PSYCHOLOGY OF NONVERBAL BEHAVIORS: Course Reflection Paper

This assignment is a reflection on a course focused on the psychology of nonverbal behaviors. The student details their learning journey, highlighting the significance of nonverbal communication in daily interactions at home, work, and in social settings. They discuss the impact of understanding nonverbal cues like facial expressions, eye contact, and body language on their ability to interpret others' messages and communicate effectively. The student emphasizes the importance of nonverbal communication in relationships, persuasion, and conveying confidence. They also discuss the practical application of this knowledge in various contexts, including interpreting cues from family, colleagues, and clients. The reflection concludes with an acknowledgment of the skills gained in understanding and interpreting both direct and indirect messages through nonverbal behaviors, demonstrating the course's impact on their communication abilities.

Running head: PSYCHOLOGY OF NONVERBAL BEHAVIORS 1
Psychology of Nonverbal Behaviors
Student
Institution
Date

PSYCHOLOGY OF NONVERBAL BEHAVIORS 2
Communication behavior is either verbal or nonverbal. However, this six unit course has
focused only on nonverbal communication behavior. Prior to the course, I wasn’t able to realize
that people around me use nonverbal communication. According to (Smith, 2019), nonverbal
communication is the use of messages that are not words to generate meaning. I have learned
that nonverbal communication occurs every day both at home and work. We communicate with
others through nonverbal channels, and focus on bolts of facial expressions (Leonard, 2012).
However, nonverbal cues are used in respect to the surrounding environment or circumstances. I
have learned that nonverbal cues can be used to express anger, happiness, dissatisfaction, and
satisfaction.
In the course, I have learned that nonverbal behavior of communication entails the use of
body language. The commonly used nonverbal cues in day to day activities include facial
expression, eye contact, bodily appearance, body orientation and movement, tonal variation,
style of voice, and hand gestures (Leonard, 2012). In this unit, I have learned that all
relationships need and involve nonverbal communication; and eye contact is the biggest form of
nonverbal communication. These nonverbal cues are used to communicate, correct, and pass
information in an informal or indirect way. But, the manner in which people communicate in
their relationships nonverbally ranges from gender to gender, culture to culture, and environment
to environment (Kendra, 2020).
This knowledge has greatly impacted the way by which I interact with colleagues, family,
friends, and people in the society (Kendra, 2020). I am now able to interpret what a nonverbal
cue, for instance eye contact, means when my mother looks at me. Also, I am now able to
effectively pass message to a colleague by aid of nonverbal cues, for instance facial expression.
Again, I am unable to interpret and understand the diverse social context of nonverbal behaviors

PSYCHOLOGY OF NONVERBAL BEHAVIORS 3
(Judith, Horgan, & Murphy, 2018). When conversing with others, I am able to nod my head as a
sign that I am following the discussion. Also, I am now able to persuade and negotiate deals with
friends by aid of nonverbal cues.
In our work, nonverbal cues are overly used by the boss, colleagues, and junior
employees. I have learned that I can use nonverbal cues to convey confidence at work (Judith,
Horgan, & Murphy, 2018). For example, the way I present myself in terms of dress code and
body movements. Since I understand nonverbal cues, I can easily evaluate what company clients,
customers, and co-workers are communicating to me and thus easily help them. Also in team
meetings, I maintain eye contact with the supervisor, team leader, and co-employees as they
communicate and thus able to understand what they are suggesting and if it is right, I nod my
head, if not right, I shake my head (Hall, 2015).
At home, I shake hands with my family and relatives as a sign of greetings. Also in my
family, I use facial expression by showing a smile when something is perfectly done or by
showing a moody face when something is wrongly done (Hall, 2015). Also at home, I maintain
eye contact when any family member or relative is passing a message to me. In conclusion, the
subject “psychology of nonverbal behaviors” has equipped me with skills of understanding and
interpreting the message that other people are trying to pass either directly or indirectly.

PSYCHOLOGY OF NONVERBAL BEHAVIORS 4
References
Hall, J. A. (2015). Nonverbal Communication. Science Direct, 5(3), 8-47.
Judith, A. H., Horgan, T. G., & Murphy, N. A. (2018). Nonverbal Communication. Annual
Review of Psychology, 2(2), 271-297.
Kendra, C. (2020). Types of Nonverbal Communication. Social Pyschology, 1(1), 1-9.
Leonard, M. (2012). How We Communicate Through Body Language. Pyschology Today, 2(1),
29-33.
Smith, J. (2019). 10 Nonverbal Cues That Convey Confidence At Work. Communicaion, 1(1), 1-
8.