Unit 1.2 HC: The Notion of Signal

Question 1

What is a signal?

Answer 1

Any element of visual, auditory, tactile nature-transmitting info (signs & symbols)

Question 2

What is a signal made up of

Answer 2

signs and symbols

Question 3

What is a code?

Answer 3

System that links a set of signals to referents (meaning)
Turns signals into understandable messages

Question 4

What is a sign?

Answer 4

Behaviour conveying meaning due to a causal relationship (e.g. blushing = embarrassed)

Question 5

What are the characteristics of a sign?

Answer 5

Usually unintentional
Innate/involuntary
Interpreted using common-sense (inherent relation to referent)
Expressive bhvr shared with animals

Question 6

What is a symbol?

Answer 6

Conveying meaning due to social convention
“I am embarrassed”

Question 7

what are the characteristics of a symbol?

Answer 7

Intentional
Requires explicit learning (from speaker & listener)
Interpret = must master symbol system
Relationship with referent is conventional
Not shared with animals

Question 8

Is body language a sign or symbol?

Answer 8

Sign - because it is involuntary, innate and is understood using common knowledge

Question 9

What are the 3 aspects of body language?

Answer 9

Kinesics
Proxemics
Paralanguage

Question 10

What are kinesics?

Answer 10

Body movement (gestures, posture, gaze, facial expression)

Question 11

What are proxemics?

Answer 11

Use of space (e.g. distance, position, space structure)

Question 12

what is paralanguage?

Answer 12

Vocal signals (e.g. loud/quiet, voice volume, intonation, speech rhythm, accent)

Question 13

What are the 5 verbal language gestures from most symbolic (intentional) to least symbolic (most expressive)

Answer 13

Emblems (highly intentional)
Illustrators (somewhat int)
Regulators (not overly int)
Affect displays (not v int/symbolic)
Adaptors (least int)

Question 14

Is verbal language a sign or a symbol?

Answer 14

symbol

Question 15

What is the continuum of gestures?

Answer 15

There are 5 types of gestures (e.g, emblems, illustrators etc) which sit on a scale of symbolic –> expressive.
The more intentional and translatable to verbal terms a gesture is the more symbolic it is.
The less intention & translatable = more expressive

Question 16

What is an emblem? Where does it sit on continuum of intentionality? Example?

Answer 16

Non-verbal signed with straightforward verbal meaning
Culture bound & convention

Highly intentional

e.g. thumbs up, clapping, middle finger

Question 17

What is an illustrator? where on continuum? example?

Answer 17

Used to emphasise, explain, and visually support a verbal message Pictographs, rhythmic or dietic movements

pictographs, rhythmic or dietic movements

Somewhat intentional

Question 18

What is a regulator? where on continuum? example?

Answer 18

Help to synchronise back-and-forth conversation (regulates convo)
Cannot be directly translated into verbal terms.

e.g. holding hands together to indicate listening

Not overly intentional

Question 19

What is an affect display? where on continuum? example?

Answer 19

Conveys feelings with face, posture or body movements
needs context

e,g. holding chest to indicate compassion

Not very intentional

Question 20

What is an adaptors? where on continuum? example?

Answer 20

Linked to internal states to regulate levels of physiological arousal
self contact gestures

e.g. rubbing eyes when tired

Least intentional/symbolic/translatable

Question 21

What is the difference between digital and analog? What are these different values like?

Answer 21

DIGITAL
conventional in nature (numbers, letters)
Signal-referent relationships = abritrary (random, context dependent)
Discrete unit

ANALOG
Inherent
sign-referent relationship = necessity
Continuous