaxed, calm, and be in a free, relaxed position. Almost all people know how to “read” poses well, although, of course, not everyone understands how they do it.

clothing

One of the non-verbal means of receiving information is also our clothes. In clothes and in how a person would like to look, the role that he would like to play in society, and his inner position, is manifested. The winged expression “They meet by clothes ...” implies that a person, his inner essence is what his clothes are. Clothing is a convention. An explanation can be given not by fashion, but by the direction of style and its level.

I. Goethe in Wilhelm Meister's Years of Wandering tells how a wanderer asks a school warden about the reasons for such a difference in the clothes of pupils. “The answer here is this,” the warden answered, “for us, this is a means to find out the character of each boy ... From our stock of fabrics and trimmings, pupils have the right to choose any color, as well as any style and cut from a limited number of them. We are closely following this choice, since any color allows us to judge the warehouse of feelings, and the cut - about the way of life of a person ... ".

The fact that certain patterns really lie in this observation is evidenced, in particular, by the Luscher test.

The Swiss psychologist M. Luscher proposed in our time a color test, which was not only a method for studying personality, but also a whole direction in the science of color.

The essence of color tests lies in the fact that the subject is asked to choose from a set of multi-colored cards the ones he likes the most and rank them, and then do the same with those that he does not like. Studies have shown that color tests can reveal some personality traits.

Red color is usually preferred by physically healthy, strong people, they live for today and feel the desire to get everything they want, also today. Children who choose red from a palette of pencils are easily excitable and love noisy outdoor games. Red has long been a symbol of love and strength. And, apparently, it was not by chance that in 1337 a decree was issued in France forbidding commoners to wear red clothes. This privilege was used only by kings, cardinals and senators. They reject the red color, as a rule, astenized, tired people.

Children who choose yellow are distinguished by the fact that they often go into the world of their fantasies. Having matured, they can, under certain circumstances, become dreamers "out of this world", such people do not adapt well to life. Dislike for yellow can mean unfulfilled hopes ("broken dreams"), exhaustion of the nervous system.

People who choose green are usually characterized by self-confidence and perseverance. They seek security.

The preference for blue reflects a person's need for stability, order. Blue color is more often chosen by phlegmatic people.

Brown is often preferred by people who are unsettled in life.

Color tests allow you to clearly record the dynamics of emotional states in a particular extreme situation.

But back to I. Goethe. “True,” the warden continues, “there is a feature in human nature that makes it somewhat difficult to make accurate judgments: it is the spirit of imitation, the tendency to join the majority.”

Although the tendency to follow fashion is very strong in people, but by the way a person dresses, one can judge to what extent he is subject to mental contagion, group pressure, and how independent in self-esteem. Some dress as inconspicuously as possible, trying not to draw attention to themselves. Others prefer to wear bright, catchy, extravagant outfits. Still others are moderate in following fashion.

So, clothing is able to "speak" a lot about the content of the spiritual essence of people. But, of course, it is impossible to draw final conclusions about personality only from it.

Decorations

Jewelery is an important part of clothing.

The means to decorate oneself include the following: tattoos, coloring and tattooing, hair, perfumes, manicures, makeup, accessories.

With the help of jewelry, social status, readiness to make contact, aggressiveness, adaptability, adventurous nature, and personal characteristics are flaunted. Decorations in the form of cosmetics, wigs and perfumes serve in most cases as additional outfits.

Prestigious jewelry. Such decorations are often evidence of claims to the possession of a certain prestige. Thus, you can demonstrate to your environment what you are by wiping your nose and putting it back in place.

Membership badge of an organization . Anyone who does not hide his belonging to a particular group of people wears a membership badge. For such a person, the membership badge is a kind of evidence of prestige, with which he expresses his belonging to a particular group. At the same time, membership badges made of various metals give an idea of ​​the social scale of ranks within the association.

Cross. Due to its design (horizontal - height, vertically - stability, and a right angle - fixedness), the cross expresses precisely these properties. Due to the religious sense of security, it gives a sense of security. Moreover, the choice of this decoration is not really demonstrated behavior, but the need.

Leather bracelets . Such decoration is also worn in the absence of a direct need (for athletes). It should express an accentuated strong nature and serve as a decorative strap on the wrist.

Pieces of fur and other trophies. If they are worn on the wrist or around the neck, then they signal endurance, and, judging by them, the winner can be determined.

Fur and tinsel. They make a feminine impression. The direct contact of the fur with the skin indicates a desire to experience gentle handling.

Small and delicate jewelry. They express that their owner feels like a small and weak person in need of participation and careful handling. One who wears small and delicate jewelry would like to appear amiable and sincere.

Large jewelry . They are usually conspicuous and express a desire to gain recognition of their social status. “I am more than you, I have more than you, I surpass you” - this is the meaning of such jewelry.

Gait person, i.e., the style of movement, by which it is quite easy to recognize his emotional state. So, in the studies of psychologists, the subjects with great accuracy recognized by their gait such emotions as anger, suffering, pride, happiness. Moreover, it turned out that the heaviest gait with anger, the lightest - with joy, sluggish, depressed gait - with suffering, the longest stride - with pride.

With attempts to find a connection between gait and personality quality, the situation is more complicated. Conclusions about what gait can express are made on the basis of a comparison of the physical characteristics of gait and personality traits revealed by tests.

31. Features of the content of each of the components and stages of the communicative process are most fully reflected in the requirements for "good communication" (in the principles and rules for the implementation of the communicative function), as well as in the most typical mistakes and communication "barriers" for them. Difficulties and sources of errors (“barriers”) of communications are as diverse as the psyche itself is diverse. However, among them are the most typical and repetitive. Overcoming them is an integral part of the communicative function of the leader's activity.

Perceptual-interpretative errors(due to perception). People perceive the same situations in different ways, distinguish in them the main, in their opinion, features. They are usually convinced that their individual point of view is the correct one. Depending on experience, areas of professional competence, interests and much more, the same information will be perceived and interpreted with very large differences, or not understood at all and even actively rejected.

Dispositional errors due to differences in social, professional and life attitudes of people entering into a communicative exchange. If, for example, a manager in past experience has developed a persistent negative attitude towards the perception of any member of the organization, it will be extremely difficult to overcome it even if the subordinate reports really important and necessary information. This information will either be rejected, or misunderstood, or at least perceived with increased distrust.

Status errors possible due to large differences in the organizational status of communicants. It is very well known how difficult it is for a "big leader" to understand the needs of a "simple worker". The general rule here is that the greater the status differences, the higher the probability of such errors.

Semantic barriers arise due to the fact that the concepts of natural language have the property of polysemy, that is, polysemy and the presence of a number of semantic shades. Therefore, they allow for the possibility of ambiguous understanding by the speaker and listener, which is enhanced by differences in their attitudes, goals, status, and also depends on the general context of communications. Everyone has their own personal context, which leads to semantic differences and errors. They can affect not only a different understanding of individual words, but also entire statements. For example, if a manager says: “Do this as soon as you have free time,” then the question immediately arises of how he understands this “free time” and how the subordinate interprets it.

In general, all the noted types of errors can be summarized if we recall the well-known aphorism: "A thought uttered is a lie." Paraphrasing it, we can say that the thought uttered and perceived is a lie doubly. In this regard, in the psychology of communication, the rule is formulated: "The truth lies not in the mouth of the speaker, but in the ears of the listener."

nonverbal barriers.

Ineffective reverse communication is also one of the sources of communication errors, which, as well as another error - the inability to listen, will be discussed in more detail below.

Poorly worded message. The "vagueness" of orders, their ambiguity, the presence of vague concepts in them, poverty lexical means, the use of words in a figurative sense, repetitions, the use of jargon and “everydayisms”, just tongue-tied tongue - all these are direct, very common and fairly obvious reasons for communication errors.

Losses of information in communication cycles include the bottom of the main types of errors. First, if the communicative message is too long, cumbersome and complex, and often florid, then the listener manages to forget what was said to him at the beginning of the message. In this case, the short-term memory of the listener is overloaded, and information losses occur (hence the requirement for brevity of messages). Studies show that up to 50% of all communicative information is lost because of this.

Secondly, descending vertical communications, most typical for a leader, form a chain, they are transmitted from the top leader to the next level in the hierarchy, from there to an even lower level, and so on - to the level of direct execution. It is shown that about 10% of information is lost or distorted with each subsequent transmission. According to studies, only 63% of the information sent by the board of directors reached the vice presidents; 40% - to heads of shops; 20% - to workers.

Fake mistakes. Upward communication flows have their sources not from "impartial" transmitters, but from specific people. However, no other “transmitter” is capable of distorting (consciously or not) information so clearly and strongly, and sometimes so subtly, than a person. The most typical is the provision of information by a subordinate to a superior in a light that is favorable both for him and for the sender himself. Falsified errors are therefore one of the main sources of distrust for information information and, as a result, uncertainty in his activities.

Premature assessment. This error is due to the fact that the listener makes a premature emotional assessment of the message without waiting for it to finish. This emotional assessment forms an inadequate perception setting, and ultimately leads to a misunderstanding of the entire message. A radical variant of this error is the situation when such an attitude blocks the perception of information.

"Mistakes of Fear". Often the leader does not receive true information from subordinates or receives it in a distorted and embellished form due to the fear of subordinates in front of him.

Overcoming rules.

The most general rule is that one should not start communicating an idea if it is not understandable or incomprehensible.

Communication is the most complex process of interaction between people, aimed at achieving mutual understanding, gaining certain experience. Every day a person rotates in society, comes into contact with colleagues, classmates, households, friends. In order to achieve his goal in communication, a person uses verbal and non-verbal means.

Let's consider these two groups separately.

Verbal Communication: The Functions of Language

Verbal communication is the use of words to convey information. The main instrument is speech.

There are different goals in communication: to make a message, find out the answer, express criticism, express your opinion, stimulate action, come to an agreement, etc. Depending on them, speech is built - oral or written. The language system is being implemented.

Language is a set of symbols and means of their interaction, which act as a tool for expressing feelings and thoughts. The language has the following features:

• Ethnic - different peoples have their own language, which is their hallmark.
• Constructive - puts thoughts into sentences, sound form. When it is expressed verbally, it acquires clarity and distinctness. The speaker can appreciate it from the outside - what effect it produces.
• Cognitive - expresses the activity of consciousness. A person receives most of the knowledge about the surrounding reality through communication, language.
• Emotional - colors thoughts with the help of intonation, timbre, diction features. The function of the language works at the moments when the speaker seeks to convey a certain emotion.
• Communicative - language as the main means of communication. A full exchange of information between people is ensured.
• Contact-establishing - acquaintance and maintenance of contacts between subjects. Sometimes communication does not carry specific purpose, does not contain useful information, but plays an important role for further relationships, serves as the basis for the emergence of trust.
• Accumulative - through the language a person accumulates and stores the knowledge gained. The subject receives information, wants to remember it for the future. Effective way will make a record, keep a diary, but suitable paper is not always at hand. Word of mouth is also a good method of assimilating information. Although the book, where everything is structured and subordinated to a specific purpose, the meaning is, of course, the most valuable source of important data.

Speech activity: forms of language

Speech activity is a situation in which communication between people occurs due to verbal components, language. There are different types:

• Letter - fixing the content of speech on paper or electronic media.
• Speaking is the use of language to convey a message.
• Reading is the visual perception of information captured on paper or a computer.
• Listening is audio perception of information from speech.

Based on the speech form, communication is oral and written. And if we consider it depending on the number of participants, it can be divided into mass, interpersonal.

There are also literary and non-literary forms of the language, which each nationality has its own, they determine the social and cultural status of the nation. The literary language is exemplary, structured, with stable grammatical norms. It is also presented in two forms: oral and written. The first is the speech that sounds, the second can be read. At the same time, oral appeared earlier, was the original one that people began to use. Non-literary speech - dialects of individual nationalities, territorial features of the oral language.

But the most important in the psychology of communication is non-verbal communication. A person unconsciously uses various signs: gestures, facial expressions, intonation, posture, location in space, etc. Let's move on to the consideration of this extensive group.

Non-verbal communication

Non-verbal communication is body language. He does not use speech, but uses other means, which allows him to perform important functions:

1. Emphasis on what's important. Without mentioning unnecessary words, a person can use a gesture or take a certain pose, which will indicate the significance of the moment.
2. Inconsistency. The speaker says one word, but thinks in a completely opposite way. For example, a clown on stage is unsmiling and unhappy in life. The slightest mimicry movements on his face will help to understand this. How to expose a lie if a person seeks to hide it behind an insincere smile.
3. Addition to what has been said. Sometimes each of us accompanies enthusiastic words with a gesture or movement, indicating a strong emotionality of this situation.
4. Instead of words. The subject uses gestures that are understandable to everyone, saving time. For example, shrugging your shoulders or pointing in the direction doesn't require further explanation.
5. Repeat and enhance the effect of speech. A verbal call is sometimes quite emotional, and non-verbal means are designed to emphasize the firmness of your statement. Nodding or shaking the head at the appropriate answer "Yes" or "No" shows confidence and intransigence.

Types of non-verbal means

A large group is kinesthetics - external manifestations of feelings, emotions of a person in the course of communication. It:

• facial expressions
• Gestures
• Pantomime

Gestures and postures

Evaluation by the interlocutors of each other occurs long before the beginning of the conversation itself. A pose, gait, a look can give out in advance a person who is insecure or, on the contrary, self-confident, with claims to power. Gestures usually emphasize the meaning of speech, give it an emotional tone, place accents, but their overabundance can also spoil the impression, especially in business meeting. In addition, among different nationalities, the same gestures mean completely opposite phenomena.

Intense gestures determine the emotional state of a person. If his movements are sharp, there are many of them, then the subject is overexcited, agitated, overly interested in conveying his information to the opponent. Which can be both its plus and a significant minus, depending on the circumstances.

Posture plays an important role. If the subject has his arms crossed over his chest, then he is skeptical and does not trust you very much. Perhaps closed, does not want to communicate in principle. If the interlocutor turned his body to you, did not cross his arms and legs, then, on the contrary, he is open and ready to listen. In psychology, for effective communication, it is recommended to mirror the opponent’s posture in order to achieve relaxation and trust from him.

facial expressions

A person's face is the main source of information about his internal state. A frown or a smile are the factors that determine further communication with the subject. Eyes do reflect the human essence. There are seven types of basic emotions, each of which has its own characteristics: for anger, joy, fear, sadness, longing, surprise, disgust. They are easy to remember, identify and then observe in people for a better understanding of the mood of others.

Pantomime

This includes walking. A closed or upset person most often stoops, lowers his head, does not look into his eyes, but prefers to look at his feet. Angry people walk with sharp movements, hurried, but heavy. A confident and cheerful person has a springy gait, or a wide step. It changes depending on how you feel.

There is a section of non-verbal means that takes into account the distance between speakers - proxemics. It determines the comfortable distance between the interlocutors. There are several communication areas:

• Intimate - 15-45 cm. A person lets only those closest to him go there. Intrusion into it by unfamiliar personalities can be perceived as a threat that requires immediate protection.
• Personal - 45-120 cm. Acceptable for good friends, colleagues.
• Social and public - typical for business negotiations, major events and speaking at them from the podium.

Takeshika is a section of communication dedicated to the role of touch. If they are applied incorrectly, without taking into account the difference in social status, age, gender, then you can get into an awkward situation, even become a cause of conflict. A handshake is the most harmless form of touch. It is especially characteristic of men who, through it, check the strength of their opponent. They choose, so to speak, which of them is the most powerful. Sometimes uncertainty, or disgust, or compliance is easily given out when a person shakes only the tips of his fingers.

Voice characteristics

Intonation, volume, timbre, rhythm of the voice can serve as an example of a combination of two types of communication. The same sentence will sound completely different if you alternate the listed methods. Both the meaning and the effect on the listener depend on this. Speech may also contain pauses, laughter, sighs, which color it with additional colors.

Let's summarize. It is important to understand that a person unconsciously transmits more than 70% of information to his opponent by non-verbal means. The receiving subject must correctly interpret in order to avoid misunderstandings and quarrels. The perceiver also evaluates the signals sent by the speaker more, perceives them emotionally, but still interprets them not always correctly.

In addition, a person speaks verbally only 80% of what he originally intended to convey. The opponent listens attentively, distinguishing only 60%, and then forgetting about another ten percent of the information. Therefore, it is very important to take into account non-verbal signs in order to remember at least the purpose, the meaning of the message of the addressee, which they so wanted to convey to you.

It is human nature in the process of communication to express their emotions and feelings, regardless of oral presentation or in the form of written messages. People, in direct contact with each other, using facial expressions, body language and gestures, bring bright colors to the narrative. It becomes possible to understand whether the interlocutor was interested in this topic or left indifferent.

Non-verbal communication. True or myth?

Some doubt the existence of body language, considering all conversations on this subject to be empty fiction.

Opponents of the theory of postures and gestures argue that the change in body position occurs for completely different reasons. For example, when sitting, it is more convenient for a person to cross his arms if there are no armrests, and not at all because he is a misanthrope.

They begin to yawn not only from the fact that they begin to get bored. Lack of oxygen in a cramped office or overwork can trigger this process. Therefore, before formulating conclusions, it is necessary to understand why the interlocutor began to actively gesticulate or rotate any object in his hands.

An experiment will help to reveal the sign language. And the test subjects can be friends and relatives, whose facial expressions, postures and gestures change in different life situations. But in no case should you impose and pressure, otherwise you can damage long-term friendship and good relations.

Non-verbal means of communication

The non-verbal means of communication is the process of transmitting thoughts without the use of speech - the second signaling system. It absorbs 60-80% of the veiled information.

Each of us, communicating with an opponent who correctly states the essence of the matter and argues with facts, often feels a certain catch in his words. But, despite the reliability and veracity of the information, intuition tells you that you should not rely entirely on this person. And with further communication, discomfort is felt, a person is looking for something to complain about.

And, indeed, the interlocutor is betrayed by changes in facial expressions, postures and gestures that contradict his smooth presentation. There is some discrepancy and there are serious fears that he is not acting in your interests at all.

It is difficult for a person to hold back emotions for a long time, they must find a way out. But due to circumstances, the rules of decency and the norms of society, we are not free to surrender to the will of feelings and express them by changing posture, facial expressions and gestures. Often this behavior becomes the norm and becomes a habit.

Examples of non-verbal communication

• If a girl, showing her wrist, communicates with a representative of the opposite sex, she lets him know that she is ready to get close to him. And if she still paints her lips with bright lipstick, then he really became the object of her passion.

Communication is carried out by various means. Distinguish between verbal and non-verbal means of communication.

Verbal communication(sign) is carried out with the help of words. Verbal means of communication include human speech. Communication experts estimate that a modern person pronounces approximately 30,000 words a day, or more than 3,000 words per hour.

Depending on the intentions of the communicants (to tell something, learn, express an assessment, attitude, encourage something, agree, etc.), various speech texts arise. Any text (written or oral) implements a system of language.

So, language is a system of signs and ways of connecting them, which serves as an instrument for expressing thoughts, feelings and wills of people and is the most important means of human communication. The language is used in a wide variety of functions:

• Communicative. Language acts as the main means of communication. Due to the presence of such a function in the language, people have the opportunity to fully communicate with their own kind.
• Cognitive. Language as an expression of the activity of consciousness. We receive most of the information about the world through language.
• accumulative. Language as a means of accumulation and storage of knowledge. The person tries to keep the acquired experience and knowledge in order to use them in the future. In everyday life, notes, diaries, notebooks help us out. And the "notebooks" of all mankind are various kinds of monuments of writing and fiction which would not have been possible without the existence of a written language.
• constructive. Language as a means of forming thoughts. With the help of language, the thought “materializes”, acquires a sound form. Expressed verbally, the thought becomes distinct, clear to the speaker himself.
• emotional. Language as one of the means of expressing feelings and emotions. This function is realized in speech only when the emotional attitude of a person to what he is talking about is directly expressed. Intonation plays a big role in this.
• Contact setting. Language as a means of establishing contact between people. Sometimes communication seems to be aimless, its information content is zero, only the ground is being prepared for further fruitful, trusting communication.
• ethnic. Language as a means of uniting people.

Speech activity is understood as a situation when a person uses language to communicate with other people. There are several types of speech activity:

• speaking - the use of language in order to communicate something;
• listening - perception of the content of sounding speech;
• writing - fixing the content of speech on paper;
• reading is the perception of information recorded on paper.

From the point of view of the form of existence of the language, communication is divided into oral and written, and from the point of view of the number of participants - into interpersonal and mass.

Any national language is heterogeneous, it exists in different forms. From the point of view of social and cultural status, literary and non-literary forms of the language are distinguished.

The literary form of the language, otherwise - the literary language, is understood by the speakers as exemplary. The main feature of the literary language is the presence of stable norms.

Literary language has two forms: oral and written. The first is a spoken speech, and the second is a graphical one. The oral form is original. Non-literary forms of the language include territorial and social dialects, vernacular.

For the psychology of activity and behavior, non-verbal means of communication are of particular importance. In non-verbal communication, the means of transmitting information are non-verbal signs (postures, gestures, facial expressions, intonations, attitudes, spatial arrangement, etc.).

To the main non-verbal means of communication relate:
Kinetics - considers the external manifestation of human feelings and emotions in the process of communication. It includes:

• gesture;
• facial expressions;
• pantomime.

Gesture

Gestures are various movements of the hands and head. Sign language is the oldest way to achieve mutual understanding. In different historical eras and different peoples had their own generally accepted ways of gesticulation. Currently, attempts are even being made to create gesture dictionaries. Quite a lot is known about the information that gestures carry. First of all, the amount of gesture is important. Different peoples have developed and entered into natural forms of expression of feelings various cultural norms of strength and frequency of gestures. M. Argyle's research, which studied the frequency and strength of gestures in different cultures, showed that within one hour the Finns gesticulated 1 time, the French - 20, the Italians - 80, the Mexicans - 180.

The intensity of gestures can grow along with an increase in the emotional arousal of a person, and also if you want to achieve a more complete understanding between partners, especially if it is difficult.

The specific meaning of individual gestures is different in different cultures. However, in all cultures there are similar gestures, among which are:

• Communicative (gestures of greeting, farewell, attracting attention, prohibitions, affirmative, negative, interrogative, etc.)
• Modal, i.e. expressing assessment and attitude (gestures of approval, satisfaction, trust and distrust, etc.).
• Descriptive gestures that make sense only in the context of a verbal utterance.

facial expressions

Facial expressions are the movements of the muscles of the face, the main indicator of feelings. Studies have shown that with a motionless or invisible face of the interlocutor, up to 10-15% of information is lost. There are over 20,000 descriptions of facial expressions in the literature. The main characteristic of facial expressions is its integrity and dynamism. This means that in the facial expression of the six basic emotional states (anger, joy, fear, sadness, surprise, disgust), all facial muscle movements are coordinated. The main informative load in the mimic plan is carried by eyebrows and lips.

Visual contact is also an extremely important element of communication. Looking at the speaker means not only interest, but also helps to focus on what we are being told. Communicating people usually look into each other's eyes for no more than 10 seconds. If we are looked at a little, we have reason to believe that we or what we say are treated badly, and if there is too much, this may be perceived as a challenge or a good attitude towards us. In addition, it has been observed that when a person lies or tries to hide information, his eyes meet the eyes of a partner for less than 1/3 of the conversation time.

In part, the longitude of a person's gaze depends on what nation he belongs to. Southern Europeans have a high gaze frequency that may be offensive to others, and the Japanese look at the neck rather than the face when talking.

According to its specificity, a look can be:

• Business - when the gaze is fixed on the forehead of the interlocutor, this implies the creation of a serious atmosphere of business partnership
• Social - the look is concentrated in a triangle between the eyes and the mouth, this contributes to the creation of an atmosphere of easy secular communication.
• Intimate - the gaze is not directed into the eyes of the interlocutor, but below the face - to chest level. Such a look indicates a great interest in each other in communication.
• A sidelong glance is used to convey interest or hostility. If it is accompanied by slightly raised eyebrows or a smile, it indicates interest. If it is accompanied by a frowning forehead or lowered corners of the mouth, this indicates a critical or suspicious attitude towards the interlocutor.

Pantomime- this is gait, posture, posture, general motor skills of the whole body.

Gait is the way a person moves. Its components are: rhythm, step dynamics, amplitude of body transfer during movement, body weight. By the gait of a person, one can judge the well-being of a person, his character, age. In psychological studies, people recognized emotions such as anger, suffering, pride, happiness by walking. It turned out that a "heavy" gait is typical for people who are angry, "light" - for joyful ones. A proud person has the longest stride, and if a person suffers, his gait is lethargic, oppressed, such a person rarely looks up or in the direction he is walking.

In addition, it can be argued that people who walk quickly, waving their arms, are confident in themselves, have a clear goal and are ready to realize it. Those who always keep their hands in their pockets are likely to be very critical and secretive, as a rule, they like to put other people down. A person who keeps his hands on his hips seeks to achieve his goals in the shortest possible way in the minimum amount of time.

Pose is the position of the body. The human body is able to take about 1000 stable different positions. Posture shows how a given person perceives his status in relation to the status of other persons present. Persons with higher status adopt a more relaxed posture. Otherwise, conflict situations may arise.

One of the first to point out the role of a person's posture as a means in non-verbal communication was the psychologist A. Sheflen. In further studies conducted by V. Schubts, it was revealed that the main semantic content of the posture is the individual's placement of his body in relation to the interlocutor. This placement indicates either closeness or a disposition for communication.

A pose in which a person crosses his arms and legs is called a closed position. Arms crossed on the chest are a modified version of the barrier that a person puts up between himself and his interlocutor. A closed posture is perceived as a posture of distrust, disagreement, opposition, criticism. Moreover, about a third of the information perceived from such a posture is not absorbed by the interlocutor. Most in a simple way getting out of this position is an offer to hold or look at something.

An open position is one in which the arms and legs are not crossed, the body is directed towards the interlocutor, and the palms and feet are turned towards the communication partner. This is a posture of trust, consent, goodwill, psychological comfort.

If a person is interested in communication, he will focus on the interlocutor and lean towards him, and if he is not very interested, on the contrary, orient himself to the side and lean back. A person who wants to make himself known will keep himself upright, in a tense state, with his shoulders turned; a person who does not need to emphasize his status and position will be relaxed, calm, in a free, relaxed position.

The best way to achieve mutual understanding with the interlocutor is to copy his posture and gestures.

Takeshika- the role of touch in the process of non-verbal communication. Handshakes, kisses, stroking, pushing, etc. stand out here. Dynamic touch has been proven to be a biologically necessary form of stimulation. A person's use of dynamic touch in communication is determined by many factors: the status of partners, their age, gender, degree of acquaintance.

Inadequate use of tactical means by a person can lead to conflicts in communication. For example, a pat on the shoulder is possible only under the condition of close relationships, equality of social status in society.

handshake- a multi-speaking gesture, known since ancient times. Primitive people at a meeting extended their hands to each other with open palms forward to show their unarmedness. This gesture has changed over time, and its variants have appeared, such as waving the hand in the air, placing the palm on the chest, and many others, including the handshake. Often a handshake can be very informative, especially its intensity and duration.

Handshakes are divided into 3 types:

• dominant (hand on top, palm turned down);
• submissive (hand below, palm turned up);
• equal.

The dominant handshake is the most aggressive form of it. With a dominant (powerful) handshake, a person tells the other that he wants to dominate the communication process.

A submissive handshake is necessary in situations where a person wants to give the initiative to another, to let him feel like a master of the situation.

A gesture called "glove" is often used: a person wraps both hands around the other's hand. The initiator of this gesture emphasizes that he is honest and can be trusted. However, the “glove” gesture should be applied to well-known people, because at the first meeting, it can have the opposite effect.

A firm handshake up to the crunch of fingers is a hallmark of an aggressive, tough person.

A sign of aggressiveness is also shaking with an unbent, straight hand. Its main purpose is to keep a distance and prevent a person from entering his intimate zone. The same goal is pursued by shaking the fingertips, but such a handshake indicates that a person is not confident in himself.

Proxemics- defines areas of the most effective communication. E. Hall identifies four main areas of communication:

• Intimate zone (15-45 cm) - a person allows only people close to him into it. In this zone, a quiet confidential conversation is conducted, tactile contacts are made. Violation of this zone by outsiders causes physiological changes in the body: increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, rush of blood to the head, release of adrenaline, etc. The intrusion of a “stranger” into this zone is regarded as a threat.
• Personal (personal) zone (45 - 120 cm) - a zone of everyday communication with friends and colleagues. Only visual eye contact is allowed.
• Social zone (120 - 400 cm) - a zone for official meetings and negotiations, meetings, administrative conversations.
• Public zone (more than 400 cm) - a zone of communication with large groups of people during lectures, rallies, public speaking, etc.

In communication, it is also important to pay attention to vocal characteristics related to non-verbal communication.
Prosody- this is the general name of such rhythmic-intonational aspects of speech as pitch, volume of voice, its timbre.

Extralinguistics- this is the inclusion in speech of pauses and various non-morphological phenomena of a person: crying, coughing, laughing, sighing, etc.

The flow of speech is regulated by prosodic and extralinguistic means, linguistic means of communication are saved, they supplement, replace and anticipate speech statements, express emotional states.

It is necessary to be able not only to listen, but also to hear the intonational structure of speech, to evaluate the strength and tone of the voice, the speed of speech, which practically allow us to express our feelings and thoughts.

Although nature has endowed people with a unique voice, they give color to it themselves. Those who tend to sharply change the pitch of their voices tend to be more cheerful. More sociable, more confident, more competent and much more pleasant than people who speak in a monotone.

The feelings experienced by the speaker are reflected primarily in the tone of voice. In it, feelings find their expression regardless of the spoken words. Thus, anger and sadness are usually easily recognized.

A lot of information is given by the strength and height of the voice. Some feelings, such as enthusiasm, joy and distrust, are usually conveyed in a high voice, anger and fear - also in a rather high voice, but in a wider range of tonality, strength and pitch. Feelings such as grief, sadness, fatigue are usually conveyed in a soft and muffled voice with a decrease in intonation towards the end of each phrase.

The speed of speech also reflects feelings. A person speaks quickly if he is excited, worried, talks about his personal difficulties or wants to convince us of something, to persuade. Slow speech most often indicates depression, grief, arrogance, or fatigue.

By making minor mistakes in speech, for example, repeating words, choosing them uncertainly or incorrectly, breaking off phrases in mid-sentence, people involuntarily express their feelings and reveal intentions. Uncertainty in the choice of words manifests itself when the speaker is not sure of himself or is going to surprise us. Usually speech deficiencies are more pronounced with excitement or when a person tries to deceive his interlocutor.

Since the characteristics of the voice depend on the work of various organs of the body, their state is also reflected in it. Emotions change the rhythm of breathing. Fear, for example, paralyzes the larynx, the vocal cords tense, the voice "sits down." At good location spirit, the voice becomes deeper and richer in nuances. It has a calming effect on others and inspires more confidence.

There is also a feedback: with the help of breathing, you can influence emotions. To do this, it is recommended to sigh noisily, opening your mouth wide. If you breathe deeply and inhale a large amount of air, your mood improves, and your voice involuntarily decreases.

It is important that in the process of communication a person trusts signs of non-verbal communication more than verbal ones. According to experts, facial expressions carry up to 70% of information. When expressing our emotional reactions, we are usually more truthful than in the process of verbal communication.

Our body language, compared to other verbal (speech) means of communication, is unique. If we imagine that it is he who carries from 60 to 80 percent of the information transmitted to the interlocutor, it is easy to understand the need to interpret this method of contact. If we want to be sure that we understand a person accurately, we must combine information from the body and verbal expressions into one big picture.

Which of us has not encountered a feeling of vague anxiety when communicating with a person when he claimed one thing, but subconsciously you felt his falsity. You will say that this is intuition and good for those who have it. In fact, it is easy to develop intuition by observing the interlocutor and, knowing the specific meaning of gestures, draw the right conclusions.

An example of non-verbal communication

An experiment was conducted in a psychology class at a university. The audience, which consisted of married couples, was divided into two groups by gender and allowed to watch videos of various types of crying babies. Then they were asked to explain their meaning. Most women who have had children accurately deciphered them (hunger, wet diapers, pain, etc.), while men did not see much difference in the options for crying. This led to the conclusion that women, being more sensitive and observant, are easier to interpret non-verbal gestures. It is more difficult for men to do this, they need specifics, and not all sorts of sentimental experiences. Of course, there are also exceptions.

This case also explains why it is difficult for the stronger sex to tell a lie to his wife, who seems to read the real state of affairs in her eyes.

Non-verbal means of communication

So, consider non-verbal means of communication. To clearly understand their diverse structure, we present their classification:
1. Expressive movements (body posture, facial expressions, gestures, gait).
2. Tactile movements (handshake, patting on the back or shoulder, touching, kissing).
3. Visual-contact gaze (direction of gaze, its duration, frequency of contact).
4. Spatial movements (orientation, distance, placement at the table).

In this article, we will dwell on the first two groups of means of non-verbal communication and try to characterize their meaning. It should be remembered that to interpret a single gesture without a combination of other body signals means to mislead oneself. Therefore, before drawing specific conclusions, it is necessary to take into account all the nuances of the behavior of the interlocutor, as well as his physical and psychological state.

Movements are expressive

Open gestures and body postures

openness

The hands of the interlocutor are turned palms up and widely spread to the sides. The head is straight, the shoulders are straight. The look is straight. Facial expressions are natural, without tension and stiffness. This posture of friendliness, as a means of non-verbal communication, speaks of openness, sincerity. She is also spoken about by a handshake with a grasp of her with two of her hands. Men can unbutton their shirt or jacket while talking. Communicating with such a person, you involuntarily relax and feel trust in him.

Sympathy

In non-verbal communication, there is the concept of mental contact, which is expressed in involuntary copying of each other's gestures or the entire behavior. A signal is sent to each other: "I understand you perfectly." And indeed, if you take a look at the peacefully talking couple at the table, we will see similar poses, the same arrangement of hands up to the mirror. If you want to convince another person of unconditional sharing of his opinion, just copy his body position.

If we observe the gait of a happy man in love, we note the flying gait, which is very striking. It is also characteristic of self-confident, energetic people. It seems that they do not care about all the problems.

Closed gestures and postures (protection, suspicion, stealth)

Deception

Have you seen how someone hides their hands in a conversation? It is likely that he is telling a lie, since the human brain subconsciously sends signals to the body and when a lie is told, there is a strong desire to put his hands in his pocket, scratch his nose, rub his eyes. All these are typical signs, however, as MirSovetov has already said, it is necessary to explain the meaning of non-verbal gestures in the aggregate. A person suffering from a runny nose can scratch his nose, rub his eyes - a child who has just woken up, etc.

Defense

Arms crossed on the chest, legs crossed in standing and sitting positions - a classic gesture of closeness, inaccessibility. Frequent blinking is a sign of protection, confusion. The emotional status of a person does not allow you to feel free and at ease. If you try to negotiate something with such an interlocutor, it is likely that you will be refused. To “melt the ice”, MirSovetov advises using the means of non-verbal communication already described above, try to take an open pose with palms up.

Gestures of reflection and evaluation

Concentration

It is expressed in tingling of the bridge of the nose with eyes closed. When the person with whom you communicate decides what to do or what to do, in general thinks about solving a certain issue, at this time he can rub his chin.

criticality

If a person holds his hand at his chin, with his index finger stretched along his cheek, and with the other hand he supports his elbow, his left eyebrow is lowered - you will understand that he has matured a negative assessment of what is happening.

Positivity

It is interpreted as a slight tilt of the head forward and a slight touch of the cheek with the hand. The body is tilted forward. Here is a person who is interested in what is happening, positively related to information.

Gestures of doubt and uncertainty

Mistrust

You probably noticed how some students, listening to the speaker, cover their mouths with their palms? This gesture indicates disagreement with the lecturer's opinion. They seem to hold back their statements, suppress true feelings and experiences. If your friend suddenly makes a gesture of disbelief in a conversation, stop and think about what words caused such a reaction from him? Observing the behavior of the boss, the subordinate will understand what needs to be said, and what is better to remain silent. Distrust quickly turns into rejection, and then into rejection.

Uncertainty

A non-verbal gesture such as scratching or rubbing the back of the ear or neck may indicate that the person does not fully understand what they want from him or what you mean in a conversation. How to interpret such a gesture if you were told about full understanding? Here, preference should be given to the non-verbal signal of the body. AT this case the man did not understand. The hand clasping the other behind the elbow also speaks of uncertainty, probably its owner is in an unfamiliar society.

Gestures and postures indicating unwillingness to listen

Boredom

The interlocutor props up his head with his hand. It is clear that he is indifferent to what is happening. If he is sitting in the audience, we can say with confidence: the material presented by the lecturer is completely uninteresting. In such cases, MirSovetov recommends changing the topic of conversation to one that excites him or “shake him up” with an unexpected question. Be sure that he wakes up, and this is exactly what you need.

Disapproval

Shaking off non-existent hairs, straightening the folds of clothes, pulling down a skirt in non-verbal communication is a sign of your opponent's disagreement with the stated point of view. You will quickly realize the need to switch to neutral topics. However, if a thread really sticks to the sleeve of the jacket, the clothes are wrinkled, you should not regard this as a gesture of disapproval.

Willingness to leave

Can be identified by signs such as drooping of the eyelids (loss of interest), scratching the ear (fencing off the flow of speech), sipping the earlobe (does not want to speak out), turning the whole body towards the door or pointing the leg in this direction. The gesture in the form of removing glasses also gives a signal to end the conversation.

Irritation

When a person tells a blatant lie and realizes that you have seen through him, he will experience irritation from your rightness, which may manifest itself in an involuntary loosening of a tie or collar. In non-verbal communication, this can also manifest itself in rubbing the neck, unnecessary hand movements, pinching a lady's handbag, mechanical drawing on paper.

Dominance gestures

Superiority

The so-called "director's pose" or "boss pose" in a sitting position. Hands lie behind the head, one foot on the other. If the eyelids are barely closed or the corners of the eyes are slightly squinted, the gaze is directed downward - you have arrogance, neglect. This position of the body as a means of non-verbal communication is often taken by bosses, people in leadership positions. They are self-confident, demonstratively express their importance to others. An attempt to copy this gesture threatens with an early dismissal from work.

Equality

A similar gesture is used by almost all men, women are much less. The nature of the handshake can say a lot, first of all, it will reveal the intentions of the other person. If at the moment of connecting two hands one is higher with the back side, its owner demonstrates his leading position. You can check how firmly he defends his status as a leader in a simple way: turn his hand up. If you feel resistance, then you will not be able to convince him to take equality between you.

Sexual gestures

When a man likes a woman, he shows thumbs in his belt, puts his hands on his hips, or spreads his legs wide. Gazing at a woman is usually intimate, and can linger on selected parts of the body for a long time. A man can involuntarily straighten his tie or collar with his hand.
If a woman seeks to interest, she unconsciously tosses her head, straightens her hair, straightens her blouse. A more subtle art of seduction through non-verbal communication consists of exposing the wrists, spreading the legs in a sitting or standing position. If a woman demonstrates an intimate look in combination with an accidentally slipped shoulder strap, half-dressed shoes on a crossed leg, be sure that she wants to start flirting. A parted mouth and wet lips are typical of sexual appeal.

Tactile movements

These include hugs, handshakes, pats on the shoulder or back, touching, kissing.

Embrace

By the nature of the hugs, their strength, duration, they determine the meaning of the feelings expressed by a person.
Bosom friends, who were in a long separation, at the meeting almost strangle each other in a strong embrace. Lovers linger in gentle embrace for a long time. Hugs between distant relatives, depending on previously maintained contacts, can be both restrained, cold, and ardent. Between close people, they have a soft sincere meaning. In wrestling matches, for example, the competitors briefly hug and part ways.

Such a means of non-verbal communication as hugs is more common among representatives of the strong half of humanity, between women they are a little less common. Now you can see two teenage girls on the streets running towards each other with open arms. At this age, the frequency of such contacts, both between boys and girls, is expressive, when you want to throw out an excess of joy, delight and admiration for the meeting. If you see same-sex couples walking slowly down the sidewalk in an intertwined embrace, it can unwittingly suggest homosexuality.

Handshakes

Handshakes, as one of the means of non-verbal communication, also differ in the way they are performed, strength and duration. A strong, energetic shaking of the interlocutor's hand, coupled with a joyful exclamation, speaks of the sincerity of the partner, his desire to continue the conversation. The girth of one's hand in the form of a "glove" also speaks of friendliness. But if an inanimate hand is extended to you, like a dead fish, they do not want to contact you.

A cold hand in a shake can signal that its owner is either cold or very worried. Sweaty palms speak of a nervous experience. A hand shaking palm down indicates a desire to dominate another person. If, on the contrary, it is turned palm up, its owner unconsciously recognizes himself as a subordinate to the interlocutor.

Patting on the back or shoulder

Patting on the back or shoulder is mostly characteristic of men. These non-verbal gestures are often interpreted as a sign of friendship, concern, or encouragement. They can be seen in almost all age categories. Patting, as it were, demonstrates masculine strength and the readiness of its owner to come to the rescue.

By the way, this gesture should not be confused with that used in medical practice. A newborn child is slapped on the back to make him scream and expand his lungs, a choking person is slapped from behind. Patting is a type of technique in massage practice. That is, the specific meaning of this gesture depends on the current situation.

touch

Touch is widely used in the world of non-verbal communication. AT learning activities it helps to stop a naughty naughty person, in the case of a deaf person - to attract his attention, in medical practice, with the help of this gesture, a state of health is diagnosed, the massage technique is built on a combination of methods of touching the body, in the intimate sphere between spouses they serve as a prelude to connection. Different types of touch are an indicator of the partner's unexpressed feelings. They can be gentle, affectionate, light, strong, rough, hurting, etc.

kisses

Kissing, as a kind of tactile gesture, is widely used in all aspects of human life. In relation to a specific object, the nature of kisses changes. The mother kisses the child tenderly and with love, between loving people they can vary from a light touch of the lips to a passionate kiss. MirSovetov in a separate article reveals the whole gamut of this type of gesture in courting the opposite sex. Here we note that kisses can be both sincere manifestations of feelings, and formal, cold, traditional. Kiss at a meeting and goodbye, kiss at the time of birth.

Visual-contact look

Eye contact is an undeniably important communication process. As you already know, a person receives about 80% of impressions from all senses through vision. With the help of the eyes, you can convey a variety of expressions, thanks to them we can carry out the process of managing the course of the conversation, provide feedback in human behavior. The look helps in the exchange of remarks, since most statements without the participation of the eyes would be meaningless.

Remember how badly interlocutors on the Internet need a variety of emoticons, which are a substitute for such a means of non-verbal communication as an exchange of views, facial expressions. After all, without seeing each other, it is much more difficult to convey the feelings experienced. Developers of instant messaging programs, improving their program characteristics, are trying to include and expand the function of eye expression, general facial expressions and various hand gestures. And, as practice shows, the demand for such programs like ICQ is very high. People crave full-fledged communication on the Web. And the appearance of the video call function in cell phones and installing video equipment on a computer that allows you to communicate interactively, contemplating each other, is precisely the answer to the need for live communication at a remote distance.

Also, the look takes part in the expression of intimacy, frankness. With it, you can set the degree of proximity to a person.

In communication, the gaze, as a rule, performs an information search, for example, the listener looks at the speaker, and if he paused, silently expects to continue without interrupting eye contact; gives a signal about a free communication channel, for example, a speaker with an eye sign indicates that the conversation is over; helps to establish and maintain social relationships when we are looking for a person's gaze to enter into a conversation.

In psychology, there are several types of views, each of which carries very significant information about a person’s thoughts:
1. Business look - when we look at the forehead and into the eyes of the interlocutor. Often we behave this way when meeting with unfamiliar people, leaders and bosses.
2. Social look - when we direct our eyes to the area of ​​​​a person's face in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe mouth, nose and eyes. It is typical in situations of easy communication with friends and acquaintances.
3. Intimate look - passes through the line of the interlocutor's eyes and falls to a level below the chin, neck to other parts of the body. There may be dilation of the pupils, as a foretaste of pleasure.

We have already mentioned the fact that it is more difficult for men to deceive their wives, girlfriends, since women can expose lies much faster by reading their eyes. How do they do it? First of all, according to the characteristic changes in the eyes due to contraction of the eye muscles. When trying to deceive, it is difficult for a person to withstand a gaze, he blinks and looks away. These signs can also be present with sadness, shame, disgust. If he experiences suffering, tears flow from his eyes, but they also appear with laughter and joy.
In any case, for the correct interpretation of non-verbal gestures, we take into account the environment, the context of circumstances. One thing can definitely be said for sure: the expansion or contraction of the pupils, which occurs as a response to excitation, occurs involuntarily, without taking into account consciousness, the vegetative nervous system. If the direction of the gaze can still be somehow controlled, then changing the pupils is beyond our control. When we talk about a person: “he has expressive eyes”, “she has an evil look”, “she jinxed me”, then we mean exactly the information obtained through non-verbal communication when observing a person’s pupils. Children abandoned by their parents have a dry, distant look, filled with the pain of loneliness, which gives them an adult expression. On the contrary, beloved and caressed babies look at the world in a completely different way.

Longitude of gaze can indicate the degree of interest. Staring, inseparable will tell you about the intention to find out some information from you or force you to obey. For couples in love, such a look serves as a signal to begin active courtship. If a close look is directed at a sleeping person, subconsciously he may experience anxiety, even wake up. Interestingly, in the animal world, a gaze serves as a signal for an impending attack, so there is nothing surprising when, feeling such a signal from an unfamiliar person, you experience anxiety and a desire to hide. With peripheral (lateral) vision, we are able to see objects and the environment around us, analyze the degree of danger.
Serial killers and maniacs look very different from the look of an ordinary person. All the previous behavior of a person up to a given point in time, the situations that he solves and the methods that he uses in eliminating problems - everything leaves an imprint on the expression of his eyes. Tired mother after a sleepless night with baby, a pensioner living on crumbs, a student who did not receive a scholarship that he was counting on - everyone has peculiar expressions in their eyes. If, for example, you are in a close relationship with such people, you will definitely understand the reason for such a view.

Spatial movements

This or that distance in contacts between individuals is determined social position communicating, their national characteristics, age, gender, as well as the nature of the relationship of partners. And this is also one of the forms of non-verbal communication that is useful to know. By the way, this knowledge about spatial orientation according to a specific situation is actively used by psychologists, sociologists, and political scientists.

By the location of two people at the table, one can judge the nature of their communication.

1. The position of the corner location is the most favorable for communication between the student and the teacher, the leader with his subordinates, since both have enough space for exchanging views, gesturing. The corner of the table serves as a soothing barrier that protects against unexpected attacks. Their views do not cross, and when difficult points of discussion are touched upon, one can always direct their eyes to a stationary object and concentrate on formulating an answer.

2. Competitive-defensive position - used in heated discussions, disputes, discussions. The interlocutors sit opposite each other, which allows a good overview of facial expressions, gestures made, which can change every second depending on the severity of the issues under discussion. The table-like barrier between them gives a chance of relative safety in case the peaceful discussion suddenly turns into a phase of waving arms and a desire to grab the opponent by the breasts. In this case, the position opposite each other helps not to miss the non-verbal signals of the interlocutor and respond to them in time.

3. Independent position - indicates an unwillingness to communicate. The interlocutors sit at different corners of the table, which negatively affects the communication process. If you try to change the situation, sit closer, the other person can defiantly get up and leave the room. This is the most negative form communication at the table and a form of non-verbal communication in general.

4. The position of directed cooperation - there are no physical barriers between the participants in the conversation, they sit side by side. Communication is confidential and intimate. In this position, almost all issues and topics can be discussed, since the interlocutors fully accept each other.

According to the position of two talking people, their degree of proximity to each other, types of personal spaces are distinguished:
- public (the distance between them is more than 3.5 meters);
- social (from 3.5 to 1.5 meters);
- personal (from 1.5 meters to 40 cm);
- intimate and super-intimate (from 40 cm and closer).

If an unfamiliar person tries to overstep your personal distance, you will instinctively step back or stretch out your arms to prevent intrusion into your personal space. You may feel anger, increased heart rate, adrenaline rush. If you find yourself in a situation where an invasion is imminent (elevator, crowded transport), we recommend that you try to remain calm, do not talk to him, it is better to refuse even non-verbal contact with him (do not look the person in the eye).

An interesting experiment was conducted regarding the preservation of its territorial space. After the briefing, the girl was asked to sit next to the student at the table in the library. She imperceptibly tried to sit as close as possible, and with each of her attempts, the neighbor instinctively moved back to the edge. Each of you experienced a similar desire in such a situation to maintain your territory with the help of various non-verbal gestures, for example, moving your elbow away, shielding your shoulder from an annoying neighbor, pulling your head in.

Maintaining personal distance can also be seen in transport. It has been noticed that in an empty transport people sit one by one in paired places. If they are not there, they take a place next to a trustworthy neighbor, turning away in the other direction.

Another example of non-verbal communication. In the park, people like to take up all the space on the benches. If someone else comes up to someone sitting alone and asks for permission to sit down, as a rule, he receives consent. But very soon the first leaves, looking for a free shop.

In rural areas, the concept of personal space is much broader than in the city. The interlocutors can talk at a distance of 2-5 meters, and this is not a problem or inconvenience. In the city, where there is a fairly high population density, personal territorial space is narrowed to a minimum, and again, this does not interfere with free communication. The greatest discomfort is experienced by a rural resident while in the city. He will literally physically feel the lack of air and space. There is evidence of how many adaptation problems they had when moving to the city, how they experienced an agonizing longing for the expanses of fields and meadows, silence and freshness of the air, saturated with the peculiar aromas of earth and grass. What can we say about psychological suffering in dealing with a large number of absolutely indifferent people who are always in a hurry on important matters.

An intimate distance is secretly established between close people, in which everyone feels comfortable. A change in the previously established boundaries of personal space may indicate the emergence of a different type of relationship. A vivid example of such non-verbal communication: a guy and a girl who have just met each other establish a social distance. As the relationship deepens and develops, the distance is replaced by a personal and intimate one.

By the spatial arrangement of several people in a room, you can determine who sympathizes with whom, even if they do not advertise their feelings. Their benevolent attitude towards the neighbor is expressed in the body turned towards him, the head and the toes of the shoes directed at him. If a boring person is caught in communication, but you want to talk with an interesting girl, the toes of your feet are in her direction, although the body continues to be turned towards the boring person.

Once in a certain room, people often break into small groups and begin their discussions inside them. It is interesting to trace the means of non-verbal communication in such a situation. For example, when an outsider tries to join the group. He first comes closer. The group looks back at him, and if he arouses antipathy, the circle of conversation imperceptibly closes, so that he is on the sidelines. If he attracted the attention of the interlocutors, a small passage is formed, where he wedges new member. In case of loss of interest in the newcomer, the circle imperceptibly pushes him out, forming a chain of active members of the group.

Concluding this review, MirSovetov will allow himself to note that the above classification of non-verbal means of communication is by no means complete and complete. It reflects only one side of the variety of ways a person enters society. After all, no matter how long a person lives, he constantly brings new and new options for communication, which are the most relevant in specific circumstances.

The ability to correctly interpret non-verbal signals will greatly facilitate attempts to merge into any sphere. human relations and more than once will serve you in good stead in critical situations.