Download Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal Communication
Clint Raynor &
Natalie Hurley
ADO594
4/5/09
What is it?
• “The process of
stimulating meaning
in the minds of others
through nonverbal
messages, or
messages that are
non-linguistic or nonlanguage based”
Mottet & Richmond
Types of nonverbal communication
History
•
•
•
•
Nonverbal communication
predates verbal
Many animals use it, not only
those who somewhat acquire
human language
Darwin thought many human
nonverbal expressions of emotion
were functional in the past, but for
civilized humans their original
functions were lost.
Implications of this are that we
often communicate in this way
unconsciously. We can interpret
signals without recognizing our
actions.
So, why study it?
• Nonverbal communication often done
unconsciously, but you can train yourself to
consciously recognize signs.
Why so important for teachers?
• Teachers’ actions toward students can be
reactions to students’ behaviors.
• Some studies show that teacher behavior is
influenced more by immediate student behavior
(such as communication) than by other factors.
• Teachers perform by “reading” their audience.
• As class size increases, verbal responses from
individual students become less likely.
Importance, cont.
• Nonverbal message often seen as the “real”
message, especially when it and the verbal
message don’t match up.
• eg. When asked if he understands, a
student may tentatively say “yes” in order
to not look unintelligent. This delay is an
important communication.
Student Behaviors
• Proxemics: where a student sits affects
teacher perception. Those who sit closer
are seen as more willing to learn, attentive
and likable than those who sit far away.
• Students who sit far away are seen as
trying to avoid participating.
Attentiveness
• Upright posture, forward body lean, eye
contact, head nodding, and smiling are
interpreted by teachers to indicate students
are attentive.
• Teachers idea of student teachability
increase with the increase of these
behaviors.
Inattentiveness
• Students who avoid eye contact perceived
as unhappy, inattentive, and uncooperative.
• Adults more likely to help responsive
children than unresponsive, leading to
downward spiral.
• Jonathan Mooney argues that lack of eye
contact doesn’t mean lack of attention.
Impact of Student Nonverbal
Behavior
• Positive spiral: If nonverbal behavior
coming from student is seen as attentive,
teacher is more attentive, and interruptions
are overlooked.
• Negative spiral: If student’s nonverbal
behavior indicates inattentiveness the
teacher interprets actions and behaviors
negatively.
Deception
• Attempted control: the deceiver often seems
rehearsed, underacts, overacts, or a discrepancy
between face and body occurs.
• Pupil dilation, eyeblink rate, and speech
disturbances can indicate attempted deception.
• Ability to deceive nonverbally seems to increase
as children age, although aspects change based
on other factors.
Some common examples
Students from other cultures
• Students from Argentina may stand very close to you
while speaking, they do not mean to invade your space.
• Cambodians sometimes laugh in both positive and
negative situations.
• Students from China may smile when feeling
embarrassment or difficulty.
• In several cultures it is considered rude or aggressive to
make direct eye contact, in others (such as Turkey) it is
vital to make eye contact.
• Several hand gestures that are acceptable in the United
States, such as a thumbs up or okay sign, are considered
extremely vulgar in other cultures.
Works Cited
Berkowitz, Leonard. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology: volume 14. Unknown: Academic
Press, 1981. 3 Apr. 2009
<http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=uP_b0IdUeDMC&oi=fnd&pg=PA1&dq=non+ver
bal+communication+students&ots=PIi7PdaoaM&sig=_RY4NWAuHKpxrLbGWbB4MjYVhfA#P
PP7,M1.>
Hess, Ursula, and Pascal Thibault. “Darwin and Emotional Expression.” American Psychologist 64.2
(2009): 120-128.
Mottet, Timothy P., and Virginia P. Richmond. Student Nonverbal Communication and Its Influence on
Teachers and Teaching: A review of the Literature. Presented Seattle: Annual Meeting of the
National Communication Association, 2000.
Van Wagner, Kendra. Types of Nonverbal Communication. 2009. The New York Times Company. 3
Apr. 2009. <http://psychology.about.com/od/nonverbalcommunication/a/nonverbaltypes.htm>.
Sharon. The Importance of Nonverbal Communication. 2007-2009. 3 Apr. 2009. <http://www.expatsmoving-and-relocation-guide.com/nonverbal-communication.html>.