Unit 6 Lesson 4: The Body Speaks

Question 1

Any communication that is not carried through the words we use is called

Answer 1

nonverbal communication

Question 2

Facial Expression

Answer 2

Smiling, frowning, squinting, raising eyebrows, making eye contact, or other signs convey emotions. The eyes are especially important in nonverbal communication, though different cultures use the eyes to mean different things. For instance, in Western cultures, direct eye contact communicates interest and willingness to communicate, while other cultures may interpret eye contact as disrespectful or impolite.

Question 3

Posture and Movement

Answer 3

Attitude, emotion, physical well-being, and self-concept are expressed in posture and how a person walks or moves.

Question 4

Personal Appearance

Answer 4

From a person’s dress and appearance, you can get clues to feelings, socioeconomic status, and culture. People who are ill, physically or mentally, may lack the energy to keep their hygiene up. Don’t make assumptions based on what someone wears but use it as part of the total picture to gather clues.

Question 5

Gesture and Touch

Answer 5

Gestures of the hands and body emphasize and clarify spoken words. Touch can express care, affection, or concern but should be used with sensitivity as it is not always appropriate.

Question 6

What does Folded arms or closed body positions indicate

Answer 6

Folded arms or closed body positions indicate defensiveness, and . . . well, closedness.

Question 7

What does a smile and leaning forward as you talk indicate

Answer 7

A smile and leaning forward as you talk indicates interest in the person, friendliness, and a willingness to interact.

Question 8

However, how close or far you are from a person can be a tricky issue and smiling while you are delivering unpleasant news would be just wrong. Elaborate

Answer 8

. If your body language and facial expression don’t match your message, the incongruence can be jarring, confusing, and instill mistrust, which is the opposite of what you want.

Question 9

verbal communication tips

Answer 9

For verbal communication, you need to think about what vocabulary you are using. Patients might be embarrassed to ask you to explain something they don’t understand, so make sure to explain things in words that the person will be able to comprehend. Speak at a speed that will keep your listener engaged: too fast and they will miss information, but too slow, and their mind might start to wander. Encourage feedback so you can make sure your message is being received.

Question 10

What is intonation

Answer 10

Intonation—the rise and fall of the pitch of the voice while speaking

Question 11

What does intonation, facial expression and body langauge do together

Answer 11

can give clues to the emotional meaning of a statement.

Question 12

Give an example of how inoation impacts a phrase

Answer 12

Think of the statement “I have a daughter.” This could be just telling someone the facts. Now, imagine someone saying this as a question: “I have a daughter?” and you have a whole different story. T

Question 13

How does intonation turn a statement into a question

Answer 13

The intonation that turns a statement into a question is the rise of pitch towards the end of a sentence.

Question 14

What happens if your voice never changes when speaking

Answer 14

If your voice never changes pitch, you would speak in a monotone, which is not only boring but quite unnatural.

Question 15

What does intonation do to speech

Answer 15

Intonation gives color to your speech, expressing emotion and meaning.

Question 16

Also consider when to have this communication—the right timing can be key. Elaborate

Answer 16

If you are in a public space like a hallway, or if there is someone else present, it might not be a good time to ask a personal question. You will have a more effective conversation if you pick a good time for the communication, allow time for discussion and questions, and insure both parties are interested in the discussion. Some patients may want to discuss their medical issues in detail to understand what is going on, while others may want just an outline. The length of a communication should be as brief as possible for the content, and as clear as possible. Don’t carry on a conversation past when the important information has been exchanged.

Question 17

credibility

Answer 17

credibility—being believable or worthy of trust.

Question 18

How to be believable

Answer 18

To be believable, you need to stick to the facts. Only give information that you know to be accurate. Use precise and accurate terms that the patient will understand.