Communication Term Paper

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CN 101 W4 D2

Nonverbal Communication I Intro (2 minutes) Last Time

§ Verbal Communication II o More reasons that we say the verbal communication is symbolic o A way we can analyze verbal communication

§ Remind me, what was that called? Burke’s Pentad! o Functions of verbal communication

Things Due

§ Discussion post is due § NEXT WEEK

o We will only have class on Monday. o The first drafts of our term paper outlines are due on Monday BY CLASSTIME! o You will sign up for an appointment with me for a brief one-on-one meeting to

talk over your term paper outline. This is a chance for you to ask me any questions or uncertainties you have about it. So bring your questions.

Today

One Little Victory (10 minutes)

• It’s cold outside and sometimes, especially with the pandemic, it’s easy to start feeling like you aren’t accomplishing anything. But, we can rethink what we consider to be a little victory in our lives. For me, it was going into Target to return something yesterday and not impulse-buying anything.

• So, we’ll go into our rooms for 5 minutes and talk about what little victory you’ve experienced recently!

Lesson Misconceptions about Nonverbal Comm (15 min)

• First, we often hear that most meaning comes from nonverbal communication. That’s actually not entirely accurate. If it was true, I could experience the new Ariana Grande album in full without a single lyric and know exactly what was going on. Nonverbal comm is important, but it isn’t the whole story. There isn’t a percentage that indicates how important nonverbals versus verbals are. They are both important.

• Second, we might hear that nonverbals are universally understood. Not true. There are some things, like shivering, that are universally recognized, but there aren’t universally understood behaviors because human behavior is culturally specific. Think about eye

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contact. Think about saying hello to people walking down the street here versus in New York City or LA. That doesn’t mean the same thing in every culture.

• Third, we might hear claims that we can detect people being deceptive through nonverbal communication. Eh, not entirely. We believe we’re better at spotting folks lying than we really are. Think about the number of times you’ve been stressed or worried about something and pretty effectively faked being a-okay. We’re better actors than we give ourselves credit for.

• Fourth, we might hear that we can read nonverbal communication. Here’s the deal. We do assign meaning to it. But there is no language or grammar to nonverbals. We can’t read it like a book.

What is it? • Nonverbal comm is similar to verbal comm in that both are symbolic, are personal,

ambiguous, guided by rules, and are linked to culture. o Symbolic

§ Just because nonverbal comm doesn’t have a specific language doesn’t mean it isn’t symbolic. All language-oriented symbolism is in verbal comm. Every other symbolic activity (like a gesture meaning something) is in nonverbal comm.

o Requires decoding and encoding § Decoding = act of interpreting what someone’s nonverbal communication

means. • Someone blushes and you interpret that to mean they are

embarrassed § Encoding = act of using your nonverbal symbols to convey meaning.

• You feel happy and relay that by smiling and laughing. You project through nonverbal communication what you are feeling internally.

§ So, we both interpret and project meaning in nonverbal communication. o Can be dynamic and static

§ Dynamic nonverbal communication changes during an interaction, like smiling, nodding, and making eye contact.

§ Static nonverbal communication doesn’t change during an interaction, like your clothing and the furniture.

o Is guided by rules § These rules aren’t language, but they guide the choice of nonverbal

symbols that we use. § These rules tend to be culturally specific. For example, in some groups,

it’s normal to greet each other with a kiss on the cheek. In others, not the case.

§ We learn the rules guiding nonverbal communication by interacting with other people. It’s a lifelong process.

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o Is linked to cultural appropriateness. § Again, think eye contact. In some cultures, it’s respectful, while in other’s

it is offensive. o Is personal

§ For instance, you can develop personal nonverbal symbolic meanings. You might establish yourself as someone who loves hugs or might get tattoos or piercings or dye your hair different colors as a way of expressing yourself.

o Can be considered multi-channeled § We use multiple kinds of nonverbal communication at once along with

verbal communication in conversations. o Is very ambiguous

§ Again, there isn’t a universal nonverbal comm language. § A smile or a wave can have multiple meanings. § If you haven’t had this experience yet, you may have a moment when

you notice someone is smiling at you and you might wonder if they are being friendly, if they’re flirting with you, or if they’ve mistaken you for someone else. That uncertainty is partially because nonverbal communication is ambiguous.

o Is less controlled § It is easier, in general, to refrain from calling someone a jerk. But telling

your face to not relay your disdain? That’s a little harder. When we illustrate what we’re really thinking or feeling about someone through nonverbals, we are engaging in leakage.

§ Even though we aren’t able to read each other’s nonverbals without question, we do tend to illustrate what we’re thinking through our nonverbals more than through our verbal communication because our nonverbals are less controlled. That’s why if what you’re saying doesn’t align what your nonverbal communication, folks tend to believe your nonverbals over your verbals. If you are saying, “I’m fine. I’m not angry,” but you’re super tense, not making direct eye contact, and have defensive posture, folks are probably going to think you’re actually angry.

Teach me! (20 minutes) • Now, our textbook talks about several functions of nonverbal communication. I want

you to teach me about them. So, I’m making five groups and giving each of you one of the functions. Talk about that function among your group and decide how you want to explain it to me. Pretend I know nothing!

• Small groups (5 minutes)

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• Unpack (15 minutes)

o Interconnects with verbal communication § They inform each other and add to each other. They can substitute,

emphasize, moderate, and contradict each other. o Regulates interactions

§ Nonverbal communication helps us start or end interactions, and can also determine and establish turn-taking.

o Identifies Individuals § People recognize each other by our nonverbal communication, including

our physical appearance, style, laugh, our stride, and through our scent, too.

§ One of my favorite professors in college wore a very distinctive cologne and I always knew if he was in the office because I would open the department door and catch a whiff of that familiar smell. In fact, he and I are currently working on a project I started when I was still a student and when I was moving here, I found a draft of that paper that he’d written all over and sent me a few years ago with suggested revisions . . . and no joke, I flipped through the pages to see what it was and I smelled that cologne! As I said, no idea what it is, but it is strong.

o Transmits Emotional Information § It helps us convey our attitudes toward the other person, our attitude

toward the situation at hand, and our attitude about ourselves. o Conveys relational meaning and information

§ Our nonverbals indicate what kind of relationship we have with another person. It can also signal a change in a relationship. A kid may stop holding a guardian’s hand to indicate they are grown up. A person who wants a friendship to transition into a romantic partnership might change their nonverbals to suggest that.

• Next time: • Nonverbal communication (read pp. 70-80) • Watch/Listen to “A Thousand Words” video on D2L. • Post that discussion post!