UNIT 1. APPROPRIATE AND CONTEXTUAL USE OF LANGUAGE

UNIT 2. NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION

2. Proxemics

Look at these two diagrams.

Now can you complete the sentences based on these diagrams?

1. Fig. A is __________ than Fig. B.

2. Fig. B. uses _______________ colours _______ Fig. A.

3. There are __________ details in Fig A. _________ in Fig. B.

4. Fig B. is ___________ than Fig. A.

5. In both figures, the ____________________ circle shows intimate space.

6. The circles get ____________ as we move outwards.

Key: 1. larger/bigger/better 2. more, than 3. more, than 4. smaller 5. innermost 6. wider/ larger/ bigger

Can you complete the sentences?

1. If you are using the personal space, you ______________________________.

2. If you are standing at about 2 arm lengths from another person, you_____________________________________________.

3. When people are in the intimate space, they____________________________________.

4. When you stand with strangers, you _________________________________________.

5. If a stranger comes more than 1 handshake away from you, you _____ feel uncomfortable.

Key:

1. will stand 1 handshake away. 2. will be in the social space 3. will stand 2 fists away.4. will use the public space. 5. will

Work in pairs and create a figure about proxemics, incorporating the details gathered from the 3 diagrams. Then one or two pairs can do a demonstration of the different zones, giving an explanation and illustration

IV. Read the following article.

Proxemics in Applied Research

Much research in the fields of Communication, Psychology, and Sociology, especially under the category of Organizational Behavior, has shown that physical proximity enhances peoples' ability to work together. Face-to-face interaction is often used as a tool to maintain the culture, authority, and norms of an organization or workplace. An extensive body of research has been written about how proximity is affected by the use of new communication technologies. The importance of physical proximity in co-workers is often emphasized.

In developing new communication technologies, the theory of proxemics is often considered. While physical proximity cannot be achieved when people are connected virtually, perceived proximity can be attempted, and several studies have shown that it is a crucial indicator in the effectiveness of virtual communication technologies. These studies suggest that various individual and situational factors influence how close we feel to another person, regardless of distance. The mere-exposure effect originally referred to the tendency of a person to positively favor those who they have been physically exposed to most often. However, recent research has extended this effect to virtual communication. This work suggests that the more someone communicates virtually with another person, the more he is able to envision that person's appearance and workspace, therefore fostering a sense of personal connection. Increased communication has also been seen to foster common ground, or the feeling of identification with another, which leads to positive attributions about that person. Some studies emphasize the importance of shared physical territory in achieving common ground, while others find that common ground can be achieved virtually, by communicating often.

1. The research was in the fields of Communication, Psychology and Sociology. 2.It is often used as a tool to maintain the culture, authority, and norms of an organization or workplace. 3. Yes, the importance of physical proximity in co-workers is often emphasized. 4. Perceived proximity is a crucial indicator in the effectiveness of virtual communication technologies. 5. The tendency of a person to positively favor those who they have been physically exposed to most often was originally referred to as the mere-exposure effect. 6.Increased communication leads to positive attributions about that person by fostering common ground or the feeling of identification with another.

Now can you frame questions in order to get the following answers?

Key

1. Where was the research regarding physical proximity conducted? 2. How is face-to-face interaction used? 3. Is the importance of physical proximity in co-wokers often emphasized? 4. What is a crucial indicator in the effectiveness of virtual communication technologies? 5. What is known as the mere-exposure effect? 6. Why does increased communication lead to fostering common grounds?