CT 4/510: Advanced Interpersonal
Communication
Elements of Nonverbal Communication
Nonverbal Communication consists of all cues beyond the written and spoken word.
•respond more positively to well dressed people
Appearance communicates
•more likely to obey well dressed people
• more likely to return money to well dressed people.
• more likely to let well dressed people break the rules.
What does our appearance today communicate about us?
information we get from physical appearance
•economic disclosures
•educational disclosures
•social status disclosures
trustworthiness/moral disclosures
The less you know someone, the more importance you will place on appearance. And . . .First impressions are usually accurate . . .
The six faces of emotion• happy
• angry
• sad
• surprised
• disgusted
• afraid
Types of touching• functional-professional
• social-polite
• friendship-warmth
• love-intimacy
• sexual arousal
The environment communicates•spacial arrangements
•time
before retirement
after retirement
How do you . . .
• initiate conversation with a stranger at a party?
• appear friendly and warm?
• signal your desire to leave a conversation when the other person keeps talking?
How do you . . .
•Appear confident when asking boss for a raise?
•Appear interested in class lecture?
•Avoid talking with an undesirable person?
CT 410 Advanced Interpersonal
Communication
context as communication
context communicates - our physical environment encourages certain communication expectations
every interior betrays the nonverbal skills of its inhabitants
Malls have become the temples, shrines and communal centers of modern North America
The environment communicates:
Montreal
George Lewis: the important thing is to create the illusion of community while quietly stacking the deck against its actual development Vancouv
er
Malls create a disorienting environment where we participate by buying.
Minnesota
Malls attempt to commodify community
Georgia
Malls are located so as to insulate shoppers from poor people.
Malls are designed to move you along . . .
What are the primary kinds of conversations people have in malls?
geography and climate
colors
colors
colors
colors
colors
colors
colors
colors
colors
seating arrangements
vc nv
ussv
seating arrangements
vc nv
ussv
Robert Sommers
x x
x
x
x
x
x
x
cooperate
compete
cooperate
co-act
A classroom• colors
• lighting
• decorations
• rows
• control
• temperature
• atmosphere