Lecture 4 Non-verbal communication -Space, body language, time, touch, voice

Lecture 4Lecture 4

Non-verbal communicationNon-verbal communication

-Space, body language, time, -Space, body language, time, touch, voicetouch, voice

1. Space1. Space

Personal space Personal space

What is personal space?What is personal space?

Personal spacePersonal space is the region is the region surrounding each person, or surrounding each person, or that area which a person that area which a person considers their domain or considers their domain or territory. territory.

What is personal space?What is personal space?

Often if entered by Often if entered by another being without this another being without this being desired, it makes being desired, it makes them feel uncomfortable.them feel uncomfortable.

Personal spacePersonal space

Generally speaking, people Generally speaking, people

from cold areas need larger from cold areas need larger

personal space than those personal space than those

from warm areasfrom warm areas. .

E.g.: IndianE.g.: Indian

The average personal distance varies from culture to culture.



Those who live in a densely populated Those who live in a densely populated environment tend to have smaller environment tend to have smaller personal space requirements. personal space requirements.


Personal space can also be heavily affected by a Personal space can also be heavily affected by a person's position in society, with the more affluent a person's position in society, with the more affluent a person being the larger personal space he demands.person being the larger personal space he demands.

It is variable and difficult to measure accurately.It is variable and difficult to measure accurately.

(for an average westerner)(for an average westerner)

24.5 inches (60 centimeters) on either side, 24.5 inches (60 centimeters) on either side,

27.5 inches (70 centimeters) in front and27.5 inches (70 centimeters) in front and

15.75 inches (40 centimeters) behind15.75 inches (40 centimeters) behind

Personal space--exceptions Personal space--exceptions

People usually make exceptions to modify People usually make exceptions to modify their space requirements, when they see an their space requirements, when they see an immediate need or reason to temporarily allow immediate need or reason to temporarily allow a change in their usual personal space needs. a change in their usual personal space needs.

Often a person's comfort zone is different Often a person's comfort zone is different depending upon where they are and who they depending upon where they are and who they are with. In certain circumstances people can are with. In certain circumstances people can accept having their personal space violated. accept having their personal space violated.

Personal space--exceptionsPersonal space--exceptions

In romantic relationships, the lack of personal In romantic relationships, the lack of personal space is usually expected as well as desired.space is usually expected as well as desired.


Similarly family members often welcome hugs Similarly family members often welcome hugs and affection in exchange for their personal and affection in exchange for their personal

space.space.

These close and personal situations are often built on high levels of trust.


Crowded events: Crowded events: such as concerts, fairs, sports such as concerts, fairs, sports arenas, buses and elevators, normally don’t leave room arenas, buses and elevators, normally don’t leave room

for ample personal space.for ample personal space.

Zones of Personal SpaceZones of Personal Space

In 1966 Anthropologist Edward Hall identified In 1966 Anthropologist Edward Hall identified four different zones of personal space four different zones of personal space Americans like to keep around them.Americans like to keep around them.

Personal space in the USPersonal space in the US

Intimate distanceIntimate distance: : – extends roughly 18 inches (45.7 cm) from the extends roughly 18 inches (45.7 cm) from the

individual and is reserved for family, pets and very individual and is reserved for family, pets and very close friends.close friends.

Personal distancePersonal distance: :

extends 18 inches to 4 feet (.457 - 1.5 m) is extends 18 inches to 4 feet (.457 - 1.5 m) is reserved for friends and acquaintances.reserved for friends and acquaintances.

Social distanceSocial distance: : – extends from about 4 to 12 feet (1.2 - 3.7 meters) and extends from about 4 to 12 feet (1.2 - 3.7 meters) and

is used for formal, business and other impersonal is used for formal, business and other impersonal interactions such as meeting a client. interactions such as meeting a client.

Public SpacePublic Space: : – extends more than 12 feet (3.7 m) and is not guarded. extends more than 12 feet (3.7 m) and is not guarded.

Secret Service agents will commonly attempt to Secret Service agents will commonly attempt to ensure 12 feet (3.7 m) of open space around ensure 12 feet (3.7 m) of open space around dignitaries and high ranking officials. dignitaries and high ranking officials.

2. Body Language2. Body Language

Body language is an important part of Body language is an important part of nonverbal communication and it is nonverbal communication and it is connected with culture. In order to make connected with culture. In order to make successful exchange in intercultural successful exchange in intercultural communication, we should know the body communication, we should know the body language from different cultures.language from different cultures.

1) Body movements: also known as body la1) Body movements: also known as body language or kinesicsnguage or kinesics– Including gestures, head movements, facial eIncluding gestures, head movements, facial e

xpressions, eye behaviors, etc.xpressions, eye behaviors, etc.– Ekman and Friesen: Ekman and Friesen:

five categories of kinesic behaviors: emblems, illusfive categories of kinesic behaviors: emblems, illustrators, affect displays, regulators, adaptorstrators, affect displays, regulators, adaptors

– Emblems Emblems 象征性动作象征性动作OK, VictoryOK, Victory

– Illustrators Illustrators 说明性动作说明性动作used with verbal messages, to indicate accuracy and help explain, eused with verbal messages, to indicate accuracy and help explain, eg. Calling for a taxig. Calling for a taxi

– Affect displays Affect displays 情绪表露性动作情绪表露性动作facial and body movementsfacial and body movements many are universally recognized, such as happiness, sadness, angmany are universally recognized, such as happiness, sadness, anger, fear, surprise, disgust, contempt, interester, fear, surprise, disgust, contempt, interestUnconscious and unintentional, eg. Startled look of surprise, a blush Unconscious and unintentional, eg. Startled look of surprise, a blush of embarrassmentof embarrassmentConscious and intentional, purposeful smile and look at another perConscious and intentional, purposeful smile and look at another person to convey warmth and affectionson to convey warmth and affection

– Regulators Regulators 调节性动作调节性动作 sequencing in conversation, used by speakers to indicate whethsequencing in conversation, used by speakers to indicate whether others should take a turn and by listeners to indicate whether ter others should take a turn and by listeners to indicate whether they wish to speak or would prefer to continue listening hey wish to speak or would prefer to continue listening

High-context cultures: eyes (p.204-205) High-context cultures: eyes (p.204-205)

– Adaptors Adaptors 适应性动作适应性动作 personal body movements that occur as a reaction to an individual’s personal body movements that occur as a reaction to an individual’s physical or psychological state. physical or psychological state. Self-adaptors, alter-directed adaptors, object-adaptorsSelf-adaptors, alter-directed adaptors, object-adaptorsEg.: Scratching an itch, fidgeting (unrest), tapping a pencil, smoothinEg.: Scratching an itch, fidgeting (unrest), tapping a pencil, smoothing one’s hairg one’s hairOften performed unconsciously Often performed unconsciously

ClassificationClassification

Eye language Eye language

Postures Postures

TouchTouch

Facial expressionsFacial expressions

Eye languageEye language

As saying goes “The eyes are the window As saying goes “The eyes are the window of the soul”. we can read one’s mind of the soul”. we can read one’s mind through his/her eyes. Eye language can through his/her eyes. Eye language can express complicated feelings and it is an express complicated feelings and it is an important way to judge the intimacy of important way to judge the intimacy of communicators. communicators.

If two Chinese are in conversation, they If two Chinese are in conversation, they will look at each other warmly. Because will look at each other warmly. Because they think eyes are the key of their they think eyes are the key of their existence. But in American eyes, they existence. But in American eyes, they think this behavior is unsuitable or a think this behavior is unsuitable or a homosexual behavior.homosexual behavior.

The educated Englishmen believe direct The educated Englishmen believe direct eye contact with our communicators is eye contact with our communicators is gentlemanly. But Swedish use eye gentlemanly. But Swedish use eye language more often than Englishmen. language more often than Englishmen.

And the French especially like to look And the French especially like to look attentively at the other communicators with attentively at the other communicators with admiration. Japanese often look at the admiration. Japanese often look at the other communicator’s neck when they are other communicator’s neck when they are in conversation. They believe eye contact in conversation. They believe eye contact is impolite. is impolite.

PosturesPostures

““Posture is a matter of how people sit, walPosture is a matter of how people sit, walk, stand and move.”k, stand and move.”

According to Chinese tradition, people According to Chinese tradition, people who are sitting have right to take charge of who are sitting have right to take charge of others: Monarch sits and officer stands; others: Monarch sits and officer stands; father sits and son stands; leader sits and father sits and son stands; leader sits and employee stands and so on. So the employee stands and so on. So the younger give the old a seat to show younger give the old a seat to show respect.respect.

But in America and Britain, people who are But in America and Britain, people who are in charge of others have tendency to in charge of others have tendency to stand. They will make use of the height of stand. They will make use of the height of space to indicate the high status.space to indicate the high status.

TouchTouch

Touch refers to the way people exchange Touch refers to the way people exchange information by touching one’s body. The information by touching one’s body. The most common touch behavior is hands most common touch behavior is hands shaking and hugs.shaking and hugs.

In China, people greet with each other with In China, people greet with each other with head nodding, smile, hand shaking and so head nodding, smile, hand shaking and so on. Even good friends just hold hands for on. Even good friends just hold hands for a short time or hammer softly on the other a short time or hammer softly on the other friend’s shoulder. friend’s shoulder.

In English speaking countries, people In English speaking countries, people used to hug or kiss each other in public used to hug or kiss each other in public between males and females, which is between males and females, which is unacceptable and only exists between unacceptable and only exists between lovers and couples in private in China.lovers and couples in private in China.

In America, common friends and In America, common friends and acquaintances will avoid body touch. Even acquaintances will avoid body touch. Even in the elevator, body touch is not allowed. in the elevator, body touch is not allowed. Touching the other people slightly or Touching the other people slightly or unconsciously, people will say “Sorry”, unconsciously, people will say “Sorry”, “Very Sorry”, “Excuse me” in a hurry to “Very Sorry”, “Excuse me” in a hurry to express apology.express apology.

Facial expressionsFacial expressions

We constantly read facial expressions to We constantly read facial expressions to understand what others are feeling. The understand what others are feeling. The face provides vital clues to our own face provides vital clues to our own feelings and those of the people around feelings and those of the people around us.us.

In many cultures, smiles are signs of happiness In many cultures, smiles are signs of happiness or friendliness, like America and China.or friendliness, like America and China.

When we have guests at home, we will smile to When we have guests at home, we will smile to show welcome. But American Indians will cry to show welcome. But American Indians will cry to express welcome. Smiles will not only represent express welcome. Smiles will not only represent happiness and friendliness but also indicate happiness and friendliness but also indicate apology and understanding.apology and understanding.

ConclusionConclusion

The study of body language makes us The study of body language makes us understand others very well and behave in understand others very well and behave in proper ways. Only when we make a clear proper ways. Only when we make a clear understanding on body language, can we understanding on body language, can we use body language of English speaking use body language of English speaking countries to make an efficient countries to make an efficient communication and avoid communication and avoid misunderstanding.misunderstanding.

3. Time3. Time

Chronemics Chronemics

Chronemics is the study of the use of Chronemics is the study of the use of time in nonverbal communication. The time in nonverbal communication. The way we perceive time, structure our way we perceive time, structure our time and react to time is a powerful time and react to time is a powerful communication tool, and helps set the communication tool, and helps set the stage for communication.stage for communication.

Time systemsTime systems

Technical time systemsTechnical time systems

Formal time systemsFormal time systems

Informal time systemsInformal time systems

Technical time systemsTechnical time systems

The precise, scientific measurements of The precise, scientific measurements of time that are calculated in unitstime that are calculated in units

E.g.: light yearE.g.: light year

atomic pulsesatomic pulses


Refer to the ways in which units of time Refer to the ways in which units of time are described and comprehended by the are described and comprehended by the members of a culturemembers of a culture

E.g.: century, year, month, week, day, E.g.: century, year, month, week, day, hour, minute, second, etc.hour, minute, second, etc.

Phases of the moon, changing seasons, Phases of the moon, changing seasons, rising and falling of the tides, etc.rising and falling of the tides, etc.


Seven Characteristics:Seven Characteristics: 1. ordering1. ordering 2. cyclicity2. cyclicity 3. valuation3. valuation 4. tangibility4. tangibility 5. synthesisity5. synthesisity 6. duration6. duration 7. depth7. depth

Seven CharacteristicsSeven Characteristics

OrderingOrdering the sequences of events are invariablethe sequences of events are invariable

CyclicityCyclicity time is the circulation of time unitstime is the circulation of time units

ValuationValuation time is precious and should be cherishedtime is precious and should be cherished

TangibilityTangibility time is commodity; can be gained, wasted, time is commodity; can be gained, wasted,

spent, lost, saved, and measured, etc. spent, lost, saved, and measured, etc.

Time is money.Time is money. 一寸光阴一寸金／一刻千金。一寸光阴一寸金／一刻千金。Time and tide wait for no manTime and tide wait for no man ．岁月不等人。．岁月不等人。Lost time is never found againLost time is never found again ．光明一去不复返。．光明一去不复返。We have only a short life to liveWe have only a short life to live ．人生朝露。．人生朝露。Life is but a spanLife is but a span ．人生一世，草木一秋。．人生一世，草木一秋。Strike while the iron is hotStrike while the iron is hot ．趁热打铁。．趁热打铁。Never put off till tomorrow what you can do todaNever put off till tomorrow what you can do todayy ．今日事，今日毕。／一生待明日，万事成蹉．今日事，今日毕。／一生待明日，万事成蹉跎。跎。The early birds catches the wormThe early birds catches the worm ．捷足先登。．捷足先登。A stich in time saves nineA stich in time saves nine ．一针不补，十针难缝。．一针不补，十针难缝。

Seven CharacteristicsSeven Characteristics

SynthesisitySynthesisity

time is accumulated; the larger units of time is accumulated; the larger units of time are made up by smaller onestime are made up by smaller ones

DurationDuration

DepthDepth

the past is the foundation of the present the past is the foundation of the present

Informal time systemsInformal time systems

Refer to the assumptions that cultures maRefer to the assumptions that cultures make about how time should be used or expeke about how time should be used or experiencedrienced

Monochronic-time or M-timeMonochronic-time or M-time

Polychronic-time or P-timePolychronic-time or P-time

M-time systemM-time system

People who have a monochronic concept People who have a monochronic concept of time regard it as a commodity: time can of time regard it as a commodity: time can be gained, lost, spent, wasted, or saved. be gained, lost, spent, wasted, or saved. In this orientation, time is linear, with one eIn this orientation, time is linear, with one event happening at a time.vent happening at a time.In general, monochronic cultures value higIn general, monochronic cultures value highly punctuality, completing tasks, and keehly punctuality, completing tasks, and keeping to schedules.ping to schedules.E.g.: North America and Northern EuropeE.g.: North America and Northern Europe

P-time systemP-time system

A polychronic orientation conceptualizes A polychronic orientation conceptualizes time as more holistic, perhaps more time as more holistic, perhaps more circular: many events can happen at once.circular: many events can happen at once.

Personal involvement is more important Personal involvement is more important than schedules where the emphasis lies than schedules where the emphasis lies on personal relationships rather than on personal relationships rather than keeping appointments on time. keeping appointments on time.

E.g.: Latin America and the Middle East E.g.: Latin America and the Middle East

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

International students and business International students and business personnel often complain that U.S. personnel often complain that U.S. Americans do not care enough about Americans do not care enough about relationships and about the personal relationships and about the personal aspects of living.aspects of living.

Plan in advancePlan in advance

To plan an activity in advance is a To plan an activity in advance is a significant feature of modern social life.significant feature of modern social life.

Meetings, appointments, and social Meetings, appointments, and social activities, etc.activities, etc.

Punctuality Punctuality

Begin at 7pm→arrive at 7pm (punctual?)Begin at 7pm→arrive at 7pm (punctual?)Formal activitiesFormal activities::

In Britain and north America: on time/less than 5 In Britain and north America: on time/less than 5 minutes lateminutes late

In Arabian countries: 15 minutes late is normal and In Arabian countries: 15 minutes late is normal and acceptableacceptableFamily dinnersFamily dinners::

In English speaking countries, 10 minutes late is In English speaking countries, 10 minutes late is acceptable, but never arrive before the timeacceptable, but never arrive before the time

In China, we usually think that it is polite to arrive In China, we usually think that it is polite to arrive before the time.before the time.

Time Length of an activityTime Length of an activity

In Arabian countries and Latin American In Arabian countries and Latin American countries, the time length of social countries, the time length of social activities is longer than that in Britain and activities is longer than that in Britain and north American countries.north American countries.

Short: inhospitable and unfriendlyShort: inhospitable and unfriendly

In China, it is usually less than 3 hours.In China, it is usually less than 3 hours.

4. 4. Touch Touch

Definition of touch Definition of touch Touch, which is known as Touch, which is known as hapticshapticsMost basic component of human Most basic component of human communication.communication.One of the nonverbal communication. One of the nonverbal communication. it can create a more direct message than it can create a more direct message than dozens of words dozens of words Touch communication occurs first in a Touch communication occurs first in a human beings life; in the mother’s womb human beings life; in the mother’s womb the child kicks the child kicks

55 types / functions types / functions

AffectAffectPlayfulnessPlayfulnessControlControlRitualistic Ritualistic Task-relatedTask-related

-by Stanley Jones and A. Elaine -by Stanley Jones and A. Elaine Yarbrouhgh.Yarbrouhgh.

1.Affect 1.Affect

positive and negative feelingspositive and negative feelings

Positive meaning of touchPositive meaning of touch

-Connection to people-Connection to people

-Provide affirmation, reassurance and -Provide affirmation, reassurance and stimulationstimulation

- Decrease self-esteem- Decrease self-esteem- WarmthWarmth- ApprovalApproval- Emotional supportEmotional support

Negative meaning of touchNegative meaning of touch- FrustrationFrustration- AngerAnger- AggressionAggression- PunishmentPunishment- Invasion of personal space and privacyInvasion of personal space and privacy- SubservientSubservient ( ( 奉承奉承 )) relationship relationship

Hugging Hugging

Stroking Stroking

KissingKissing

Slapping Slapping

Hitting Hitting

kicking kicking

2. 2. Playfulness Playfulness

These touches serve to lighten an These touches serve to lighten an interaction. These touches communicate a interaction. These touches communicate a double message since they always involve double message since they always involve a play signal, either verbal or nonverbal, a play signal, either verbal or nonverbal, which indicates the behavior is not to be which indicates the behavior is not to be taken seriously. taken seriously. affectionateaffectionate

aggressiveaggressive

Playful affectionPlayful affection: Serve to lighten interaction. : Serve to lighten interaction. The seriousness of the positive message is The seriousness of the positive message is diminished by the play signal. These touches diminished by the play signal. These touches indicate teasing and are usually mutual.indicate teasing and are usually mutual.

Playful aggressionPlayful aggression: Like playful affection these : Like playful affection these touches are used to serve to lighten interaction, touches are used to serve to lighten interaction, however, the play signal indicates aggression. however, the play signal indicates aggression. These touches are initiated, rather than mutual.These touches are initiated, rather than mutual.

3. 3. Control Control : :

These touches serve to direct the These touches serve to direct the behavior, attitude, or feeling state of the behavior, attitude, or feeling state of the recipient. The key feature of these touches recipient. The key feature of these touches is that almost all of the touches are is that almost all of the touches are initiated by the person who attempts initiated by the person who attempts influence. influence.

compliancecompliance, , attention-gettingattention-getting, and , and announcing a responseannouncing a response..

Compliance:Compliance: Attempts to direct behavior of Attempts to direct behavior of another person, and often, by implication, to another person, and often, by implication, to influence attitudes or feelings.influence attitudes or feelings.Attention-getting:Attention-getting: Serve to direct the touch Serve to direct the touch recipient’s perceptual focus toward something.recipient’s perceptual focus toward something.Announcing a response:Announcing a response: Call attention to and Call attention to and emphasize a feeling state of initiator; implicitly emphasize a feeling state of initiator; implicitly requests affect response from another.requests affect response from another.

44. Ritualistic. Ritualistic

These touches consist of These touches consist of greetinggreeting and and departuredeparture touches. They serve no other touches. They serve no other function than to help make transitions in function than to help make transitions in and out of focused interaction.and out of focused interaction.

Greeting:Greeting: Serve as part of the act of Serve as part of the act of acknowledging another at the opening of acknowledging another at the opening of an encounter.an encounter.

Departure:Departure: Serve as a part of the act of Serve as a part of the act of closing an encounter closing an encounter

5. 5. Task-relatedTask-relatedThese touches are directly associated with These touches are directly associated with the performance of a task. the performance of a task. this is usually related to a job or, maybe this is usually related to a job or, maybe not necessarily even a work job, that not necessarily even a work job, that where you earn your income, but any kind where you earn your income, but any kind of jobs where touch is essential. of jobs where touch is essential. i.ei.e) ) a hair dresser,a hair dresser, a massage person, nail a massage person, nail person and so on…person and so on…

Culture and touch Culture and touch

1. The amount of touching that occurs within 1. The amount of touching that occurs within a culture is largely based on the relative a culture is largely based on the relative high contexthigh context or or low contextlow context of the culture. of the culture.

High contact culturesHigh contact cultures-Arab world, Middle East-Arab world, Middle East- France, Southern Europe, Latin America- France, Southern Europe, Latin America

Moderate/Variable contact culturesModerate/Variable contact cultures-Russia, East-Central Europe-Russia, East-Central Europe-North America, Australia/ New Zealand-North America, Australia/ New Zealand

Low contact culturesLow contact cultures-Northern Europe, most of Asia-Northern Europe, most of Asia

2. Culture also differ in where people can be 2. Culture also differ in where people can be touchedtouched

3. Cultures vary in their expectations about 3. Cultures vary in their expectations about who touches whom.who touches whom.

4. Cultures differ in the settings or occasions 4. Cultures differ in the settings or occasions in which touch is acceptable.in which touch is acceptable.

Cultural differences in touchCultural differences in touch

Western CulturesWestern Cultures– Handshake is Handshake is

common (even for common (even for strangers)strangers)

– Hugs, kisses for those Hugs, kisses for those of opposite gender, of opposite gender, family family (usually) on an (usually) on an increasingly more increasingly more intimate basis.intimate basis.

– Some differences Some differences between African between African American & Anglo American & Anglo AmericansAmericans


Islamic/Hindu culturesIslamic/Hindu cultures– Typically don’t touch Typically don’t touch

with left handwith left hand– Generally don’t touch Generally don’t touch

between genders; with between genders; with same sexes is same sexes is appropriateappropriate

– Common to see two Common to see two men or two women men or two women holding hands holding hands (friendship)(friendship)


Many Asian culturesMany Asian cultures

– Don’t touch the head Don’t touch the head because it houses the because it houses the soul. (Thailandsoul. (Thailand and and Malaysia.)Malaysia.)


Latino, Middle-Eastern, & Latino, Middle-Eastern, & Jewish culturesJewish cultures

– Touch is okay—Touch is okay—emotion encouragedemotion encouraged

– Opposite-sex Opposite-sex handshakes handshakes acceptable; usually acceptable; usually same-sexsame-sex


English, German, English, German, Scandinavian, Chinese & Scandinavian, Chinese & Japanese culturesJapanese cultures

– Do not subscribe to Do not subscribe to overt displays of overt displays of affectionaffection

And always remember:And always remember:

the more we know the more we know of other cultures, of other cultures, the greater the the greater the possibility is of a possibility is of a successful successful communication!communication!

Conclusion Conclusion

misunderstandings can be avoided if we misunderstandings can be avoided if we are aware of and understand our cultural are aware of and understand our cultural differencesdifferences

non-verbal communication changes non-verbal communication changes constantlyconstantly

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Lecture 4 Non-verbal communication -Space, body language, time, touch, voice