1. Communication between cultures Chapter 9 Nonverbal Communication:
8TH EDITION
Chapter 9
Nonverbal Communication:
The Messages of Action, Space,
Time, and Silence
© Cengage 2012
Chapter 9 Nonverbal Communication: The Messages of Action, Time, and Space

2. Key Ideas Functions of nonverbal communication
Defining nonverbal communication
Studying nonverbal communication
Classification of nonverbal communication
Improving nonverbal communication skills
© Cengage 2012
Chapter 9 Nonverbal Communication: The Messages of Action, Time, and Space

3. Functions of nonverbal communication
Expressing internal states
Important judgments and decisions based on observations of nonverbal behavior
Emotions reflected in posture, face, eyes, tone of voice, proximity, and touch
Creating identity
Variety of non-verbal messages help people make judgments about others
Things such as skin color, use of makeup, facial expressions, dress, etc.
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Chapter 9 Nonverbal Communication: The Messages of Action, Time, and Space

4. Functions of nonverbal communication
Regulating interaction
Repeating the message
Substituting for words
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Chapter 9 Nonverbal Communication: The Messages of Action, Time, and Space

5. Defining nonverbal communication
Nonverbal communication involves all those nonverbal stimuli in a communication setting that are generated by both the source and his or her use of the environment and that have potential message value for the source and/or receiver.
© Cengage 2012
Chapter 9 Nonverbal Communication: The Messages of Action, Time, and Space

6. Defining nonverbal communication
Messages may be intentional or unintentional
Verbal and nonverbal messages
Difficult to separate verbal and nonverbal messages
Often use nonverbal message to repeat a point
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Chapter 9 Nonverbal Communication: The Messages of Action, Time, and Space

7. Studying nonverbal communication
Nonverbal communication can be ambiguous
Multiple factors influence nonverbal communication
It includes cultural universals
Nonverbal communication is learned in the process of socialization
Different cultures have their own rules for nonverbal communication such as the use of facial expression
© Cengage 2012
Chapter 9 Nonverbal Communication: The Messages of Action, Time, and Space

8. Classification of nonverbal communication
Messages of the body
Appearance
Judgment of beauty
Skin color
Attire
Body movement – Kinesics
Posture
Gestures
Facial expressions
Eye contact and gaze
Touch
© Cengage 2012
Chapter 9 Nonverbal Communication: The Messages of Action, Time, and Space

9. Classification of nonverbal communication
Body movement – Kinesics
Vocal qualities (pitch, rate, pitch, tempo, resonance, pronunciation, tone)
Vocal characteristics (laughing, crying, moaning, whining, yawning)
Vocal segrates (“uh-huh,” “shh,”, “uh,” “ooh,” “um,” “mmmh,” “hmmm”
© Cengage 2012
Chapter 9 Nonverbal Communication: The Messages of Action, Time, and Space

10. Classification of nonverbal communication
Space and distance
Personal space
Intimate distance (actual contact to 18 inches = 45 cm) is normally reserved for very personal relationships. You can reach out and touch the person at this distance. Because of the closeness of the participants, voices are usually in the form of a whisper.
Personal distance (45cm to1.25 m) there is little chance of physical contact, and you can speak in a normal voice. This is distance reserved for family and close friends.
© Cengage 2012
Chapter 9 Nonverbal Communication: The Messages of Action, Time, and Space

11. Space and distance /Personal space
Social distance (1.25m to 3.66m) is the distance at which most members of the dominant culture conduct business and take part in social gatherings.
Public distance is usually used in public presentations and can vary from relatively close to very far.
As with most forms of communication, space is associated with cultural values. A good example of the link between the use of space and culture can be seen in the values of individualism and collectivism.
© Cengage 2012
Chapter 9 Nonverbal Communication: The Messages of Action, Time, and Space

12. Space and distance
The way people use space, including how they arrang themselves in a group, is often rooted in their culture.
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Chapter 9 Nonverbal Communication: The Messages of Action, Time, and Space

13. Space and distance /Seating
Like so many features of nonverbal communication, seating arrangements send both inconspicuous and obvious messages.
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Chapter 9 Nonverbal Communication: The Messages of Action, Time, and Space

14. © Cengage 2012
Chapter 9 Nonverbal Communication: The Messages of Action, Time, and Space

15. © Cengage 2012
Chapter 9 Nonverbal Communication: The Messages of Action, Time, and Space

16. © Cengage 2012
Chapter 9 Nonverbal Communication: The Messages of Action, Time, and Space

17. © Cengage 2012
Chapter 9 Nonverbal Communication: The Messages of Action, Time, and Space

18. Space and distance/ Furniture arrangement
The way people arrange furniture (chairs, tables, desks, etc.) also communicates.
- feng shui reflects some of the history and values of China
- in the United States, where furniture
is often arranged to achieve privacy and interpersonal isolation.
© Cengage 2012
Chapter 9 Nonverbal Communication: The Messages of Action, Time, and Space

19. CONSIDER THIS
a. What are the average distances between the people you observed? Were there differences related to culture?
b. What differences did you observe in touching behavior? How did people greet each other? Did people hug, kiss, shake hands, etc.?
c. What differences did you observe in facial expressions? Were people animated, reserved, etc.?
d. Did you notice any differences in gestures? Did some people use more or fewer gestures?
© Cengage 2012
Chapter 9 Nonverbal Communication: The Messages of Action, Time, and Space

20. Space and distance/Time
If you arrive 30 minutes late for an important appointment and offer no apology, you send a certain message about yourself….. “Time is money.” “Time is fixed and measurable… “Time is also limited”because there are so many things to do in one’s lifetime. When cultures employ time in dissimilar ways, misunderstandings and even antagonisms can occur.
© Cengage 2012
Chapter 9 Nonverbal Communication: The Messages of Action, Time, and Space

21. Monrchromatic (M-Time) : time is linear, sequential, and segmented
To better recognize some contradictory ways of using time we will examine two cultural perspectives:
Informal time
Punctuality
Pace
Monrchromatic (M-Time) : time is linear, sequential, and segmented
Polychromatic (P-Time) : time is less tangible and people are usually not in a hurry to finish an assignment or chore
© Cengage 2012
Chapter 9 Nonverbal Communication: The Messages of Action, Time, and Space

22. Punctuality
Cultures vary in their punctuality standards: How late is “late”? This varies greatly. In Britain and America, one may be 5 minutes late for a business appointment, but not 15 and certainly not 30 minutes late, which is perfectly normal in Arab countries. On the other hand, in Britain it is correct to be 5 to 15 minutes late for an invitation to dinner. An Italian might arrive 2 hours late, an Ethiopian after, and Japanese not at all—he had accepted only to prevent his host from losing face. Status relationships can influence punctuality in Japan
© Cengage 2012
Chapter 9 Nonverbal Communication: The Messages of Action, Time, and Space

23. Pace
“Life is in constant motion. People consider time to be wasted or lost unless they are doing something.” From fast-food restaurants to gas stations where you can do your marketing while you are putting gas in your car, to microwave cooking, to computers that use the fastest available processors, Big cities live life at a very hectic pace. Even the expression “rush hour” describes how commuters in major cities are hurrying and dashing to get from point “A” to point “B.”
© Cengage 2012
Chapter 9 Nonverbal Communication: The Messages of Action, Time, and Space

24. Monochromatic (M-Time)
Cultures that can be classified as M-time include Germany, Austria, Sweden, Norway, England, Finland, Canada, Switzerland, and the dominant U.S. Culture. M-time culture people schedule appointments in advance, try not to be late to meetings, try to be succinct in making presentations, and have “a strong preference for following initial plans.
© Cengage 2012
Chapter 9 Nonverbal Communication: The Messages of Action, Time, and Space

25. Polychromatic (P-Time)
Arab, African, Indian, Latin American, South Asian, and Southeast Asian, is more leisurely than the one found in M-time cultures. In P-time cultures human relationships, not tasks, are important. “A polychronic view of time sees the maintenance of harmonious relationships as the important agenda, so that use of time needs to be flexible in order that we do right by the various people to whom we have obligations.”
© Cengage 2012
Chapter 9 Nonverbal Communication: The Messages of Action, Time, and Space

26. A Comparison of Monochronic and Polychronic Cultures
Do many things at once
Easily distracted and subject to interruption
Consider time commitments an objective to be achieved, if possible
Are high context and already have information
Are committed to people and human relationships
Change plans often and easily
Do one thing at a time
Concentrate on the job
Take time commitments (deadlines, schedules)
Are low context and need information seriously
Are committed to the job
Adhere to plans
© Cengage 2012
Chapter 9 Nonverbal Communication: The Messages of Action, Time, and Space

27. A Comparison of Monochronic and Polychronic Cultures
Are concerned about not disturbing others; follow rules of privacy
Show great respect for private property;seldom borrow or lend
Emphasize promptness
Are accustomed to short-term relationships
Are more concerned with people close to them (family, friends, close business associates) than with privacy
Borrow and lend things often and easily
Base promptness on the relationship
Have tendency to build lifetime relationships
© Cengage 2012
Chapter 9 Nonverbal Communication: The Messages of Action, Time, and Space

28. Classification of nonverbal communication
Silence
Periods of provide an interval in an ongoing interaction during which the participants have time to think, check or suppress an emotion, encode a lengthy response, or inaugurate another line of thought
Silence also provides feedback, informing both sender and receiver about the clarity of an idea or its significance in the overall interpersonal exchange
© Cengage 2012
Chapter 9 Nonverbal Communication: The Messages of Action, Time, and Space

29. Classification of nonverbal communication
Silence
In most Western cultures, talk is highly valued, and it is often difficult to determine the meaning behind someone’s silence, because it can be interpreted as an indication of agreement, anger, lack of interest, injured feelings, or contempt
Silence can be interpreted as an indication of agreement, anger, lack of interest, injured feelings, or contempt
© Cengage 2012
Chapter 9 Nonverbal Communication: The Messages of Action, Time, and Space

30. Classification of nonverbal communication
Silence
Intercultural implications of silence as a means of interpreting ongoing verbal interactions are as diverse as those of other nonverbal cues
Knowing how various cultures use silence is essential
Buddhism - many people feel comfortable with the absence of noise or talk and actually believe that words can contaminate an experience
© Cengage 2012
Chapter 9 Nonverbal Communication: The Messages of Action, Time, and Space

31. Classification of nonverbal communication
Silence
Japanese – silence is important and complex
People are expected to know what another person is thinking and feeling without anything being said
Silence is linked to credibility
Hindu
Self-realization, salvation, truth, wisdom, peace, and bliss are all achieved in a state of meditation and introspection when the individual is communicating with himself or herself in silence
© Cengage 2012
Chapter 9 Nonverbal Communication: The Messages of Action, Time, and Space

32. Improving nonverbal communication skills
Monitor your nonverbal actions
Is my behavior making people feel comfortable or uncomfortable?
Am I am adjusting my nonverbal messages to the feedback I am receiving from my communication “partner”?
How are people reacting to my use of space, touch, paralanguage, time, and the like?
If my messages are being misinterpreted is it because my unintentional messages, rather than my intentional messages, are impacting my communication “partner”?
© Cengage 2012
Chapter 9 Nonverbal Communication: The Messages of Action, Time, and Space

33. Improving nonverbal communication skills
Monitor feedback
Be sensitive to the context
Be aware of nonverbal ambiguity
Know your culture
© Cengage 2012
Chapter 9 Nonverbal Communication: The Messages of Action, Time, and Space

34. Communication between cultures Chapter 9 Nonverbal Communication:
8TH EDITION
Chapter 9
Nonverbal Communication:
The Messages of Action, Space,
Time, and Silence
© Cengage 2012
Chapter 9 Nonverbal Communication: The Messages of Action, Time, and Space