Term | Definition |
Nonverbal Communication | Behaviors and characteristics that convey meaning without the use of words. |
Emoticons | Textual representations of facial expressions. |
Nonverbal Channels | The various behavioral forms that nonverbal communication takes. |
Turn-Taking Signal | Nonverbal behavior that indicates when a person's speaking turn begins and ends. |
Immediacy Behavior | Nonverbal behavior that conveys attraction or affiliation. |
Facial Display | The use of facial expression for communication. |
Symmetry | The similarity between the left and right sides of the face or body. |
Proportionality | The size of facial features relative to one another. |
Oculesics | The study of eye behavior. |
Kinesics | The study of movement. |
Gesticulation | The use of arm and hand movements to communicate. |
Emblem | A gesture with a direct verbal translation. |
Illustrator | A gesture that enhances or clarifies a verbal message. |
Affect Display | A gesture that communicates emotion. |
Regulator | A gesture that controls the flow of conversation. |
Adaptor | A gesture used to satisfy a personal need. |
Haptics | The study of how people use touch to communicate. |
Vocalics | Characteristics of the voice. |
Paralanguage | Vocalic behaviors that go along with verbal behavior to convey meaning. |
Olfactics | The study of the sense of smell. |
Proxemics | The study of spatial use. |
Intimate Distance | The distance people maintain with intimate partners; ranges from 0-1 1/2 feet. |
Personal Distance | The distance people maintain with friends; ranges from 1 1/2-4 feet. |
Social Distance | The distance people maintain with casual acquaintances; ranges from 4-12 feet. |
Public Distance | The distance people maintain with public figures during performance; ranges from 12-25 feet or more. |
Chronemics | The use of time. |
Halo Effect | The tendency to attribute positive qualities to physically attractive people. |
Artifact | An object or visual feature of an environment with communicative value. |
High-Context Culture | A culture in which people touch frequently and maintain little personal distance with one another. |
Low-Context Culture | A culture in which people touch infrequently and maintain relatively high levels of personal distance with one another. |