Gendered Lives Chapter 6: Gendered Nonverbal Communication (NVC)

Today we will discuss:  I. Functions of NVC  II. Forms of NVC  III. Cultural influences  IV. Interpreting Nonverbal Behavior

I. Functions of NVC A. Primary means of signaling our emotions, attitudes, and the nature of our relationships with others % percent is inferred through nonverbal channels (Birdwhistell, 1970). 2. NVC is defined as communicating without words through multiple communication channels (Adler, Rosenfeld, & Proctor, 2007). 3. Learned through interaction with others

I. Functions of NVC  B. Primary Functions: –1. Supplement verbal messages: Unintentional: e.g. blushing, sweating Intentional (5 primary displays rules of internal regulation: –Simulation: You show emotion that you are not feeling. –Intensification: Amplify your expression. –Miniaturization: Emotion is minimized. –Inhibition: Attempt to show no feeling/affect. –Masking: To show a different emotion than the one you are feeling.

Functions of Nonverbal Communication  2. Regulate interaction –a. Women use it to invite others into conversation –b. Men use it to hold onto “talk stage”

II. Types of NVC A. Physical Appearance 1. Includes body type, height, weight, hair, and skin color. a. Are only women concerned about this topic? b. Who tends to be more dissatisfied with their body? c. What are the ideals?

Physical Appearance  d. Concern w/ weight starts as early as 5 –40% of 4 th grade girls diet –By the age of 13 53% of girls report being dissatisfied with their bodies It goes up to 78% at the age of 17 –1 in 4 college women have an eating disorder

B. Artifacts  1. Personal objects that influence how we see and express our self identity  2. Parents send messages through toys –What toys are appropriate for boys/girls? –What behaviors do they encourage? –Visually, what expectations are made?

Artifacts  3. In adult life, continue to reflect cultural views of masculinity and femininity –Men’s clothes vs. women’s –What do adult advertisements convey? food, homemaking, child rearing, work, cars, sports

Artifacts  4. Some use artifacts to challenge existing perceptions –How do men and women do this? –Do you see this in the gay community?

C. Paralanguage 1. Paralanguage is the sounds and tones we use in conversation; it is how something is said, not what is said. a. Accent: how your words are pronounced together b. Pitch: from high to low *Difference b/w the average male and female pitch exceeds physiological explanations c. Volume: how loudly or softly you speak d. Articulation: precision or slurring of words e. Pace: how quickly or slowly you speak

D. Kinesics 1. Kinesics is the study of posture, body movement, gestures, and facial expressions (Greek word, “movement”). 2. Friesen & Ekman identified 6 universal expressions SADFISH (sadness, anger, disgust, fear, interest, surprise, happiness) * We have the ability to make 250,000 expressions *WHO CAN BETTER IDENTIFY FACIAL EXPRESSIONS? MEN OR WOMEN?

Kinesics  3.Women are more skilled at interpreting nonverbals and identifying emotions –Females’ right brain specialization make them more adept at decoding emotions

Kinesics  4. Differences between men and women: –a. Women’s movements signal they are approachable, friendly, unassuming Sustained eye contact –b. Men’s movements indicate they are reserved, in control Will sustain eye contact when challenged

E. Haptics 1.The study of haptics examines the perceptions and meanings of touch behavior. 2.Same-sex touch a. Asian and Arab cultures vs. U.S. b. Gay community

Haptics (Touch)  3. Parents touch daughters more often and more gently  4. Boys learn to associate touching with control and power  5. Women initiate touch that express support  6. Men use touch to assert power and express sexual interest  7. Women may perceive men’s touch as harassing

F. Proxemics 1. Proxemics is the study of space between persons, physical contact, and the inner anxiety we have when people violate our space.

Four Zones of Personal Space  2. Hall (1966), U.S. –Intimate distance: from 0 to 18 inches. –Personal distance: from 18 inches to 4 feet. –Social distance: from 4 to 12 feet. –Public distance: from 12 feet and beyond.

Proximics  Who has the private spaces in the home? The father or the mother?  What do you think is the connection with space and power? Who invades space more, men or women? –Do men and women react the same when their territory is invaded?

III. Cultural Influences  A. Nonverbal communication related to gender and culture: –Expresses cultural meanings of gender –Men and women use nvc to present themselves as gendered people  B. Different cultures have different norms

C. Cultural Differences  1. Japanese women refrain from smiling  2. African American women don’t smile as much as Caucasian  3. African American women more satisfied with bodies, less prone to eating disorders

4. Appropriate conversational distance varies among cultures  Preferred spaces are largely a matter of cultural norms.  a. European Americans’ distance: 20 inches  b. Latin Americans’ distance: inches  c. Saudi Arabians’ distance: 9-10 inches

5. Paralanguage –How do we think the other sex and cultures sound (impersonations) –African Americans raise their voices to express passion and are emotionally expressive –Arab cultures both men and women speak with raised voices, repeat things, and pound the table

6. Haptics High-contact cultures include Latin Americans, French, and Italians. They look each other directly in the eye, face each other, touch and/or kiss each other, and speak in loud voices. Low-contact cultures include East Asians and Asian Americans (Chinese, Japanese, and Asian Indians). They engage in little if any touching, and prefer indirect eye contact and softer speaking tones. Moderate-contact cultures include the U.S., Canada, and Australia. A blend of both high and low contact occurs.

D. Expectancy Violation Theory  EVT sees communication as the exchange of information which is high in relational content and can be used to violate the expectations of another, which will be perceived as either positively or negatively, depending on the liking between the two people (Burgoon, 1978).

EVT  Expectancy Violations Theory attempts to explain people’s reactions to unexpected behavior. Expectancies are primarily based upon social norms and specific characteristics of the communicators.

IV. Interpreting Nonverbal Behavior

A. Respecting Gendered Styles of Nonverbal Communication  1. Suspend judgment  2. Information empowers us to be more effective communicators  3. Greater accuracy in interpreting others results from understanding differences