Final answer:
The term for any response to communication, whether verbal or non-verbal, is known as 'feedback.' Feedback includes a range of verbal acknowledgments and non-verbal cues like body language and facial expressions, which can vary in meaning based on cultural context.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term for any response to communication received, whether verbal or non-verbal, is typically known as 'feedback.' Feedback can come in the form of spoken words, gestures, facial expressions, and various other forms of body language. It serves as a way for the receiver of a message to indicate they have received and understood, or to respond to the message. For instance, nodding can express agreement or understanding, whereas a frown may signal confusion or disagreement.
Non-verbal forms of communication, or body language, can include postures, facial expressions such as smiles or frowns, and other gestures or movements that can convey a range of emotions and reactions. This aspect of communication is often influenced by cultural norms, which means that similar gestures can have different meanings across different cultures—a thumbs-up may signify approval in one country but be offensive in another.
Paralanguage, involving tone of voice and the natural sounds of spoken language, also plays a crucial role in how verbal communication is received and interpreted. Together, these elements form a complex system through which humans interact and understand one another, transcending mere words to include a rich tapestry of signals and indications.