Differences in Nonverbal CommunicationExploring the differences in nonverbal communication between

cultures, genders, and ages

By: Joan Gravseth, Kailey Norling, Lindsay Prickett, Chelsea Tucker, Zaquel Major &

Rachelle Wright

Introduction

Have you ever had a miscommunication with someone because you misunderstood their body language? Maybe you thought your friend took a joke too seriously because they kept a straight face? Almost everyone can relate to a situation like this because communication is a multi-conceptual process. For this reason, our group decided to explore the differences that cause people to communicate differently.

In this presentation, Rachelle and Lindsay will discuss cultural differences, Joan and Chelsea will discuss gender differences, and Kailey and Zaquel will discuss age differences affect how different individuals communicate nonverbally.

The Building Blocks of Nonverbal Communication

To understand the differences associated with nonverbal communication, it must be known that nonverbal communication is expressed through the following nine building blocks. Depending on how they are used together can result in various communication outcomes. The nonverbal communication building blocks are more of a guide rather than a set of rules for how to communicate with another person.

1. Kinesics refers to all of our body positions, body movements, and facial expressions (Hahn, Lippert, & Paynton, 2011, p. 3).

2. Haptics is the technical term we use to refer to our touching behaviors (Hahn et al., 2011, p. 4).

3. Physical appearance messages are frequently the first way we form perceptions of others when we meet them (Hahn et al.,

2011, p. 4).

4. Artifacts are personal objects that we use to indicate to others important information about our self (Hahn et al., 2011, p. 4).

5. Environmental factors are aspects of the context in which we communicate that influence how we act and feel (Hahn et al.,

2011, p. 4).

6. Proxemics is the technical term for space and how we use it (Hahn et al., 2011, p. 4).

7. How we use and value time is the study of chronemics (Hahn et al., 2011, p. 5).

8. Messages that we indicate with our voice, beyond the words we use, are called paralanguage (Hahn et al., 2011, p. 5).

9. Silence is the final type of nonverbal message (Hahn et al., 2011, p. 5).

Cultural Differences

The most important question to ask is what is culture?The beliefs, customs, arts, etc., of a particular society, group, place, or time (“Culture,” n.d.).

Before going over the ways age, gender, and culture affect nonverbal communication, it must be understood how they affect each person.

Growing up in different cultures, during different eras, or with different social classes can make a big difference on how a person views the world and how they communicate.

Image Citation: (“We Are All Different,” 2004)

By: Rachelle and Lindsay

Cultural Differences

We become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.

~Jimmy Carter (“Jimmy Carter Quotes,” n.d.).

Many factors affect culture, and they affect how we are raised and gives us each a different outlook on life and a different way to communicate.

Culture varies widely can vary different countries and makes nonverbal communication vary more. Just look at communication in Eastern culture Vs. Western culture.

The United States is another example of varying cultures and communication styles. The United States is known for being a melting pot, which leads to more variation of different cultures from different regions and on the Native American reservations.

Cultural Differences: Large Scale

When looking at the differences in nonverbal communication across cultures, it is important to first look at the broad differences.

A broad difference in nonverbal communication style can be seen through high context and low context communication. A high context culture “examines the relationship between what is implied in communication and what is stated outright” (Martindale, 2002). Whereas a low context culture “focus(es) on the words in messages” (Novinger, 2004).

An example of a broad difference is time:Time usage varies among cultures. There are polychronic and monochronic concepts of time. A culture that is polychronic will have a “multiple-activity, matrix concept of time.”A culture that is monochronic, however, will have a “predominantly linear and sequential approach to time... and tends to focus on one activity at a time.” (Novinger, 2004).

Cultural DifferencesOne of the biggest examples of Cultural difference is between Eastern culture and Western culture.

Examples: East West

Greetings: In Japan, the common greeting for men and women as well is to bow when they greet someone, as opposed to giving a casual handshake or a hug. (“Greeting Customs,” 2011).

In the USA, it is normal for men to shake hands when they meet, but it is quite unusual for men to kiss when they greet each other. Greetings are casual – a handshake, a smile and a ‘hello’ will do just fine (“Greeting Customs,” 2011).

Eye contact:The customs and significance of eye contact vary widely between cultures, with religious and social differences often altering its meaning greatly. (Boundless, 2015).

Japanese children are taught to direct their gaze at the region of their teacher's Adam's apple or tie knot (Boundless, 2015).

Western cultures use a direct gaze more frequently than Eastern cultures (Boundless, 2015).

Individualism / CollectivismCollective cultures “require close, very personal interaction, and people in these cultures are far more dependent on one another than those reared in an individualistic society” (Novinger, 2004).

“A human being is an integral part of the universe and the society. People are fundamentally connected. Duty towards all others is a very important matter. Collectivism is stronger” (“Bibikova, A., & Kotelnikov, V.,” n.d.).

“A human being has an individualistic nature and is an independent part of the universe and the society. Individualism is stronger” (“Bibikova, A., & Kotelnikov, V.,” n.d.).

Cultural Differences“As in most countries, in Brazil customs such as diet, dress, and attitudes differ from region to region. The most significant division in Brazil lies between the North and the South, causing some Brazilians to comment that their nation comprises two different countries” (Novinger, 2004).

While Eastern vs. Western culture shows large variations in communication from cultures from different continents. However, cultures can vary greatly even in the same country. Several examples of this are: North vs South Brazil, Chicago Vs New York, or even Native american culture. A great example of this is eye contact.

“In mainstream Western culture, eye contact is interpreted as attentiveness and honesty; we are taught that we should “look people in the eye” when talking. In many cultures, however, including Hispanic, Asian, Middle Eastern, and Native American, eye contact is thought to be disrespectful or rude, and lack of eye contact does not mean that a person is not paying attention. Women may especially avoid eye contact with men because it can be taken as a sign of sexual interest.” (Willingham, n.d.).

Gender DifferencesJust as differences in cultures may cause miscommunication, there can be

miscommunication between genders because men and women tend to use nonverbal communication cues differently.

When it comes to nonverbal communication there are many factors that can influence how people interpret or communicate nonverbal cues, gender is just one of the many differences (Carli, Lafleur & Loeber, 1995, p.1036). Before a child can speak, nonverbal communication is taught, it is the first skill babies learn to communicate. Often they learn this skill from their parents, and studies have shown that a mother will speak to her daughter using more facial expression than her son (Fischer, 2002, p.102). The way a person communicates can be linked to gender roles. Gender roles are an important aspect of nonverbal communication, and contribute to many differences between men and women(Carli, Lafleur & Loeber 1995, p.1038).

By: Chelsea and Joan

Gender Differences: Men Men are more likely to use their hands when expressing themselves (Carnes,

2015). Men rely on obvious non-verbal gestures (Carnes, 2015). Men see close proximity as a sign of aggression or confrontation (Carnes, 2015). Men often send out nonverbal cues that aren’t as subtle as women (Carnes, 2015). Men generally associate touch gestures with sexual intentions, so men tend to stay

away from touch gestures (Carnes, 2015). Men generally perceive nonverbal cues from their friends and their instructors

similarly (Miller, 2011). Men tend to sit with their legs wide taking up space to show their dominance

(Causewell, 2010).

Gender Differences: Women

Women tend to use more nonverbal communication because they use more emotions when they speak whereas men focus on the situation(Causewell, 2015).

Women can read body language and nonverbal cues much more efficiently than men (Carnes, 2015).

Women are more tolerant with close proximity while communicating (Carnes, 2015). Women use certain nonverbal communication to feel close to people, but can adjust their

nonverbal cues based on the situation (Miller, 2011). Women tend to use little gestures that might be hard to pick up on (Causewell,2015). Women use touch gestures while communicating because they see it as a sign of friendship

or empathy (Causewell, 2015). Some scholars have said that women’s nonverbal communication often lacks “social power”

(Miller, 2011).

Gender DifferencesAs we see, men and women use nonverbal communication differently. Women are overall more emotional and communication in such a way to let the other person feel friendship and compassion. They are more adept than men at using and recognizing nonverbal cues and will change how they use their nonverbal communication based on the situation they are in. For example, they will use certain nonverbal communication to feel psychologically close to their friends, but when they are teaching a class they will not use this type of nonverbal communication (Miller, 2011). Men on the other hand use the same type of nonverbal communication when communicating with their friends and when they are teaching a class. Men use and notice more obvious nonverbal cues, instead of subtle ones like women.

Age DifferencesMen and women nonverbally communicate in different way, and these differences

are apparent starting at childhood. As children develop, they enhance their outlets of communication based on their cultural environments. It is a skill that with practice becomes more effective. Age differences have the potential to cause miscommunication errors just like gender differences and cultural differences can. An example of this can be grandparents trying to talk to grandchildren who are millenials.

By: Kailey and Zaquel

Age DifferencesThere are generational differences in nonverbal communication channels. A study by Franklin B. Krohn attempted to understand if emoticons in computer mediated communication are actually examples of nonverbal cues among different age groups (A Generational Approach). He developed conclusions from his study based on the reactions received among the ages. These are his findings:

“Transcendentalists” born before 1946 shouldn’t use emoticons “Baby Boomers” born between 1946-1964 probably shouldn’t use emoticons “Generation Xers” born between 1964-1980 may use emoticons “Millennials” born after 1980 may use extreme amounts of emoticons (Krohn, 2004).

When Krohn referred to who shouldn’t and should use emoticons the context he was referring to using them was in emails. Krohn’s divisions on what age groups should and shouldn’t use emoticons had do with the ability of those generations to pick up on the cues. The older generations were not as intune to the nonverbal techniques whereas the younger generations were because they have grown up being exposed to those emoticons.

Kailey

Age DifferencesIt’s no surprise that adults communicate differently than children. It is estimated that

children go through a transitional phase during their adolescent ages. The University of Pittsburgh conducted a study that compared behaviors of adults to those of children. Adults simultaneously use many channels of communication but for children it’s harder. The study emphasized on gestures, eye gaze, and facial expressions. Early in life, babies and

young children will point to their sippy cups, parents, and toys, and this step is the first nonverbal skill they have.

At five years old, children have voluntary control over their facial expressions. From ages six to ten, children understand how to use facial expressions in a conversation and after ten years old, children know how to hide or mask their facial expressions.

By age eleven, children are able to hold eye contact with adults. Children develop these nonverbal communication skills by watching adults interact and by interacting with their peers (Koterba, 2010).

Kailey

Age Differences in MarketingMarketing works as it’s on form of nonverbal communication, with it being tailored to each generation’s needs and demands. As with conversations, in marketing each generation responds differently to needed stimuli. (checklist for communicating) Silent Generation, use testimonials of product users, give them time to make decisions, and

consistently show patriotism, and cooperation. A focus on chronemics and slower response time is required.

Boomers, focus on their health and well-being. Give them choices and decisions. They are the oldest generation that are online and social media adverts can affect them. Offering new Experiences would drive them to buy.

Generation X, connect them with their friends in experience and decision making. They need time and patience in the buying process. Trust also factors into every purchase. GenX wants choice and suggestions, with less pressure to buy. Using artifacts to convey a message would rope them in easiest.

Millennials want to share a good product. They can pick out meaningless buzzwords, and factor in Environmental attitude into most purchases

Conclusion SlideIn conclusion, nonverbal miscommunication can happen because of all sorts of

reasons. Cultural barriers, gender differences, and age differences are only three of the factors that can cause nonverbal miscommunication. Different cultures think that some nonverbal gestures are rude, while others may think it is only polite. An example of this is eye contact. American culture expects direct eye contact to show respect, while many other cultures believe it is rude. Women use a more emotional approach to nonverbal communication and are good at picking up cues, while men are not so emotional and need more obvious cues to pick up on nonverbal communication. When it comes to age, older generations have a hard time communicating with millenia children because the younger generation can not read nonverbal cues. We can overcome these barriers by adapting how we use our nonverbal communication depending on what situation we are in.

Questions1. What do you think are the biggest barriers in nonverbal communication across

cultures, genders, and age groups? How do you think society can break those barriers?

2. Is there a way to make nonverbal communication more universal for everyone without destroying a person’s culture and personal identity?

3. Have you personally encountered problems with nonverbal communication due to culture, gender, or age? If so, how did you handle the situation?

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https://www.moveoneinc.com/blog/relocations/greeting-customs-around-the-world/

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