Demonstrative Communication Essays - Communication, Free Essays

Demonstrative Communication Essays - Communication, Free Essays Demonstrative Communication Demonstrative Communication Communication is defined as a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior. (Merriam-Webster.com) Demonstrative communication uses nonverbal or unwritten forms of communication. It is used to enhance the sending and receiving of messages through nonverbal communications such as facial expressions, tone of voice, posture, gestures, body language etc. Demonstrative communication can be both effective and ineffective. It can also have positive and negative effects on the sender and the receiver. One example of demonstrative communication would be using eye contact when delivering a message. Say you were giving a lecture on a subject to a small audience. If you are using eye contact with each individual in the audience at various intervals, it shows the audience that you are confident in the information you are giving them, as well as letting them know that it is important to you that they receive the message clearly. It shows that you are paying attention to how they are receiving the message you are sending. If your eyes are wandering around the room and not making contact with the audience, that could send a negative message to them. They may think that you are not interested in the message you are trying to send, thus leading them to believe that you may not know anything about the information you are providing to them. Other examples of demonstrative communication are facial expressions, tone of voice, body language, posture and gestures. If you are confident in the information you are sending a receiver, you could use things like hand gestures, walking slowly back and forth while you are speaking, still using eye contact, and changing your tone of voice to emphasize more important points of the message. Not engaging in any movement or using any gestures to keep the attention of the audience could cause them to lose interest in your message. However, too much movement could also be distracting, and then the audience could lose the entire message you were trying to send. Appearance is also an important element in demonstrative communication. If you are wearing a wild colored outfit or too much flashy jewelry, the audience may tend to be destracted by something like that as well. You always want to make sure that the attention stays focused on your message. Not on how you are dressed. The fewer distractions there are while you are sending your message, the more likely the audience will pay closer attention to the message. Demonstrative communication also allows the sender of the message to receive immediate feedback from the audience as well. A look of confusion lets the sender know the receiver may be having difficulty understanding something that was just said. A smile or a nod of the head can show that the receiver understand what the sender is saying. Eye contact from the receiver shows the sender that they are paying attention. That they are interested in what the sender is saying. Someone in the audience glancing at a magazine or their cell phone every five minutes lets the sender know that the receiver is not interested in the message being sent. This may give the sender an opportunity to use a different approach such as taking the opportunity to make sure that everyone in the audience can clearly see and hear the sender. Everyone uses demonstrative communication on a daily basis. Some people may not know what this type of communication is, but they use it. They may not even realize that they are engaging in demonstrative communication, but by using their body language, they are providing feedback, rather it is positive or negative. Crossing one?s arms is a strong sign that the receiver of the message is either disinterested or disagreeable to the information being provided by the sender. In which case, this can be used to the sender?s advantage. The sender could always use this type of nonverbal feedback to pause and ask the receiver if they are understanding the message being sent. If there is a plausible way to redirect the conversation, or word something differently, the receiver may have a chance to understand that part of the message. This allows for the sender of the