Good Movie Review On Non-Verbal Communication

Communication is vital and essential in all spheres of our lives as it holds the key and plays a critical role in our day-to-day interactions. For individuals to communicate effectively, we must use effective sentences and words for them to relay their messages swiftly (Tyler 1). The sign languages as well as the intonations people use also very important in communication. Effective application of the right strategies to convey the correct messages at a timely moment can encourage every one of us to work harder and recover crises. Having clear communication entails the process in which people exchange meanings, feelings, and information from one person to another (Remland 5). Therefore, individuals must rethink think of ways to communicate effectively and efficiently, and the two complex categories of communication are non-verbal and verbal communication. However, I find that non-verbal communication supplements and complements spoken language, and in cases where one of them is absent, misinterpretations easily occur. Therefore, in this essay, I have mainly highlighted the importance of knowledge of non-verbal communication in our day-to-day life as well as the initial impressions and stereotypes they hold. I will also examine and scrutinise the universality of facial expression as well as the positive and negative uses of Non-verbal communication.
Non-verbal communication refers to all other messages apart from words that are spoken. Those messages mostly entail body languages such as body posture, eye contact and facial expressions. For example, when a friend smiles on seeing us it means they are pleased to see us (Tyler 3). Another example of non-verbal communication is touch. It helps in pointing out a person’s feelings or closeness, expressions, and illustrates characteristics of that person. A stiff and firm handshake is evidently different from loose one. In addition, the volume, tone, pitch and sound of a person’s voice may also act as a form of non-verbal communication, especially when they are talking. Essentially, one’s voice draws on vocally produced sounds, intonation, and tone. Specifically, individuals use the voice pitch to distinguish whether the sentence is a piece of advice, a command or else a statement or a question, and whether it confirms aggressiveness; meaning tone and vocal sounds project our expressions (Remland 13). For instance, a low and shaky voice indicates fear. The clothing people wear is also forms of non-verbal communication in different customs and cultures across the globe.
Non-verbal communication plays a huge role when individuals are making first impressions and they may lead to misjudgements. Within a few first minutes of meeting a person, one can evaluate them based on dressing, mannerism, conduct, body language, and appearance. This evaluation helps people form impressions. First impressions are very difficult to erase as they assist the assessors’ form a mental picture. Therefore, many people are trying to learn the art of creating a perfect first impression by mainly using non-verbal cues of communication. However, it is a fallacy that what a person has observed in the first impression is the reality (Tyler 9). Many people have mastered the art of creating first impressions; therefore, it might never reflect the real picture of the individual. Another universal feature of non-verbal communication is in facial expressions. It is universal that a person will either smile or laugh when they are happy and frown or cry when they feel sad or when they are displeased. Therefore, other non-verbal communications cut across all communities while others reflect on particular cultures (Remland 17).
Like any other form of communication, non-verbal communication has its advantages. Primarily, non-verbal communication is essential for the expression of emotions. Emotions such as joy, stress, happiness, among others, are mainly expressed through body and face language or gestures. We can quickly judge how others feel by looking at their expressions hence non-verbal communication is crucial. Consequently, the usage of non-verbal communication is helpful in expressing meaning to build strong relationships and to navigate complicated state of affairs for us at work or home. Secondly, non-verbal communication plays an important role in communicating interpersonal relationships. Interpersonal communication includes communication that occurs through our facial expression, posture and tone of voice. Interpersonal communication might communicate up to 93% of our beliefs and attitudes (Tyler 15).
Some obstacles to nonverbal communication include perceptual filters, negative nonverbal communication, inappropriate touching, deceptive gestures and cultural differences. The diverse cultural differences are facial expressions, touching, discrimination along with the hand gestures, prejudice, stereotyping and ethnocentrism (Remland 30). Stereotypes express the distorted views of different cultures and races. On the other hand, ethnocentrism expresses that a culture feels that their group is superior to all the rest. A negative attitude can develop basing on no experience when a culture is prejudicing towards another.
In conclusion, it is not enough just to know the importance of non-verbal communication but we should know some nonverbal signs that are globalized. Moreover, we should not cultural differences when using nonverbal communication. For instance, the Americans view the eye conduct as a form of confidence while the Japanese view the same as a sign of disrespectfulness and rudeness. We should, therefore, be mindful of our nonverbal cues and that of others. Therefore, we should note that both our nonverbal and verbal communications defines our relationships and interactions. Ideally, verbal communication is as important as nonverbal communication; therefore, it should be handled with the seriousness that it deserves.

Works Cited

Remland Martin. Nonverbal Communication in Everyday Life. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota. 2012. Print.
Tyler Kossen. Communication: A foundation Course. Prentice Hall, Sydney. 2002. Print.