NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE

Does Non-Verbal Behavior Differ from Culture to Culture?

Alex Grange
University of Utah

NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE

Introduction

Communication is heavily used in society and is the process in which information

and ideas are shared either verbally or non-verbally. Non-verbal communication is the
silent passing of information through expressions or body language. Non-verbal
communication is different in cultures and gender and the purpose of this paper is to
evaluate the impact of these differences on interpersonal communication.
Throughout time humans have developed from communication. Their personality
and their relationships are formed through the ability to communicate. According to
Professor Mirela Samfira, Communication thus becomes a main element of social life: it
is a product of social life, not a feature (Samfira, 2014). Non-verbal communication is
just as important as verbal communication. Non-verbal communication is made up of
many different parts. These distinct characteristics are facial expressions, vocalizations,
eye contact, body posture, and most importantly perception (Samfira, 2014). We learn
what nonverbal behavior works by experimental trials. This type of communication is
used wherever humans are present and it transcends cultures around the world. Just as
there are many types of communication methods in different cultures there are also many
types of nonverbal communication methods. We cannot underestimate the power of
nonverbal communication, it helps form relationships as well as build a social
understanding of others.

Methods

NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE

The research that I have collected for this paper comes from the Marriot Library
Search Engine. This is a University based research engine and provides many different
academic sources to gather research on different communication methods. EBSCOhost
was the primary source of information for this research. The information compiled here is
a combination of professors and experts on the subject. Beginning with the question:
Does non-verbal behavior differ from culture to culture? I began searching for
information on what nonverbal communication really was. Nonverbal communication is
such a large and vast field that this paper will not cover all aspects of the field, but will
describe how nonverbal communication varies in different cultures.
There were many sources that were turned away during the original analysis
because they did not help to answer the question: Are non-verbal cues a universally
accepted language? The sources that were turned down were those with non-academic
backgrounds and non-credible authors. The research collected describes that there are
many differences in non-verbal gestures throughout different cultures. The collected
research helps us answer the question; does nonverbal communication differ from culture
to culture?

Analysis

According to the research there are many differences in the way nonverbal
messages are perceived throughout the world. It is already understood and widely
accepted that many cultures have different ways to communicate things nonverbally; but
according to this research a gesture in the United States can mean something totally

NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE

different in other parts of the world. There is no universally understood language when it
comes to nonverbal gestures (Archer, 1997). These can lead to many confusing and
offensive situations. Travelers must go into different cultures with humility and
understanding that a simple wave or handshake may mean something entirely
different depending on where it is implemented.
For instance, if you were in Iran and a local were to give you the thumbs up
sign, you might think that you have done something good, however, the local Iranian has
just give you a very obscene and aggressive screw you sign (Archer, 1997). This shows
that a sign which is innocent and well perceived on one side of the globe, can mean
something entirely different and offensive on the other side of the globe. This is one
example is far from unique as there are many signs that do not transcend cultures. These
types of sings from facial expressions to body language mean something entirely
different based simply on where you happen to find yourself in the world.
Perception is a large part of the nonverbal communication. Many of these
nonverbal cues can be innocent but in some cases, like the one described above, can be
very dangerous for those traveling abroad to different cultures. The most important thing
to think about when using nonverbal communication in other cultures is that it may lead
to a serious misunderstanding.
Nonverbal communication in human relationships is important because it is
known to be immediate and more honest than that of verbal communication (Kwon,
2015). Verbal communication isnt as subconscious as nonverbal. Many people do not
regard nonverbal communication as a large part of communication but we as human use
it in everyday life. It is extremely important to our social understandings as well as to our

NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE

relationship building. The differences in nonverbal communication can be another barrier

we must get over to be effective communicators. We already know that in order to be an
effective communicator we must be mindful and able to control obstacles. To be an
effective listener we must be able to overcome situational obstacles. These obstacles can
be trying to communicate in other cultures or co-cultures.

Conclusion

As the research in this paper has shown there is a distinct difference in nonverbal
communication across cultures. There can be serious implications for assuming that
gestures and nonverbal cues are widely accepting across the world. We can argue that
nonverbal communication is the most important part of communication. Something as
simple as maintaining eye contact can be construed as negative in different cultures and
co-cultures (Archer, 1997). This research points out just how different nonverbal
communication is in different cultures and the negative consequences that can arise just
by assuming that they transcend cultures. Understanding nonverbal communication and
how it is perceived in other cultures can help lead to a more positive relationship between
tourists as well as a less xenophobic culture.

NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE

References
Archer, D. (1997). Unspoken Diversity: Cultural Differences in
Gestures. Qualitative Sociology, 20(1), 79-105.
Kwon, J., Ogawa, K., Ono, E., & Miyake, Y. (2015). Detection of
Nonverbal Synchronization through Phase Difference in Human
Communication. Plos ONE, 10(7), 1-15.
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0133881
SAMFIRA, M., & FRGU-DRAGO, M. (2014). ROLE OF NONVERBAL
BEHAVIOUR
IN DIDACTIC COMMUNICATION.Research Journal Of
Agricultural
Science, 46(2), 191-196.