Chapter 6: Nonverbal Communication

Question 1

Messages expressed by other than linguistic means

Answer 1

Nonverbal communication

Question 2

What are six functions of nonverbal communication?

Answer 2

Repeating, complementing, substituting, accenting, regulating, contradicting

Question 3

Nonverbal behaviours that duplicate the content of a verbal message

Answer 3

Repeating

For example, pointing when giving instructions

Question 4

Nonverbal behaviour that reinforces a verbal message

Answer 4

Complementing

Complementing non-verbal behaviours match the thoughts and emotions that the communicator is expressing verbally.

For example, saying thank you with a smile and sincere tone of voice rather than saying the same words in a monotone manner

Question 5

Nonverbal behaviour that takes the place of a verbal message

Answer 5

Substituting

Example, when a friend asks, “what’s up?“You might shrug your shoulders or make a face instead of answering in words

Often used when communicators are reluctant to express their feelings – instead, they sigh, roll their eyes, it yawn

Question 6

Nonverbal behaviours that emphasize part of a verbal message

Answer 6

Accenting

For example, pointing an accusing finger adds emphasis to criticism. Or accenting certain words with the voice such as “your” in “it was your idea“

Question 7

A function of nonverbal communication in which nonverbal cues control the flow of verbal communication between and among individuals

Answer 7

Regulating

For example, parties in a conversation unconsciously send and receive turn-taking cues through their voice. When you’re ready to yield the floor, you create a rising vocal intonation pattern, then a falling one, or you draw out the final syllable at the end of your statement. Then you stop speaking.

Conversations are also regulated by nodding “I understand“ or “keep going“, looking away – lack of attention, or moving toward the door – ending the conversation

Question 8

Nonverbal behaviour that is inconsistent with a verbal message

Answer 8

Contradicting

A common example of this sort of mixed message is the experience we’ve all had of hearing someone with a red face and bulging veins yelling, “angry? No, I’m not angry!“. In situations like these, we tend to believe the nonverbal message instead of the words

Question 9

Nonverbal behaviours that reveal information a communicator does not disclose verbally

Answer 9

Leakage

Question 10

Nonverbal behaviours that signal the untruthfulness of a verbal message

Answer 10

Deception cues

For example, pupil dilation and vocal cues for lying

Question 11

What are three facts about detecting deception?

Answer 11

We are accurate in detecting deception only slightly more than half the time – only a shade better than leaving it to chance

We overestimate our ability to detect others’ lies

We have a strong tendency to judge others’ messages as truthful – we want to believe people wouldn’t lie to us, which biases our ability to detect deceit

Question 12

Describe the influence of gender on nonverbal communication

Answer 12

Women are more expressive and better at recognizing others’ nonverbal behavior. Women smile more, use more facial expressions, use more head, hand, and arm gestures, touch others more, stand closer to others, are more vocally expressive, make more eye contact

Question 13

Describe the influence of culture or nonverbal language

Answer 13

Some cultures people speak more with their hands, like Francophones

Some nonverbal behaviours have different meanings across cultures. The OK gesture, made by joining the tips of them and forefinger to form a circle, is a cheery affirmation to most Canadians but means “you’re worth zero“ in Belgium and France

Eye contact patterns vary around the world. A direct gaze is considered appropriate for speakers seeking power in Latin America, the Arab world, and southern Europe. On the other hand, Asians, Indians, Pakistanis, and northern Europeans gaze at a listener peripherally or not at all

The use of time also varies. North Americans emphasize punctuality, schedules, and completing one task at a time known as monochromic. In South America and Mediterranean cultures, they are more polychronic, with flexible schedules and multitasking

Some nonverbal behaviours are universal – smiles and laughter are signals of positive emotions

Question 14

What are the different types of body movement or body positions of nonverbal behaviour? 4

Answer 14

Body orientation, posture, gestures, face and eyes

Question 15

The study of body position and motion

Answer 15

Kinesics

Question 16

A type of nonverbal communication. The degree to which we face toward or away from someone with our body, feet, and head

Answer 16

Body orientation

Facing someone directly generally signals your interest and facing away signals a desire to avoid involvement

Question 17

A type of nonverbal communication. The way people carry themselves

Answer 17

Posture

Tenseness denoted status: the lower-status person is generally the more rigid, tense-appearing one, whereas the higher-status person is more relaxed

Question 18

A type of nonverbal communication. Motions of the body, usually hands or arms, that have communicative value

Answer 18

Gestures

The most common forms of gestures are called illustrators- movements that accompany speech but don’t stand on their own. For example, pointing your fingers and gesturing with your hands to illustrate how to get to somewhere

Emblems – deliberate nonverbal behaviours that have a precise meaning, known to virtually everyone within a cultural group. Can stand on their own and often function as replacements for words. For example, we all know that a head nod means yes and a headshake means no, a wave means hello or goodbye

Manipulators or adaptors – consists of unconscious bodily movements in response to the environment. Such as fiddling with your hands, clicking a pen, or shivering

Question 19

Nonverbal behaviours that accompany and support verbal messages

Answer 19

Illustrators

Such as pointing in a direction to give directions to someone

Question 20

Deliberate nonverbal behaviours with precise meanings known to virtually all members of a cultural group

Answer 20

Emblems

Giving the middle finger, thumbs up means good

Question 21

Movements in which one part of the body groups, massages, rubs, holds, fidgets, pinches, picks, or otherwise manipulates another part

Answer 21

Adaptors or manipulators

Clicking a pen, twirling hair

Question 22

A type of nonverbal communication. Brief facial expressions

Answer 22

Microexpression

Those brief expressions that flit across the subject’s face in a short a time as it takes to blink an eye. Happiness and surprise in the eyes and more face, anger in the lower face brows forehead

Nonverbal communication in the face and eyes. The eyes themselves can send several kinds of messages. Meeting someone’s glance with your eyes is usually a sign of involvement, whereas looking away is often a sign of a desire to avoid contact
The eyes can communicate positive or negative attitude. Long glances can be interpreted as being interested in someone.
The eyes can communicate dominance and submission.

Question 23

Individual factors that are related to nonverbal communication (3)

Answer 23

Voice, touch, and physical attractiveness

Question 24

Nonlinguistic means of vocal expression: rate, pitch, tone, and so on

Answer 24

Paralanguage

Question 25

A non-linguistic verbalization; for example, stammering or saying “um” “er” or “ah”

Answer 25

Vocal filler

Question 26

The study of touching

Answer 26

Haptics

Question 27

Describe touch in nonverbal communication

Answer 27

Touch can communicate many messages and signify a variety of relationships:

• functional/professional – dental exam, haircut
• social/polite- handshake
• friendship/warmth – clap on back
• sexual arousal – kisses, strokes
• aggression – shoves, slaps

What makes touch more or less intense depends on a number of factors:
The part of the body doing the touching; the part of the body being touched; the length of the touch; the pressure of the touch; whether anyone else is present; the situation in which the touch occurs; the relationship between the persons involved

Please a powerful role in our responses to others: people are evaluated more positively when they are touched. Besides increasing liking, also increases compliance.

Question 28

What are the two dimensions to appearance in nonverbal communication?

Answer 28

Physical attractiveness and clothing

Physical attractiveness: both men and women whom others find attractive are rated as being more sensitive, kind, strong, sociable, and interesting

Clothing: conveys 10 types of messages to others – economic level, economic background, educational level, social background, trustworthiness, educational background, social position, level of success, level of sophistication, moral character.
We are more likely to obey people dressed in a high-status manner. Uniforms and formal attire carry influence

Question 29

What external factors are related to nonverbal communication? (4)

Answer 29

Distance (physical space), environment, smell, and time

Question 30

The study of how people and animals use space

Answer 30

Proxemics

Question 31

One of anthropologist Edward Hall’s four distance zones, ranging from skin contact to 45 cm

Answer 31

Intimate distance

Question 32

One of anthropologist Edward Hall’s four distance zones, ranging from 45 cm to 1.2 m

Answer 32

Personal distance

Question 33

One of anthropologist Edward Hall’s four distance zones, ranging from 1.2 to 3.6 m

Answer 33

Social distance

Question 34

One of anthropologist Edward Hall’s four distance zones, extending outward from 3.6 m

Answer 34

Public distance

Question 35

What are the two dimensions of physical space or proxemics in nonverbal communication?

Answer 35

Distance and territoriality

Distance: you can often tell how people feel about one another by noting the distance between them. It is the distance that we voluntarily put between ourselves and others that gives a nonverbal clue about our feelings and the nature of the relationship.
We use intimate distance with people who are emotionally very close to us, mostly in private situations.
Most couples use personal distance in public.
Social distance is usually in business. For example between sales people and customers and people who work together.
Public distance is used by teachers in the classroom for the closer distances.

Territoriality – territory remains stationary. Any geographical area, such as a workstation, room, house, or other physical space, to which we assume some kind of “rights“ is our territory. Generally, we grant people with higher status more personal territory and greater privacy

Question 36

The notion that an area is claimed by an individual or a group of individuals

Answer 36

Territoriality

Question 37

Describe the role of physical environment in nonverbal communication

Answer 37

Physical settings, architecture, and interior design affect our communication. Some homes are very warm and make you feel comfortable, while others have unliving rooms where you can’t touch anything, can’t put your feet up, and can’t get too comfortable.

Environment can also shape the kind of interaction that takes place in it – subjects working in a “beautiful“ room we’re more positive and energetic than those working in an average or ugly space

Question 38

Describe the role of smell in nonverbal communication

Answer 38

Smell is related to attractiveness. Also associated with memory in that it helps this form and recall events and information. Buyers looking at new homes are influenced by how they smell

Question 39

The study of how humans use and structure time

Answer 39

Chronemics

Question 40

Describe the role of time in nonverbal communication

Answer 40

How we handle time can express both intentional and unintentional messages. Waiting can be an indicator of status, for example when you wait for important people such as doctors by appointment only

Also serves as a relationship marker. The amount of time spent with a relational partner sends important messages about valuing that person