David White (2018) defines communication as a complex exchange that involves different signals working together to send a message.That is, the major aim of communication is to ensure the exchange of messages among interlocutors. The signals must work together in order to ensure the messages are properly understood. Problem arises when the signals contradict one another. Explaining the relationship between verbal and non-verbal communication, White (2018) starts with this case study: “Imagine you and your friend have just gone to see a play at a local theater. After leaving the theater, you ask your friend what she thought and she rolls her eyes. She says ”oh, I was really impressed” in a sarcastic tone. Despite the words that came out of her mouth, your friend’s tone and eye roll suggest that she means the exact opposite.”
The above given case study is a perfect illustrator of the relationship between verbal communication and non-verbal communication. Verbal communication is the words and sounds that come out of our mouths when we’re speaking, including tone of voice and things like sighs and groans. Non-verbal communication, on the other hand, is the signs and messages that we communicate using things like body language, gestures, and facial movements. In the case study above, had she not used a sarcastic tone or rolled her eyes, you would interpret her response as honest and positive. Yet her use of non-verbal communication dramatically changes the meaning of her words. Most people use a combination of these two types of communication when they interact. Knowing how to recognize both types can significantly improve your ability to interpret messages. For law enforcement officers and every other person concerned with the expressions of people, knowing the relationship between the two types is very essential (White, 2018). The non-verbal communication is subsumed under body language.
Body language is one of the most important ways that we communicate with others, either on its own or to augment a verbal message. Imagine being introduced to a new person, who enthusiastically extends their hand, makes eye contact, and smiles at you. Without saying a word, they have conveyed to you that they are friendly or polite and they’re pleased to meet you. Adding verbal communication to the mix, that person could enthusiastically shake your hand while telling you how happy they are to meet you. The verbal message (”pleased to meet you”) matches their enthusiastic body language, which suggests their message is genuine and can be trusted. Easily recognizable expressions like a broad smile are known as macro expressions, which are intended to be seen by others and communicate a particular message or emotion. Conversely, had they told you that they were pleased to meet you, but kept their arms crossed while looking away; the verbal communication doesn’t match the non-verbal, which should indicate that something isn’t quite right (White, 2018). So, you can see that the link between verbal communication and nonverbal communication is very strong.
Although either type of communication can be used effectively on its own, they are generally used together to convey a message. However, while we are often very much in control of our verbal communication, our non-verbal communication can be unconscious. In some cases, these can be a quick gesture that we make without thinking, like throwing up your hands when someone cuts you off in traffic. Other times, though, they can be much smaller non-verbal cues that most people wouldn’t notice if they didn’t know what to look for (White, 2018).
Ekman and Frieson (1969) in their research suggest that there are six main ways that verbal and nonverbal communications relate to each other. According to Philip (2015), nonverbal communication can be substituted for verbal communication. It can also repeat, contradict, compliment, accent, and regulate verbal communication. I have given some illustrations of these relationships in the opening part of the article. The relationships are:
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, no words are spoken (Philip, 2015).
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 (Philip, 2015).
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 (Philip, 2015).
Nonverbal communication can complement 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 (Philip, 2015).
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 (Philip, 2015).
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 (Philip, 2015). This view is also supported by Muchika (2018) that “Verbal and nonverbal communication go hand in hand in any type of communication.” He mentioned four unique ways in which they are related—most of them have been covered in our discussion above. When there is a conflict between what is said and what is acted out, people will always believe the non-verbal because it is mostly unconscious. Conversely, the verbal communication is carefully planned and can always be carefully woven to epitomize falsehood.
References
Muchika, C (2018). Relationship Between Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication. Retrieved from https://www.kenyaplex.com/resources/14318-relationship-between-verbal-and-non-verbal-communication.aspx
Philip, C (2015). The Relationship Between Verbal and Nonverbal Communication. Retrieved from http://bodylanguageproject.com/articles/relationship-verbal-nonverbal-communication/
White, D (2018). Understanding Links Between Verbal and Nonverbal Messages. Retrieved from https://study.com/academy/lesson/understanding-links-between-verbal-nonverbal-messages.html
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