Exploring Male and Female Non-verbal Forms of Communication Essays

Exploring Male and Female Non-verbal Forms of Communication Essays Exploring Male and Female Non-verbal Forms of Communication Paper Exploring Male and Female Non-verbal Forms of Communication Paper â€Å"We cannot not communicate†- this is an established fact in human existence and separates humans from other mammals. Even in silence one sends a multitude of messages: with one’s gaze, facial expression, touch, posture, gestures, and the manner in which one distances himself from the person or persons being communicated with. Equally, one’s choice of clothing and color as well as his timing may say more than what he communicates with his words. Yet as one speaks, more is revealed with the quality of his voice (pitch, tone and intonation), the number and length of his utterances, and the presence or absence of disfluencies in his words and even in his choice of words. Although in most recent studies some communication specialists would separate characteristics attributed to voice as well as word choice as paraverbal communication (Windle and Warren, n. d. ), we will refer to the earliest considerations on the forms of communication- the verbal and the nonverbal (Ehninger, et al, 1982; Pace, Peterson, Burnett, 1979; Becvar, 1974). Whether these nonverbals are sent intentionally or otherwise, one is certain: they serve certain factors: 1) repeating (e. g. vocal utterance and other NVCs that are presumed to repeat what is said), substituting (e. g. shaking the head in disagreement or nodding in acceptance), complementing (to emphasize emotional feelings), regulating, accenting and either deceiving or revealing a person’s intent and real emotions with regards to the communication situation. How much of what one communicates is nonverbal? David Givens (2005) provides an estimate on this phenomenon: Communicating Without Words According to Kramer, 94% of our communication is nonverbal, Jerry (Seinfeld, January 29, 1998). Kramers estimates (like the statistics of anthropologist Ray Birdwhistell [65%; Knapp 1972] and of psychologist Albert Mehrabian [93%; 1971]) are hard to verify. But the proportion of our emotional communication that is expressed apart from words surely exceeds 99%. So much is said even with a very few words that one should have a better understanding of the NVCs to become an effective communicator, and in the process overcome misunderstanding. A number of factors must be considered in understanding this form of communication, namely: 1) the manner in which the nonverbal is sent (either be deliberately or unconsciously transferred); 2) gender (males vs. female); and 3) socio-cultural (Europeans vs. Asians; minority vs. majority). For this purpose, we shall focus our discussion on the effects of gender differences in the use of nonverbal communication. O’Carroll’s (2006) article reviews some of the studies devoted to understanding the effects of gender on an individual’s communication style, including that of Deborah Tannena’s book You Just Don’t Understand: Men and Women in Conversation, which has been in the New York’s list of bestseller for nearly four years and have been translated into 24 languages, implying that certain misconceptions (i. e. girls aren’t more social than boys, neither are they more suggestible, girls aren’t any better at learning off by heart, boys aren’t good at more abstract learning, girls don’t have lower self esteem and that girls lack motivation [Macoby and Jacklin]) why females or males in particular ways while in a communication situation are somehow culturally ingrained in an individual’s pyche. Communicating Without Words Somehow socio-cultural norms (including the roles both assigned and perceived to be attributed to a particular gender) General disparities between male and female communication styles have been described as debate vs. relate, report vs. rapport, or competitive vs. cooperative (Gender Differences in Communication, n. d. ). How these are either revealed or concealed through the nonverbals will likewise be explained. Earlier it was mentioned that several types of nonverbal communication are perceivable in every communicative act. This paper will however focus on only three of them: 1) proxemics or the use of space; 2) kinetics or bodily movements (including gestures; and 3) haptics (touching), which are the more obvious channel of the intended messages, especially in interpersonal communication. There are other levels of communication though: intrapersonal, group and public communication, but for this purpose our discussion will be limited to communication contexts that transpire between two individuals, which centralizes the focus of the message being sent, whether between two sexes or same sex transactions. Proxemics. Just as we communicate with words, so too we transmit messages by placing ourselves in certain spatial relationships, with other persons or objects. The study of these spatial factors- or how we react to the space around us, how we use that space, and how our use of space communicates a particular information- is known as proxemics. Edward T. Hall, a pioneer in the study of proxemics, specified four spatial zones of interpersonal communication (i. e. intimate, personal social and public distance). Communicating Without Words The amount of space a person is allowed in most instances communicates the status of the communicators in a specific communication transaction. Dr. Lilian (1992) concludes that males 1) tend to approach women more closely in terms of their personal space; 2) take up more physical space when sitting or standing, with arms and legs stretched out away from their body; and 3) assume more reclined positions when sitting and lean backward when listening. These observations were likewise echoed in a study conducted by Erica Christoper (n. d. ) Kinetics. The human body is so versatile that it may transmit a number of messages in a single communication transaction. Early researchers delineated body expressions according to the part of the body involved in sending a particular message – facial expression, trunk movements, hand gestures, etc. Empirical evidence also suggests that, in general, 1) women use more head movements than men; 2) smile more often than men; and 3) engages more in eye contact (as cited by Christopher, Ibid). Dr. Lilian on men’s use of facial expression, reports that: 1) They tend to cock their head to the side and look at the other person from an angle when listening; 2) They provide fewer facial expressions in feedback and fewer reactions; 3) They tend to display frowning and squinting when listening; and 4) They stare more in negative interaction (Ibid). Haptics. Everyone uses touch at times to emphasize a point, interrupt another person speaking, or just as a comforting gesture. How this form of nonverbal communication is used and studied given a particular communication situation, has been referred to by communication scholars as haptics. Although women are more likely to use Communicating Without Words touch as a form of communication, men have been found to be more likely to touch women, than women are to touch men (Ibid). These instances, although provide a general observation on male/female communication styles establish the apparent difference in nonverbal use by members of different genders nonetheless. How they differ (relative to social norms and other factors) and to what extent in specific communication context, still need much research. At this point, we rest our case in that we have been provided with the basic understanding on the nonverbal form of communication as affected by gender differences. References: Erica, Christopher. â€Å"Gender Differences in Non-Verbal Behavior: A Global Look at the Use of Passive and Active Nonverbal Cues in Same Sex and Cross-Gender Conversation. † Retrieved 01 April 2009 from Saint Anselm College Website: anselm. edu/internet/psych/theses/seniors2002/christopher/webpage. ht ml#Abstract Ehninger, Douglas; Gronbeck, Bruce E. ; McKerrow, Ray E. ; Monroe, Alan H. (1982). Principles of Speech Communication, 9th Edition. USA: Scott, Foresman and Company. Givens, David (c1997-2008). Nonverbal Communication. Center for Nonverbal Studies. Retrieved April 01, 2009 from http://members. aol. com/nonverbal2/nvcom. htm He Says, She Says: Closing the Communication Gap Between the Sexes. Dr. Lillian Glass. Putnam, 1992. in â€Å"Gender Differences in Communication,† (n. d. ) Communicating Without Words Retrieved April 01, 2009 from The Ladies Room Website: geocities. com/Wellesley/2052/genddiff. html O’ Carroll, Eileen. (September 11, 2006). â€Å"Men are from Earth, and so are Women. † Retrieved April 01, 2009 from Anarchistnews. org: http://anarchistnews. org/? q=node/668 Pace, Wayne R. ; Peterson, Brent D. ; Burnett, M. Dallas. (1979). Techniques for Effective Communication. Philippines: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Inc. Windle, Rod and Warren, Suzanne. (n. d. ) â€Å"Communication Skills. † Collaborative Problem Solving and Dispute Resolution in Special Education: Training, an electronic manual Retrieved April 01, 2009 from directionservice. org/cadre/section4. cfm#Nonverbal%20Messages