4. Nonverbal Communication in the Workplace What do the nonverbal behaviors in each of these pictures indicate about the situation? How can you know what might be occurring when there are not any words being spoken?
8. Proxemics How might seating arrangements play a part in each of these pictures? What can you tell about each of these situations and the people from the nonverbal messages?
Albert Mehrabian : As much as 93% of the emotion and meaning in a conversation is conveyed nonverbally. Expressions may appear unnatural when a person tries to conceal true feelings. Often these concealing behaviors will leak a true feeling.
Personal Space : The imaginary buffer zone around a person. Edward Hall created the four personal space distances in which communication takes place.
Emblems : Have a direct verbal counterpart and can take it’s place Example: Giving a thumbs up Illustrators : Complement the spoken message Example: pointing to an object while also speaking about its location Regulators : Gestures that control the flow of the conversation Example: Head nod Adaptors : Accompany and help accomplish various psychological needs Example: scratching, covering eyes from a hideous sight
Relationship, emotions, status, culture, etc.
Discussion Question : What kinds of preconceptions do you have about appropriate eye contact? Students may talk about concepts such as deception (avoiding eye contact), age relations (do you or do you not look an older person in the eye? Very cultural related), etc.
In the workplace, touch should be avoided as to avoid sexual harassment. What is appropriate off the job, may not be okay in the workplace.
How words are emphasized makes a big difference in how they are understood. Example: Depending on what words are stressed in a sentence can completely change the interpretation of the message. Say this sentence four different ways – each time stressing the underlined word. “ Did you fire him?” “Did you fire him?” “Did you fire him?” “Did you fire him ?” Each sentence asks very different things!
Rosenthal’s important nonverbal behaviors in sales contexts