CMST-1061 Chapter 5

proxemics

a form of nonverbal communication that involves space and how we use it

nonverbal communication

all forms of communication other than words themselves; includes inflection and other vocal qualities as well as several other behaviors such as shrugs, blushing, and eye movement

Types of Nonverbal Behaviors

1. Kinesics (face and body motion) 2. Haptics (touch) 3. Physical appearance 4. Olfactics (smell) 5. Artifacts (personal objects) 6. Proxemics (personal space) 7. Environmental factors 8. Chromemics (perception and use of time) 9. Paralanguage (vocal qualities) 10. Silence

Guidelines for Effective Nonverbal Communication

1. Monitor you Nonverbal Communication 2. Interpret Others' Nonverbal Communication Tentatively a. Personal Qualifications (using you and I language) b. Contextual Qualifications

Nonverbal Behaviors Interact with Verbal Communication

1. Nonverbal behaviors repeat verbal messages. (we say "yes" while nodding our heads) 2. Nonverbal behaviors may highlight verbal communication, as when you use inflection to emphasize certain words 3. Nonverbal communication may complement, or add to, words. (forceful gestures, increased volume) 4. Nonverbal behaviors may contradict verbal messages. ("Nothing's wrong" in a hostile voice) 5. We sometimes substitute nonverbal behaviors for verbal ones. (eye rolls or shoulder shrugs)

Nonverbal Communication Regulate Interaction

1. Nonverbal communication can organize interaction between people 2. Nonverbal cues tell us when someone has finished speaking 3. By adverting our eyes or increasing our speaking volume and rate, we signal we do not want to be interrupted 4. We rely on these cues to know when to speak and when to remain silent

5 principles clarify how nonverbal communication works

1. Nonverbal communication is Ambiguous 2. Nonverbal behaviors Interact with Verbal Communication 3. Nonverbal Communication Regulates Interaction 4. Nonverbal Communication Establishes Relationship-level Meanings 5. Nonverbal Communication Reflects Cultural Values

Nonverbal Communication Reflects Cultural Values

1. Reflects rules of specific cultures 2. Isn't instinctual, but learned in the process of socialization 3. Sensory perception - our experience our touch, smell, taste, sight, and sound - is shaped by culture to a surprising degree

Nonverbal Communication Establishes Relationship-Level Meaning

1. Responsiveness - we use eye contact, inflections, facial expressions, and body posture to show interest in others 2. Liking - whether we feel positive or negative about other (smiles, frowns, sitting close together) 3. Power - assert dominance and to negotiate status; space also expresses power

Nonverbal Communication is Ambiguous

1. The ambiguity of nonverbal communication arises because meanings change over time. 2. We can never be sure that others understand the meanings we intend to express with our nonverbal behavior. 3. Nonverbal behavior is guided by rules that reduce the ambiguity of nonverbal communication by telling us what certain behaviors are understood to count as (constitutive rules) and when and where certain behaviors are appropriate and inappropriate (regulative rules)

physical appearance

A form of nonverbal communication; how we look, including the cultural meanings, values, and expectations associated with looks.

kinesics

Body position and body motions, including those of the face, that may be used to communicate or may be interpreted as communicating

olfactics

The perception of scents and odors; one form of nonverbal communication.

environmental factors

any nonverbal element of a setting that affects how we think, feel, act, and communicate

artifacts

any personal object with which one announces one's identities or personalizes one's environment

Most nonverbal communication is instinctual; it is part of our genetic makeup. Select one: a. true b. false

b. false

During an argument, when Lisa tells her husband Scott, "It's not what you said, it's how you said it," Lisa is upset with Scott's use of __________. Select one: a. kinesics b. paralanguage c. artifacts d. proxemics e. chronemics

b. paralanguage

People with high status and/or power tend to touch others and invade others' space more than do people with less power and/or status. Select one: a. false b. true

b. true

Joaquin came to the United States from Mexico three months ago and he is still having trouble understanding Americans' tendency to rush all the time. He is also surprised when his teachers are irritated if he joins class a while after class has started. Joaquin's confusion about American pace of life is based on which aspect of nonverbal behavior? Select one: a. paralanguage b. artifacts c. chronemics d. proxemics e. kinesics

c. chronemics

The term referring to body position and motions is __________. Select one: a. haptics b. proxemics c. kinesics d. artifacts e. olfactics

c. kinesics

The study of space and how people use it is known as __________. Select one: a. olfactics b. haptics c. proxemics d. kinesics e. artifacts

c. proxemics

paralanguage

communication that is vocal but not verbal; includes accent, inflection, volume, pitch, and sounds such as murmurs and gasps

Which of the following is NOT true about nonverbal communication? Select one: a. it reflect cultural values b. it helps establish relationship-level meanings c. it interacts with verbal communication d. it does not vary over time e. it is not always clear

d. it does not vary over time

Rachel doesn't want to be interrupted while she's speaking so she avoids looking at others until she has said all she wants to say. Then she looks at the person who wants to respond. Rachel has used nonverbal behavior to __________. Select one: a. demonstrate warmth b. establish content level meanings c. establish relational level meanings d. regulate interaction e. define her cultural standpoint

d. regulate interaction

According to our textbook, nonverbal communication is estimated to account for what percentage of the total meaning of communication? Select one: a. 100% b. 41-53% c. 16-39% d. Less than 12% e. 65-93%

e. 65-93%

Assuming an attentive posture, holding eye contact, and nodding to show you understand what another person is saying are nonverbal behaviors that convey which dimension of relational level meanings? Select one: a. power b. status c. control d. liking e. responsiveness

e. responsiveness

silence

lack of sound; can be a powerful form of nonverbal communication

haptics

nonverbal communication involving physical touch

chronemics

nonverbal communication involving the perception and use of time to define identities and interaction