Download Ch. 6 Nonverbal Communication

Communication w/o Words
Nonverbal Communication
 Covers:
 Definition
 Characteristics
 Functions
 Types
Nonverbal Communication-Defined
 =messages expressed by nonlinguistic means.
 Some NV has a vocal element.
 Some nonspoken communication (ASL) is linguistic,
but often what we DO conveys more than what we say.
 NV contributes a lot to shaping perceptions.
 It also has been called “communication without
words”.
NV Characteristics
All behavior has communication value.
- It’s impossible NOT to communicate b/c we transmit
messages about ourselves & our relationships.
- ALL NV can create messages.
- It doesn’t mean others will notice ALL available unspoken
messages.
•
NVC is primarily relational.
- Social functions in kind you have or want to have w/others
(nod, smile, frown, hug, etc.)
- Can convey emotions unable or unwilling to express or are
not aware of
- Attitudes & feelings conveyed <Verbal= ideas conveyed>
NV Characteristics
• NVC is ambiguous (vague)means more than 1 thing.
• NVC in mediated messages-even text-based CMC has NV
features
- Time lapses play in CMC: delays can be seen as negative.
• Culture and gender influence NVC.
- Emblems: cultural substitute for verbal expressions.
Some
widely used (head moves for yes or no)
- Some are universal symbol, but the way used varies
widely.
- What is appropriate in 1 culture may not be in another
one.
- Women: more NV expressive; better -interpreting NV
cues.
NV FUNCTIONS
1.
Creating/Maintaining behavioral impressions
in each relationship stage
- cues for creating/signaling emotional climate (in families,
at work, in romance)
2.
Regulating interaction
- Turn-taking signals w/ eyes and face
- Listeners usually look more at speakers to see response
- children & some w/ autism may have rough trial & error
until learn to “read” NV signals
3.
Influencing others
- can be more important than words spoken
- used to get others to satisfy our wants & needs
- eye contact, clothing, “open” postures, friendly, upbeat manners
(firm handshake, smiling-jobseekers)
NV Functions (cont.)
4. Concealing/Deceiving
- Silence, Lying, Hedging
Lies: Not easy to detect, but more speech errors, pitch rising, pupil
dilation, (sometimes brief unconscious displays often if “high stakes”
- punished if detected); can see variety of cues over time;
microexpressions
- Not all deception is self-serving. Can aim to “save face”
for both sides.
- When V and NV conflict, we tend to believe the NV!
3 Findings:
a) We overestimate our ability to detect lies.
b) We’re accurate just over ½ time.
c) We tend to judge others as truthful. We’re biased.
NV Functions (cont.)
5. Managing Impressions
-Positive impression if V and NV behaviors match.
Manner: HOW we act-deliberately stand, move, use
voice and facial expressions
Appearance: How we use/wear dress, hair, makeup,
scents, artifacts (jewelry, etc.)
Setting: Physical items we use to surround ourselves &
belongings, cars, dwelling, etc.
Minor changes - can play major roles in
impression management.
Managing NV Impressions (cont.)
 A positive impression is associated with consistency of
verbal & nonverbal behavior.
 Your manner is how we deliberately act: stand, move,
control facial expressions, and voice adjustments.
 Appearance: how we dress, do hair, use makeup, scents,
artifacts worn-jewelry, etc.
 Setting: physical items we surround ourselves with (cars,
dwelling, belongings)
Minor changes can play major roles in impression
mgmt.
TYPES of NV Communication
 Face & Eyes: hard to accurately read due to # of possibilities for
parts of face & eyes
-the face is the primary source of communicative information
… next to speech (Knapp & Hall)
Oculesis=how the eyes communicate; eye contact may or
may not reflect liking; many phrases about eyes in English
 Posture: deep links between posture & communication phrases
(laid back, hunched over, straight laced, ect. )
-we are aware of posture even if unconsciously: look for
subtle, small changes
-but expansive poses can be signs of power & status
-can affect how we feel about ourselves
NV Gestures
 Even those blind since birth can use fundamental gestures
 Gestures can be intentional or unconscious
 Fidgeting= a group of unconscious gestures
 Manipulators=1 body part touches or manipulates another 1
 Social rules discourage in public, be people do it w/out knowing it.
 We can use more gestures when relaxed, but often fidgeting
signals discomfort.
 People with power or in positions of control use more gestures.
It could be that more gestures= more persuasive.
REACTIONS to: wide range
-must see in context b/c in 1 cooperative social setting=okay, but may seem
aggressive/dominating in competing setting
** Insincere gestures will probably backfire! Recognize ones to use & consider
how they reflect what you are feeling.
TYPES of NVC
 TOUCH: Haptics-the study of touching
 Has value for infants: premature=improved their
development; even 10 years later, still evidence of
increased bonds
 Increases compliance for requests
 A server’s gestures have on-the job utility: larger tips,
more alcohol ordered, more ordering of suggested meal
 In U.S., touching seems more appropriate for females
 % of touch aligns with openness of expressing intimate
feelings, active interpretation style, & relationships.
VOICE
 Paralanguage= how a message is spoken; cues have strong
impact on listeners
- rate, pronunciation, pitch, tone, volume, emphasis, & pauses
# and types of pauses- avoid unintentional but vocalized =
disfluencies; can harm b/c people may judge negatively
-In kids, “accent trumps race.”
-We pay more attention to paralanguage than content if asked
to determine speaker’s attitude and emotions.
-If V and NV contradict, we judge more from the NV cues.
Direct link of age to NV sensitivity (w kids 4-8, words matter more)
-attractive voices rate higher than unattractive ones
-Sarcasm paralanguage to change V to opposite meaning.
-Culture can make a diff.=2nd lang. learners w/accents can face
discrimination
NV-Distance
 Proxemics: the study of how communication is affected by use,
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organization, and perception of space and distance.
-Personal space=invisible bubble varying in size accd. to culture raised in,
other person with, & situation.
-Size of bubble gives clue to our feelings. Happy couples comfortable
closer than unhappy ones.
Hall’s 4 ZONES : Intimate= skin to 18 “ Invasion w/o consent usually
makes us feel threatened
Personal= 18 “ to 4 feet (far range=2/5 -4’) just beyond the other’s reach.
Most couples in public=abt. 18”. Hall says it keeps the other at about arm’s
length.
Social= 4’ to 12’ People with high social anxiety are likely to reduce
discomfort if staying farther away. Distance can have a powerful effect on
how we regard & respond to others. Teachers, doctors, students, etc.
more satisfying with them.
Public Distance= 12’ and further (most classrooms 12’) If 25’ or more, 2way communication almost impossible.) When bubble is invaded, = stress
& we use barrier behaviors.
NV TYPES cont.
 TERRITORIALITY: Remains stationary. In a library, we use corners
1st. The reaction depends on who enters, why, and what the territory
is. (In classrooms a desk, in bedrooms-furniture)
 TIME: Chronemics - how we use and structure time. Time is a
- marker of status, culture, and relationships.
higher status-can be late- may be by wealth depending on
culture- geography (mountains or water)
relationships- time spent can be predictor of relationship
satisfaction w/ interpreter and understanding
PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS: Those viewed as attractive are rated
better than others.
(Newsweek- 200 mgrs. admitted attrac. ones got preferential treatment in
hiring and on the job. But, attrac. candidates may be turned down if perceived
as threats.
The longer we know people, the more we regard them as better looking.
Can use NV behav. to increase liking.
NV Types
 CLOTHING: (Social Position= Men’s rated on attire, but women’s NV behavior
gives cues to social position.
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When people had to pass a well-dressed couple in a narrow hallway, they
responded positively, but when the couple passed was dressed casually, more
annoyance was indicated.
 -Perception of attire is affected by a variety of cultural factors and values.
 PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT: IT CAN INFLUENCE YOUR
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COMMUNICATION. It can shape the KIND of interaction in it.
-Physical settings
-Architecture
-Interior design
Inner-city dwellers w/ access to landscaped public spaces interact in ways much
more prosocial than those in barren environments.
Public housing residents report more mental fatigue, aggression, & violence than
those w/ nearby grass and trees. !!!
Homes reflect occupants.
How furnished influences how people in them feel and interact.
<Interviews: furniture; teachers, supervisors- in offices desks usually separate>
Wards: tables with chairs versus chairs only =more conversation