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Nonverbal Communication Within a Small Discussion Group. Jessica Hallett. Introduction. In the majority of work environments people are forced to work in small groups where important discussions are a regular occurrence .
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Nonverbal Communication Within a Small Discussion Group Jessica Hallett
Introduction • In the majority of work environments people are forced to work in small groups where important discussions are a regular occurrence. • The most beneficial thing we can do as effective communicators is learn how to best handle these discussions so our work group can make as much progress as possible. • After participating in a small text based discussion group for one semester I found myself very interested in the nonverbal communication that I observed.
Abstract • Stimulated by my introspection on nonverbal in the group, a review of research supports the idea that non-verbal communication impacts impressions formed of speakers and interpretations of messages received. Seating choices seemed to be associated with willingness to be an active participant or play other roles. Online discussion is compared to face-to-face for non-verbal communication.
Nonverbal Gestures and Expressions • “So fundamental is the contribution of body language that we rely heavily on it to understand each other” (Carter, p. 32). • I found that certain gestures such as nodding, smiling and eye contact bring confirmation and proof of involvement from other class members. • Gestures such as placing ones head on the table, texting and playing with ones hair or drawing were perceived by me as negative and disconnected, though not always the case.
McMahan’s Experiment • Researcher Eva McMahan conducted an experiment to test the effect nonverbal behavior had on attribution in impression formation. • The experiment included 124 random students who watched video recordings of a woman verbally giving a message while sending nonverbal messages that contradicted what she was verbally saying. • Students completed a written response where they expressed their impressions of both the message and the speaker. • As McMahan expected the results of this study supported that nonverbal behavior has a large effect on the attribution process in impression formation.
Seating Preference • Throughout the semester I found that students constantly picked the same seats. Their seat choice also reflected their involvement in the discussion. • As the semester progressed it was also noted that all of the “talkers” tended to sit on one side of the circle, while the “non-talkers” sat together on the other side.
Seating Preference Cont. • Researchers Riess and Rosenfeld conducted an experiment that was mainly based on the notion of self- presentational interpretation. • Using role-players students were given an impression written on a small piece of paper that they were suppose to convey. • The individual was led into a room with a rectangle table, where they choice to sit was recorded and later assessed. • The results from this experiment were relatively straightforward finding that people did indeed pick their seats depending on the impression they were hoping to send.
Online Nonverbal Communication • Half way through the semester our class started using Elluminate, which is an online communication program, to host our discussions. • One of the biggest complaints most students had was the lack of nonverbal communication. • Using Elluminate made me feel blind, even nodding and smiling to myself.
Online Nonverbal Communication Cont. • “Humans are born with an innate ability to glean personal truths from facial expressions, eyes, body movements, gestures, vocal intonations, scents, proximity, even auditory and environmental conditions surrounding another human being- elements that do not often transcend bandwidth” (Carter, p. 31). • Kimberly Carters large interest in nonverbal communication online inspired her to survey, interview and research people’s ideas on the matter.
Online Nonverbal Communication Cont. • Her study did reveal that people felt there was less nonverbal communication online, though they did feel that it was not obsolete. • Using emoticons and symbols, such as smiley faces and abbreviations like LOL and JK, have made it much easier for people to convey emotion through emails and chat groups. • Though there is no disputing that nonverbal communication is minimal when using the internet, it seems that people are working harder and hard to find ways to share their feelings online.
Conclusion • Nonverbal communication definitely plays a extremely large role in the effectiveness of a small text based discussion group. • From nonverbal cues, to seating arrangements and the switch to online discussion I was able to look at nonverbal behavior from many different viewpoints. Our class had some great discussions and our nonverbal behavior only helped to make our discussions more complex.
Bibliography • Carter, Kimberly A. "TYPE ME HOW YOU FEEL: Quasi-Nonverbal Cues In Computer-Mediated Communication." ETC: A Review Of General Semantics 60.1 (2003): 29. Communication & Mass Media Complete. Web. 26 Nov. 2011. • Hale, Michael S., and Elizabeth A. City. The teacher's guide to leading student-centered discussions: talking about texts in the classroom. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Corwin Press, 2006. Print. • McMahan, Eva M. "Nonverbal Communication As A Function Of Attribution In Impression Formation." Communication Monographs 43.4 (1976): 287-294. Communication & Mass Media Complete. Web. 26 Nov. 2011. • Riess, Marc, and Paul Rosenfeld. "Seating Preferences As Nonverbal Communication: A Self-Presentational Analysis." Journal Of Applied Communications Research 8.1 (1980): 22-30. Communication & Mass Media Complete. Web. 26 Nov. 2011.
