Non Verbal Communication - Key Terms

Question 1

Define communication

Answer 1

passing information from one person to another

Question 2

Define verbal communication

Answer 2

communication using words or vocal sounds

Question 3

Define non-verbal communication

Answer 3

communication without using words or vocal sounds

Question 4

Define paralinguistics

Answer 4

vocal features that accompany speech

Question 5

Define tone of voice

Answer 5

the way words are spoken to convey emotion

Question 6

Define emphasis

Answer 6

giving prominence to some words more than others to change meaning

Question 7

Define intonation

Answer 7

inflection in the voice when speaking e.g. pitch

Question 8

Define eye contact

Answer 8

when two people in conversation are looking at each other’s eyes at the same time

Question 9

Define pupil dilation

Answer 9

when the pupils expand to look large

Question 10

Define body language

Answer 10

general term to describe aspects of non-verbal communication

Question 11

Define posture

Answer 11

positioning of the body

Question 12

Define closed posture

Answer 12

positioning the arms so they’re folded across the body and/or crossing the legs

Question 13

Define open posture

Answer 13

positioning the arms so they’re not folded across the body and the legs aren’t crossed

Question 14

Define postural echo

Answer 14

mirroring another person’s body position

Question 15

Define gesture

Answer 15

way of conveying information through either deliberate or unconscious movements of parts of the body

Question 16

Define touch

Answer 16

way of conveying information through physical contact between people

Question 17

Define personal space

Answer 17

the distance we keep between ourselves and other people in our everyday lives

Question 18

Define cultural norms

Answer 18

range of behaviours that members of a particular social group or society can be expected to show

Question 19

Define status

Answer 19

a person’s rank or position within society