Non-verbal communication

Environmental factors

Environmental factors are elements of settings that affect how we feel and act. We respond to architecture, colours, temperature, sounds, smells and lighting. e.g. dimly-lit room can enhance romantic feelings while dark rooms can be depressing. Rooms with comfortable chairs invite relaxation while stiff chairs prompt formality. Thus, environmental factors influence not only patterns of interaction but also feelings and moods.

7. 
   Chronemics
   

Chronemics refer to how we perceive and use time to define identities and interaction. E.g. cultural rule stipulates important people with high status can keep others waiting. It’s standard practice to wait to see a doctor even if you have an appointment. Chronemics also express cultural attitudes toward time. In western societies, for example, time is valuable so, speed is highly valued but Malaysian have more relaxed attitudes toward time and punctuality.

8. 
   Paralanguage
   

Paralanguage refers to vocal sounds such as murmurs and gasps and vocal qualities such as volume, rhythm, pitch and intonation. These vocal cues act as signals for others to interpret what we say as a joke, threat, statement, question etc. Voices can also be used to communicate feelings eg whispering indicates secrecy and intimacy while shouting conveys anger.

9. 
   Silence
   

Silence can communicate powerful messages. It can communicate different meanings. Eg. It can signal awkwardness or disconfirm others – we deliberately ignore others when we’re angry with them.