The Relationship Between Verbal and Nonverbal Communication
Christopher Philip
Ekman and Frieson (1969) suggest that there are six main ways that verbal and nonverbal communication relate to one another.
Nonverbal communication can be substituted for verbal communication. It can also repeat, contradict, compliment, accent, and regulate verbal communication.
1. Substitution in nonverbal communication refers to specific words being replaced by nonverbal gestures. For example, we may nod our heads up and down to indicate “yes.” In substitution, unlike repeating (below) no words are spoken.
2. Repeating are ways that we use our bodies in sync with words in order to say the same thing. For example, we can say “no” and also shake our head left and right at the same time to reinforce our statement.
3. At times, nonverbal signals and verbal signals can contradict one another. For example we may say that “You’re a joy to be around” while using a disgusted facial expression. This is read as sarcasm.
4. Nonverbal communication can compliment verbal communication. For example, a person might retell of their bad day at work while holding their shoulders slumped. While the nonverbal message of slumped shoulders may indicate fatigue or depression, when it is done in conjunction with the dialogue about a person’s day, strengthens the message.
5. Body language can sometimes be used to accent spoken communication. For example, while speaking forcefully about an issue, a person might baton their hand up and down to really drive the point. In this case, the baton gesture serves to punctuate the finality of the person’s opinion.
6. Nonverbal communication can also regulate verbal communication. Nodding the head up and down for example, signals that a person is being heard and wishes to hear more. If the head is nodded up and down more quickly, then it may indicate a desire to interject. This form of nonverbal communication helps maintain flow and conversation efficiency.
Image Credit: Eric E Castro
Resources
Ekman, P., & Friesen, W. V. The Repertoire of Nonverbal Behavior: Categories,
Origins, Usage, and Coding. Semiotica. 1969. 1: 49–98.