Introduction
Demonstrative communication is a big part of the communication process. It involves the use of non-verbal communication. It can take the form of, body posture, tone of voice, dressing, facial expressions and use of eye contact among others. Demonstrative communication is used to improve verbal communication.
Correct use of demonstrative communication can amplify the magnitude and effectiveness of a message. Alternatively, if the recipient of the message is not able to translate the nonverbal message, it is analyzed as trivial or ineffective. Therefore, for the message to be sent and received correctly, it is important for the participants to be conscious of the fundamentals.
Effective and ineffective
Effectiveness and ineffectiveness of demonstrative communication can be demonstrated using various examples. For instance, when carrying out interviews, qualified people show up. If an interviewee walks into the office confidently, decent, smiling and shakes the interviewer’s hand firmly, they create a good impression devoid of saying anything. Here, the nonverbal communication would be effective. On the other hand, if another interviewee were indecent, had a bad body posture, were chewing and did not smile, it would be possible for them not to get the position because of the message they were passing with their body. Therefore, the demonstrative communication is ineffective.
In another example, if an employer delays paying an employee and they apologize maintaining an eye contact with the employee, it is more genuine than if they avoided eye contact with the person. The sender, through maintaining eye contact, ‑displays effective demonstrative communication. In the same context, if the employee listens and fails to return eye contact, it is possible for the employer to feel ignored or disrespected. This demonstrates the ineffective use of eye contact as a communication technique by the receiver.
Positive and negative
Just as demonstrative communication can be effective or ineffective, so can it be positive or negative. Positive demonstrative communication can be exhibited by both the sender and the receiver.
Examples of positive demonstrative communication cues from the receiver include eye contact and nodding ones head while communicating. Maintaining eye contact and nodding your head as you engage in a formal conversation passes a positive message to the sender. This encourages them to keep going and could be crucial when negotiating, especially in the business setting.
The sender should also use positive demonstrative communication. Some of these nonverbal communications are; maintaining the right eye contact, right posture and facial expressions that match the verbal communication. A speaker who uses eye contact during a business presentation and has the right posture is likely to convey the intended information, as opposed to someone who does not. This is because the audience tends to concentrate on the poor posture and the lack of confidence exhibited by minimal eye contact.
There are negative examples of demonstrative communication. Negative demonstrative communications from the receiver include eye rolling, crossing arms and yawning. Crossing the arms is interpreted as locking the other person out. Managers who listen to employees with their arms crossed risks getting limited information since the workers feel locked out. Crossed arms act as a wall to the sender. Yawning and eye rolling convey the message that the receiver is remotely interested in what is being said.
Demonstrative communication can also be negative on the sender’s side. This can be done through a harsh tone, fidgeting, frowning and kinesics among others. A person who tries to send some information while using a harsh tone is not well received by the audience. This is because the audience develops a negative attitude towards the sender and may switch their minds off.
Body movements (kinesics) that are exaggerated drive the concentration of the receiver out of the issue at hand. They concentrate on the movements rather than the message.
Listening and responding
Demonstrative communication involves listening and responding. The sender and the receiver should both be involved in listening. They should listen to what they communicate verbally and nonverbally. Though it might not be possible for them to see what they communicate nonverbally, it is easy to know through observation of each other’s reaction. It is possible to listen with the eyes. This involves keen observation of the other party’s nonverbal cues.
An employee can easily tell the employers mood by observing the body movements, posture and facial expressions. This observation of the employer’s mood through the nonverbal cues counts as listening. In response, the receiver- the employee ‑in this case- passes a message to the sender through his facial expressions. In this case, demonstrative communication involves listening and responding.
Conclusion
Demonstrative communication forms the greater part of a message. Written communication is dependent on this form of communication. However, though a crucial part of communication, nonverbal communication should be used with caution as it could convey the wrong message. Through the examples highlighted above, it is evident that correct use of demonstrative communication can act to the advantage of the receiver as well as the sender. The manner in which nonverbal communication is used is what renders it; effective, ineffective, positive or negative.