1. The concept of non-verbal means of communication and their meaning
The topic of non-verbal communication between people, in our opinion, is very interesting and, of course, relevant at all times. Non-verbal communication is one of the powerful means of representing the personality of "I", interpersonal influence and regulation of relations, creates the image of a communication partner, acts as a clarification, advancing verbal communication, solving complex social problems in the communication process. That is why we chose this topic of essay, which seems to us very relevant in modern human communicative activity.
Non-verbal communication is a communication interaction between people without the use of words, that is, without speech and linguistic means presented in a direct or any sign form. [2, p. 35]
Nonverbal communication, we believe, is historically the very first form of communication between people. It allows not only to diversify and complement verbal communication, but also to replace it in some situations. Currently, this topic is widely popular both in Russia and abroad. A modern person, of course, must possess not only a high linguistic culture, but also a culture of non-verbal behavior, since it is known that various types of non-verbal communication sometimes contain much more information than words. In this regard, the problem of the importance of non-verbal communication deserves special attention and requires more in-depth study.
No matter how well we know another person, none of us can read someone else's thoughts. So everything that can improve communication is valuable. The conscious perception and use of non-verbal means of communication allows you to overcome communication barriers and make communication more effective. Therefore, we believe that we all understand how important it is to know the sign language and body movements. Depends on this how well the people around us will understand us. After all, a person may find himself in such a situation when you have to use only non-verbal means of communication. When can this happen? Yes, at least in the event that you find yourself in that country in which they speak a language unfamiliar to us. In a dialogue of cultures, we need to know that sometimes the same gestures in different countries have exactly the opposite meaning. And in order not to happen to be in an awkward situation, it is necessary to study the meaning of gestures.
In his famous book "Body Language", the Australian psychologist Allan Pease claims that everyone perceives information based on this calculation: 7% of the information comes with words, and the remaining 97% is perceived by us using non-verbal signals. These communication methods are better known as "sign language" and mean a form of self-expression in which words and any speech symbols are not used. [1, P.24]]
Knowing the types of non-verbal communication and understanding non-verbal signals is important for several reasons.
Firstly, they perform the functions of exact expression of feelings, since very often we experience feelings that are so complex that we are simply not able to find the right words to describe them, but this can be done using non-verbal means and methods.
Secondly, they perform the functions of a deeper understanding. Non-verbal communication is a "body language" that includes such forms of self-expression that do not rely on words and other speech symbols.
In socio-psychological studies, various classifications of non-verbal means of communication have been developed. According to one of them, non-verbal communication includes five subsystems: the spatial subsystem, i.e., interpersonal space. Optical-kinetic subsystem, which includes the appearance of the interlocutor, facial expressions, pantomime.
Sight. The non-speech subsystem, which includes the tempo of speech, pauses, laughter, sighs, etc. The near-speech subsystem, which includes the vocal qualities of a voice, its range, tonality, timbre. [2, p. 59]
Gestures are various movements of the hands and head. Sign language is the oldest way to achieve mutual understanding. In various historical eras and in different peoples, there were their own generally accepted methods of gesturing. Currently, even attempts are being made to create gesture dictionaries. The specific meaning of individual gestures is different in different cultures. However, in all cultures there are similar gestures, among which we can distinguish: - communicative gestures (greetings, farewells, attention grabs, prohibitions, etc.); - modal, that is, expressing appreciation and attitude (gestures of approval, satisfaction, trust and distrust, etc.); - descriptive gestures that make sense only in the context of a speech utterance. The intensity of gestures increases along with an increase in a person"s emotional arousal, as well as a desire to achieve a more complete understanding between partners, especially if it is difficult. [3, P.73]
Facial expressions are facial muscle movements, and this is the main indicator of feelings. Studies have shown that with a still or invisible face of the interlocutor, up to 10-15% of information is lost. In the literature there are more than 20,000 descriptions of facial expressions. The main characteristic of facial expressions is its integrity and dynamism. This means that in the facial expression of the face of the six basic emotional states (anger, joy, fear, sadness, surprise, disgust), all facial muscle movements are coordinated. And although each mine is a configuration of the whole face, the main informative load is the eyebrows and lips. It is especially interesting, in our opinion, to watch the pianist's facial expressions during a concert. The pianist plunges headlong into the image he creates and, at the same time, has no control over his facial expressions. Watching the grimaces of a musician during the performance of a play can be very funny.
Pose is the position of the body. The human body is able to take about 1000 stable different positions. The pose shows how the person perceives his status in relation to the status of other persons present. Persons with a higher status take a more relaxed posture. The main semantic content of the pose consists in the individual placing his body in relation to the interlocutor. This placement indicates either closeness or disposition to communication.
Gait is a style of human movement. Its components are: rhythm, step dynamics, body transfer amplitude during movement, body weight. By the gait of a person, one can judge the well-being of a person, his character, age. In addition, a person"s gait is developed under the influence of upbringing, profession, character, temperament and has more or less pronounced individual traits.
In psychologist"s research, people recognized gait emotions such as anger, suffering, pride, happiness. It turned out that a "hard" gait is characteristic of people in anger, a "light" one is for joyful people. A proud person has the longest stride length, and if a person suffers, his gait is sluggish, depressed, such a person rarely looks up or in the direction he goes. To create an attractive appearance, the walk of a confident person is most preferable, the same impression is created by correct posture - light, springy and always straight. The head should be slightly raised, and the shoulders straightened. Eye contact is an extremely important element of communication. Looking at the speaker means not only interest, but also helps us focus on what we are told. Here it is necessary to take into account the specifics of the profession, which leaves an imprint on the posture of a person, which also allows you to tell a lot about him.
For example, the stoop of a pianist, which is inevitably developed over the years of motionless sitting at the piano.
As Konstantin Stanislavsky wrote, "a look is direct, direct communication in its pure form, from soul to soul". With the help of the eyes, the most accurate signals about the state of a person are transmitted, because they occupy a central position in the human body. In the course of research, a number of features of visual contact were revealed. So, Argyll and Cook note that usually a person looks more in the eyes of the interlocutor when he listens than when he speaks; that eye contact is often used to "convey a word" to one"s interlocutor; that friendly interlocutors look into each other's eyes more often than people experiencing mutual antipathy. Anyone who speaks at the moment looks less at the partner - only to test his reaction and interest. The listener, in turn, looks more toward the speaker. [4, p. 37]
Although nature has rewarded people with a unique voice, they themselves color it. Those who tend to dramatically change the pitch of their voices are usually more cheerful, sociable, more confident, competent and much more pleasant than people who speak monotonously. The feelings experienced by the speaker are reflected primarily in the tone of voice. In it, feelings find expression regardless of the words spoken. A lot of information is given by the strength and pitch of the voice.
Speech speed also reflects feelings. What information do people get through non-verbal communication?
Firstly, this is information about the identity of the communicator. It includes information about a person"s temperament; his emotional state in a given situation; his self-esteem; his personal qualities and qualities; his communicative competence; his social status; his belonging to a certain group or subculture, etc.
Secondly, this is information about the relationship of communication participants to each other.
Thus, we believe that non-verbal communication is a necessary component of interpersonal communication. Learning to understand the language of non-verbal communication is important for several reasons.
First, words can only convey factual knowledge, but to express feelings, words alone are often not enough. Emotions that do not lend themselves to verbal expression are transmitted in the language of non-verbal communication.
Secondly, body language is less controlled by consciousness than words, and therefore more reliable. Information received through non-verbal channels can either support or contradict the message transmitted through words. If the information received through the non-verbal channel contradicts the verbal, then it should be believed non-verbal.
Thirdly, thanks to non-verbal means, a person gets the opportunity to communicate in situations where the use of speech means is impossible or ineffective (communication with young children before they learn how to use speech, with foreigners, even with animals). In addition, non-verbal communication in itself contributes to the development and improvement of a person's communicative abilities, as a result of which he becomes more capable of interpersonal contacts.
Adequate perception of the partner allows you to respond more flexibly to changes in the communication situation, understand its true goals and intentions, and predict the possible consequences of the transmitted information. These qualities become indispensable for those whose professional activities are related to people. And no matter in what situation and in which country we are, let's not forget to take a smile everywhere and everywhere. This is a universal means of communication that allows you to quickly establish psychological contact.
And now we will pass directly to the study of the problems of interpreting sign language and body movements.
2. Problems of interpretation of sign language and body movements
The methodological basis for the second chapter of the essay was the work of the famous Australian psychologist Allan Pisa. Before proceeding to the analysis of specific gestures, we immediately clarify that Allan Pease himself has repeatedly talked about the conventions and errors of interpretation of a particular gesture and body movement. One and the same posture can simultaneously speak of a person"s anxiety and his simple physiological desire to go to the toilet. This circumstance must always be borne in mind when interpreting a particular gesture.
Like other animals, we obey the biological laws that control our actions, reactions, "body language" and gestures. Surprisingly, the human animal rarely realizes that his posture, gestures, and movements may contradict what his voice reports. When we say that a person is sensitive and intuitive, we mean that he (or she) has the ability to read another person"s non-verbal signals and compare these signals with verbal signals.
Some gestures are innate, others acquired, and the meaning of many movements and gestures is culturally determined. All over the world, basic communication gestures are no different. When people are happy, they smile, when they are sad - they frown, when they are angry - they have an angry look. However, in general, the nonverbal language of one nation is different from the nonverbal language of another nation. [1, p.23]
One of the most serious mistakes that beginners can make in the study of body language is the desire to highlight one gesture and consider 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 lies - depending on what other gestures accompany this scratching, therefore, for the correct interpretation, we must take into account the whole complex of accompanying gestures.
Studies prove 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 information. [1, p.25]
A person at the top of the social ladder or professional career can use the wealth of his vocabulary in the communication process, while a less educated or less professional person will often rely on gestures rather than words in the communication process.
When an adult lies, his brain sends an impulse to cover his mouth, in an attempt to hold back the words of deception, but at the last moment the hand deviates from the mouth and another gesture is made touching the nose (Fig. 1).
The most typical question is "Is it possible to fake in one's own body language?" The usual answer to this question is negative, because you will be given a lack of congruency between gestures, micro-signals of the body and spoken words. For example, open palms are associated with honesty, but when the deceiver opens his arms to you and smiles at you, while telling a lie, the micro-signals of his body will give out his secret thoughts. It can be narrowed pupils, a raised eyebrow or curvature of the corner of the mouth.
We believe that in the interpretation of this gesture Allan Pease makes a gross methodological error. For example, a person may have a habit of tugging his nose if he sniffs cocaine or frostbite in the past.
Zones and Territories
The dimensions of a person"s personal spatial zone are socially and nationally determined. If representatives of one nation, for example, the Japanese, are accustomed to overpopulation, others prefer wide open spaces and like to keep their distance. The personal spatial territory of a person can be divided into 4 zones (Fig. 2). If you want people to feel comfortable in your society, follow the golden rule: "Keep your distance."
Fig. 2. Spatial zones of man
The crowding of people at concerts, in cinemas, on escalators, in transport, in the elevator leads to the inevitable invasion of people into each other's intimate zones. There are a number of unwritten rules of conduct for a Western person in crowded conditions:
Ј Do not talk to anyone, even friends.
Ј Do not stare at others.
Ј The person must be completely impartial.
Ј If you have a book or newspaper in your hands, you should be completely absorbed in reading.
Ј The narrower the transport, the more restrained your movements should be.
Given this, it is easy to understand why areas with a high population density have a higher crime rate.
Advancing into the intimate territory of a person of a person of the opposite sex is a way of expressing his interest in this person and is called flirting. However, in the Japanese and many European nations, the intimate zone is only 23-25 cm. Ignorance of the culturally determined differences in the intimate zones of different people can easily lead to misunderstandings and incorrect judgments about the behavior and culture of others.
Palms
From time immemorial, an open hand has been associated with sincerity, honesty, devotion and trustfulness. When a person begins to be frank, he usually opens his palms to the interlocutor in full or in part. When a child cheats or hides something, he hides his palms behind his back. There are three main command gestures of the palm: palm up, palm down and pointing finger (Fig. 3), and the corresponding three types of handshakes (Fig. 4).
Fig. 4. Handshakes (for a shirt with a dark cuff): (a) master of the situation, (b) give way, (c) equal handshake
Gestures of hands and hands
By rubbing their palms, people nonverbally convey their positive expectations. The person who rolls the dice rubs it between his palms as a signal that he expects victory. The clasped fingers indicate disappointment and a person"s desire to hide his negative attitude (Fig. 5).
Fig. 5. Clasped fingers mean disappointment
Laying behind the back of the hands is considered a gesture of a confident person with a sense of superiority over others. Putting your thumbs up indicates authority, superiority and even aggressiveness of a person (Fig. 6).
Fig. 6. Exposed thumbs speak of authority
The meaning of gestures associated with touching hands on various parts of the face
What gestures can a person give if he is lying? These are gestures related to touching hands on the face (Fig. 7). To mask the gesture "protecting the mouth with your hand," some people try to mock cough. Touching the nose is a subtle, disguised version of the previous gesture. Men also rub their eyelids, and if the lie is very serious, they look away, usually on the floor. Women very delicately make this movement, swiping a finger under the eye. Scratching and rubbing the ear indicates the desire of the listener to isolate himself from the words.
Fig. 7. Covering the mouth with your hand may indicate a speaker"s deceit
Hands as barriers
By placing one or both hands on our chests, we form a barrier. This is a clear signal that a person feels a danger or threat. When the listener crosses his arms over his chest, he not only develops a negative attitude towards the speaker, but he also pays less attention to what he hears. If you use the full gesture of crossing your arms, it will become obvious to those around you that you feel a sense of fear. Sometimes we replace it with partial, incomplete crossing, in which one arm is placed across the body, taking the other arm in the elbow region. [1, P.42]
Another common variant of an incomplete barrier is a gesture in which a person holds his hands by himself (Fig. 8). This gesture is usually used by people in front of a large audience when receiving an award or making a speech. This gesture allows a person to restore a sense of emotional security, which he experienced in childhood, when his parents held his hand in dangerous circumstances.
Fig. 8. Disguised protective gesture
Leg Protective Barrier
Like protective barriers formed with the help of arms, crossing the legs is a sign of a person"s negative or defensive attitude. Crossing the arms on the chest was originally associated with the function of protecting the area of the heart and chest, and crossing the legs is an attempt to protect the genital area.
When a crossed leg is also accompanied by a cross of arms on the chest (Fig. 9), this means that the person is "disconnected" from the conversation. It would be foolish for a salesman to even try to ask a buyer who has taken such a pose about his decision, and several clarifying questions should be asked to clarify his objections. This pose is very popular with women all over the world, especially if they want to express their dissatisfaction with a husband or friend.
Fig. 9. Woman expresses her displeasure
As soon as people begin to feel comfortable and get closer to others, they obey the unwritten law, according to which the protective posture is changed to an open, relaxed one.
Other famous gestures and movements
Most people who like to ride a chair are people of a dominant type who try to control and dominate people if they are bored with the topic of conversation, and the back of the chair serves as a good protection against any attack from others (Fig. 10). The easiest way to disarm the rider is to stand or sit behind it, from which it will feel the rear is vulnerable in the event of an attack and will change its position, becoming less aggressive.
Fig. 10. Aggressive posture
If an amateur came to sit on a chair "on horseback" and his aggressive manner annoys you, try to transfer him to a stable chair with armrests that will prevent him from taking his favorite pose.
When a person does not agree with the opinion or attitude of other people, but does not dare to express his point of view, he makes gestures, which are called gestures of repression, i.e. they appear as a result of restraining one's opinion. Gathering, plucking non-existent villi from clothes is one such gesture.
There are three main positions of the head. The direct position of the head is characteristic of a person who is neutral in relation to what he hears. When the head is tilted to the side, this indicates that the person has aroused interest (Fig. 11). Charles Darwin was one of the first to notice that people, like animals, tilt their heads to the side when they become interested in something. Women use this head position to show their interest in an attractive man. If the head is tilted down, this suggests that the person"s attitude is negative, and even condemning.
Fig. 11. Interested head position
The laying of hands behind the head is characteristic of people with a sense of superiority over others. This gesture is also characteristic of "know-it-alls", and many people get annoyed when someone shows this gesture in front of them (Fig. 12).
Fig. 12. "Maybe someday you will become as successful as I am."
Eye signals
In the book "Expressive Eyes," Hess says that the most accurate and open signals of all human communication signals are transmitted through the eyes, because the pupils behave completely independently. When a person is aroused, his pupils dilate four times against the normal state. On the contrary, an angry, gloomy mood causes the pupils to contract, and so-called "bead eyes" or "snake" eyes are obtained. [1, p. 56]
When conducting business negotiations, imagine that there is a triangle on the forehead of your interlocutor (Fig. 13a). By directing your eyes to this triangle, you create a serious atmosphere, and the other person feels that you are in a businesslike mood. Provided that your gaze does not fall below the eyes .
nfluence on others through various positions of the body
The rotation of the body and the direction of the toe indicates the direction of the person"s thoughts. From them you can determine where he would like to go. In fig. Figure 15 shows two people talking on the go, passing through the door: the person on the left is trying to hold the interlocutor's attention, but he wants to continue his movement in the direction his body points, although his head is turned and testifies to his interest. But only when the person on the right turns his body to another, a conversation of mutually interested people can take place.
Fig. 15. By turning the body, it is clear what a person wants to do, and where he wants to go
The angle at which people stand in relation to each other also gives information about their relationship. For example, people in most English-speaking countries stand at a 90-degree angle during a conversation (Fig. 16). Such a pose is a non-verbal invitation to a third person to join them, standing in place of this third point.
Fig. 16. Open triangular position
When it is required to establish relations of ownership or intimacy, the angle between the bodies decreases to zero degrees (Fig. 17).
Fig. 17. Closed position. The body is turned towards the person you are interested in.
The legs most often indicate the direction in which the person would like to go, but they also indicate the person attractive and interesting to you.
Different types of tables and ways of placing participants at the table
The strategic arrangement of "forces" and the correct distribution of participants at the table is a means of their effective interaction. Different shades of people's attitudes towards you can be expressed in terms of the place they occupy at the table relative to you. For example, face B can occupy four basic positions relative to face A (Fig. 18).
Ј B1: Corner layout; characteristic of people engaged in friendly, laid-back conversation; it will also be the best strategic location for a trading agent during the presentation of a product to a new customer.
Ј B2: Position of business interaction; used when two people are collaborating on a problem or project.
Ј OT: Competitive defensive position. People occupy such a position at the table if they are in a rivalry relationship, or when one of them reprimands the other for some misconduct. If B wants to influence A, then standing against each other reduces his chances of success in negotiations.
Ј Q4: Independent position. This situation is occupied by people who do not want to interact with each other at the table. This usually happens in a library, in a park on a bench or in a restaurant at a table.
Fig. 18. The main types of people around the table
King Arthur used the round table to provide all knights with an equal amount of power and equal standing. The round table creates an atmosphere of informality and ease and is the best way to conduct a conversation of people of the same social status.
Summarizing the above, it is possible to draw a justified conclusion that non-verbal means of communication play an extremely large role in modern communicative activity of people. Therefore, this topic of the abstract seems to us very relevant and promising, which needs further development.
Literature:
1. Pease Allan. Body language: Monograph / Allan Pease /.- M .: EKSMO-Press Publishing House .- 2000.272 p.
2. Enikeev, M.I. General psychology. Textbook for high schools / M.I. Enikeev / M .: Publishing house "Prior" .- 2000. - 400 p.
3. Labunskaya, V.A. Non-verbal behavior: Monograph / V.A. Labunskaya. -Rostov-on-Don: Publishing house of the Rostov State University. - 1986.- 135 s.
4. Povalyaeva, M. A., Ruter, O. A. Non-verbal means of communication: Monograph / M.A. Povalyaeva, O.A. Router // Series "Higher Education". - Rostov-on-Don: Publishing house "Phoenix". - 2004.-285 p.