We tend to think of communication as something that happens with words, either written or spoken. The truth of communication is that a great deal of how we communicate happens nonverbally, through our facial expressions,
We tend to think of communication as something that happens with words, either written or spoken. The truth of communication is that a great deal of how we communicate happens nonverbally, through our facial expressions, posture, gestures, and qualities of our voice. In fact, since verbal communication is much more difficult to control consciously, many people find nonverbal communication to be more honest and believable than verbal communication.
As with all forms of communication, nonverbal communication has both personal and cultural elements. A simple gesture that has meaning in one society may be rude, offensive, or meaningless in another. Like verbal communication, nonverbal communication works because of shared meaning. Nonverbal communication also shares its uses with verbal communication. Nonverbal communication can be used to express an emotion (a frown or a smile), to assist in creating meaning (hand gestures), and as substitutes for verbal communication (a nod or a shrug).
Our eyes are among our most important assets when it comes to nonverbal communication. Both where we look and how we look can indicate a great deal. In the United States, looking in the same place for too long can be seen as staring, rude, or upsetting. We also tend to look at someone who is speaking, but look away when we are talking. Our eyes can widen or narrow, be raised or lowered, can wink, or be closed. Each of these can have a variety of meanings depending on the context. Emotions can also be seen in the eyes. We are affected by the behavior of other people’s eyes, and like other forms of communication, our eye behavior follows cultural rules. Looking someone in the eye is seen as a sign of honesty in the United States and other Western countries. In many Asian cultures like Japan, looking someone else in the eye—especially a superior—can be seen as an attempt to challenge or intimidate.
Beyond the eyes, facial expression is also of critical importance in communication. The work of psychologist Paul Ekman suggests that there may be as many as 10,000 different human facial expressions. Some of these have specific cultural meanings, but many appear to be universal. Among those universal expressions are fear, anger, sadness, happiness, and disgust. These expressions appear to be inherent and do not have to be learned.
Our ability to correctly interpret the facial expressions of others often has important consequences for us. We are more able to determine if someone is likely to be friendly, aggressive, or upset based on their facial expression. Most of us have some control over our facial expressions when we concentrate on them, but many of our facial expressions happen spontaneously and are not under our conscious control.
In our work and personal lives, we need to be able to identify and analyze effective verbal and nonverbal communication in various situations. In the same way that you would analyze a work or personal life communication situation, you will be asked to create a short presentation (using media choices below) about the nonverbal communication demonstrated in a series of photographs. In addition to identifying aspects of nonverbal communication, you will also need to show how these elements can affect communication both positive and negatively. Include your observations of how nonverbal elements that you see alter the direction of communication.
1. Select four of included photographs.
2. Using either PowerPoint or Prezi, create a presentation that demonstrates your comprehension regarding these communication elements: Please include the following:
1. A title slide including your name.
2. Four slides that explain aspects of the nonverbal communication that you see depicted in the photographs. Be sure to include the photograph on the slide. Be as specific and detailed as possible in your description of body language, facial expression, physical distance (if applicable), gesture, and other aspects of nonverbal communication that you see.
3. Using Screencast-o-matic (screencast-o-matic.com) or similar software, create a short video presentation of your PowerPoint or Prezi. Explain in detail the nonverbal elements of communication that you observe in each of the four photographs you have selected. Video should be between four and seven minutes long. This video should either be of the presentation itself or a hybrid video that includes both the presentation and an inset webcam video.
4. Upload your video to screencast-o-matic, YouTube, or similar online video sharing site and provide a link to your video. Include your PowerPoint or Prezi with your submission.
Grading Rubric
F F C B A
0 1 2 3 4
Not Submitted Below Standard Meets Requirements of Mastery Advanced Exemplary
Not Submitted Video is less than 3 minutes or more than 10 minutes long. Presentation does not use PowerPoint, Prezi, or similar presentation software. Sound is muddy or impossible to understand. Video is between 3:00 and 3:30 or between 8:30 and 10:00 minutes long. Video and sound quality is low, but sufficient to see and understand the presentation. Video is between 3:30 and 4:00 or 7:00 and 8:30 minutes long. Video and sound quality is generally clear with some potentially difficult portions. Video is between 4:00 and 7:00 minutes long. Video and sound quality is excellent through the entire recording.
Not Submitted Fails to identify relevant elements of nonverbal communication from the photographs Correctly identifies at least two elements of nonverbal communication. Correctly identifies three or more elements of nonverbal communication. Correctly identifies three or more elements of nonverbal communication and demonstrates deep understanding of how these elements help to define the communication event depicted.
Not Submitted Elements of nonverbal communication are discussed, but with no detail or explanation. Student offers no real justification for claims made concerning the nonverbal communication depicted in the photographs. At least two elements of nonverbal communication are described and explained for each photograph with enough detail to demonstrate a knowledge of these elements. At least three elements of nonverbal communication are described and explained for each photograph with enough detail to demonstrate a knowledge of these elements. At least three elements of nonverbal communication are described and explained for each photograph with enough detail to demonstrate a knowledge of these elements and how these nonverbal elements can affect communication.
Not Submitted Student does not utilize various nonverbal communication elements such as inflection, tone, and rate of speech in the presentation. Student comments are generally clear and accurate with some emphasis placed on inflection, tone, rate of speech and other nonverbal communication factors. Student comments are clear and accurate with significant focus placed on inflection, tone, rate of speech and other nonverbal communication factors. Student comments are clear, accurate, and insightful and show mastery of using nonverbal elements such as inflection, tone, and rate of speech.
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