Download Nonverbal Communication Across Cultures

Nonverbal Communication Across Cultures
Nonverbal Behavior
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Is like a secret code that is understood but not talked about
Can be related to visuals
It relates to posture, movement, facial expressions, eye movements and gestures.
We read nonverbal communication everyday
When we meet someone different who uses a different form of nonverbal
communication, that is when miscommunication occurs.
Touching Patterns
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Vary from culture to culture
Touch is one form that can affect communication
Personal space can affect a person’s communication
Sometimes when a person “backs off” it can be taken in a negative way, but between
cultures this isn’t always the case.
Eye Contact
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Eye contact patterns start at infancy
A common eye pattern is for the listener to look directly at the speaker
Different cultures have different eye patterns.
Starting into someone’s eyes while spoken to can make other of a different culture feel
uncomfortable.
“Don’t stare!” isn’t always a no-no depending on the culture.
Staring is expected in some cultures
History
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The first scientific study of nonverbal communication was Charles Darwin's book The
Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals (1872).
Seventy years later Silvan Tomkins (1911–1991) began his classic studies on human
emotions in Affects Imagery Consciousness
Another large influence in nonverbal communication was Anthropologist Ray
Birdwhistell
Studies now range across a number of fields, including, linguistics, semiotics and social
psychology.
Birdwhistell also estimated we can make and recognize around 250,000 facial
expressions
What can teachers do?
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Become consciously aware of nonverbal behaviors
Look for communication problems
Recognize your own patterns of nonverbal behavior
Do not expect that just because you are familiar with a person’s culture you know their
behaviors.
Be aware of differences within a culture.