FUNCTIONS OF NON VERBAL COMMUNICATION

Nonverbal communication can serve any number of significant functions six major functions are generally identified by nonverbal researchers.

To Accent.

Nonverbal communication often used to highlight or emphasize some part o the verbal message We might, for example, smile to emphasize a particular word or phrase bang our fist on the desk to emphasize or commitment to a statement .

To Complement.

Nonverbal communication may also be used to reinforce the general tone or attitude communicated by the verbal message. Thus, we might smile when telling a humorous story or frown and shake our heads when telling of someone’s deceit.

To Contradict .

We may also deliberately contradict our verbal messages with nonverbal movements, for example, by crossing our fingers or winking to in indicate that what we are saying is a lie.

To Regulate

Nonverbal movements are frequently used to control or to indicate ‘one’s desire to control the flow of nonverbal message or for example as when we make hand movements to indicate that we want to say something.

To Repeat.

We can also repeat or restate the meaning of the verbal message . Foe example , follow our verbal statement ‘ IT IS ALRIGHT “ with an OK sign made with our fingers .

To Substitute.

Nonverbal communication may also take the place of verbal messages we can for example say OKAY with our hands without saying anything verbally