Chapter 7

Nonverbal Communication

"communication that does not involve language" does not involve one-to-one correspondence between sounds, signs, flag positions, or pictograms and the alphabetic codes they represent. Examples of nonverbal communication include posture, stance, eye contact, gestures, physical appearance, and dress.

Nonverbal Communication Channels: Vocal cues and silence - Paralanguage

elements of speech that we do not recognize as language, including intonation, tone, pitch, speech rate, volume, and hesitations (eg hmm, ohh, etc) Lower pitched voices are seen as more reliable (natural advantage) Speech rate - faster the more credible Volume can be used to make a point (attention is drawn whenever there is a change)

Sociopetal settings

physical settings that bring people together

Sociofugal settings

physical settings that push people apart eg airport

Five Primary Functions of Nonverbal Communication: Replacing or substituting for verbal messages (illustrators)

showing how do i look with your hands, not agreed upon meaning Nonverbal cues control and manage the flow of communication between people. e.g., Raising hand to say "Wait until I finish." e.g., Raising hand to say "I want to speak." e.g., Whistling and using hand movements to tell drivers when to stop or go at a traffic crossing Also do a subsituting function; take the place of spoken requests

Nonverbal Communication Channels: Vocal cues and silence - role of silence

to comfort; give space for listening; punish; show defiance, fear, or reluctance to take a stand on an issue; or add drama, weight, and impact to a statement

Semaphores

1-1 correspondence between alphabet and the flag Diff flag position means a letter eg to indicate you need help on a stranded island

Nonverbal Communication Channels: Vocal cues and silence - reactions to silence

: discomfort in talk-oriented cultures Can become more comfortable with silence in relationships Pausing can add weight to things eg in comedy, adds weight Can be used as a tool to punish people Getting shunned (eg isolation cells, start feeling like they don't exist anymore) Eg mice associated with 2 hours of silence, it grew their brains Quiet time that allows conscious workspace to process things Releases tension in the brain and body (2 mins of silence > relaxing than chill music)

Secondary Functions of Nonverbal Communication: Violating expectations

Expectations influence our judgments of others, and culture and context play a role in these expectations. Cultural factors come into play with stereotypical expectations about levels of motivation and academic abilities of some immigrant groups, linguistic abilities of people with autism, the artistic leanings of gay men, and the career choices of women and men. Context also comes into the picture when we expect certain groups to conform differently from others in terms of dress, styles of language, and political leanings. Sometimes our expectations come from group stereotypes: that women don't use vulgar language in public, that all LGBTQ people are liberal, all comedians are happy, all older people are conservative, and women don't swear in public—until they violate our expectations. Career choices for women and men (being married, working, having children, etc) Eg older people are conservative People can also violate our expectations when they behave in a manner that challenges our physical or emotional boundaries. People can violate our expectations when they make choices we don't anticipate. When people violate our expectations, our perceptions of them can change in a positive or negative direction eg ppl coming too close to us, asking highly personal questions QAnon people → don't expect them to win candidacy, but possible that she will win in the congress

Nonverbal Communication Channels: Touch - the power of touch

Improves moods, sleep and growth patterns in children; reduces stress and lowers health risks in adults; offers comfort and affection and enables us to reach out to other people Eg hugs prevent depression, less fearful, more open, increases self esteem Triggers increase of oxycontin, helps wounds heal faster Promotes brain development Natural craving of touch when you're children British, American, Canadian cultures are touch hungry Beneficiaries: Waitresses, doctors, teachers, managers, everyone! Cultural variations: Touch-phobic and touch-hungry societies, coffee shop experiment

Nonverbal Communication Channels: Clothing and personal artifacts

Internet study by Jennie Noll into self-presentations and victimization Young women who had been sexually assaulted at some point made them more provocative The more provocative, more likely to draw predators Encouraged victimization

Comfortable level with hugs

Not generally very comfortable in Canada with hugs Mulroney and leader of Zimbabwe, he tried to hold his hand; Mulroney clasped hands behind him Migabe didn't like that, reached behind him, and pulled his hand out so he could hold it How long hugs should last before getting awkward Regardless of gender, average 3 seconds with additional 2 for prep Longer when rlns is supportive > competitiv Lowers blood pressure, lowers chance of heart disease, increase immunity Stroking and petting an animal also helps (children's hospitals) Hug box for people with autism Even rubbing hands, massaging temples of the head → self soothing Even lightest touch can make a difference (eg barely touching student's hand with librarian make students feel better) If manager does that might make u feel like they have power over u → bad Context matters eg party vs at work

Nonverbal Communication Channels: Body movement, posture, stance, and gestures - power tells - posture and power

Opening legs → more powerful

Nonverbal Communication Channels: Body movement, posture, stance, and gestures - power tells

Political leaders sometimes have exaggerated walks to convey power. At other times, their efforts to show dominance involve "last man through the door".

Nonverbal Communication Channels: facial expressions, eye contact, gaze

Six facial expressions that appear across cultures: anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness, and surprise Universal and identifiable Functions of eye contact: to show interest, convey understanding or confusion, express emotion, signal sexual interest, demonstrate respect, and regulate conversation Cultural and other differences in how people interpret direct eye contact and gaze Eg looking down is a sign of respect; principal might interpret lack of eye contact as a sign of lying, disrespect; but in Africa it's a sign of respect Looking directly at someone = signal that you're interested in them

Nonverbal Communication Channels: Clothing and personal artifacts - colour

Some studies have connected personality to colour preferences. Cultures vary in the meanings they attach to colours. Globalization is affecting marketing preferences. Eg black, purple, red venereal In China, ppl wear white at weddings now even tho it used to mean mourning Problems for marketing industry Cross cultural colour associations Grey is cheap in China, rich in America Brown is cheap everywhere, purple is expensive in China in Korea and Japan Black is seen everywhere as expensive and powerful Blue high quality across the board Yellow is happiness, green is pure Nancy Pelosi with the gavel wearing pink/red Among sea of black clad men, wore fuschia red Imp for women who attended the inauguration

Nonverbal Communication Channels: Clothing and personal artifacts - cultural appropriation

Sometimes political leaders are criticized for cultural appropriation of clothing. By cultural appropriation, we mean "the adoption or co-opting, usually without acknowledgment, of cultural identity markers associated with or originating in minority communities by people or communities with a relatively privileged status"

Five Primary Functions of Nonverbal Communication: Replacing or substituting for verbal messages (emblems)

Specified agreed upon meaning Nonverbal cues that replace the verbal with a nonverbal message Eg, nodding, applauding, thumbs up Nodding = yes in our culture (not in Bulgaria), clapping = replacing 'woohoo', thumbs up Ok emblem, thumbs up

Buildings and Spatial Arrangements: Basic Principles

The higher your position in the organization, the great and better space you will enjoy. The higher your position in the organization, the less likely you are to require or use the space. The higher your position in the organization, the more likely your space will be guarded by secretaries, doors, and rules governing access. The higher your position in the organization, the more flexibility you will have to alter the setting. Power weakens with distance from the source of power. The higher your position in the organization, the more flexibility you will have to alter the setting.

Nonverbal Communication Channels: personal space - territoriality

The way by which animals (and people) mark and defend personal space Eg you'd be annoyed if someone put their jacket on your chair

How and what dress communicates

University of Calgary study - Perceptions of physicians based on dress codes Men in suits, jackets, shirts; families went to the white jackets and scrubs Act diff depending on perception of their authority Milgram and Zimbardo studies - Perceptions of authority figures based on status and dress Each time partner made mistake they were made to think they were giving volts to ppl who made errors 65% of them went all the way How far will they go when told in an authoritarian matter what to do? "Ordinary people will follow any rule they're given" Zimbardo got students to act as guards and prisoners Acted extremely violent and abusive Discontinued the experiment after 6 days Guards were given guards, handcuffs, uniforms, whistles Uniforms were non verbally told they were prisoners Power of uniform Guard obeyed 76%, pedestrian 30%, milk man 40% More likely when ppl r wearing uniform

Tips for Improving Nonverbal Communication Skills

Use nonverbal channels of communication to communicate emotional information and offer support. Remember that certain facial expressions, gestures, and other nonverbal cues mean different things in different cultures. Use immediacy behaviours to increase your likeability. Adopt a "power pose" before your next job interview or presentation. Ensure your nonverbal messages match your verbal messages. Use nonverbal cues to demonstrate that you are listening and to regulate conversations. Avoid nonverbal leakage as much as possible. Use touch in a manner appropriate to the context. Wear clothing that reflects the image you want to present to others.

Secondary Functions of Nonverbal Communication: Making connections through immediacy

We are drawn to people who exhibit immediacy behaviours. Immediacy behaviours decrease physical and psychological distance between communicators and increase feelings of closeness and liking. We display immediacy when we lean toward the other person, make eye contact, nod warmly, or smile. Reducing boundaries between you and the other person Eg if you bring your chair close to someone when talking to them at work, or if you're in a classroom, might walk from behind the podium and go closer to the class, ask more questions, address people by their first names Trying to close the distance, psychologically and physically Immediacy influences the likeability of politicians and instructors, increasing motivation to support the politician or to engage in classroom activities. Open stances, close to students, smiling

Secondary Functions of Nonverbal Communication: Making first impressions

We over-value first impressions, which we form on the basis of the most accessible cues: physical appearance, dress, speech patterns, race and ethnicity, gender, and personality. We see physically attractive people as more likeable, confident, and comfortable in social situations. We respond favourably to people seen as agreeable, outgoing, open, conscientious, and emotionally stable in their personalities. Although often wrong, we place more importance on agreeableness than any other personality characteristic. Problem: we ignore other instincts that contradict the initial impression Confidence and correctness don't work (more confident, more likely you're wrong)

Secondary Functions of Nonverbal Communication: building and maintaining relationships

We use nonverbal cues to signal romantic interest in another person. The cues can include eye contact, touch, leaning toward the person of interest, self-grooming, and smiling. E.g., self-grooming cues include adaptors discussed earlier such as running your fingers through your hair, twirling a stand of your hair, adjusting your tie, smoothing your clothing, or fixing your makeup Doctors would do these things more often back then more than now eg sitting outside and talking to people, getting to know them Nonverbal communication plays a role in the initiation, maintenance, and ending of romantic relationships. Regardless of who initiates the process, studies show that women tend to be the ones who regulate the courtship process.

First Impressions:"It's the Way She Walks"

Who would you identify as victims walking down the streets of NY? Was no correspondence between size surprisingly, nor age/gender (none of these worked to see patterns of who ppl picked) Ppl didn't know why they pick who they picked Selected Victims Awkward or unusual walk (e.g. dragging, shuffling, or lifting feet in unnatural way) Abnormally short or long strides Slower or faster speed of walking (showing lack of clear purpose if slow and nervousness or fear if faster) Less coordinated and more erratic body movements (e.g., lurching from side to side or loose and disjointed arm movements, swinging out of harmony with rest of body) Slumped posture and downward gaze (showing weakness, submissiveness, or displaying lack of awareness of surroundings) Non-victims Smooth and natural walk Stepping in a heel-to-toe fashion Walking at an average pace Moving in a smooth, balanced, and centered way Straight posture Looking straight ahead gaze Showing confidence and strength

Nonverbal Communication Channels: Body movement, posture, stance, and gestures - kinesics

body movements, posture, stance, and hand gestures, often called body language

Hard architecture

buildings and other structures designed to stand strong and to resist human imprint; walls made of cement, no place for paintings

Soft architecture

buildings and other structures that allow personalization of spaces (more likely for higher positions in the org)

Primary Functions of Nonverbal Communication: Conveying emotion (affect displays)

carries an emotional meaning, displays affective states for eg somebody tells you you're doing a good job, spontaneous smile, indicates happiness eg someone says this is the worst dgd ever, sad face. spontaneous expression that goes with feeling someone dies, getting emotional --> affect display not the act of crying itself, just what your face is like, the sad state. Nonverbal carries 93 per cent of emotional content of messages; verbal carries 7 per cent. When we read facial expressions in tandem with body language, we increase our accuracy in interpreting the emotional content of messages.

Language code

communication back and forth Other verbal codes are sign language (used by people with a hearing loss) and Braille (used by people who are blind or visually impaired).

Nonverbal Communication Channels: personal space - proxemics

how people perceive and use personal space and distance Goes to up about 1.5 feet (intimate zone) then 4 ft (personal space; close friends and family), social space (12 feet, casual acquaintances), public space (25 ft) Intimate space - reserved for exchange of close personal communication and physical contact Personal space - reserved for interaction with close friends and family members Social distance - interactions with more casual acquaintances Public space - reserved for public discourse and speaking

Nonverbal Communication Channels: chronemics

how people perceive, structure, value, and react to time Monochronic cultures - cultures that view time as rigidly linear and rely heavily on clocks and schedules to regulate events. Do one activity at a time → move to others sequentially Time is money, in Switzerland, Germany, US Polychronic cultures - cultures that view time as elastic and believe events will happen when they are meant to happen.

Verbal communication

involves language—a collection of symbols that can be arranged in a particular order according to rules that govern the language. Below you can see the symbols used in different languages to represent what we call a beach ball in English. Also includes morse code where sounds represent letters in the alphabet and semaphores, where position of flag = letter Plus braille and sign language are verbal

Primary Functions of Nonverbal Communication: Relieving tension and satisfying bodily needs (adaptors)

low level of consciousness eg clicking pen absentmindedly don't realize you're doing potentially unintentional queues about how someone is feeling eg could be stressed Don't fully know what they're mean bc they're ambiguous, diff ppl understand them differently Adaptors convey information, which may be meaningful or meaningless.

Nonverbal Communication Channels: Body movement, posture, stance, and gestures - power tells - nonverbal leakage

unconscious body movements that give unintended information E.g., posture changes, repetitive toe or finger tapping, muscle twitches, tensing of legs Leakage bc we're not paying attention to what we're doing Most frequent sources of leakage: feet and legs, followed by hands (less controlled and regulated than face)