Exam 6: Nonverbal Communication

Regulating nonverbal behavior tells us when to start and stop talking, whose turn it is to speak, and how to encourage others to talk more.

Your textbook states that "compared to verbal communication, nonverbal communication is less structured, learned informally, highly contextual, continuous, and more convincing." Explain the meaning of three of these five nonverbal communication characteristics. Provide an example to demonstrate your understanding of these five characteristics.

Discuss how you might express emotions online. Provide at least three relevant examples in your explanation.

Anthropologist Edward T. Hall studies spatial relationships and how the distance between people communicates information about their relationship. He refers to this phenomenon as

Identify and explain each of Hall's four spatial zones of interaction.

Identify the communicative function of the following gesture: Holding your hands about three feet apart and saying, "I saw a snake in our garden that was at least this long."

Which technique for adapting facial expressions is used in the following example? You are thrilled that you've made the dean's list, but you downplay showing your excitement among friends who didn't make the dean's list.

The Japanese, who are accustomed to crowding, need less space around them, whereas North Americans need more space to feel comfortable.

Research suggests that leakage cues (unintentional nonverbal behaviors) may reveal deceptive communication. Which of the following answers describes a leakage cue?

Everyone uses nonverbal communication.

One study found that good-looking people tend to make more money and get promoted more often than those with average looks. Using information about how your physical appearance generates meaning, discuss whether or not you agree with the findings of the study.

In 2012, the percent of U.S. women with tattoos surpassed the percent of men with tattoos.

Researchers have arrived at several conclusions about eye contact and its effects on the way we communicate. For example, deception can rarely be detected by looking solely at another person's eye behavior. Identify two other conclusions about eye behavior and describe its effects on the way we communicate.

Direct and consistent eye contact from others is insulting to most North Americans.

When we turn our eyes away from someone, it is an intentional act.

In looking for causes of infant deaths, researchers conclude that babies need to be touched and carried in order to develop and thrive.

According to researchers, many liars give themselves away by displaying leakage cues. What is a leakage clue? Identify and describe three types of nonverbal cues that can help you to detect a lie.

Nonverbal communication refers to message components other than words that generate meaning.

Tracy whispers to Tanya that the news about winning a major contract is a surprise, but doesn't let anyone else in the meeting room to know that fact. Which characteristic of vocal expressiveness is he demonstrating?