Chapter 4: Understanding Nonverbal MessagesChapter 4: Understanding Nonverbal MessagesWe’ve already discussed - how verbal and nonverbal messages help create meaning when we interact with others- how our actions speak louder than our words- the implications of our feelings and attitudes leaking out through our actions- We’ve also discussed Judy Burgoon’s Expectation Violation Theory - & some of the various natures of nonverbal communication mentioned in your textToday- we will focus on why it is important to sharpen our observations and be open-minded when interpreting nonverbal messages. - we will focus on certain nonverbal dimensions on which cultures differ – what your text refers to as Codes of Nonverbal Communication. Your text identifies 7 groupings of nonverbal communication codes.A culture: consists of shared beliefs, values, understandings, and ways of interpreting experiences that people share.1- Appearance:- Refers to physical attributes such as body size, skin tone, hair and clothing.o It seems that we overemphasize this dimension that it results in lowed self-esteem. It is interesting to notice the contradiction messages (e.g., at the supermarket: magazines that have the top 10 tips on how to achieve that perfect look or body & the top favorite dishes to cook or bake.)o Clothing functions primarily to keep us covered within society’s bounds ofdecency.o Clothing also conveys a sense of culture. (e.g., baggy pants, tight pants, specialized t-shirts, as well as jewelry, tattoos, piercings, makeup, etc.)o Refer to discussion on stereotypes and some of the experiences shared in class based on appearance.2- Kinesics:- Refers to the study of gestures, facial expressions, posture & body movemento Emblems: gestures that translate words or phrases. They have specific meanings that are generally understood (e.g., the peace sign)o Illustrators: gestures that accompany and illustrate verbal messages and provide meaning (e.g., a circular hand movement to describe a circle)o Affect displays: gestures that express emotions (e.g., hugging to express love, smile to express happiness)o Regulators: facial expressions and hand gestures that monitor, maintain, orcontrol the flow of communication (e.g., raising your hand when you wantto speak)o Adaptors: gestures or behaviors that help you adjust to your environment and satisfy some need (e.g., chewing your fingernails or twirling your hair indicating nervousness)- Not the same across cultures. There are no common cross cultural dictionaries to interpret nonverbal cues. (e.g., Giving a thumbs up to indicate approval. If you were to look up thumbs up in the Miriam Webster’s online dictionary, you would find it defined as “an instance or gesture of approval or encouragement” but that is not necessarily true across cultures. For example, in various countries in the Middle East, it is equivalent to the middle finger here in the U.S.)3- Eye Contact:- Oculesics: eye behavior or gaze aversion. o Eye contact is very important in the American societyo We make judgments about others sincerity and trustworthiness based on eye contact alone sometimeso People generally have unwritten rules about when to break off eye contact with strangers- 10-15ft. No staring-down matcheso Research had indicated that we are more likely to give eye contact when we are physically distant from our partner, discuss impersonal topics, havenothing else to look at, are interested in our partner’s response, are romantically interested in our partner, want to influence him or her, come from a culture that emphasizes visual contact, are an extrovert, are listening rather than talking, and are female.o We are less likely to establish eye contact during the opposite conditions such as: when we are physically close, discuss intimate topics, have other relevant objects, people or backgrounds to look at, are not interested in partner’s reactions, are talking rather than listening, come from a culture that does not value eye contact, are an introvert, are embarrassed, ashamed, sorrowful, sad, and submissive, are trying to hide something, and are male.o Ask students if they agree or disagree/ feedback/ experienceso Discuss Asian, Mexican & Middle Eastern cultures and how avoiding direct eye contact is a sign of respect (No more than 5 minutes)4- Emotional displays:- The face is considered to be the exhibit gallery of our emotional displayso Capable of producing 250,000 different facial expressions according to Ekman and Frieseno Activity: have note cards with the 6 universal expressions written on them. Ask for 6 volunteers. Explain that they will express the emotions written on the cards, and the class will guess the expressed emotion)o There are 6 primary universal expressions for (happiness, sadness, fear, anger, and disgust or contempt)o We learn to mask and control our facial expressions even as young children which can endanger our relationships5- Touch:- Haptics: touch behavior; where, how often, what circumstances o Most powerful form of nonverbal communication; also the most misunderstood and carries the most potential problems if it is ill usedo Learned through observing our role modelso The way we touch depends on many variables, particularly by one’s family experience & cultural backgroundo High-contact cultures: appropriate touching is quite commonplace (e.g., European, Middle East greeting behaviors) o Asian cultures are generally low-contact cultures. Most guidebooks for international business people stress not to touch the head of children in Hong Kong, Vietnam, China & Japan because the head is considered sacredo Men and women interpret and use touch differently (Forearm, shoulder is generally considered appropriate. Females do not consider appropriate touch as a big deal, while it is often interpreted by males as a sign of romantic interest) –I won’t open it up for discussion in my classes6- Paralanguage/vocal:- Paralanguage, vocal characteristics of our speech include: Rate, volume, pitch & silence.o The voice not only reveals our thoughts and emotions, but also provides leakages about our self-confidence and knowledge (e.g., students who mumble answers)o Speakers who speak very softly, continually mispronounce words, use “umm” and “uuh” are viewed as being less credible (more later, especiallyChapter 13: presenting messages)o Back-channel cues serve as regulatory cues to signal a desire to speak, or not to speak. Ask
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