Wk 7.1 Nonverbal Messages: Did I Interpret That Correctly?

Nonverbal messages are ambiguous because of the possible contrast between our interpretations of the nonverbal message and the state of the person who is “sending” that message. Nonverbal messages are commonly used within each of our lives and in which many have encountered a form of misunderstanding due to misinterpretation. There was one time when a group of us were working together for a presentation, I asked a person about whether she would send her allotted part of the powerpoint presentation to me by a certain date, just for clarification. She was nodding her head and saying yes, but she did it in such a rushed and hurried manner that unfortunately, I interpreted as her being annoyed, mean, and someone who didn’t want to do her work. However this nonverbal message that I received was interpreted out of context, particularly of her situation. Summarily put, it seems that she had to be somewhere else really soon, thus she had to be in a hurry. I really did misinterpret her as being rude when she really was just focused on going somewhere and getting there as quick as she can.

In order to increase the accuracy of people’s interpretation of nonverbal messages, one should employ caution in interpreting this type of messages, since these are messages that are being sent, unintentional or intentional, based on a person’s circumstances/situation, personality and physical state, which may change the meaning of the message. It may be an unconscious action or habit instead of a deep and purposeful message, so it is important to understand that the message sent may not be as one interprets it, to not be conclusive after one receives the message as well as that all nonverbal message should not be read as something that has deep meaning each and every time this nonverbal message may be “sent”. One can employ strategies by becoming more aware, analyzing the person and the context of the situation to see whether it is caused by the immediate physical conditions or the person’s personality and situation, as well as employing the use of verbal clarification.