Exploring nonverbal cues in spousal communication

Abstract

Nonverbal communication is inevitable in human interactions and takes 70 – 93% of human communication. Nonverbal communication is enacted through cues or behaviours. Nonverbal cues help interlocutors to make meaning out of what is being expressed. This study explores nonverbal cues employed in spousal communication and their communicative functions. It also examines the motivations for using the various forms of nonverbal communication cues. The study is grounded in the theory of Nonverbal Communication and the McClelland Motivational theory of Needs. Data for the study were qualitatively gathered through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions from purposively selected thirty-three (33) married graduate students from the School of Communication and Media Studies (University of Education, Winneba). The data were thematically analysed. The findings indicate that the participants employ various forms of nonverbal communication, categorised under body codes, sensory and contact codes, and spatiotemporal codes, and their respective cues in spousal communication. The study further reveals that the participants use the forms to communicate negative emotions and positive emotions. The study also reveals that the participants are motivated to employ the various forms of nonverbal communication cues in communication because of the desire to control, to form association, and the desire to succeed. The study concludes that nonverbal communication cues help to communicate different emotions by married graduate students through diverse forms. The study, thus, recommends that couples should take cognizance of nonverbal communication forms of their partners because nonverbal communication is contextspecific.