Exploring Nonverbal Communication
 

This web site gives you a chance to learn more about nonverbal communication. You can even test your own ability to "read" samples of real nonverbal communication.

Research shows that clues in the nonverbal "channels" of communication (how something is said) are often more important than words alone (what is said).

There are many different "channels" of nonverbal communication: facial expressions, the clues in our voices ("vocal paralanguage"), hand gestures, body movements ("kinesics"), touch ("haptics"), and personal space. These and other "channels" are explored in a new University of California video series on Nonverbal Communication. Each video is about 30 minutes in length and comes with a detailed instructor's guide. These University of California videotapes are produced by Dane Archer, a Professor at the University of California at Santa Cruz (Email: archer@ucsc.edu).

GETTING STARTED: To learn more about nonverbal communication, including a chance to test your ability to read real samples, click on any of the following titles. Each title takes you to a different topic in nonverbal communication. You can also ask to see a description and reviews of each videotape.

Personal Space:
Exploring Human Proxemics

The Human Body:
Appearance, Shape, and Self-Image

A World of Differences:
Understanding Cross-Cultural Communication

The Human Face:
Emotions, Identities and Masks

The Human Voice:
Exploring Vocal Paralanguage

A World of Gestures:
Culture and Nonverbal Communication

The Interpersonal Perception Task (IPT)
and the IPT-15
 
The films below are also available; See How To Order

A World of Food:
Tastes and Taboos in Different Cultures

Gender and Communication:
Differences in Language and Nonverbal Behavior

Gender and Relationships:
Male-Female Differences in Love and Marriage

 

How To Order the Videos