Non-Verbal Communication - Essay Example

CHANNELS OR MAJOR NONVERBAL ASPECTS OF COMMUNICATION Facial Expression - Winking Some people consider winking as a means of expressing their feeling. When people, especially boys, see the woman they like, they usually wink to show that they are attracted to them. (Curci) -Staring at the stranger : People stare at strangers for different reasons: attraction, curiosity, recognition of someone famous, recognition of something queer or extraordinary on the person being stared at. Due to variety of reasons, staring is a form of nonverbal communication which convey different meanings. (Different Pond Different Fish) - Glance or look at the people they talk to : Some people look at the person they talk to differently. Some look at them directly in the eyes. Some look at other parts of the person’s face or body. Still, some people look at other things other than the people they are talking to. The difference in status, age, gender influence the way people look at others while talking to them. (Different Pond Different Fish) - Smiling: Different people express diverse ways of smiling depending on who they are smiling to and on the reasons for smiling. Some people smile when the remember something pleasant or someone who made them happy. Sometimes, people learn the art of smiling for reasons which can be perceived as a device to hide the true feelings of the person. Therefore, this form on nonverbal communication conveys different meanings depending on various rationales. (Nonverbal Communication) - Open demonstration of feelings: The facial expression for emotions and feelings are obvious for some people and can be hidden for others. Some people do not express uncontrollably their feelings and emotions in order to maintain their face and keep their public image unchanged. (Language Communication) Posture Impolite to show the bottom of the shoe: In many cultures throughout the world it is impolite to show the bottom of the shoe, which is often dirty. Therefore, one should not sit with the foot resting on the opposite knee. (Nonverbal communication) Posture that exemplifies perceived liking: Mehrabians Immediacy Principle states that open body and arm position, leaning forward relaxed posture, and touching increases perceived liking. This principle is generally true in Australian culture. (Nonverbal communication) Slouching or poor posture: In addition, slouching or poor posture is considered to be disrespectful. (The Provider’s Guide to Quality and Culture. http://erc.msh.org/mainpage.cfm?file=4.6.0.htm&module=provider&language=English) Sitting with legs crossed: Sitting with legs crossed at the ankle demonstrates a respect for the traditional rules of etiquette. This sitting position sometimes unconsciously conveys different meanings to different people depending on who the person is directing this kind of posture to. (Curci) Business posture: In the business world, a man or woman stroking their chin indicates indecisiveness. Pinching the bridge of one’s nose signifies negative evaluation. Rubbing one’s hands is a sign of anticipation while resting the check in the palm casts an image of thoughtfulness and evaluation. Cross one’s arms on the chest communicates defensiveness. (Curci) Gestures V Sign: This sign varies in meaning depending on culture. Some many, it simply means the sign on ‘peace’ as exemplified in the early 60s during the Summer of Love. For Australia, the most famous example for Australian gesture is the "V-for Victory" sign. There was gross misinterpretation in message communicated using this sign when Pres. Bush drove in his limousine past demonstrators in Canberra, Australias capital in January 1992. In Australia, holding up two fingers to from a "v" has the same vulgar meaning as the middle-finger gesture in the United States. The Aussie demonstrators were enraged, and they signaled in the same manner back at the U.S. President. President Bush later had to apologize for his faux pas. (Curci) No signal: When one indicates “no” or negation, one usually shakes the head from side to side. Shaking head from side to side is also used to show disagreement or have negative attitude. (Gunawan) When one does not know or understand what people are talking about, one usually shrugs the shoulders. (Gunawan) The Ring or OK gesture: The “Ring” or “OK” gesture has different meaning in different countries. In the USA and in English speaking countries, including Australia, the ring or OK gesture means “Everything is OK”. (Gunawan) The thumbs-up gesture: The thumb-up gesture has three meanings in Britain, Australia, and New Zealand. It is commonly used by hitch-hikers who are thumbing a lift, it is an OK signal, it is probably an insult signal meaning “up yours” or “sit on this” when the thumb is jerked sharply upwards. (Gunawan) Finger signs: In Australia, America, England and Indonesia, people count “one” on the index finger and two on the middle finger, hence, the thumb will be number five. (Gunawan) Crooking finger to say “come here” in Australia, the gesture beckons prostitute. (Capitol Hill) Touch Frequency of touch: Frequency of touch also varies significantly between different cultures. Harper refers to several studies, one of which examined touching in coffee houses. During a one hour sitting 180 touchings were observed for Puerto Ricans, 110 for French, none for English (including Australians) and 2 for Americans. (Harper, 297). Touch in relation to relationships: People in Australia prefer to keep distance between each other and touches and other physical communicative contacts are acceptable only between close people, either relatives or those who have intimate relationships, but these elements of non-verbal communication should not be public and exhibitive (Bovee and Thill, 2005). Touch in relation to gender: Some people depending on gender touch each other more than another gender. Females are known to touch each other more than their male counterparts. (Nonverbal communication) Touch in communication process: Various touches are widely used in the process of communication, including shaking hand and even hugs, depending on the level of the formality of the communication. (Language communication) Physical Appearance and Artifacts Physical beauty: Both physical appearance and artifacts, according to them, convey nonverbal messages that enhance or hinder the spoken words. People from other culture, are attracted to physical beauty, and are perceived to be more socially oriented. (Nonverbal communication) Attractive perceived as better: As such men and women rated as attractive are perceived as being more kind, sensitive, strong, social and interesting. (Nonverbal communication) Effect of colors on behavior: Max Luscher says when people look at red for long periods of time, their blood pressure, respiration; their blood pressure, respiration, and heartbeat all speed up. Dark Blue made people calmer: Blood pressure, respiration, and heartbeat recede and they became calmer. Pink made men who were lifting weights weaker. (Nonverbal communication) Artifacts: People are proud of their aboriginal tools and artifacts such as: boomerang, canoe, didgeridoo, dillybag, spears, to name a few. (Bennett 1998) Clothes: As a Western culture, Australians prefer to wear clothes which are comfortable and functional rather than fashionable and in fad. (Nonverbal communication) Time and Distance Being left alone: Some people prefer to be left alone sometimes. That is seen as normal and healthy. If they do want to talk, questions can be asked but one must exercise care with personal questions because one wouldn’t want to intrude on their privacy. Through maintenance of the distance in the process of communication people demonstrate their status and their relationships. (Different Pond Different Fish) Principle of egalitarianism: This means that people are seen to be equal and are free to communicate and express their ideas with anybody. For example a garbage man can talk openly to a prime minister. Similarly, a student can openly debate with a teacher or a university lecturer. It is hard for some people in certain cultures to accept that one person is higher than or above others. (Different Pond Different Fish) Respecting others: One shows respect for others by respecting their space and privacy. Asking questions in the first meeting with a stranger means intruding on someone’s privacy. (Different Pond Different Fish) Universal acceptable distance: In Nonverbal communication, the universal distance acceptable is identified and followed in Australia, to wit: (1)  Intimate distance-no more than 18 inches apart for mom and baby; (2) Personal Distance-18 inches to 4 feet for casual and personal conversations; (3) Social distance-4-12 feet for impersonal, business, social gatherings; and (4)  Public distance-More than 12 feet for public speaking.(Nonverbal communication) Indicator of status: Like people from other cultures, there exists some practice of using space as an indicator of status. Presidents, executives and government officials have larger offices than rank and file. (Nonverbal communication) References Bennett, J. (1998). Aboriginal Tools and Artefacts. Retrieved on May 18, 2009 from Bovee, C.L. and Thill, J.V. (2005). Excellence in business communication. Prentice Hall. Capitol Hill. (undated). Gestures and Greetings. Retrieved on May 21, 2009 from < http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/3544/gestures.htm> Curci, C. (undated). Body Gestures: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly. Retrieved on May 21, 2009 from Different Pond, Different Fish. (undated). Cross Cultural Differences in How You Should Talk to a Stranger. Retrieved on May 21, 2009 from Gunawan, M.H. (undated). Non-Verbal Communication: The “Silent” Cross-Cultural Contact With Indonesians. Retrieved on May 21, 2009 from Haptics. (undated). Retrieved on May 21, 2009 from Harper, R. G., Wiens, A. N. and Matarazzo J. D. (1978). Nonverbal communication: The State of the Art. Wiley Series on Personality Processes. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Kalidjernih, F.K. (2000). Healing the Wound: Some Cross-cultural Challenges to Australia – Indonesia Relations. The Culture Mandala, 4 no. 2. Retrieved on May 18, 2009 from Language Communication. (undated). Retrieved on May 24, 2009 from NonVerbal Communication. Retrieved on May 21, 2009 from < http://coestudents.valdosta.edu/knbennet/nonverbal_communication.htm> Nonverbal Communication. Retrieved on May 23, 2009 from < http://lynn_meade.tripod.com/id56.htm> The Provider’s Guide to Quality and Culture. Retrieved on May 21, 2009 from Read More