5-1 Discussion Proxemics

5

-

1 Discussion Proxemics

Proxemic

s

is a theory of non

-

verbal communication that explains how

people communicate without words through personal speaking

distance, speech volume, eye contact, touching, body position, and the

context in which the communication occurs. Different individuals,

es

pecially those from different cultural backgrounds, have different

comfort levels with these non

-

verbal elements of communication and

may have different non

-

verbal communication standards

.

For this discussion, identify three volunteers, if possible, from

different

demographic backgrounds, including age, national origin, and gender.

Explain the theory of proxemics to them and ask if they would allow

you to assess the degree of comfort or discomfort when these

different non

-

verbal communication components ar

e varied. As you

talk to them, vary the personal distance, speech volume, eye contact,

touching (if appropriate based on local cultural norms), body position,

and setting in which the communication occurs. Discuss how each

variable positively or negatively

impacts the communication process.

Then, summarize how these factors increase or decrease your ability to

actively listen to the other party and why they are valuable

.

If you cannot find three volunteers for this assignment, watch the

following video cli

p:

Cultural

Proxemics

—

Personal

Space

. Then,

provide three key ideas you have gained from watching the video clip.

Include a summary of what you have observed and learned from this

exercise

.

5-1 Discussion Proxemics

Proxemics is a theory of non-verbal communication that explains how

people communicate without words through personal speaking

distance, speech volume, eye contact, touching, body position, and the

context in which the communication occurs. Different individuals,

especially those from different cultural backgrounds, have different

comfort levels with these non-verbal elements of communication and

may have different non-verbal communication standards.

For this discussion, identify three volunteers, if possible, from different

demographic backgrounds, including age, national origin, and gender.

Explain the theory of proxemics to them and ask if they would allow

you to assess the degree of comfort or discomfort when these

different non-verbal communication components are varied. As you

talk to them, vary the personal distance, speech volume, eye contact,

touching (if appropriate based on local cultural norms), body position,

and setting in which the communication occurs. Discuss how each

variable positively or negatively impacts the communication process.

Then, summarize how these factors increase or decrease your ability to

actively listen to the other party and why they are valuable.

If you cannot find three volunteers for this assignment, watch the

following video clip: Cultural Proxemics—Personal Space. Then,

provide three key ideas you have gained from watching the video clip.

Include a summary of what you have observed and learned from this

exercise.