Learning activity 6

Question 1

Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication: Defined

Answer 1

messages expressed by other than linguistic means. Messages are transmitted by vocal cues such as sighs and laughs. As well as nonlinguistic dimensions of the spoken word such as volume, rate, pitch, and so on.

Question 2

Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication: Nonverbal skills are vital

Answer 2

• good nonverbal communicators are more persuasive and have greater success in settings
• Sensitivity to nonverbal communication is a major part of “emotional intelligence”.
• It is impossible to study spoken language without paying attention to its nonverbal dimensions.
• Its also important to be able to read and respond to others’ nonverbal communication.

Question 3

Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication: All behavior has communication value

Answer 3

• we cannot stop communicating.
• Unintentional nonverbal behaviours differ from deliberate ones. For example, we don’t stammer, blush, frown, and sweat without meaning to do so.
• Even our unintentional nonverbal behaviour can be picked up and interpreted by others.
• Unconscious and unintentional behaviours convey messages and are thus worthy of studying.

Question 4

Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication: nonverbal communication is primarily relational

Answer 4

• nonverbal communication defines the kind of relationship we have with others. Greeting a person with a wave or a clap on the back sends messages about the nature of your relationship.
• Nonverbal communication also performs a third variable to social function which conveys emotions that we may be unwilling or unable to express or we aren’t even aware of.

Question 5

Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication: Nonverbal Communication Occurs in Mediated Messages

Answer 5

• more internet and phone messages including visual and vocal dimensions, making communication richer and enhancing understanding. For example, Skype and FaceTime.
• The content of the nonverbal message matter, when it was sent is equally essential.

Question 6

Nonverbal Communications Serves Many Functions: Repeating

Answer 6

nonverbal behaviors that duplicate the content of a verbal message. For example, if someone asked for directions you would say “two blocks north” while also pointing in that direction.

Question 7

Nonverbal Communication Serves Many Functions: Complementing

Answer 7

nonverbal behavior that reinforces a verbal message; match the thoughts and emotions that the communicator is expressing verbally. For example, imagine the difference between saying “thank you” with a sincere facial expression and tone of voice, and saying the same words in a deadpan manner with a monotone voice.

Question 8

Nonverbal Communication Serves Many Functions: Substituting

Answer 8

nonverbal behaviour that takes the place of a verbal message. Like when a friend asks, “what’s up” and you shrug a shoulder and make a face instead of actually answering the question.

Question 9

Nonverbal Communication Serves Many Functions: Accenting

Answer 9

nonverbal behaviours that emphasize part of a verbal message. (e.g., It was your idea).

Question 10

Nonverbal Communication Serves Many Functions: Regulating

Answer 10

• a function of nonverbal communication in which nonverbal cues control the flow of verbal communication between and among individuals.
• For example, conversations are regulated by nodding (I understand or keep going) and looking away (lack of attention).

Question 11

Nonverbal Communication Serves Many Functions: Contradicting

Answer 11

nonverbal behavior that is inconsistent with a verbal message. For example, someone with a red flushed face yells “angry, no I’m not angry”.

Question 12

Nonverbal Communication offers Deception Cues: deception cues

Answer 12

• nonverbal behaviors that signal the untruthfulness of a verbal message
• When people try to be deceitful, they often make more speech errors, spoke for shorter periods of time, and had a lower speech rate. Another experiment revealed that liars; voices were more high-pitched than truthtellers

Question 13

Nonverbal Communication offers Deception Cues: Leakage

Answer 13

nonverbal behaviours that reveal information a communicator does not disclose verbally.

Question 14

Nonverbal Communication offers Deception Cues: identifying liars

Answer 14

• We are only accurate at detecting deception only
  slightly more than half of the time
• We overestimate our abilities to detect others’ lies.
• We have a strong tendency to judge others’
  messages as truthful.

Question 15

Deception clues are more likely when?

Answer 15

Deception cues are more likely when the receiver…

• wants to hide emotions being felt at the moment
• feels strongly about the information being hidden
• feels apprehensive or guilty about the deception
• gets little enjoyment from being deceptive
• Has not had time to rehearse the lie in advance
• know there are sevre punishments for being caught

Question 16

Nonverbal Communication is Ambiguous: Less clear than verbal messages:

Answer 16

for example, a wink can mean many things from a sign of friendliness to a sexual come-on.

Question 17

Nonverbal Communication is Ambiguous: Multiple interpretations

Answer 17

• it is important to not read, or interpret, one cue but look at the whole picture.
• When a grocery store worker smiles and makes eye contact it doesn’t necessarily mean they are flirting with you.

Question 18

Nonverbal Communication is Ambiguous: Consider the context, culture, and nature of the relationship

Answer 18

• using the perception-checking tool can help you decipher the meaning that communicators are actually trying to convey.
• Take in all factors that might contribute to the use of nonverbal cues.

Question 19

Influences on Nonverbal Communication: Gender

Answer 19

women are more expressive and better at recognizing others’ nonverbal behaviour. Research shows that compared to men women: smile more, use more facial expressions; use more head, hand, and arm gestures; are more vocally expressive.

Question 20

Influences on Nonverbal Communication: Culture

Answer 20

• cultures have different nonverbal languages as well as verbal ones.
• For example, the OK gesture, made by joining the tips of the thumb and forefinger to form a circle is cheery in Canada but means “you’re worth zero” in Belgium and France.

Question 21

Influences on Nonverbal Communication: Body movement

Answer 21

includes body orientation, posture, gestures, facial expressions, and eye movements.

Question 22

Individual Factors: voice

Answer 22

paralanguage to describe nonverbal vocal messages. Paralanguage means of vocal expression: rate, pitch, tone, and so on. The way a message is spoken can give the same word or words many meanings. A particular emphasis on different words in a sentence can change its meaning.

Question 23

Individual Factors: Touch

Answer 23

haptics is the study of touching. Touch can communicate many messages.
- Social/polite (handshake)
- Friendship/warmth (clap on the back)
However, touch can be misunderstood. For example, is a hug playful or suggestive of stronger feelings.

Question 24

Individual Factors: Appearance

Answer 24

how we look sends messages to others. There are two dimensions to appearance: physical attractiveness and clothing.
- Physical attractiveness: for example, women who are perceived as more attractive have more dates, persuading males with greater ease.
- Clothing can convey 10 types of messages to others
a. Economic level
b. Economic background
c. Education level
d. Social background
e. Trustworthiness
f. Educational background
g. Social position
h. Level of success
i. Level of sophistication
j. Moral character

Question 25

External factors: Physical space

Answer 25

Proxemics is the study of how people and animals use space. Distance (Hall’s four spatial zones): personal distance, intimate distance, social distance, public distance. Territoriality: the notion that an area is claimed by an individual or a group of individuals.

Question 26

External factors: Physical environment

Answer 26

physical settings like architecture and interior design affect our communication. The impressions the designs give. Like intellectualism, politeness, maturity, and optimism.

Question 27

External factors: time

Answer 27

Chronemics is the study of how humans use and structure time. The way we handle time can express both intentional and unintentional messages. For example, sending a delayed response at all to a work e-mail can create an impression of untrustworthiness.

Question 28

External factors: smell

Answer 28

olfactics is the study of smell. The smell is related to attractiveness. Home buyers are influenced by how homes smell. Just like we are attracted to people who smell good.

Question 29

Guidelines for Effective Nonverbal Communication

Answer 29

• You cannot read people “like a book”
• Consider your nonverbal messages
• Recognize the impact status and power have
• Observe nonverbal messages in clusters
• Be cautious when generalizing the meaning of
  nonverbal cues