Bcom 275 - Business Communications and Critical Thinking

Demonstrative Communication

BCOM/275 - Business Communications and Critical Thinking

University of Phoenix

There are different ways to communicate verbal or non-verbal information. Demonstrative communication is one of the techniques a message can be given. Demonstrative communication consists of non-verbal and unwritten methods. According to "Maximum Advantage Psychology Applied To Life" (2008-2012), "Body-physical space, clothing and appearance, locomotion, Physiology-posture, gesture, facial expressions, Non-Verbal- eye contact, touch, paralanguage"(2008-2012), are some examples of non-verbal communication methods. Demonstrative communication is known to have positive and negative effects, and be effective and ineffective for senders and receivers. Demonstrative communication provides a better understanding of the message because this process supports the message and allows the sender and receiver to comprehend the message visually and effectively.

One of the main examples of demonstrative communication method is through facial expressions. Facial expression results from the specific social or emotional meaning conveyed by different types of expressions (D'Argembeau, A., & Van der Linden, M. (2011). Demonstrating facial expressions with a happy face will enlighten a message. A message demonstrated with an angry face will be perceived in a negative way. Facial expressions communicate how the sender is feeling whether they are sad, happy, angry, or surprised. For example, if a patient has had a difficult time conceiving and goes to the doctor to get pregnancy results, the doctor could have a happy face when giving the message that they are indeed successful in the pregnancy. The patient will react to a happy face even in a positive manner before receiving the message and understand that it is good news they are about to receive. If a doctor was giving a patient a message that they have cancer, the facial expression might not convey a happy face. It will usually express a neutral facial expression or a concerned look, which enables the patient to interpret that the news will not be good. Facial expressions are important in demonstrative communication because it allows the receivers to interpret a message before receiving it whether negative or positive.

Another demonstrative communication method is through body language. Body language is important in the demonstrative communication process because it allows the sender to subconsciously give away hints as to our true feelings, through our movements and gestures ("Listverse.com", 2007-2012). The types of body language we often see are hand signals, touching our face, putting our hands on our hips, or even crossing out arms. Some types of body language can be effective when presenting a message. For example, presenting rifle training to a group of military personnel that have conducted field training might be reluctant into taking annual rifle training because it provides the same type of information year after year. Therefore, some might express finger tapping or head resting on their hands both displaying signs of impatience or boredom. By being able to read the audiences body language, the trainer can use this type of information to its advantage. The presenter can identify what is the best way to deliver its message regarding rifle training without having to bore or give repetitive information to its audience. Reading body language will help a sender communicate its message by analyzing the receiver before the actual message has been given, which allows the receiver to interpret the message correctly the first time it is given.

Demonstrative communication also includes eye contact, which is another powerful method to deliver messages. The Bible says eyes are, "The lamp of the body". They express with subtlety various emotions of individuals like anger, hatred,