Human Communication in Society - Chapter 6

nonverbal communication

nonverbal behavior that has symbolic meaning

nonverbal behavior

all the nonverbal actions people perform

nonverbal codes

distinct, organized means of expression that consists of symbols and rules for their use

kinesics

nonverbal communication sent bu the body, including gestures, posture, movement, facial expressions, and eye behavior

gestures

nonverbal communication made with part of the body, including actions such as pointing, waving, or holding up a hand to direct people's attention

illustrators

signals that accompany speech to clarify or emphasize the verbal messages

emblems

gestures that stand for a specific verbal meaning

adaptors

gestures used to manage emotions

regulators

gestures used to control conversation

immediacy

how close or involved people appear to be with each other

relaxation

the degree of tension displayed by one's body

paralinguistics

all aspects of spoken language except the words themselves; includes rate, volume, pitch, stress

voice qualities

qualities such as speed, pitch, rhythm, vocal range, and articulation that make up the "music" of the human voice

vocalizations

uttered sounds that do not have the structure of language

chronemics

the study of the way people use time as a message

proxemics

the study of how people use spatial cues, including interpersonal distance, territoriality, and other space relationships, to communicate

monochronically

engaging in one task or behavior

polychronically

engaging in multiple activities simultaneously

intimate distance

(0 to 18 inches) the space used when interacting with those with whome one is very close

personal distance

(18 inches to 4 feet) the spaces used when interacting with friends and acquaintances

social distance

(4 to 12 feet) the distance most U.S. Americans use when they interact with unfamiliar others

public distance

(12 to 25 feet) the distance used for public ceremonies such as lectures and performances

haptics

the study of the communicative function of touch

professional touch

type of touch used by certain workers, such as dentists, hairstylists, and hospice workers, as part of their livelihood (functional touch)

functional touch

professional touch

social-polite touch

touch that is part of daily interaction in the U.S.; it is more intimate than professional touch but is still impersonal

friendship touch

touch that is more intimate than social touch and usually conveys warmth, closeness, and caring

love-intimate touch

the touch most often used with one's romantic partners and family

demand touching

a type of touch used to establish dominance and power

artifacts

clothes and other accessories

communicating information

using nonverbal behaviors to help clarify verbal messages and reveal attitudes and moods

regulating interaction

using nonverbal behaviors to help manage conversational interaction

expressing and managing intimacy

using nonverbal behaviors to help convey attraction and closeness

establishing social control

using nonverbal behavior to exercise influence over other people

service-task functions

using nonverbal behavior to signal close involvement between people in impersonal relationships and contexts

congruent

verbal and nonverbal messages that express the same meaning

contradicting

verbal and nonverbal messages that send conflicting messages