Types of Nonverbal Communication

There are several types of nonverbal communication, each with its own subtypes. Below is a list of major types and their associated subtypes:

Facial expressions 

Happiness
Sadness
Anger
Fear
Surprise
Disgust
Contempt

Gestures

1. Emblems (culturally-specific signals with clear meanings, e.g., thumbs-up)
2. Illustrators (gestures that accompany speech and emphasize or clarify verbal messages)
3. Regulators (gestures that control conversation flow, e.g., raising a hand to request speaking)
4. Adaptors (gestures that manage personal comfort, e.g., scratching an itch)
5. Affect displays (gestures that express emotions, e.g., clenched fists to show anger)

Body language (posture and movement)

Open posture (relaxed, uncrossed arms/legs conveys confidence and receptivity)
Closed posture (crossed arms/legs, hunched shoulders, conveys defensiveness or discomfort)
Dominant posture (taking up more space, e.g., standing tall or leaning forward, conveys authority)
Submissive posture (taking up less space, e.g., slouching or cowering, conveys submission)

Eye contact

Direct gaze (conveys attention, interest, or dominance)
Averted gaze (expresses submission, disinterest, or discomfort)
Prolonged gaze (can convey romantic interest or aggression)

Proxemics (use of personal space)

Intimate distance (very close proximity, typically used with close relationships)
Personal distance (comfortable proximity for friends and acquaintances)
Social distance (formal interactions, e.g., with colleagues or strangers)
Public distance (public speaking, performances, or addressing large groups)

Haptics (use of touch)

Functional-professional touch (task-oriented, e.g., doctor-patient or hairstylist-client)
Social-polite touch (culturally appropriate, e.g., handshakes or pats on the back)
Friendship-warmth touch (expresses closeness, e.g., hugs or arm-around-shoulder)
Love-intimacy touch (romantic or familial, e.g., holding hands, kissing, or caressing)

Paralanguage (vocal cues)

Tone (expresses emotions or attitudes)
Pitch (high or low frequency)
Volume (loudness or softness)
Rate (speed of speech)
Quality (distinct vocal characteristics, e.g., nasal, breathy, or raspy)
Silence (pauses, conveys meaning or emotion, e.g., hesitation or contemplation)

Appearance and artefacts

Physical appearance (dress, grooming, body modifications, e.g., tattoos or piercings)
Artefacts (objects that convey information about identity, e.g., jewellery, accessories, or technology)

These types and subtypes of nonverbal communication illustrate the diverse ways in which messages can be conveyed and interpreted without spoken or written language.