Transcript Lecture 1

Lecture 6
Introduction to
Non-verbal Communication,
and the
Concept of Time in Culture
COM 340
Field of Nonverbal Communication
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Following are some of the areas in which
nonverbal communication is studied:
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Time (chronemics)
Distance behavior (proxemics)
Touching behavior (haptics)
Body behavior (kinesics)
Physical qualities
Appearance
Artifacts
Environmental factors
Paralanguage
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Overview of NVC
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Estimated that only about 30% to 45% of what
is communicated in a conversation is verbal
(coming from the voice and words themselves).
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This is based on two persons from the same
culture speaking their native language.
The other 55% to 70% comes from NVC.
 Upon hearing “nonverbal communication” most
people envision gestures and body language.
 But, nonverbal communication is so much
more than that and so very complicated,
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Characteristics of NVC
(compared to verbal)
Many people do not realize nonverbal
communication differs in each culture.
 No dictionaries of nonverbal behavior.
 Cannot ask someone to repeat a nonverbal
behavior.
 Generally difficult to hide one’s nonverbal
behavior.
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Time Orientations
Cultures can be categorized in terms of how
they perceive that “time” is related to
human life.
 3 types…
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Past orientation
Present orientation
Future orientation
All cultures must have a concept for all
three of these, but it appears that one of
these three tends to dominate in each
particular culture.
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Past Orientation common in cultures…
 where
tradition is very important.
 that worship ancestors or place an emphasize on
strong family ties. (many Asian countries)
 where aristocracy is important (Great Britain, Japan)
Present Orientation common in cultures…
 where
people pay very little attention to what has
occurred in the past or what might happen in the future.
 The past is seen as unimportant and the future is seen
as vague and unpredictable.
Future Orientation common in cultures…
 where
change is highly valued. The future is generally
viewed as “bigger and better.” Being “old-fashion” is not
a good thing. (i.e. United States)
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Time Patterns
In addition “time orientations,” people also
develop patterns for doing certain things (i.e.
sleeping, eating, arriving for meetings, etc.),
as well as how many things it is appropriate
to do at the same time.
 Two way of categorizing…
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Monochronic
Polychronic
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Monochronic Time Pattern
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Involves compartmentalization of time.
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At a party, things are organized and planned to
the minute. Order is important.
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Japanese, White American and most Western
Europeans tend to be in this pattern.
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Schedule events, see or do things one at a time
Use agendas during meetings
Must wait one’s turn
Relatively speaking, cultures with low levels of
involvement among their people
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Polychronic Time Pattern
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Does not involve compartmentalization.
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People tend to do several activities at the same
time in an interwoven manner.
Lack of schedules.
At a party, people constantly come and go
as they please.
 Afro-American, Latin America, Middle
Eastern, East Indian, Malaysian, Chinese
tend to be in this pattern.
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Relatively speaking, cultures with high levels of
involvement among their people
COM 340