Individual differences in non-verbal communication

Abstract

Communication is concerned with the sharing of information; if we are to talk of non-verbal communication, it needs to be shown that information can be both transmitted and received through non-verbal behaviour, a process referred to as encoding and decoding through a socially shared signal system1. The focus of this chapter is on individual differences in non-verbal communication; they may be of importance with regard to both encoding and decoding, and need to be considered from both points of view. Communication can also be regarded as a skill; Argyle and Kendon2, in a highly influential paper, argued that social interaction can be seen as a kind of motor skill, involving the same kinds of processes as driving a car or playing a game of tennis. For example, good timing is essential both for the successful tennis player and for the accomplished diplomat; again, the skilled perception of relevant information is important both for the motorist as he negotiates the traffic and for the successful bargainer as he makes a judgement of the most he can achieve from his negotiations. In this chapter, it is intended to discuss individual differences in non-verbal communication in the context of the social skills model, with particular reference to whether individual differences in the encoding and decoding of non-verbal cues can be regarded as reflecting different levels of skill in communication.