The Functional Approach to Nonverbal comm

Question 1

2 assumptions of the functional approach

Answer 1

• multiple behaviors work together to produce the same functions (e.g. intimacy=gaze, touch, space, etc)
• any given behavior can serve multiple functions (ex: close together=romantic, fight)

Question 2

what functions?

Answer 2

• focus on social functions

- determined through principle research

Question 3

primary functions of any social behavior (2)

Answer 3

1. dominance/control- getting other people to do things for you
2. affiliation/intimacy

Question 4

Patterson’s functions of nonverbal behavior (7)

Answer 4

• information
• regulation
• intimacy
• social control (dominance)
• impression management (deception is a subset)
• affect management (emotion)
• service task- not very social, ex: chiro, barber

Question 5

Patterson’s approach…

Answer 5

is an ENCODING approach, functions are defined by the motivation of the actor

Question 6

why use a functional approach?

Answer 6

• sensitizes us to discover all behaviors that serve a particular function (a multivariate approach)
• recognize that individual behaviors can have multiple functions
• organizes research on channels