Non-verbal communication

10. dialect

 

C.  Vocal characterizers--laughing, snoring, whispering, grunting, clearing throat, belching, sniffing, sighing, hiccuping, yawning, moaning, groaning, etc. (can reveal emotional states, but also may be used in a cultural way; for example Japanese use laughter to mask anger, sorrow, and displeasure as well as a way to express joy)

 

D   Vocal segregates, vocalized pauses (e.g. uh, er, um, etc.)

1. In U.S. may imply indecisiveness, incoherence, deliberation, deception, lack of knowledge, etc.; regional as well as gender or ethnic differenceds
2. In China, many use the segregate ¨hai¨

 

E.  Silence; functions of silence

1.  to provide thinking time (to help process information & respond) 

2.  to convey feelings

3.  to help others (silent supportiveness)

4.  to hurt others (usually combined with other withdrawal behaviors--can signal anger, hostility, dislike, defiance, etc.)

5.  to reduce conflict (provide time to cool down) 

6.  to signal anxiety, stress, or shyness/introversion

7.  to keep from saying the wrong thing (to protect self)

8.  to maintain privacy

9.  again, there are cultural and gender differences—many cultures value silence highly (but not the U.S., where silence is sometimes interpreted as tension or awkwardness)

 

VI.  CHRONEMICS--use of time as a message system

 

A.  Perspectives

 

1.  biological time--biorythms or physical cycles (some function better in morning, some at night, etc.)

 

2.  Types of  time (E.T. Hall)

a.  technical (scientific)

b.  formal--how a culture teaches time, for example is it clock oriented, based on seasons, based on the phases of the moon, etc.

c.  informal--individual perceptions of time--e.g. what is a "long time"?  Can be forever or immediate

d.  displaced (time viewed exactly) versus diffused (time viewed as approximate) time orientations

 

3. Monochronic v. polychronic time (E. T. Hall)

 

1. monochronic cultures tend to be low-context, that is need information and talk a lot; people who are monochronic tend do one thing at a time, follow schedules, take deadlines seriously, emphasize promptness, adhere to plans, follow rules (esp. of privacy), emphasize promptness, etc.  Often more individualistic (i.e. U.S., Germany, other No. European cultures)
2. polychronic cultures tend to be high context (need less information); polychronic people do many things at once, are highly distractible (and often welcome interruptions), see time commitments as optional (general objectives to be achieved, if possible), view people as more important than deadlines (and thus not as concerned with rules and privacy), are flexible about structure, usually not concerned with promptness, change plans often & easily, and build lifetime relationships.  More collective, but also warm cultures, such as Middle Eastern, Asian, Latin America, but also France.  In France, may not come to work until 11 am. then discuss lunch (food very important, along with relationships forged over food).

 

4.  Social-Psychological time

a.  past orientation--focus on tradition, can be seen as backwards or rule bound

b.  present orientation—focus on current experience and spontaneity, may be seen as hedonistic, self-centered and inefficient

c.  future orientation--focus on goals, outcomes, and achievements, may be seen as too driven, structured, and/or materialistic (U.S. more future-oriented)

 

B.  Functions of time

 

1.  Time and status (in many cultures, it is important to be on time if visiting someone of higher status)

2.  Control, establish order & hierarchy (in many cultures, persons in power can keep you waiting; higher status persons may eat dinner later, etc.

3.  Persuasion (e.g. in the U.S. speaking faster, speeded up commercials, etc.)

4.  Establishing context & boundaries (time-binding  through holidays, shared traditions, etc.)

 

VII.  SOME PROBLEMS WITH NONVERBAL COMMUNCIATION

 

A.  Prejudice arises from stereotypes and difficulties adapting to those that are different from us.  This also can lead to discrimination and conflicts.

 

B.  Regionalism and nationalism are often characterized by struggles over space and territory (as well as the definitions of space & territory).