Chapter 4: Body & Gestures Flashcards
Primary Purposes of Gestures:
a. Illustrating speech
b. Conveying meaning
- Categories of Speech Illustrators:
- Batons
- Ideographs
- Deictic movements
- Spatial movements
- Kinetographs
- Pictographs
- Cultural Differences in Gestures
a. Cultures vary in frequency, expansiveness, and duration of gestures.
b. Latin & Middle Eastern cultures
Encourage large, expressive gestures.
East Asian cultures
More reserved in gesturing.
What is gaze linked to in nonverbal communication?
a. Gaze is linked to dominance, power, aggression, affiliation, and nurturance.
b. It plays a role in social hierarchy and respect.
- Intimacy Equilibrium Hypothesis:
People adjust their personal space when it is violated.
Example: In an elevator, individuals avoid eye contact to create a sense of space.
Types of nonverbal gestures
- Illustrators
- Emblems
- Adaptors
- Regulators
Illustrators
Support speech (e.g., pointing to an object while talking).
Emblems
Stand alone without speech (e.g., thumbs-up).
Adaptors
Unconscious gestures (e.g., scratching an itch).
Regulators
Help manage conversation flow (e.g., nodding).
4 levels of interpersonal space
- Intimate space
- Personal space
- Social space
- Public space
Intimate space
Less than 18 inches
Personal space
18 inches to 4 feet (typical in conversations)
Social space
4 to 12 feet
Public Space
More than 12 feet
Who studied contact cultures and non-contact cultures?
Watson 1970
Contact culture
i. Higher frequency of physical touch
ii. Closer interpersonal distance
iii. More direct body orientations
iv. Greater eye contact
Non-contact culture
i. Lower frequency of physical touch
ii. Greater interpersonal distances
iii. Less direct body orientations
iv. Less eye contact
- Nonverbal Communication Terms
a. Proxemics
b. Haptics
c. Kinesics
d. Chronemics
Proxemics
Study of interpersonal space.
Haptics
Study of touch.
Kinesics
Study of body movement.
Chronemics
Study of time in communication.
Cultural Nonverbal Norms
a. Avoiding eye contact → Seen as respectful in Japanese culture.
b. Pointing with index finger → Considered rude in some cultures.
c. Reversed peace sign → Insult in England and Australia.
The Role of Touch in Communication
a. Light, appropriate touch can enhance rapport in some contexts.
b. Excessive or forced mirroring can seem manipulative.
Postures
Communicate Attitudes, Motivations, and Emotional States
Dimensions
a. Preference, orientation, attention
b. Ex. Open arms and legs indicate positivity and openness
Gait Patterns
a. Associated with emotions and personality
b. Different gaits for different states (happiness, anger, sadness)
c. Ex. Angry gait involves longer strides and exaggerated foot pounding
Nonverbal Behaviors and Rapport, Techniques to Establish Rapport
a. Mirroring - adopting postures, gestures, and mannerisms of interaction partners
b. Touch - Shaking hands, placing a hand on the partner’s shoulder
c. Commonality - Finding areas of common interest
Effective Nonverbal Communication for Rapport
a. Mirroring posture and gestures subtly can build trust.
b. Direct and intense eye contact is not always necessary.
What levels of interpersonal space differ the most between different cultures?
Personal Distance and Social Distance
Why is being able to read gestures in communication important?
Gestures are important to read because they convey verbal meaning without words
In which culture is maintaining eye contact often seen as a sign of respect?
America
Why is it important to understand cultural differences in nonverbal communication in social settings?
In some cultures, physical contact is made during interaction and it help people remember the interaction more.
