Printed Page 217

Nonverbal Communication Codes

Explore the variety of nonverbal channels

One reason nonverbal communication contains such rich information is that, during interpersonal encounters, we use many different aspects of our behavior, appearance, and surrounding environment simultaneously to communicate meaning. You can greatly strengthen your nonverbal communication skills by understanding nonverbal communication codes, the different means used for transmitting information nonverbally (Burgoon & Hoobler, 2002). Scholars distinguish eight different nonverbal communication codes, summarized in Table 7.1.