Download Nonverbal Communication Within a Small Discussion Group

Nonverbal Communication Within
a Small Discussion Group
Jessica Hallett
Introduction
 In the majority of work environments people
are forced to work in small groups where
important discussions are a regular occurrence.
 The most beneficial thing we can do as
effective communicators is learn how to best
handle these discussions so our work group
can make as much progress as possible.
 After participating in a small text based discussion group for
one semester I found myself very interested in the nonverbal
communication that I observed.
Abstract
 Stimulated by my introspection on nonverbal in the group,
a review of research supports the idea that non-verbal
communication impacts impressions formed of speakers
and interpretations of messages received. Seating choices
seemed to be associated with willingness to be an active
participant or play other roles. Online discussion is
compared to face-to-face for non-verbal communication.
Nonverbal Gestures and
Expressions
 “So fundamental is the contribution of body language that we
rely heavily on it to understand each other” (Carter, p. 32).
 I found that certain gestures such as nodding, smiling and eye
contact bring confirmation and proof of involvement from
other class members.
 Gestures such as placing ones head on the table, texting and
playing with ones hair or drawing were perceived by me as
negative and disconnected, though not always the case.
McMahan’s Experiment
 Researcher Eva McMahan conducted an experiment to test
the effect nonverbal behavior had on attribution in
impression formation.
 The experiment included 124 random students who watched
video recordings of a woman verbally giving a message
while sending nonverbal messages that contradicted what
she was verbally saying.
 Students completed a written response where they expressed
their impressions of both the message and the speaker.
 As McMahan expected the results of this study supported
that nonverbal behavior has a large effect on the attribution
process in impression formation.
Seating Preference
 Throughout the semester I found that students constantly
picked the same seats. Their seat choice also reflected their
involvement in the discussion.
 As the semester progressed it was also noted that all of the
“talkers” tended to sit on one side of the circle, while the
“non-talkers” sat together on the other side.
Seating Preference Cont.
 Researchers Riess and Rosenfeld conducted an experiment
that was mainly based on the notion of self- presentational
interpretation.
 Using role-players students were given an impression written
on a small piece of paper that they were suppose to convey.
 The individual was led into a room with a rectangle table,
where they choice to sit was recorded and later assessed.
 The results from this experiment were relatively
straightforward finding that people did indeed pick their seats
depending on the impression they were hoping to send.
Online Nonverbal Communication
 Half way through the semester
our class started using Elluminate,
which is an online communication
program, to host our discussions.
 One of the biggest complaints
most students had was the lack of
nonverbal communication.
 Using Elluminate made me feel
blind, even nodding and smiling
to myself.
Online Nonverbal Communication
Cont.
 “Humans are born with an innate ability to glean personal
truths from facial expressions, eyes, body movements,
gestures, vocal intonations, scents, proximity, even auditory
and environmental conditions surrounding another human
being- elements that do not often transcend bandwidth”
(Carter, p. 31).
 Kimberly Carters large interest in nonverbal communication
online inspired her to survey, interview and research people’s
ideas on the matter.
Online Nonverbal Communication
Cont.
 Her study did reveal that people felt there was less nonverbal
communication online, though they did feel that it was not
obsolete.
 Using emoticons and symbols, such as smiley faces and
abbreviations like LOL and JK, have made it much easier for
people to convey emotion through emails and chat groups.
 Though there is no disputing that nonverbal communication is
minimal when using the internet, it seems that people are
working harder and hard to find ways to share their feelings
online.
Conclusion
 Nonverbal communication definitely plays a extremely large
role in the effectiveness of a small text based discussion
group.
 From nonverbal cues, to seating arrangements and the switch
to online discussion I was able to look at nonverbal behavior
from many different viewpoints. Our class had some great
discussions and our nonverbal behavior only helped to make
our discussions more complex.
Bibliography

Carter, Kimberly A. "TYPE ME HOW YOU FEEL: Quasi-Nonverbal Cues In
Computer-Mediated Communication." ETC: A Review Of General
Semantics 60.1 (2003): 29. Communication & Mass Media Complete.
Web. 26 Nov. 2011.

Hale, Michael S., and Elizabeth A. City. The teacher's guide to leading
student-centered discussions: talking about texts in the classroom.
Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Corwin Press, 2006. Print.

McMahan, Eva M. "Nonverbal Communication As A Function Of
Attribution In Impression Formation." Communication
Monographs 43.4 (1976): 287-294. Communication & Mass
Media Complete. Web. 26 Nov. 2011.

Riess, Marc, and Paul Rosenfeld. "Seating Preferences As Nonverbal
Communication: A Self-Presentational Analysis." Journal Of
Applied Communications Research 8.1 (1980): 22-30.
Communication & Mass Media Complete. Web. 26 Nov. 2011.