NCJ Number
46579
Date Published
1975
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NONVERBAL CUES IN INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION IN GENERAL AND IN THE DEALINGS OF THOSE INVOLVED IN THE CRIMINAL AND JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM PARTICULARLY IS DISCUSSED.
Abstract
NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION HAS BEEN ESTIMATED TO ACCOUNT FOR 65 PERCENT OF THE SOCIAL MEANING GAINED IN ANY FACE-TO-FACE INTERACTION. PEOPLE BASE MANY DECISIONS TOTALLY ON NONVERBAL CUES. IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE NATURE OF THESE CUES BECAUSE, IN MOST INSTANCES, PEOPLE ARE NOT AWARE THAT THEY ARE SENDING AND RECEIVING THEM. SEVERAL ASPECTS OF NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION -- THE CONTEXT OF THE ENCOUNTER, 'BODY LANGUAGE,' THE CONCEPT OF PERSONAL SPACE -- ARE DISCUSSED. NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUES ARE DESCRIBED, WITH REFERENCE TO APPLICATIONS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. INCLUDED ARE DISCUSSIONS OF WAYS TO ENCOURAGE 'UNDER-TALKERS' TO OPEN UP, WAYS TO KEEP 'OVER-TALKERS' FROM DOMINATING A GROUP DISCUSSION, NONVERBAL CUES THAT MAKE THE UNDERCOVER POLICE OFFICER'S ASSIGNMENT DIFFICULT, AND THE APPLICATION OF NONVERBAL TECHNIQUES IN INTERVIEWING PAROLEES AND JUVENILE OFFENDERS. WAYS OF TELLING WHETHER A PERSON IS LYING ARE NOTED. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT ONE CAN BECOME WELL-VERSED IN NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION BY WATCHING TELEVISION TALK SHOWS WITH THE SOUND TURNED OFF. (LKM)