Week 2 - Nonverbal communication and embodiment

Question 1

Definition nonverbal communication

Answer 1

Behaviors other than words that form a socially shared coding system.
- Verbal vs nonverbal
- Digital vs analogue
- Explicit vs implicit
- Symbols vs signs
- Controlled vs automatic
- Content vs relationship

Question 2

Types of nonverbal communication

Answer 2

Vocalics: temper, pitch
Kinesics: movement
Haptics: touch
Proxemics: space
Physical characteristics: appearance and adornment
Environmental factors

Question 3

Functions of nonverbal communication

Answer 3

To replace verbal communication
To modify a spoken word
To regulate conversation
To negotiate relationships

Question 4

Proxemics

Answer 4

Intimate distance
Personal distance
Public distance

Question 5

Kinesics - gestures

Answer 5

Words
Sign language
Illustration
Regulators
Adaptors

Question 6

Interpersonal unconscious mimicry

Answer 6

Imitating facial expressions
Emotional mimicry
Behavior matching (chameleon effect)

Question 7

Accommodation theory

Answer 7

A speaker may adapt all aspects of speech
The major determinant is the “other” and the relationship

Question 8

Interpersonal functions of nonverbal communication

Answer 8

Impression formation
Relationship development and maintenance
Establishing dominance
Expressing emotion

Question 9

Nonverbal behavior mimicry

Answer 9

Mimicry is automatic and unconscious and it makes the interaction more pleasant.

Question 10

What happens in power-related nonverbal behavior?

Answer 10

In power-related nonverbal behavior, there tends to be assuming of opposite posture instead of mimicry.
A dominant posture yields a submissive posture and vice versa.

Question 11

Nonverbal synchrony

Answer 11

The interactional state of coordinated nonverbal behaviors between individuals

Question 12

Effects of synchrony

Answer 12

Liking
Rapport
Smoothness of interaction
Social Identity
Cooperation
Coordination

Question 13

Embodied effects on nonverbal displays

Answer 13

Refers to how our body posture reflects and influences feelings of power.
When we feel powerful, we adopt a dominant posture

Question 14

Definition of nonverbal communication - message perspective

Answer 14

Behaviors other than words that form a socially shared coding system and are sent with intent.

Question 15

Definition nonverbal communication - process-based approach/complementary perspective

Answer 15

Any behaviors that are sent with intent

Question 16

Code

Answer 16

Channel or systematic means through which meanings are encoded and decoded

Question 17

Forming impressions

Answer 17

A decoding activity that involved making judgments about a person based on appearance or behavior.

Question 18

Static cues when forming impression

Answer 18

Physical attractiveness
Voice

Question 19

Dynamic cues

Answer 19

How behavior and interaction shape impression over time

Question 20

Some theories/examples for dynamic cues?

Answer 20

Interaction appearance theory = First impressions can change how attractive we find someone based on how they interact (friendliness).
Lens model = The way we display or “encode” our personality through behavior, and how others “decode” it to make judgments about us.
Thin slice impressions = when people base initial judgments about a person based on facial expressions

Question 21

Some theories for static cues?

Answer 21

“What is beautiful is good” hypothesis = Attractive people are often assumed to have positive qualities.
Matching hypothesis = People tend to date or pair with others who are similarly attractive.
“What sounds beautiful is good” hypothesis = People with nice voices are judged more positively.

Question 22

Social penetration theory

Answer 22

Relationships become closer as the depth of self-disclosure increases

Question 23

Uncertainty reduction theory

Answer 23

The need to predict and explain the behavior of others to reduce uncertainty.

Question 24

Importance of positive involvement behaviors

Answer 24

They facilitate cues that produce intimate interactions and increase reciprocity from receivers (nonverbal immediacy and positive involvement)

Question 25

Principle of nonverbal escalations

Answer 25

Nonverbal immediacy cues tend to increase as a romantic relationship escalates toward commitment.

Question 26

The bright side of nonverbal dominance

Answer 26

Dominant cues that gain compliance, solving problems, and long-term change (poise, dynamism, skills in interaction)

Question 27

The dark side of nonverbal dominance

Answer 27

Dominance cues that reflect intimidation and control.

Question 28

Some examples of dominance cues that reflect intimidation.

Answer 28

The chilling effect = less powerful person withholds complaints
Intimate terrorism = threats and violence to control partner
Dyadic power theory = people with more power in the relationship do not need to display dominant behavior because they already have control.

Question 29

What influences emotions?

Answer 29

Action tendencies: biological impulses that are emotion-specific and have evolved to be adaptive in particular situations
Display rules: cultural prescriptions for how people should manage their emotional expression in socially appropriate ways

Question 30

Facial feedback hypothesis

Answer 30

Movement of facial muscles can cause people to experience emotions consistent with the expression formed by muscles

Question 31

Motor mimicry

Answer 31

Occurs when a receiver reacts nonverbally to something that happens to a sender as if he or she is experiencing it

Question 32

Emotion contagion effect

Answer 32

People catch the emotions of those around them

Question 33

Behavioral mimicry

Answer 33

When two or more people engage in the same behavior at the same time

Question 34

Stimulus compatibility effects

Answer 34

Phenomena that responses are faster (and often more accurate) when stimulus and response correspond than when they do not

Question 35

Facilitators of behavioral mimicry

Answer 35

Pre-existing rapport
Goal to affiliate
Individual differences
Similarity

Question 36

Inhibitors to behavioral mimicry

Answer 36

Goals to disaffiliate

Question 37

Consequences of behavioral mimicry for individual

Answer 37

Cognitive processing: can change the way people think
Persuasion: increases persuasion
Self-regulatory ability: People have unconscious expectations about how much others will mimic their behavior. When these expectations are unmet, it can impair their self-control and focus.

Question 38

Social consequences of mimicry

Answer 38

Liking and empathy
Helping behavior
Interdependence and feelings of closeness
Accuracy in emotion perception
Reducing prejudice

Question 39

Interactional synchrony

Answer 39

Involves matching timing, not always behavior

Question 40

Difference between mimicry and synchrony

Answer 40

Timing is crucial for synchrony but not mimicry
Mimicry yields behaviors that are similar in form, but not always in synchrony

Question 41

Social embodiment

Answer 41

How social thought and judgment can be affected by bodily states, emotions, actions, and motivations

Question 42

4 forms of embodiment effects

Answer 42

1. Social stimuli generate both cognitive and bodily responses (seeing someone smile can make us feel happier inside)
2. Observing others’ bodily states leads to mimicry.
3. One’s own bodily states create affective responses.
4. The alignment of bodily and cognitive states enhances performance (if our body feels tense, it might be harder to think straight)

Question 43

4 functions of the body during social interaction

Answer 43

1. Body functions as a resonance mechanism
2. Body functions as a means to ending social interaction
3. Body functions as a representational device
4. Body is used to express and shape emotions

Question 44

Give one phenomenological explanation for embodiment

Answer 44

Intercorporeality : our own body is the center of our shared experiences with others, and this is connected to how we see things, feel our body moving, and act.
Ex: When you’re on the field, you not only move your own body but also pay attention to how your teammates move. You can predict where they’ll go or what they’ll do next based on shared experiences and how your body naturally responds to their actions.

Question 45

Embodied simulations theories

Answer 45

Theory theories: behavor is understood based on the mind’s structure
Simulation theories: ability to project oneself into another person’s point of view; simulating what is such as to be in the other person’s situation.

Question 46

Gallagher (mirror neurons)

Answer 46

Argues that the divide between body and mind might be blurred.
Mirror neurons help us understand actions by imagining doing them ourselves, allowing us to imitate others and grasp their thoughts and feelings.

Question 47

Embodied lingustics

Answer 47

Language and movement are closely tied in the brain. Gestures are key to communication and work in tandem with speech to convey meaning.