The term Nonverbal communication refers to the process of conveying information, feelings, and meaning without using spoken or written words. It involves various visual and auditory cues that complement or supplement the verbal message being conveyed. Albert Mehrabian, a psychology professor, proposed a model that breaks down the components of communication and their relative impact on message reception. According to his model, 55% of the impact of a message comes from non-verbal communication, 38% from vocal cues, and only 7% from the actual words spoken. It involves a wide range of subtle cues and signals that are expressed through facial expressions, body language, gestures, postures, eye contact, touch, proxemics, paralinguistics, and even the use of time and space.
ADVANTAGES OF NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION
Non-verbal communication offers several advantages over verbal communication, and the ability to convey information instantly through visual tools is one of them. Visual communication can provide a quick and efficient way to present complex information, statistics, trends, and comparisons. Here’s how this advantage works:
Instant Understanding: Visual tools, such as charts, graphs, diagrams, and infographics, can convey information in a format that is easily understandable at a glance. This is especially useful when dealing with complex data or concepts.
Simplification of Complex Data: Visualizations can distil complex data sets into simple and clear representations. For example, a bar chart can quickly show the relative sizes of different data points, making it easier for the viewer to grasp the significance of the information being presented.
Comparisons and Trends: Visual tools excel at showing comparisons between different sets of data or illustrating trends over time. Line graphs, scatter plots, and area charts can help viewers quickly identify patterns and changes in data, allowing for better decision-making and analysis.
Engagement and Attention: Visuals tend to capture and retain the viewer’s attention more effectively than text alone. This engagement can enhance the communication experience and help maintain interest in the presented information.
Besides these advantages, there are also some advantages like memorability, universal understanding, aesthetic appeal, etc.
Finally, while non-verbal communication offers these advantages, it’s important to note that interpretations of non-verbal cues can vary based on cultural norms, individual differences, and context. Therefore, understanding the context and considering a combination of verbal and non-verbal cues is crucial for effective communication.