Reading and Individual Activity

1. Define nonverbal behavior. Give original examples.

Nonverbal communication is a form of communication that does not include
the use of words. Nonverbal behavior, on the other hand, is far more
complicated. Many factors must be considered, and diverse nonverbal behaviors
have unique connotations for those who follow the same cultural customs. This
act refers to an unwritten comprehensive, hidden code language based on a
person's culture or subculture, which might develop over time. The charades
game is a one of the common examples of nonverbal communication. The goal
of this game is to send a message without using any words, which necessitates a
variety of nonverbal behaviors. We can deduce from this game that nonverbal
behavior can communicate a specific message from the speaker to the listener.
It is very common in the Philippines, the situation when we see our
mother's eyes widen, we know she's upset; it's a warning or a sign that we've
done something wrong. Using our lips to point towards something. It's also
possible to deduce that we're referring to someone or something without explicitly
telling them.

2. Describe the following aspects of nonverbal communication: proxemics,

kinesics, gestures, haptics, chronemics, eye contact, silence. Discuss how
these can differ cross-culturally. What examples can you provide from your
own experience.
Proxemics
It refers to a space where other people or things are permitted or
prohibited. People from many cultures viewed things in different ways. In this
society, a certain amount of space may be considered pleasant, yet in another
culture, it may be considered rude. It can vary based on the speaker’s gender,
age and social status. Arabs, who have a high-contact culture and indulge in
infrequent touching, can be perceived by Americans as an invasion of personal
space since it makes them feel crowded. For some reason, if the individual is
unfamiliar to me, I keep my distance because I respect their personal space. In
addition, I don't like people clinging to me while we don't know each other. I only
have close relationships with my family and friends.
Kinesics
It is a term that describes various bodily movements and gestures that
are used in communicating. It can transmit emotions, identify speaker's relation
to one another, and indicate the degree of intimacy between speakers. In
different cultures, the same body postures and gestures might have distinct
meanings. It is self-evident that becoming more aware of the kinetic system is a
crucial cultural objective if one does not wish to interpret a kinesics signal
incorrectly and so be misinterpreted. One of the most prominent customs in
countries like Korea and Japan was “bowing” to meet others or as a display of
respect. Handshakes are often used as a welcome in several cultures.
Gestures
Whether to approach someone, punctuate spoken discourse, or deliver
ritualized greetings, speakers employ gestures almost naturally on a regular
basis. From one culture to the next, these gestures can differ significantly. In one
culture, what may be considered polite or pleasant may be considered
disrespectful and vulgar in another. Symbolic gestures, such as the thumbs-up
sign, the head shake, and the two-fingered V sign and signals, on the other hand,
came to have specific meanings. Holding your arm up with the palm facing
another person is allowed in some nations as a stop signal. For example, a hand
raised palm forward with fingers bending inward and outward will indicate
goodbye to an American and welcome to a Spaniard.
Haptics
It refers to the way people interact with each other through touch. The
gender, age, and status of individuals are all factors that influence how well they
fit in. Touch conduct has different connotations in different cultures and
subcultures. Touching can be used to express solidarity, support, and affection
for someone who is the center of attention. In other places, touching is more
commonly done by people of the same gender. Others find it undesirable and
avoid it since it is unsanitary. What may be touched and which portion of the
body can be utilized to touch also differs in haptic behavior.
Chronemics
It's the study of nonverbal communication and the utilization of time. The
way we perceive and organize time is a strong communication tool that aids in
the process of communication. Time perception plays an important part in
nonverbal communication across cultures. Punctuality, willingness to wait, and
interactions are all aspects of time perception. Time management has an impact
on people's lifestyles, daily agendas, speech speed, movement, and how long
they are willing to listen. In the corporate sector, the boss has the authority to call
a meeting and to disrupt it, whereas a regular employee cannot call a meeting or
be late.
 Eye contact
During a conversation, maintaining eye contact is important. It
demonstrates that you are paying attention and are interested in what is being
stated. Eye contact is analogous to a conversation in that it goes back and forth
between persons who are having a conversation, dialogue, or chat. But
remember, as crucial as establishing eye contact is, don't stare! Staring can
make both the person speaking and the one listening feel uncomfortable. It's
difficult to strike the right balance between making enough eye contact and not
overdoing it. Eye contact between students and teachers, for example, indicates
that they are actively listening.
Silence
Silence is defined as the lack of any type of sound. However, in
communication, it is regarded as a lack of speaking. As a result, the lack of
speech does not imply that the individual is not communicating with the other.
Silence is a highly effective mode of communication. The significance of quiet
changes depending on the situation. It differs from culture to culture, just like
other forms of nonverbal communication. Silence is a significant aspect of social
contact for Asians and Americans. However, it is regarded negatively by
German, French, and Arab speakers.
3. Discuss three functions of nonverbal behavior. Provide examples of each

Reinforcing, complementing, or accenting verbal messages

Nonverbal cues are used by speakers to support or accentuate speech
messages. Depending on the culture, the sort of cues used, the frequency with
which they are used, and the situation in which they are used may differ.
Nonverbal behaviors, such as the speaker's tone of voice or sentence inflections,
are always present in communication. Nonverbal behavior interacts with and
complements verbal behavior.
Regulating and managing communicative situations
Speakers, for example, use posture, gaze, extra linguistic cues, and other
nonverbal activities to manage or influence communicative circumstances. Body
language can be used to determine when to start a discussion, who will take
charge of the conversation and for how long, and how to conclude the
interaction. In a conversational encounter, for example, the cue for turn thinking
is a brief moment of direct eye contact between the speaker and listener,
followed by a glance aside as the topic proceeds. and the cycle goes on. In some
nations, eye contact is avoided and a moment of stillness is expected before the
speaker takes the stage.
 Conveying messages in ritualized forms
Nonverbal communication includes ritualized kinds of nonverbal conduct.
Whether or whether to shake the other speaker's hand, how low to bow, and with
whom to exchange welcoming kisses are all ritualized forms that differ widely
throughout cultures. Most forms of nonverbal communication are more difficult to
describe and define than these.

4. Compare high-contact cultures and low-contact cultures. What

connections can you draw between these two cultural types and the use of
nonverbal behavior in each?
People's communication styles differ dramatically from one culture to the
next. Understanding these disparities and where they come from is more crucial
than ever in our totally globalized world. The distinction between high and low
context cultures is intended to draw attention to the variations in verbal and
nonverbal communication.
High-context cultures will communicate in a way that emphasizes the
message's underlying context, meaning, and tone rather than merely the words
themselves. Japan, China, France, Spain, Brazil, and more countries fall into this
category. Similarity, for example, is an important quality in a high-context society.
This is because in high context cultures, the majority of the population has a
similar degree of education, as well as a shared race, religion, and history. By
presuming that an audience will think in the same way and follow the underlying
message latent in someone's speech or writing, messages can be
contextualized.
Low-context cultures, on the other hand, demand messages to be
plainly stated to avoid confusion, and if a message isn't clear enough, it will slow
down the communication process. Leaving any wiggle area for interpretation can
be disastrous in the most extreme instances. Western civilizations such as the
United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States are examples of low-context
communication. The converse is true in low-context cultures. They are frequently
varied and place an emphasis on the individual rather than the group. Because
there are so many disparities in a low-context culture, communication must be
simple enough for as many individuals as possible to grasp it.
Most cultures sit somewhere in the middle of the range, with elements of
both high and low context features present in variable degrees. Although
determining whether a culture is high context or low context can be a
complicated feature, it can influence many other aspects of a society.

5. Leathers defines what he believes are the principal interacting systems in

nonverbal communication. Do you agree or disagree? Explain why.
 Yes, I agree. I believe this is due to the fact that nonverbal communication
involves visual or bodily language, which can only be seen with the naked eye. It
refers to communication that is not based on the use of words, according to its
definition. For the systematic encoding and decoding of nonverbal symbols and
signs, however, it is necessary to set the mode to auditory. Invisibility, I believe,
has something to do with silence. Silence can be described as invisible since it is
devoid of communication or sound. After all, the visual aspect of a
communication system is essential.
6. How do differences in nonverbal behavior hinder cross-cultural
communication? Give specific examples.
Nonverbal communication varies from person to person and, more
importantly, from culture to culture. When intercultural people communicate,
miscommunication can occur due to differences in nonverbal communication
meanings. Due to cultural variances in nonverbal communication, people might
insult others without meaning to. For example, let's say you're a European
heading to Japan and don't speak the language. You don't have access to a
translator or a dictionary, and you can only interact with others through nonverbal
means. There may be times when nonverbal communication fails, nods can
signify a variety of things, which can lead to confusion. For example, while
someone nods to say "yes," others may interpret it as "no." When you nod in
Japan, they may see it as an indication that you are paying attention to them.
7. How do cultural values influence nonverbal behavior in individualistic
cultures and in collectivistic cultures? Give actual examples.
Individualistic societies produce people who have a more independent
sense of themselves. People from collectivistic cultures, on the other hand, are
more likely to have an interdependent perspective of themselves, in which they
regard themselves as interconnected with others. Because they are secluded
within themselves, people from individualistic cultures are more prone to become
enraged when they are touched or establish eye contact with them. People from
collectivist societies, on the other hand, are more prone to approach one another
and communicate nonverbally. For example, in American culture, the "O.K."
gesture is a symbol for money in Japan. In certain Latin American countries, the
same gesture is considered indecent.