2: Communication and NVC

Question 1

Different channels of communication

Answer 1

Ellis & Beattie:
Verbal and non verbal communication.

Linguistic- words, rhythm, tone etc.
Paralinguistic- pauses, sighs etc.
Non linguistic.

Sensory- auditory-vocal or visual.

Question 2

Non verbal communication

Answer 2

Allows us to interpret and signal communication in a silent way.

How much?
Birdwhistell- average 10 minutes/day.
Mehrabian- elements of personal communication- 7% spoken words; 38% voice, tone; 55% body language.

Question 3

NVC research: Proxemics

Answer 3

Argyle & Dean- distance and orientation depends on relationship.
Sommer- environmental constraints; sociopetal vs sociofugal; standing vs sitting.
Hall- conversational distances: intimate, personal. social, public; found cultural differences.

Question 4

Argyle: Functions of NVC

Answer 4

Can: replace speech; complement speech; signal attitudes; signal emotions.
Ekman- found cross cultural findings to suggest innate ability to signal emotions.

Limitations in ability to display NVC:
Invisible smile (2009)- very few unable to express themselves by using facial expressions.
Mobius sundrome means people can’t use their facial muscles; judged to have learning difficulties or autism.

Question 5

NVC research: Eye Contact

Answer 5

Argyle, Lalljee & Cook- based on dyads:

• Unconscious- convey interest and boredom; sporadic contact essential for social presence.
• Cross cultural- arrogant, interested, attracted etc.
• Gaze aversion- appear “shifty”, who looks away first is related to authority.

Question 6

NVC research: Turn taking

Answer 6

Kendon & Argyle- micro expressions: roles of speaker/listener changed; NVC more subtle.

Question 7

Separate or together?

Answer 7

1960s-80s: contrasted NVC and speech.

• NVC= emotion and relationships.
• Speech= information and attitudes.

Now treated as interconnected.

Question 8

Deception detection

Answer 8

Looking at the behaviour of criminal liars; psychologists examine footage and identify signs or lying.
Hartwig et al- criminals lying ability is superior.
Baron & Byrne- posture closed; lack eye contact.
Beattie- hand and feet give away.

Question 9

Application

Answer 9

Training- communication is a key employable skill which can be developed.
Online communication- reduced non verbal cues and social context cues; impacts on interpersonal communication.