Learn Body Language

Non-verbal communication and how much we use it?

I did studies on non-verbal commincation but can't remember the exact figure of which they say we use verbal to non-verbal communication. I think non-verbal takes uo 70, 80 or 90 percent. Anyone know the exact figures? By memory it was more like only 14% is actually verbal communication. I just can't remember the exact figure and am now studying a different course where i'm doing communication again and am trying to add as much information as possible as in my first assigment my fussy teacher marked me a B cause i'm forgotten a comma!

Public Comments

1. I am not sure about the numbers but I know from the experience of working in a noisy factory that non-verbal communication really takes over. I was amazed when I first started working there how much eye-to-eye contact greatly increases. I was watching fellow workers one day and I noticed a variance of facial gestures that are kind of hilarious. From the raising of the eyebrows and slight nod of the head that means 'Hey, how are you doing?" to the answering of shaking the head no and rolling your eyes which means "What a crappy day I am having." Humans...aren't we a funny animal?
2. According to Edward T. Hall, sixty percent of all communication is nonverbal. If you want to read more about it, check the web under "proxemics" and "kinesics". It´s fascinating!
3. As an experienced teacher of 30 years, I can tell you that in my later years, after much experience, I could keep a classroom of unruly inner city kids quiet and working almost entirely by using non-verbal communication. You just have to learn how to do it. So I'd say 90 %, but you have to work on it hard to learn how to do it. And everybody is different. And stop blaming your teachers, would ya?