Verbal and Nonverbal Communication: Distinguishing Symbolic, Spontaneous, and Pseudo-Spontaneous Nonverbal Behavior

Abstract

Verbal and nonverbal communication are seen in terms of interacting streams of spontaneous and symbolic communication, and posed "pseudo-spontaneous" displays. Spontaneous communication is defined as the nonintentional communication of motivational-emotional states based upon biologically shared nonpropositional signal systems, with information transmitted via displays. Symbolic communication is the intentional communication, using learned, socially shared signal systems, of propositional information transmitted via symbols. Pseudospontaneous communication involves the intentional and strategic manipulation of displays. An original meta-analysis demonstrates that, like verbal symbolic communication, nonverbal analogic (pantomimic) communication is related to lefthemisphere cerebral processing. In contrast, spontaneous communication is related to the right hemisphere.A general theory of communication should account for the natural biologically based aspects of communication as well as its learned and symbolically structured aspects. Further, such a general theory should include a feedback process-explanations of message production alone or message reception alone, although potentially useful, are incomplete. A corollary of these two criteria is that a general theory of communication should account for the coevolution of symbolic and nonsymbolic feedback processes and their integration into systems of communication characteristic of the human species. Whereas the explication of such a general theory is beyond the scope of this article, developmental interactionist theory (Buck, 1984(Buck, , 1989(Buck, , 1994 does aim to offer such an integrated view. The current article poses how developmental interactionist theory deals with the topic of this special issue of Journal of Communication-the relationship between verbal and nonverbal communication.Ross Buck (PhD, University of Pittsburgh) is a professor of communication sciences and psychology at the University of Connecticut, where C. Arthur VanLear (PhD, University of Utah) is an associate professor of communication sciences.

The Positive Effect of Contradictory Information: The Effect of Verbal/ Nonverbal Discrepancy on Brand Attitudes in the Short Term and the Long Term

“…The concept of primacy refers to the state of being dominant, more important, or contributing more [2]. When discrepancy exists, an intriguing question is raised, which question lies at the heart of this research: RQ5: Which channel (verbal or nonverbal) contributes more to persuasion and brand attitudes?…”

“…Verbal and nonverbal communications are present in face-to-face interactions in a way that constitutes an integrative event. Addressees receive verbal message accompanied by nonverbal messages, and the way in which the overall message is perceived is determined by the relationship between the two modes [2].…”

“…Verbal and nonverbal communications are present in face-to-face interactions in a way that constitutes an integrative event. Addressees receive verbal message accompanied by nonverbal messages, and the way in which the overall message is perceived is determined by the relationship between the two modes [2].Recently, research into the relationship between verbal and nonverbal communication has advanced as new and more complex approaches have been introduced [3]. A current trend is to carry out integrative research that recognizes the need to assess the interconnections of verbal and nonverbal communication [4].…”

Nonverbal Communication in Business Negotiations and Business Meetings

“…In nonverbal body language are available a lot of important things as human posture, dress, accessories, gestures, eye contact, facial expressions, smile, voice intonation, laughter, eye contact, eye signs, the distance between the communicators, touch, clap, dance, and physiological responses -sweating palms, forehead, paleness, resulting in acute facial and neck redness and others [1], [2], [3], [4], [5]. It should be noted that part of the signs of nonverbal communication is sent consciously (natural or play signs, signals), and the other part of the body signals is emitted to the environment unconsciously, when response to information received is at once, instantly, instinctively and without thinking [6], [7], [8], [10]. However, still, all nonverbal communication signs are controlled by the human brain.…”

In fl uence of Retail Atmospherics as Nonverbal Communication on Purchase Behaviour in the Nigerian Retail Environment

“…The verbal part refers to spoken words we use during communication while the nonverbal one often refers to communication that is produced by some means other than words (Knapp and Hall, 2002). Recently, there has been an exponential growth in interest and consequent research in the role of nonverbal behaviour in communication in relation to a broad range of behaviours (Buck and VanLear, 2002). Of great interest are atmospheric elements inherent in retail store environments and the role they play in the shopper purchase decisions.…”