Download 2. Functions of Nonverbal Communication

Chapter 4
Nonverbal Communication
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
Nonverbal Communication
• Consider the past and you will know the present.
—Chinese Proverb
• There is language in her eyes, her cheeks, her lip, nay, her foot
speaks.
—Shakespeare
• In human intercourse the tragedy begins not when there is
misunderstanding about words, but when silence is not
understood.
—Henry David Thoreau
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
Learning Objectives
• understand the definition and functions of
nonverbal intercultural communication
• identify different aspects of nonverbal
communication
• understand the implications of nonverbal
communication interculturally
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
Case 1 Bush’s Gesture
•
•
Why were Norwegians shocked?
What can we conclude from the case?
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
Nonverbal Communication
A
An Introduction to Nonverbal Communication
B
Chronemics
C
Proxemics
D
Kinesics
E
Paralanguage
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
While-Class Learning: Text A
• Pre-reading Activity: expressing opinions
Without words, how
will you express
yourself and
communicate with
others?
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
While-class Learning: Text A
• An Introduction to Nonverbal
Communication
1. Definition of Nonverbal Communication
2. Functions of Nonverbal Communication
3. Areas of Nonverbal Communication
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
An Introduction to Nonverbal Communication
communication = 35% verbal messages + 65% nonverbal behaviors
 similar nonverbal expression: universal
emotions, such as happiness, fear, and
sadness
 differences in nonverbal expression of the
same meaning or feeling: source of confusion
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
Text A: An Introduction to Nonverbal Communication
1. Definition of Nonverbal Communication
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
Text A: An Introduction to Nonverbal Communication
2. Functions of Nonverbal Communication
a. Repeating
b. Complementing
c. Substituting
d. Regulating
e. Contradicting
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
2. Functions of Nonverbal Communication
a. Repeating
1) repeat
2) clarify
3) emphasize
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
2. Functions of Nonverbal Communication
b. Complementing
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
2. Functions of Nonverbal Communication
c. Substituting
substitute verbal messages in certain settings
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
2. Functions of Nonverbal Communication
d. Regulating
Regulate and manage communication by using some
form of nonverbal behavior
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
2. Functions of Nonverbal Communication
e. Contradicting
On some occasions, nonverbal actions send signals opposite
from the literal meanings contained in our verbal messages.
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
3. Areas of Nonverbal Communication
•
•
•
•
Time language (chronemics)
Space language (proxemics)
Body language (kinesics)
Paralanguage (voice modulation)
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
Case 2 Functions of Nonverbal Communication
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
Text B: Chronemics
• the study of time: how people use it,
structure it, interpret it, and understand its
passage
• two perspectives:
1. time orientations
2. time systems
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
Text B: Chronemics
1. Time Orientations:
the value or importance the members of a
culture place on the passage of time
a. Past-oriented Cultures
b. Present-oriented Cultures
c. Future-oriented Cultures
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
B.1 Time Orientations
a. Past-oriented Cultures
previous experiences and events
as most important
b. Present-oriented Cultures
current experiences as most
important
c. Future-oriented Cultures
tomorrow — or some other
moment in the future — is most
important
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
Text B: Chronemics
2. Time Systems:
different cultures, different ways of organizing
time
a. Monochronic Time (M-Time)
b. Polychronic Time (P-Time)
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
a. Monochronic Time (M-Time)
• Things should be done one at a time.
• Time is segmented into precise, small units.
• Time is viewed as a commodity; it is scheduled,
managed, and arranged.
• An event is regarded as separate and distinct from
all others and should receive the exclusive focus
of attention it deserves.
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
b. Polychronic Time (P-Time)
• Several things are being done at the same time.
• Often schedule multiple appointments
simultaneously
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
Comparison of Monochronic and Polychronic Cultures
Monochrome Time People
Polychrome Time People
Do one thing at a time
Do many things at once
Concentrate on the job
Are easily distracted and subject to interruption
Take time commitments (deadlines, schedules)
seriously
Consider time commitments an objective to be
achieved, if possible
Are low context and need information
Are high context and already have information
Are committed to the job
Are committed to people and human relationships
Adhere to plans
Change plans often and easily
Are concerned about not disturbing others;
follow rules of privacy
Are more concerned with people close to them
(family, friends, close business associates) than
with privacy
Show great respect for private property; seldom
borrow or lend
Borrow and lend things often and easily
Emphasize promptness
Base promptness on the relationship
Are accustomed to short-term relationships
Have strong tendency to build lifetime
relationships
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
Case 3 Left in the Cold
Katherine: an English woman teaching in
Beijing
Prof. Wang: a Chinese in Katherine’s
school
• How would you explain the Director’s behavior
toward Katherine?
• How would you make the Director understand why
Katherine felt frustrated and angry?
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
While-Class Learning: Text C
• Proxemics
1. Definition: the study of how people differ in
their use of spatial relations
2. Three aspects of space
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
C.1: Personal Space
• the interpersonal relationship
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
C.1: Personal Space
• we are surrounded at all moments by a
personal space
• space changes depending on the interpersonal
relationship
• four major types of distances in American
social and business circumstances
(1) Intimate distance
(2) Personal distance
(3) Social distance
(4) Public distance
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
North American Zones of Space
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
C.1: Personal Space
• Personality also determines the amount of
personal space.
eg. introverts — extroverts
• Cultural styles play a big part too.
eg. Japanese — American
• body distance: touch culture, nontouch culture
Arabs
English-speaking countries
Chinese and other Asian cultures
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
C.1: personal space
• Personality
• Cultural styles
Short Distance: Latins, Mediterranean Arabs
Medium Distance: Americans, Northern Europeans
Long Distance: Japanese, Mediterranean Europeans
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
C2: Semifixed Features of Space
• spatial arrangements of movable objects
within a room
(1) Seating arrangements
(2) Furniture arrangement
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
C2: Semifixed Features of Space
(1) Seating arrangements
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
C2: Semifixed Features of Space
(2) Furniture arrangement
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
C3: Fixed Features of Space
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
C3: Fixed Features of Space
▲ The origin of fixed features of space began
with cultural needs over territoriality.
▲ The Americans whose culture stresses
individualism generally demand more space
than do people from collectivistic cultures.
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
Case 4 Personal Space
Mark: a Danish just moved to
Sydney
• Why did that woman suddenly stop talking
with Mark and turned to another man?
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
Case 5 Americans Are Cold?
Eva: a girl from to Peru to
America
Hilda: the American hostess
Jimmy: Hilda’s son
• How did Mrs. Larsen and Jimmy greet Eva
respectively?
• Why did Eva feel that the Larsens were cold?
• If you were Eva, would you think that Mrs. Larsen
was cold? Why or why not?
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
While-Class Learning: Text D
• Kinesics
1. Posture
2. Gestures
3. Facial Expression
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
While-Class Learning: Text D
4. Eye Contact
5. Smell
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
D.1. Posture
☆ Japan:
• Bow is much more than a greeting
• Bow signifies that culture’s concern with
status and rank
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
D.1. Posture
☆ America:
• being casual and friendly is valued
• drop into a chair or slouch when standing
• put feed on the desk
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
D.2. Gestures
• an important component of nonverbal
communication
• Some gestures widely accepted and understood,
such as handshaking
• many gestures vary in meaning from culture to
culture
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
D.2. Gestures
• Hand gestures
• Beckoning sign
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
D.3. Facial Expression
• the most obvious and important source of
nonverbal communication
• a basic set of at least six facial expressions:
happiness, sadness, fear, anger, disgust, and
surprise
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
D.3. Facial Expression
• same facial expression, different
meanings
smiling
1) America
2) Japan
3) Korea
4) Thailand
5) China
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
D.4. Eye Contact
• The way we use eye contact not only transmits
messages to others and reflects our personality but also
indicates what we are thinking.
• The use of eye contact follows some unstated rules.
1) staring at a person at a distance: an invitation
2) returning of the gaze: acceptance of invitation
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
D.4. Eye Contact
• Persons seeking eye contact while speaking
tend to be more believable. However, these
rules may vary in different cultures.
1) Western societies
2) Japan
3) Latin American and Caribbean cultures
4) Arabs
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
D.5. Smell
• the sense of smell can
also be a conduit for
meaning
• cultures have been
using odor in a variety
of ways
1) Americans
2) Japanese
3) Arabs
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
Case 6 Physical Contact
A. Parfait Awono: a Cameroonian teaching in the US
B. Sun Mei: a Chinese woman
Sarah: Sun Mei’s American friend
•
•
•
•
Why were the students in the French class unwilling to
hold hands with others?
Why did Sun Mei behave as she did?
If you are parting from your boyfriend or girlfriend, will
you hug and kiss each other? Why?
How do you look at other behaviors such as handholding
between members of the same sex and between members
of different sexes, fondling other people’s babies, and
parents kissing in front of their children?
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
While-Class Learning: Text E. Paralanguage
• the set of nonphonemic properties of speech
used to communicate attitudes or other
shades of meaning
1. voice modulation
2. tempo
3. volume
4. silence
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
Text E.1 Voice Modulation
• carries very strong emotional overtones
English saying: “It’s not what he said but the way
he said it.”
Chinese saying: 弦外之音
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
Text E.2 Tempo
• Tempo: Chinese speak slower than Americans: 1)
tempo increased with industrialization; 2) Chinese
less polysyllabic words than English
• Volume: soft voice, loud voice
• Silence: low-context: lack of communication,
high-context: integral part of social
discourse, not a failure of communication
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
Case 7 Quarrel
Smith: an American Student
Li Hua: a Chinese Student
• Why did Li Hua stop giving any response to Smith’s
angry words?
• Why was Smith getting more and more angry?
• What is the basic barrier in the communication
between Smith and Li Hua?
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication
Thank You
Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication