COM510 Class meeting September 14, 2009

1. Nonverbal Communication Introduction

2. What Is Nonverbal Communication? Labeling and Defining Limits of domain? Conceptually dysfunctional? Linkages of body movement & individual com system, and between interactants Terminology for “covering label” (Knapp et al, 1978) Body language Kinesics Pasimology—gestures (or sign language) Coenesis or coenetics—encompassed all Semiotics—”patterned communication in all modalities”

3. Issues to Illuminate Study Too much emphasis on deducing nature of field from covering label Attend more to premises, assumptions, definitions; e.g. theoretical frameworks

4. Issues to Illuminate Study E.g., level of analysis—single NV cue, isolated display, non-interactive or episodic Implications?

5. Issues to Illuminate Study Vs. multiple or sequenced NV cues, interactive/relational Implications? Hitch love expert stumbling (6:30)

6. Issues to Illuminate Study Can we distinguish NV behavior (NVB) vis-à-vis NV communication (NVC)? Issues identified by theorists 1970, 1978 Communicator intent (Burgoon, source orientation) Awareness (receiver orientation; conscious of message, ascribes intent) Meaning—e.g. message orientation; publicly encoded, socially shared meaning; responded to in systematic fashion. Units “counted as meaningful”

7. Approaches to Study NVB Each research thrust has own assumptions, methodologies Variable-analytic tradition Structural research—source, message, channel, or receiver capacities Functional lines Context Nonverbal skills, abilities (competency)

9. Examples: Ekman & Friesen’s (1972) analysis of hand gestures; Patterson’s (1974) analysis of space

10. Burgoon—3 general types

11. Usage patterns—gaze, conversational distance (proxemics), gestures, touch

12. As independent variables; e.g., environment on COM

14. Research Approaches 2 (& 4) Structural Research Approach Source and receiver capacities; can include NV competency PONS Test (Profile of Nonverbal Sensitivity)—see image right Self-monitoring scale Code properties Kinesics—Birdwhistell Proxemics—Hall Facial expressions—Ekman, Ekman & Friesen Code & channel comparisons Cingular—mixed messages Gestures & verbal output

15. Research Approaches 3 Functional Perspectives Ekman & Friesen (1969) five basic functions of NVB (links verbal-NV) Repeat verbal Substitute Complement or clarify Contradict Emphasize Criticism that treats NVB as subordinate or supplementary to verbal Burgoon 1970 proposed “new” taxonomy: Symbolic representations Expressive communication Structuring of interaction Impression formation/mgt Metacommunication Social influence

16. Research Approaches 3 Functional Perspective Burgoon ~1985, 1996 offered different “new” taxonomy: Producing & processing messages Structuring interaction Creating/managing identities Forming/managing impressions Expressing emotions Defining/managing relationships Regulating conversations Influencing others Deceiving others

17. Research Approaches 4 & 5 Context(s)—much to uncover Type—E.g., Intimate vs. impersonal; Task vs. social Activity—love, work Nonverbal skills, abilities (competency) Decoding, encoding Deception Lie to Me clip Season 1 Feb. 18 (2:27)

18. Origins & Development Ontogeny? Phylogeny? Need to understand How do we incorporate NVBs into communicative repertoire? How do NVBs manifest throughout human lifespan? Raises questions like Universality Innateness Desmond Morris—The Human Zoo (49:12) The Human Zoo Part 1 (10:13)