Week 7 Question 3

One of the most interesting parts of the reading was under the Kinesic Code II about facial expression and behavior. It was interesting to read and re-enforcing the concept about how people tend to neutralize and mask their behavior with other actions or emotions. The example of a runner up at a beauty pageant is a prime example of how this happens. In addition, the act of smiling in Japan is used to cover up concern or a feeling of disappointment.

But my favorite part is when the book talks about eye behavior. There is a lot of things that you can feel when looking into someones eyes, and usually you can get a good sense of how someone is feeling just by how they look at you. I found it interesting how eye behavior can be used to serve and maintain social positioning. I never really thought of it that way but it does makes sense when someone sits at the head of the table or meeting, they want your attention.

I have also noticed too at work when I speak to others, I notice their lack of eye contact which makes me feel that they possibly are not interested in communicating with me, or they themselves feel awkward about a situation. This portion of the reading made me realize how important facial expressions are, especially eye behavior in effectively communicating.

Week 7 Question 2

2). Although nonverbal messages are more universal than verbal messages, nonverbals do not always carry the same meanings in other cultures. Can you give examples of some of the nonverbal displays that take on different meanings in other countries? If you have moved around within this country, have you ever encountered regional differences in nonverbal meaning?

Working in a corporate environment, there are many international points of contact and people I speak with from other countries. One of the biggest non-verbal messages that comes to mind is more of an action that most American's don't think about. When sitting down, it is common for people to cross their legs. An example is when someone crosses their legs but has their foot resting on their knee exposing the sole of their shoe.

Normally this is not a representation of anything outside of resting or relaxing.But in Middle Eastern cultures, if you sat that way exposing the bottom of your shoe, it is a sign of disrespect. This goes to show that simple actions in one culture may mean something completely different in another. If someone did this with no ill intent, the consequences and relationships between people still may begin to fall.

In different regions of this country and even state, you do find differences in how people act or their mannerisms. It's hard for me right now to pick out a particular incident or an example but these different nonverbal messages are a reflection of the culture within that town, region, state or location. It stems from how people were raised and what values a particular location emphasize.

Week 7 Question 1

1). Because nonverbal messages can be ambiguous, they are open to misinterpretation. Have you ever been wrong about the meaning of someones nonverbal message? Describe what happened. How can people increase the accuracy with which they interpret nonverbal message?

I definitely have been misinterpreted when it comes time to my non-verbal communication. An example of when this happened when I was actually out at a night club with my friends on a Friday night. I had been tired from work all day since I was up early and I went to San Francisco to visit a friend of mine that I haven't seen in a long time. Going into the night, I was already somewhat tired and just wanted to relax and wind down from the day and week. As the night progressed and when we got to the night club, I was just standing back relaxing enjoying my drink and perfectly fine just socializing with people. I was a little quieter than usual but I was still talking to all of my friends. A couple friends of mine came up to me and asked me if I was upset or bothered by something and I answered no.

I truly was not bothered or upset by anything. Only thing that was different about me was that I was relaxing and taking it easy; not dancing or bouncing off the wall like most other people that night.

I believe the best way to interpret nonverbal message is first to ask someone how they are feeling based on their actions because times actions can be misinterpreted too based on how someone else is feeling or their actions. The more you interact with someone, the more you can begin to understand what their non-verbal messages mean. Even after being around someone and feeling like you are able to get an idea about how they are feeling, asking still does not hurt because situations vary on a daily basis.

Week 6 Question 3

My favorite part of this weeks readings was understanding the difference between listening and hearing. The book brings up a good point about how listening takes skill and metal effort. It is a good point, it is very easy to tune someone out and not realize that you are doing so. I have experienced this especially at work. Sometimes I catch myself talking on the telephone with someone while I am trying to answer emails and totally miss what the person was saying on the phone.

I agree how listening and hearing are two different things and it is not until you realize when you are, or not listening how it affects your communication. The book also points out how we are grown up to not listen and ignore certain situations or things which I found out very interesting as well.

Week 6 Question 2

2). Do you agree that men and women use language differently? In what areas?

Yes I do agree that men and women do use language differently. In addition, they also communicate differently. It has been seen that women use language as a form of communication more often then men do to express thoughts, feelings, and emotions. With this, women look to find out detailed information about the topic at hand to get a more further in depth understanding.

For men, they are less willing to sit down and communicate through language. Men have a tendency to be less expressive about their thoughts, feelings and emotions. This could be because of two reasons. the first, is the natural nature of men or two, society has developed the idea that "men" are not suppose to express themselves as freely as women.

From TV shows, to books, to plays and dramas, it has always been the perception that men do not express themselves. This could be that art is reflecting life, or life reflecting art.

Either way, the some situations in which women differ in using language is romantic relationships, work environments, and friendships.

For example in the work environment, typically men are more assertive in how they direct, communicate, and perform their job responsibilities. At times, by not fully using language and communication, they may not get the entire picture of what they are suppose to do. Typically women can communicate or use language more passively but wanting to get details of assigned project

Week 6 Question 1

1). Is it possible to perceive others without, in some way, judging or categorizing them? If so, how? If not, how can we make the judgments we do make, more fair?

I believe that it is not possible to not judge or categorize someone, especially when you first meet them. I say this because it is very common for people to always try and gauge who someone is through their first impressions. By attempting to do so, you try to make yourself more comfortable around strangers you do not know.

Judging and categorizing people happens on a daily basis because you learn and see how people act. Once this happens, based on their actions or words, you begin associating people with similar groups to make you feel more comfortable on how to act towards these people.

The only way I believe to make judgments fair, especially first impressions and judgments, is to have an open mind when meeting new people. Once you meet someone and talk to them, then it will become fair based on their words and actions on how to try and classify them more accurately than if you didn't wait. Once you already have your mind made up of who someone is before meeting them, it becomes tougher for you and them to begin changing that perception, especially if it is incorrect.