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ChapterSix-NonverbalCommunicationIssues.pptx

Experiencing Intercultural Communication An Introduction 6th edition

Judith N. Martin & Thomas K. Nakayama

©McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. Authorized only for instructor use in the classroom.  No reproduction or further distribution permitted without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

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Chapter 6

Nonverbal Communication Issues

©McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. Authorized only for instructor use in the classroom.  No reproduction or further distribution permitted without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

Chinese Display, Bellagio Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NV. - M. Brimo 2006

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Defining Nonverbal Communcation

Communication through means other than language

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Defining Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal communication also involves the notion of cultural spaces

Cultural spaces: Contexts that form one’s identity

Where we grew up

Where we live

How do cultural spaces impact our identity?

What are the cultural meanings learned in our cultural spaces?

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Comparing Verbal and Nonverbal Communication

Both verbal and nonverbal communication:

Are symbolic

Communicate meaning

Are governed by rules determined by contexts and situations AND culture

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Comparing Verbal and Nonverbal Communication

Differences

Nonverbals learned more “unconsciously” than verbal (through socialization)

Nonverbals can reinforce, substitute for or contradict our verbal behaviors

Since nonverbal communication operates at a more subconscious level, we tend to think people have less control over it

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What Nonverbal Behavior Communicates

Relational messages: messages that express how we really feel about others

Responsiveness

Liking

Power/Status

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What Nonverbal Behavior Communicates

Deception (or offer deception clues)

Leakage

Facial expressions

Pupil dilation

Speech patterns

HOWEVER…

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What Nonverbal Behavior Communicates

Three guidelines to prevent hasty interpretations

Think about the context

Consider the person’s other nonverbal behaviors

Consider the verbal messages along with the nonverbal messages

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Paralinguistics

The study of vocal behaviors that indicate how something is said

Includes:

Speaking rate

Volume

Pitch

Stress/emphasis

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Paralinguistics - Two Types of Vocal Behavior

Voice qualities - Tone of voice

Include:

Speed

Pitch

Rhythm

Vocal range

Articulation

Vocalizations - Sounds that do not have the structure of language

Include:

Vocal cues - Laughing, crying, whining, or moaning

Fillers, such as “uh-huh,” “uh,” “ah,” and “er”

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Paralinguistics Serves Several Functions

Expresses mood and emotion

Creates emphasis

Creates a distinctive identity

Regulates conversation

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Personal Space (Proxemics)

The “bubble” around each of us that marks the territory between ourselves and others

Edward Hall’s Proxemic Zones (for Americans)

Intimate (skin-18 inches)

Personal (18 inches-4 feet)

Social (4 feet-12 feet)

Public (12 feet and out)

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Personal Space (Proxemics)

How does this affect us?

The distance we choose affects how we regard others (what zone are they in)

Territoriality (also part of proxemics)

Any geographical areas we assume “rights” to

Work space, room, chair in classroom, etc.

How we use space can communicate power/status

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Personal Space (Proxemics)

Contact cultures

Stand closer together while talking

Use more direct eye contact

Touch frequently

Speak louder

Example - South America and Southern Europe

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Personal Space (Proxemics)

Noncontact cultures

Stand farther apart while talking

Use less eye contact

Touch less often

Example - Northern Europe, North America, and East Asia

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Physical Appearance

Weight, height, body shape

Personal grooming and personal artifacts (jewelry, glasses, backpacks, purses, etc.)

Physical attractiveness is dynamic and variable

Two universal measures of attractiveness

More emphasis on female attractiveness than male

Men consistently express stronger preferencecs for attractive mates than women (seems to matter to them more)

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Physical Appearance

What some cultures find attractive vary

How some cultures use clothing/artifacts vary

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Eye Contact

An element of personal space because it regulates interpersonal distance

Direct eye contact shortens distance between two people

Lack of eye contact increases the distance

Communicates meanings related to respect and status; regulates turn taking in conversations

Patterns of eye contact vary from culture to culture

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Facial Expression

Several facial expressions that convey emotion tend to be universal (smiling, laughing, frowning, etc.)

However, some recent research says “no”

There is variation in many aspects of facial expressions and the rules that regulate them

Less distinctions between facial expressions in some cultures

What causes someone have a facial expression may vary between cultures

What is acceptable in certain contexts

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Gestures

Arm and hand movements that communicate nonverbally

Kinds of gestures

Emblems: Gestures that have a specific verbal translation

Illustrators: Gestures that go along with and refer to speech

Regulators: Gestures used to guide the flow of conversation

Adaptors: Gestures related to managing our emotions

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Time Orientation

How we use and view time

Monochronic culture

Time is regarded as a commodity

It can be gained, lost, wasted, or saved

It is linear

Events happen one after another

Monochronic cultures value punctuality, completion of tasks, and adherence to schedules

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Time Orientation

Polychronic

Time is conceptualized as holistic or circular

Many events can happen at once

Personal obligations are more important than schedules

Tasks are accomplished because of personal relationships, not in spite of them

Many international business negotiations, technical assistance projects, and team projects fail because of differences in time orientation

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Time Orientation

Time orientation

Monochronics on polychronics

They never plan for the future

They are losing time and money

They fail to plan and so cause problems

Polychronics on monochronics

They are always in a hurry

They don’t give priority to the art of living

They do not give priority to people

The implications for intercultural misunderstandings between people with these different time orientations are significant.

It takes a great deal of patience and cross-cultural understanding to work together in these situations

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Silence

Cultural groups may vary in the emphasis placed on speaking and on silence

U.S.—silence is not highly valued

We often talk (ask Q’s) to reduce uncertainty

Other cultures—silence is highly valued

Used to show respect, be polite

Also used to reduce uncertainty

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What Does Silence Communicate?

U.S

Silence is not valued

It communicates awkwardness in developing relationships and can make people feel uncomfortable

People talk to reduce uncertainty

Japanese

Use silence to be polite and to convey respect

Finnish

Present a fixed and expressionless face

Believe that talkativeness is a sign of unreliability

Silence reflects thoughtfulness, consideration, and intelligence

Silence can be as meaningful as language

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How can we use silence to communicate interculturally?

Healthcare—nurses and doctors encouraged to honor silent patients and employ silence themselves

Business—talking too much can sometimes kill a business deal

Education—teachers can ask students to silently reflect after they give back student papers or performances with comments on them

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Cultural Variation or Stereotype?

We don’t want to overgeneralizing these nonverbal variations

This can result in stereotyping groups

Can result in prejudice (often based on the NVs we see)

Teachers might be influenced by this

One must be careful not to assume that every member of a group exhibits the same nonverbal behaviors

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Building Intercultural Skills

Chapter 6 - Nonverbal Issues

Become more conscious of your nonverbal behavior in intercultural encounters

Become more aware of others’ nonverbal communication

Practice your decoding skills

Expand your nonverbal communication repertoire

Be flexible and adaptable in your nonverbal communication in intercultural encounters

Become more aware of your prejudicial assumptions based on nonverbal behavior

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