Question

Go to a public place and observe an interaction between people engaging in interpersonal communication. Be sure you can hear as well as see the interaction.

Take notes about what you observe during the interaction.

In your notes, specifically include these topics:

What diverse characteristics did you observe (gender, age, rules of behavior, language, family patterns, etc.)?

What are the verbal messages being exchanged (summarize them).

Using the vocabulary from Ch. 5, explain three of the nonverbal cues that are evident in the interaction. Describe the relationship level of the interaction based on what you observe of the verbal and nonverbal cues.

Describe the contradictions you see between the verbal and nonverbal cues.

Prepare an analysis to be presented in a PowerPoint format with at least one slide per heading. The tasks/headings to include for the observed interaction are:

Create intro slide indicating where you went, day of the week, time of day, and describe the nonverbal elements of the environment (noise level, decorations, music, dress/ characteristics of the patrons, etc.).

Describe the diversity present. How did the differences between the two individuals observed impact the interaction? Add additional detail, explanations, and the course concepts in the text reading in the notes section (presenter notes) to support your analysis.

Summarize the verbal messages. What did you find interesting about the verbal messages?

Describe a minimum of three of the nine types of nonverbal cues you observed (consider using visuals on the slide as well as word descriptions to support your points). (Kinesics, Haptics, Physical Appearance, Artifacts, Environmental Factors, Proxemics and Personal Space, Chronemics, Paralanguage and Silence). Add additional detail, explanations, and the course concepts in the text reading in the notes section (presenter notes) to support your analysis.

Explain at least one contradiction you observed between the verbal and nonverbal cues used in the interpersonal interaction. Why was your example a contradiction and which did you believe, the verbal or the nonverbal message? Add additional detail, explanations, and the course concepts in the text reading in the notes section (presenter notes) to support your analysis.

Summarize your experience. How do our.your cultural filters influence your understanding of the verbal and nonverbal communication cues used in the interaction? Which of your own biases or assumptions did you notice from your observation? How can/did your cultural, biases or assumptions filter your perception of the verbal and nonverbal cues used in the interaction?

Using your analysis of the interaction observed and the dynamics of cultural aspects and how they affect communication, describe one strategy from the course reading that you will use to communicate effectively in your future interactions to build relationships and avoid biased perceptions, which could negatively influence your communication choices.

How can monitoring your use of verbal and nonverbal communication benefit your organization? Your community?

Include references and in-text citations

8 slides

Answer 1

What diverse characteristics did you observe.

The place described is a jogger’s park. I have come here at 6:45 am and there are a wide variety of people who could be seen here. The age range of people observed around is from mid teens, probably 16 or 17 to older adults approximately 60-65 or more years of age. There are males, females, adolescents as well as people of colour, whites everyone. Here, there is no distinction observed between people in the form of social class or prejudice. Every person in this place is carrying out their daily jog routine, exercising, warming up in their exercise clothes. There is a group laughter group close to one of the park areas where there are vivid people who have gathered, are raising their hands high up in the air and laughing with their hearts open. This is a place where everyone is equal, irrespective of what they socially symbolise. It is hard to distinguish if someone is the CEO of a company or if someone is a part time worker, as people crossing paths are giving each other smiles.

Summarize the verbal messages. What did you find interesting about the verbal messages?

There appear to be some older people sitting on a nearby bench with the daily newspaper in their hands. A white male and a black female, in their Middle Ages, and discussing about the current affairs and the current political conditions. They are also discussing about their daughters and their present education. One of them discusses how they plan of sending their daughter for a masters program and the other seeks guidance as her daughter has just completed 12th grade.