Question

, you will need to observe three separate groups (3-5 people) interacting. You can do this at a restaurant, a mall, on campus or wherever you can observe a group of people interacting for at least 15 minutes each.You are going to be watching their body language. You are looking for things like differences in status, relationship negotiation, business exchanges or conflict (that one is always fun). Try to establish what the nature of the relationship or exchange is about by watching the exchange. Is one person more dominant? Is one person attempting to get something from another? Is everyone comfortable? Are they strengthening bonds or forging them? How much touching is going on, if at all? Is the dominant person doing the touching or leaning or is it the submissive one? What about facial expressions? What are they trying to convey? Is the interaction accompanied by talking or is it mostly nonverbal? Type up your observations of each of the three groups. Then give me a synthesized summary of your conclusions. What did you learn about them? What did you learn about nonverbal communication? Are you now more aware of your own nonverbal communication? Can you apply this exercise to your daily life?

Answer 1

As requested by you I tried to observe three distinct groups while having my dinner in a mess. Let me first give a brief introduction of the groups

1- The first group I observed was the group of 5 boys preparing for some central government jobs.

2- The second group I observed was of school going students.

3- Third group which I observed was the group of staffs working in the mess.

In the first group what I found was that there was a person trying to be in the centre of conversation. His body language and verbal actions speaks it all. He was more of a leader type person giving his view on almost every topics ranging from global economic slowdown, crisis in aviation industries to the role of women in knowledge economy. There was an attempt to make a heirarchical relationship. Some of the members were eager to complete their share of the meal fast and go for their studies but the "leader" was busy keeping everthing slow. Further the physical contacts were one sided. The leader was trying to have all the attention and in doing so he used to tap on the hands of others to make him listen what he is saying.

The group of school going kids was more vibrant and jouful. There was a conscious attempt to forge a bond. Everyone was speaking their mind. The relation was more of a equal. The tapping was from everyone and no one was at the centre of conversation. Everyone was trying to listen to everyone and laughing their heart out. The best was that their body language was harmonious with their facial expressions.

The third group was a very formal group. There was an existing hierarchy and those who were at the top was directing those under him. The conversation was completely one way. The assistants were just following tje orders from his superior. Tje body language of the superior employ was completely different from that of those who were into mopping and cleaning jobs. Theese moppers and cleaners were just the reciever of orders. I didn't see any touching in any form among these group members. What I found interesting is that the facial expressions was sometimes opposite of the what was being said.