Topic 2: Nonverbal Communication

Let’s begin

Although language is an effective and efficient means of communicating explicit messages, a full appreciation of the communication process especially in intercultural interactions requires consideration of nonverbal communication behavior. Nonverbal behaviors include all actions that take place during communication that do not use words, such as facial expressions, eye gaze, posture, use of space, and even tone of voice. 

Watch/Read  

1. Ekman, P., & Friesen, W. V. (1969). The repertoire of nonverbal behavior: Categories, origins, usage, and coding. Semiotica, 1(1), pp. 49 – 98. 

From https://1ammce38pkj41n8xkp1iocwe-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp- content/uploads/2013/07/The-Repertoire-Of-Nonverbal-Behavior-Categories- Origins-.pdf  

2. Hall, E. T. (1982). The hidden dimension. Anchor Books.  

From http://index- of.es/z0ro-Repository-2/Cyber/03%20- %20General%20Science/The%20Hidden%20Dimension%20- %20Edward%20Hall.pdf 

3. Hall, E. T. (1959). The silent language. 

     From https://monoskop.org/images/5/57/Hall_Edward_T_The_Silent_Language.pdf

Think

1. What did Ekman and Friesen say about the usage and origin of nonverbal behavior? How did they elaborate on the cultural origins of nonverbal behavior? 

2. How did they categorize nonverbal behavior? 

3. What did Hall say about space? How does space take on different meanings across cultures? 

4. How does space impact on the other categories or forms of nonverbal behaviors? In Hall’s treatise, it appears that space is the thread that shapes and links the other nonverbal behaviors. What is your stand on his proposition? 

5. Ekman et al. and Hall wrote their treatise on nonverbal behavior and their communicative implications in the 1960s. Society has changed since then. Given the fact that culture is dynamic, do you think that their conceptualizations of nonverbal communication is still an adequate framework of analysis in the present time? Why do you say so? If no, which part needs to be re-examined today?