Communication - Chapter 6

Nonverbal Behavior

all nonverbal actions we engage in (scratching various body parts, moving in time to the music)

Nonverbal Communication

nonverbal behavior that has symbolic meaning (behavior is communicative when: it is used regularly, it is interpreted as intentional, there is a recognized, agreed-upon interpretation for the behavior)

Influences on nonverbal communication

culture (meaning of any nonverbal behavior is defined by the cultures of those interacting), the relationship between the people interacting, the meaning we attribute to someone's behavior varies based on how well we know them, interpretation based on their sex (flippin hair)

Nonverbal Codes (signals)

distinct, organized means of expression that consist of both symbols and rules (a set of behaviors and codes together determines the meaning or significance of an action)

Kinesics

the term used to describe a system of studying nonverbal communication sent by the body, including gestures, posture, movement, facial expressions, and eye behavior

Gestures

pointing, waving, holding up hands to direct people's attention, indicates that we want to be recognized

Illustrators

signals that accompany speech to clarify or emphasize the verbal messages (eg showing how big something is with your hands)

Emblems

gestures we use that stand for specific verbal meaning (raising hand in class)

Adaptors

gestures we use to manage our emotions (nervous gestures, tapping pencil)

Regulators

control conversations (holding finger up to mean one second)

Posture

immediacy and relaxation

Immediacy

how close or involved people appear to be with each other

Relaxation

degree of tension in one's body

Paralinguistics

all aspects of language except the words themselves; includes rate, volume, pitch, stress

Voice Qualities

include speed, pitch, rhythm, vocal range, and articulation

Vocalizations

the sounds we utter that do not have the structure of language

Chronemics

the study of the way people use time as a message (punctuality and the amount of time spent together)

Proxemics

the study of how people use spacial cues; including interpersonal distance, territoriality, and other space relationships to communicate

Monochronically

engaging in one task behavior at a time

Polychronically

engaging in multiple activities simultaneously

Intimate Distance

(0-18 in) the space used when interacting with those with whom one is very close

Personal Distance

(18 in-4 ft) the space used when interacting with friends and acquaintances

Social Distance

(4 - 12ft) the distance most U.S. Americans use when they interact with unfamiliar others

Public Distance

(12 - 25 ft) the distance used for public ceremonies such as lectures and performances

Haptics

the study of the communicative function of touch

Professional Touch

type of touch used by certain workers as part of their livelihood, aka functional touch (least intimate)

Social-Polite Touch

part of daily interaction in the US; more intimate but still impersonal (shake hands)

Friendship Touch

touch that is more intimate than social touch and usually conveys warmth, closeness, and caring

Love-Intimate Touch

the touch most often used with one's romantic partners and family

Demand Touch

type of touch to establish dominance and power, increases in hierarchal settings, touchers typically have higher status and more control over encounters than do receivers

Artifacts

the clothing an other accessories an individual chooses