COM 508

Nonverbal Communication
Fall, 2017

 

Questions to Guide Your Reading of Culture and Nonverbal Communication

Reading 12 Initiating Interaction: Greetings and Beckonings Across the World

by Roger E. Axtell

1. What does a handshake, namaste or wai suggest according to Axtell (page. 110)?

2. Why is it important to know local customs for greetings etc.? How can you learn them?

3. Browse the website: Communication Guide: All Cultures and Cultural Sensitivity and Awareness in the Delivery of Health care find one "useful" piece of information on that site. Why is it useful to you?

Reading 29 Monochronic and Polychronic Time

by Edward T. Hall and Mildred Reed Hall

1. Define mono-and polychronic time systems.

2. Which is better for an individual's sanity?

3. Can we really multi-task the way we think we can? Consider two websites: The Myth of Multi-Tasking and the Myth of Multi-Tasking with a test- Psychology Today. How good are you? What is communicated (often nonverbally) when you are multi-tasking during communication with another individual?

Reading 35 Stereotypes and Nonverbal Cues:

Showing How We Feel about Others during Cross-Cultural Interactions

by Valerie Manusov

1. Were you surprised by the findings of this study? If so, why? If not, why not?

2. On page 319, the authors state: "where expectancies are more pronounced or when circumstances dictate greater weight to holding onto expectations, the more direct influence of stereotypes will likely prove more potent." What does this mean? What circumstances might "dictate greater weight to holding onto expectations"?

Reading 45 Culture and Facial Expression of Emotion

by David Matsumoto

1. What are the six universally recognized emotional expressions?

2. How do cultural display rules affect our ability to "read" the emotions of people from other cultures?

Word Version of Culture questions

Email Dr. Dixson

 

 

Words are a wonderful form of communication; but they will never replace kisses and punches! Anonymous

 

 

 

 

 

 

Return to syllabus