Let’s dig a little deeper into non-verbal communication. I don’t want to get into too much since this is not the focus of our class. However, it is important to realize how our non-verbal techniques can enhance our ability to communicate, influence, and advocate. We’ve looked at the pop cultural phenomenon known as RBF to discover that it is really our interpretation of a neutral face and that there is science to back that up. We’ve looked a little at how a similar gesture can have various meanings across different cultures. As public speakers, these things can inhibit or enhance our ability to influence effectively. So, let’s take a closer look at some of these methods.
And if you think all this attention to non-verbals is unnecessary, consider the following graph:
You’ll probably see this chart quite a bit in your communication studies. Albert Mehrabian is a Professor of Psychology who is known for his publications on the importance of verbal and nonverbal messages. If you want to know more about him, go here: https://www.psych.ucla.edu/faculty-page/mehrab/
Dr. Mehrabian’s work emphasizes non-verbal aspects of communication over verbal, indicating that 93% of our understanding comes from the non-verbal and only 7% from the verbal. As I’ve said before, I believe that your words are the focal point and the rest is an accessory – a set of clarifying details to make your message more succinct. That being said, 93% of your message being understood nonverbally seems a bit high. Think of it this way:
Even scholars can disagree, right? But this video makes a very good point. If 93% of the message is non-verbal, why would we need to learn a foreign language? Performance would be everything (almost) in perfect clarity. The need for human language and the variety thereof documents a need for an encoding tool that is more direct than performance and non-verbals, especially considering that these signs, gestures, and non-word vocal cues vary among and between cultures.
I mean, it’s not like we are all mimes or anything, right?
Anyway, there are some aspects that we should mention. Today, it’s about proxemics.
Ever been accosted by a close-talker? You know what I mean? Like this commercial…
Personal space can be a blessing. How many of you have big personal space requirements? How many don’t care? Does it bother you when someone gets too close? Had too many ‘You need a Tic Tac’ moments?
Proxemics is the study of space and how we use it. The term comes from Edward T. Hall, a cultural anthropologist. It helps to think of it in terms of levels of comfort and who is allowed within what space around us. Take a look at the following image.
Nonverbal Communication, Personal Space, & Territoriality – Relationship reflection (weebly.com
This chart does a good job of showing the approximate space designations when considering proxemics. And, I want you to reference it when completing this assignment. We will talk about on in our next class. Consider this: how do you feel when someone violates your space requirements? How do you think a close-talker views personal space? And how does that space requirement affect your communication?
So, what are your instructions?
This assignment is to be typed into the space provided by Canvas.
Please answer the following questions using complete sentences (I wish I didn’t have to specify that, but…..)
1) Describe an encounter with a close talker and how you handled it.
2) Where do various people in your life fall in the proxemics scale? (Who’s allowed in your personal space and who is in other categories?)
3) Which area is your comfort zone and why do you think that is?
Here’s the link for the videos