The first principle of nonverbal communication is probably the most personal one. It says that "our nonverbal communication affects the quality of our relationships." This means that we show others how we feel about them based on our actions. The book gives the example of sitting next to someone as an indication of attraction, or getting up and moving away from someone as an indication that we don't like someone. Another example would be if I went out with a group of people and bought a drink for one of them. That nonverbal cue would be an indication that I like the person that I bought a drink for.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Principles of Nonverbal Communication
One of the eight principles of nonverbal communication that I was intrigued by was number four: "nonverbal behaviors are guided by the context and power of relationships." This means that certain nonverbal communication may be appropriate in one setting, but not in another, and might be interpreted differently in organizational backgrounds, occupational groups, big groups, and small groups; the role of the person doing the nonverbal communication is also a factor. For instance, if I flip off one of my friends when he makes a mistake during our game of pickup basketball, we would accept that and consider it funny. But if I did that same thing to my biology lab partner when he or she messes up our experiment, it would be offensive and inappropriate.
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ReplyDeleteI also found principle number 4 interesting, although I didn't discuss it in my post. Certain things should not be said verbally or nonverbally in certain settings. I like the example you used to explain the principle, I think it really puts the idea into perspective, and it is absolutely true. You can't talk to everyone the same, whether it's out loud or nonverbal. I also liked the first principle. Everything we do affects our relationships with people so we need to always be aware of what we are saying, as well as what our nonverbal communication is saying to the people around us. You never know how you are portraying yourself until you have to interact with people, so we need to be mindful of how we act and what we say and do. Nice job!
- Raya
Hi Burg, I enjoyed reading your post for this week's discussion. I like how you explained concept number four because it relates a lot to our daily interactions with people and what is accepted and appropriate in certain settings. You mention that things may be interpreted differently in organizational backgrounds, occupational groups, big/small groups, etc. I thought this was most interesting because I've noticed that I do this in my everyday life too, I just don't notice it. What you think is acceptable in communication may or may not be accepted to someone else - depending on the person and the situation. Your example was a perfect way to portray what you had explained. It is completely normal and acceptable to flip off someone that you know on your basketball team, yet, if you do it to someone in the classroom, it is taken into a completely different meaning. I like how you mentioned these two examples because it proves that nonverbal communication can mean so many things even though you use one "kind" of nonverbal action. This is why nonverbal communication goes a long way - it is either taken offensively or properly depending on the setting you're in. Even though flipping off someone usually means one thing, it has to be done with someone who either understands you (usually a close friend), or else it is taken in a complete opposite context. It is important that we realize this, because some people don't usually think before they act upon certain feelings. But the way you pointed it out, it's extremely important because you don't want to "accidentally" offend somebody especially when you didn't mean it.
ReplyDeleteYour example used for the first principle was really entertaining! Although the book gives an example of nonverbal communication in a more "professional" setting, you were able to grasp the concept in a whole different sort of setting that still applies to this principle. Your nonverbal action of buying someone a drink at the bar showed that you like that person. The thing is, nonverbal actions can be anywhere from sitting down at a business meeting to buying people drinks at the bar. Regardless of where you are, the point is that these nonverbal actions that you are acting upon shows that you like or accept someone for who they are. I think your nonverbal action at the bar clearly showed that. There are many times I've seen some people try to "sneak" there way into getting a shot at the bar but the person who pays acknowledges them and ignores them. It just shows they are not interested in liking the person!
Hi Burgs, I thought you did a great job responding to this post. I liked the two nonverbal communication principals that you picked. You personal examples were really helpful in describing each principal. I agree that if you the gesture of flipping off can mean different things to different people. I thought it was a clever example. It makes sense that your friends would interpret it in a different based on the context and relationships you have with those individuals. I also thought your example of buying a drink for someone was clever too. It was something that I hadn’t really thought about but works perfectly as an example. Great job!
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