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.
Description:
A thesis in the Department of Communication Instruction,
School of Communication and Media Studies, submitted to the School of
Graduate Studies in partial fulfilment
Of the requirements for the award of the degree of
Master of Philosophy
(Communication Instruction)
In the University of Education, Winneba
MAY, 2023