ABSTRACT
During the last twenty years increasing attention has been devoted to the nonverbal aspects of human communication. Touch is the most basic sensory process and the earliest and most elemental form of communication. While the posture we adopt when standing or sitting can convey information about our attitudes it can also have a rewarding effect in that it can convey interest in, and acceptance of the other person. Autonomous gestures or emblems have a communicative function and constitute a form of nonverbal communication of which people have explicit awareness. The reinforcing effects of the head-nodding gesture have been well documented and its frequent use can be seen during almost all social and professional encounters. People have always been fascinated with the potent effects of communication through the eyes. This chapter focuses on a number of nonverbal behaviours which have a considerable bearing on the process of social rewarding which individuals utilise in most social and professional encounters.
