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CE 00875-3
Character AI
Diane Bishton - K229
([email protected])
these slides at http://www.blackboard.staffs.ac.uk
Non-verbal Communication 2
(with pictures from Morris, D. “Manwatching”, (1977) M
& Lambert, D. “Body Language” (1999) B )
Introduction
In today’s lecture, we will look at Proxemics - the study of
physical & personal territory,
and paralanguage - the study of how things are said - tone,
manner, humour, sarcasm etc. (largely taught) & other ‘natural’
sounds e.g. snoring, sighing.
Recall that a single gesture alone - like a single word - is typically
meaningless.
To be interpreted, gestures need to be considered as a ‘cluster’.
Extent of Personal Space
General Spatial Norms (typical English-speaking):
5. Public zone
3.5m +
4. Acquaintance (social) zone
1 - 3.5m
3. Conversational (personal) zone
0.5 - 1.5m
2. Intimate (embracing) zone
15cm - 50cm
1. Close intimate (whispering) zone 0cm - 15cm
(see also Benyon et al p678)
Personal Space ‘Bubbles’
B
B
B
B
‘Ownership’ & Territory
B
B
Laying claim, ‘Keep Out’
Ease & personal touches ‘mark’ territory
Cultural difference
B
B
B
B
Invasion ? Retreat?
Ignoring others
Adjusting to crowded conditions :




Stand or sit still
Expressionless face
Take more interest in ceiling or floor
Block others with a newspaper
Message:
“You’re too close - I feel uncomfortable,
I don’t want to communicate with you”
Some other cultural differences have been outlined
in your handout.
Inattention, Rejection, Disagreement
B
B
Scanning away, Head turning(2), Uneven smile(3), ‘Closed’ posture
Tie-signs
From Body Proximity to ‘Movement Synchrony’
or ‘Postural Echo’.
This happens between people and can make us feel ‘part of the tribe’.
In Atkinson’s work (1989) on “Conversation Analysis” (in Politics), he has
shown that applause, for example, tends to be started by an individual and
then is rapidly picked up by the rest of the audience, quickly building into a
crescendo which lasts between 7-9 seconds.
Postural echo is usually only possible between people of equal status matching alertness or relaxation, frequently synchronising their
movements. (Also used by dominant people to put subordinates at
ease).
‘Microsynchrony’ of the rhythm of movements (not the exact posture) is often
performed within 1 / 48th of a second !
Postural Echo & Mimicking
Example mimics:
B
Holding drink in both hands
Heads on hands, on elbows
Crossed Legs / Holding legs
M
M
Joining in
It is very uncomfortable for people if they mistake or misunderstand the
points at which ‘responses’ in conversation should be made - for
example if they clap too early during a performance - because it
shows ignorance of how to behave properly.
Performers such as politicians generally provide enough clues and
‘leading’ elements to prepare an audience to respond e.g. in rhythmic
speaking ‘triads’ (lists of three) of phrases or repetitions :
“spend and spend, and borrow and borrow, and tax and tax”
(Tebbitt, 1983).
(this acts in the same way as ‘Ready’ ‘Steady’ ‘Go’)
Music is also often present, sometimes as a subliminal signal.
(When the music stops, take your seat) - making it possible for
individuals to join in and make exactly the same actions at the same
time.
Costume
In the 15th
century, it was
illegal for a knight
under the rank of
Lord to wear a
short tunic or
shoes with points
longer than 2
inches
Messages in the Voice
Tone, tempo & rhythm of our voices infer
personality traits e.g.
• An increased rate of speaking :
the individual is more animated and extroverted.
• A flatness in the tone of voice :
more withdrawn, maybe bored, more masculine characteristic.
• A nasal sound :
suggestion of difficulties with socialising
What is Paralanguage ?
It’s about changing & manipulating characteristics of Vocal
(sounds) as against Verbal (words) e.g.
laughing, crying, whispering, snoring, yelling, moaning, groaning,
yawning, sneezing, sighing, belching etc.
It changes voice e.g. through
Intensity (amplitude, loudness, energy)
Pitch (frequency)
Extent (rhythm, tempo)
It predominantly uses ‘primitives’ e.g.
"um"
"uh-huh" etc.
silent pauses etc.
Voice & emotional state
Loudness
Pitch
Timbre (quality) Rate
Clarity
Anger
Loud
High
Booming
Fast
Clipped
Joy
Loud
High
Rhythmic
Fast
Maybe
Clipped
Sadness
Soft
Low
Resonant
Slow
Indistinct
Finally
Nonverbal communication is gaining an importance in
the study of human behavior and interactions.
Its uses in assessing how individuals perceive others
are recognized and validated.
We use nonverbal cues to validate emotions & clearly
as a basis for decision-making.
The nearer an AI character can get to expressing itself
verbally, vocally (paralinguistics) & visually (gesture,
costume etc.) the more believeable it will be
Further references (should be available locally)
Furnham, A. (1999) Body Language at Work lib ref 302.222
Lewis, D. (1990) The Secret Language of Success
Lambert, D. (1999) Body Language
Kendall & Kendall, (2005) Systems Analysis & Design 6e
(for Organisational Culture & Organisational Metaphors)
School Company (2005) Nonverbal Communication & Positive Body Language
(DVD – Nelson Library)
Insight Media (2005) Nonverbal Communication & Culture
(DVD – Nelson Library)
The Center for Nonverbal Studies provided an excellent site covering a range of
non-verbal behaviours via :
http://members.aol.com/nonverbal2/nvcom.htm
For views of non-verbal communication in another culture :
http://www.shinnova.com/part/99-japa/abj17-e.htm
http://virtualtimes.com/writers/ueda/thenon.htm
Further References (possibly harder to get at)
Eisenberg, A.M., & Smith, Jr., R.R. (1971). Nonverbal communication.
Ekman, P. (1980). Three classes of nonverbal behavior. In Von Raffler-Engel, W. (Ed.),
Aspects of Nonverbal Communication (pp.89-102).
Major, B. (1981). Gender patterns in touching behavior. In C. Mayo & N. Henley (Eds.),
Gender and Nonverbal Behavior. Merahbian, A. (1971). Silent messages.
Messaris, P. (1997). Visual persuasion: The roles of images in advertising.
Rozelle, R. M. Druckman, D. & Baxter, J.C., (1997). Non-verbal behavior as
communication. In O. D. W. Hargie (Ed.), The Handbook Of Communication Skills
(pp. 67-102).
St. Clair, R.N. (1980). Social distance: expressions of power, solidarity and status. In Von
Raffler-Engel, W. (Ed.), Aspects of Nonverbal Communication (pp.81-88).