Download Unit 6 Nonverbal communication: The message of action, space

Topic 3 Nonverbal
communication: The message of
action, space, time and silence
By Weiwei Li
Many of our nonverbal actions are touched
and altered by culture.
In Turkey, touching one’s ear is protection
against the evil eye.
In southern Italy, it denotes jeering at
effeminacy
In India, a sign of repentance or sincerity
In most Middle and Far Eastern countries,
pointing with the index finger is considered
impolite.
In the UK, pointing only with middle finger
is extremely rude.
In USA, crossing one’s leg is often a sign
of being relaxed
In China, it is rude to cross leg when
talking with seniors
Arab men often greet by kissing on both
cheeks.
In Japan, men greet by bowing
In China, men greet by nodding heads
In USA, people shake hands
The Importance of Nonverbal
Communication
We make important judgements and
decisions about other based on their
nonverbal behavior.
We use the actions of others to learn
about their emotional states.
Defining nonverbal communication
Nonverbal communication involves all
nonverbal stimuli in a communication
setting that are generated by both the
source and his or her use of environment
that have potential message value for the
source or reciever.
Nonverbal messages may be both
intentional and unintentional.
Functions of nonverbal communication
1 repeating
2 complementing
3 substituting
4 regulating
5 contradicting
Repeating
 The new library is south of that building.
(we might point in a certain direction after
we have just said.)
Complementing
Adds more information to messages.
Physical contact places another layer of
meaning on what is being said.
When you tell someone that you are
pleased with his or her performance, but
this message takes on extra meaning if
you pat the person the person on the
shoulder at the same time.
Substituting
When we perform some action instead of
speaking
If you see a very special friend, you are
apt to enlarge the size of your smile.
Regulating
Regulate and manage communication by
using some form of nonverbal behavior.
We nod our head in agreement to indicate
to our communication partner that we
agree and that he or she should continue
talking.
Contradicting
On some occasions, our nonverbal actions
send signals opposite from the literal
meanings contained in our verbal
messages.
You tell someone you are relaxed and at
ease, yet your voice quavers and your
hands shake.
If a group of people is too noisy, you might
place your index finger to your lips as an
alternative to saying “Please calm down so
that I can speak.”
Nonverbal communication and culture
Body behavior: general appearance and
dress
People communicate with and response to
and make judgements based on personal
appearance, dress, and the objects we
carry around or place on our bodies.
Even young children select attractive
friends over less attravtive ones.
Face painting
Lipstick and makeup
Tall, slender female
Diminutive female image in Japan
Clothing—how much, how little, and what
kind—is also a reflection of a culture’s
value orientation
 Arabs: muslim girls-wear scarves
 (business man—a long loose robe, a white
cloth)
 Filipinos: values relating to status and authority
are the root of their need to dress correctly.
 German culture: appropriate and very
conservative dress(dark suit and tie with a plain
shirt and dark shoes and socks.)
In Spain: link appearance to one’s rank—
people of high status wear a suit and tie in
very hot weather.
In Japan:national collectivism and
concomitantly—consercative dress styles
and colors.
Each culture teaches its memebers about
what is appropriate.
Eg: clothing provides not only a functional
purpose, but also a costume.

the male-dominated culture has
encouraged women to wear clothing that
restricts their movements, limits their
activities and produces an image of
submissivenes and frailty.
Body movement
Visible body shifts and movements can
send messages
1 our attitude toward the other person
2 our emotional state
3 our desire to control our environment
Posture
Posture and sitting habits offer insight into
a culture’s deep structure.
In Japan: low posture is an indicator of
respect(bowing)
 In Thailand: press both hands close
together in front of one’s body,
In USA, being casual and friendly is
valued(people often fall into chairs or
slouch when they stand.)
In Germany and Sweden, lifestyles tend to
be more formal(a sign of rudeness and
poor manners)
In Turkey, putting one’s hand in one’s
pockets is a sign of disrespect.
In Arab, use a very direct body orientation
In Chinese, normally carry out their
business in a less direct stance.
Gestures
The slightest variation in performing a
certain gesture can be the catalyst for a
violent confrontation.
Act of pointing
In USA-index finger
In Germany—little finger
In Japan—entire hand, palms up
In Asia—index finger is rude
Facial expressions
Cultural norms often dicate how, when and
to whom facial expression are displayed
Smile is emotional display that is rooted in
one’s culture.
Eye contact and gaze
Eyes serve six important communication
functions
1 indicate degrees of attentiveness,
interest, and arousal
2 influence attitude change and
persuasion
3 regulate interaction
.
4 communicate emotions
5 define power and status relationships
6 assume a central role in impression
management
Touch
As we move from infancy into childhood,
we learn the rules of touching.
Paralanguage
Arabs speak very loudly-connotes strength
and sincerity
Israelis increase volume reflects strong
beliefs toward the issue under discussion.
Germans conduct with a commanding
tone that projects authority and selfconfidence.
Thai people: a loud voice is perceived as
being impolite.
In Japan, raising one’s voice often implies
a lack of control.
Noise
Laughing and giggling
Accents and dialects
Space and distance
Personal space
--when our space is invaded, our response
is a manifestation not only of our unique
personality, but also our cultural
background.
Individualism and collectivism
Seating
In USA, when in groups, tend to talk with
those opposite them rather than those
seated or standing beside them

leaders usually are accustomed to being
somewhat removed physically from the
rest of the group and consequently hoose
chairs at the end of the table.
Furniture arrangement
Time
1 Informal time
2 Perceptions of past, present, and future
3 Hall’s monochronic and polychronic
classifications
Informal time
How late is “late”?
Our reaction to punctuality is rooted in our
cultural experiences
Past, present, and future
Past-orientated cultures
British –we have always done it this way
Chinese—consider the past and you will
know the present
Native Americans—value tradition and
look to the past for guidance when
confronting new situations
Present oriented—emphasizing living in
the moment.
(tend to be more impulsive and
spontaneous than others and have a
casual, relaxed lifestyle)
Monchronic and polychronic classifications
Hall’s theory
Silence –is also speech
