PLAGIARISM FREE IN 15 HOURS or LESS TECHNIQUES SUMMARY

"Nonverbal Communication Between Helper and Client

Nonverbal communication is also called body language. We generally talk about seven nonverbal ways that we speak to others without words: eye contact, body position, silence, voice tone, facial expressions and gestures, physical distance, and touching (Finset & Del Piccolo, 2011; Gladstein, 1974). Mehrabian (1972) said that as much as 80% of communication takes place on the nonverbal level. It has been estimated that only 7% of emotions are conveyed by verbal means, whereas 38% are conveyed by the voice and 55% by the face. These percentages vary considerably in different contexts, but Argyle and colleagues (1971) concluded that nonverbal messages were taken to be 12.5 times stronger than verbal messages when conveying friendliness or hostility.

Nonverbal messages can be compared to the musical score in a movie. They can affect us tremendously, but we may not notice their presence. For example, researchers studying couples communication were at first confused when they examined written transcripts of troubled marriages. Everything appeared normal. It was not until they watched the videos that they were able to see the subtle nonverbal signals of contempt such as rolling of the eyes. Even very minor movements and expressions can set off an argument. For example, a raised eyebrow takes only a sixth of a second, but it can be detected at distances of over 150 feet (Blum, 1998). When strong emotions are being expressed, nonverbal messages may be more significant than what the person is saying (Aviezer, Trope, & Todorov, 2012; Fiquer et al., 2018). This is probably why when we send text messages, we feel the need for emojis. The text does not fully convey how we are feeling, and misunderstandings can ensue.

Besides conveying information and emotions, nonverbal behavior has three other functions in human interaction. Nonverbal signals regulate the interaction (indicating pauses and stopping points), can enhance intimacy, and can be persuasive (cf. Argyle, 1987). Let us look at each of these functions.

Regulation

Occasionally, we are required to interact with others without having access to all the nonverbal cues that the person is sending. Have you ever participated in a conference call on the telephone? In face-to-face conversations, cues about when to speak and when to listen are communicated nonverbally. Without access to these regulators, everyone talks at once or there are long periods of silence.

Intimacy

For example, we might prefer e-mail from family members if we are merely exchanging information, but when we want to hear their voices to feel close to them, we use FaceTime or Skype to get access to their nonverbal messages. Think about the difference between sending a sympathy card and placing your arm around the shoulder of a grieving friend. To increase intimacy, we increase proximity and use touch.

Persuasion

Nonverbal communication is also a powerful component of persuasion. The gestures and voice tone of famous orators such as Martin Luther King Jr. are evidence of this. The most persuasive communication takes place when we can see another person’s face and when we are in the same room. It is much easier to say no to the salesperson on the phone than to the one who is standing right in front of you. The art of helping also relies on persuasive nonverbal messages to encourage the client to open up. Helpers use specific nonverbal behaviors and project warmth to persuade their clients that they are listening nonjudgmentally and that the client is in a safe environment. Your willingness to take the time to provide the most inviting nonverbal atmosphere will affect your client’s perception of you and willingness to open up."