Nonverbal communication is also a form of sending messages as you have read. This activity is designed for students to select a live situation or a TV clip to view nonverbal communication. Next, you will apply items 1-5 to what you have observed. The goal is to understand how messages can be sent nonverbally and how the receiver understands the message. We need to be aware that we can send verbal and nonverbal messages.
Learning Activity: Sometime during this week, select an occasion or situation to observe face-to-face nonverbal communication and apply the following. Alternatively, If you wish, you can view and upload a short TV clip and apply the following.
Write a concise one-page or less summary describing your observations.
What was effectively or ineffectively communicated nonverbally?
Did you find that the nonverbal supported and agreed with the verbal communication?
What message was not stated verbally, yet you clearly understood the message? In essence, what was the real unspoken message?
Describe how this learning activity emphasized the importance of giving close attention to nonverbal communication.
Full Answer Section
exchanged greetings, but Sarah's animated gestures, including enthusiastic hand movements and frequent smiles, contrasted with Alex's more subdued posture and occasional furrowed brow. Sarah's voice remained upbeat and cheerful, while Alex's responses were quieter and punctuated by longer pauses.
Analysis:
- Effectively Communicated: Sarah's nonverbal cues effectively communicated enthusiasm, warmth, and positive engagement. Her open posture, direct eye contact, and animated gestures aligned with her verbal greetings and friendly conversation.
- Ineffectively Communicated: Alex's nonverbal cues did not fully correspond with his verbal communication. His hesitant wave, downcast eyes, and closed-off posture suggested possible discomfort or reservation, contradicting his spoken words of greeting.
- Supporting vs. Contradicting: While Sarah's verbal and nonverbal messages aligned, Alex's created a mixed message. His words conveyed friendliness, but his body language hinted at something else.
- Unspoken Message: The unspoken message I perceived from Alex was one of potential worry or concern, despite his verbal pleasantries. His nonverbal cues suggested he might be holding back or feeling uncomfortable discussing something.
Importance of Nonverbal Communication:
This observation emphasized the importance of paying close attention to nonverbal communication. While words convey explicit messages, nonverbal cues often reveal underlying emotions, attitudes, and intentions that might not be directly expressed. In Alex's case, his nonverbal cues provided deeper insight into his emotional state, revealing a potential discrepancy between his spoken words and true feelings. By considering both verbal and nonverbal messages, we can gain a more complete understanding of communication and effectively navigate social interactions.
Limitations:
It is important to acknowledge that interpreting nonverbal cues can be subjective and influenced by cultural norms and individual differences. Additionally, this brief observation only captured a snapshot of the interaction, and further context might be needed for a more comprehensive understanding.
This activity served as a valuable reminder of the power and complexity of nonverbal communication. By observing and understanding these subtle cues, we can enhance our communication skills, build stronger relationships, and navigate social interactions with greater empathy and awareness.
Sample Answer
Decoding Nonverbal Cues: An Observation at the Coffee Shop
For this activity, I decided to observe nonverbal communication at my local coffee shop during my afternoon break. Seated at a corner table, I watched various interactions unfold, focusing particularly on a table with two friends catching up.
Observation:
One friend, Sarah, arrived first and was visibly animated, waving and smiling broadly as the other, Alex, approached. Alex, however, offered a subdued smile and a hesitant wave, lowering his head slightly and avoiding direct eye contact.