Culture and the Communication Process “The Impact of Nonverbals”

What’s So Important About Nonverbal Communication?

 Nonverbal behavior communicates the relationship aspect of messages … how we really feel about someone or something  Don’t interpret nonverbal behaviors in isolation … Think Context!

What’s So Important About Nonverbal Communication?  Cultural VariationsCultural Variations

Cultural Variations In Nonverbal Behavior

 Paralanguage – speaking rate, volume, pitch and tone  Personal Space/Proxemics – the size of our personal “bubble” is smaller in contact cultures (South America, the Middle East); larger in noncontact cultures (Great Britain and Japan)contact cultures  Eye Contact – communicates varying degrees of respect and status  Shaking Hands – light and quick in France; firm and brisk in Germany

Cultural Variations In Nonverbal Behavior  Gestures – hand and arm movements that communicate  Emblems, like waving goodbye  Illustrators, like talking with your hands  Regulators, like turn-taking, that control aspects of conversation  Adaptors, that are related to managing our emotions

Understanding Cultural Space  Home – Our physical living space says a lot nonverbally about our social class, and our identity  Neighborhood – Segregation efforts or strong historical ties speak nonverbally  Regionalism – Loyalty to area or country by flying local flag says a lot nonverbally  Cyberspace – Profile photo on Facebook and bookmarked web pages speak volumes

What’s So Important About Nonverbal Communication?