The concept that I find very interesting in chapter 2 is nonverbal interaction. In the textbook, nonverbal interaction defined as “the unspoken, often unintentional behavior that accompanies verbal communication and helps us fully interpret its meaning” (p.23). I grew up in the Eastern culture; verbal communication is fully expressed, therefore, it’s very important for me to know how to read nonverbal cues. Very often I can tell a person’s message by the expression on her/his face or in their eyes. Most people focus on verbal communication and tend to forget to read nonverbal cues, however, for me, I think most of the important messages doesn’t express verbally and rather nonverbally. Because it is the unintentional behavior that is the most truthful and reliable source to interpret the meaning of a message. By saying that, verbal message is also important as well, one must use verbal cues and accompany by nonverbal cues to achieve effective communication.
Great post Sogo! Of all aspects of communication and the various methods and means we communicate, I have always been a fan and have studied most often nonverbal communication. In a previous class, I did a 16 page research paper on the origins of some of the more famous and even iconic facial expressions and hand gestures and came across some very interesting facts. I also learned in that research how different cultures can interpret those messages in varying ways, some of them as so far as to be offensive. With you growing up in the Eastern culture, I am sure that you are familiar and because of that appreciative of how important and dynamic the nonverbal communication process truly is. I also really enjoyed how you brought up the fact that what can be considered as both unintentional as well as what is considered behavioral are also considered forms of communication. There are those who want to separate those concepts from communication, a feat that I feel cannot be done.
ReplyDeleteHi! I also found this topic very interesting. Your view on non verbal communication was very interesting and shows how culture affects our communication style. I also believe that what is not said is sometimes more important than what is actually said. Some of the definitions given in our book in regards to communication limit it to verbal communications only. I agree more with the definitions that incorporate non verbal and symbolic communication. I completely agree with you that non verbal communications is many times more reliable than what people actually say. It definitely is the truest form of honest communication.
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