Non Verbal Communication – Complementing

Complementing

Complementary nonverbal behaviours signal the attitudes interactants have for one another. 

Eg If you saw a person talking to a policeman, and their head was bowed slightly, voice low and hesitant, they were shuffling slowly from foot to foot, you might conclude that the person felt inferior and were being reprimanded. The nonverbal behaviours provided the context for the verbal behaviours. 

A lot of complementing behaviour consists of illustrators – nonverbal behaviours that accompany and support spoken words. 

Eg scratching your head when searching for an idea.

Illustrators are often when emotionally aroused, when trying to explain ideas that are difficult to put into words, when furious are furious, horrified, very agitated, distressed, or excited.