Purposive Communication (OLENG01) Chapter 4 PDF

MODULE: OLENG01 – PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION CONNECTING THROUGH NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION At the end of this chapter, the students will: A. Learn the characteristics of nonverbal communication; B. K...

MODULE: OLENG01 – PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION CONNECTING THROUGH NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION At the end of this chapter, the students will: A. Learn the characteristics of nonverbal communication; B. Know the different functions of nonverbal communication; and C. Learn how to interpret and improve nonverbal communication. Read the preceding statement aloud in four different ways: John broke the vase. John broke the vase. (place emphasis on John) – not the Peter. John broke the vase. John broke the vase. (place emphasis on the vase) – not the glass. John broke the vase. John broke the vase. (place emphasis on broke) – not did take it. 2. What did you do to your voice to change the meaning of the sentence? 3. What did you learn about vocal expression from this exercise? 1  MODULE: OLENG01 – PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION Nonverbal communication includes all behaviors, attributes, or objects (except words) that communicate messages that have social meaning. Nonverbal communication includes tone of voice, facial expressions, posture, gestures, and appearances, all of which are used to communicate messages. Body movements are natural part of normal speaking. It seems unnatural to speak without the use of gestures. Gestures may be in the form of smile. A frown, a smirk, raising of eyebrows, nodding of the head, shrugging of shoulders, and many more. How much more awkward and ineffective is the speaker who has full and free command of his body, but chooses not to use it, becomes a temporary paralytic by choice. Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication A question that students often ask is, “Why is it important that we study, nonverbal communication?" There are many reasons for studying no verbs communication, the primary one being its pervasive effects on what and how id communicate; we are always communicating something nonverbally, whether we comma to or not Besides, occurring constantly nonverbal communication depends intertext, is more believable than verbal communication, is a primary means of expression, is related to culture, and is ambiguous or easily misunderstood 1. Nonverbal Communication Occurs Constantly When we are with a person or a group of people, we somehow communicate. Whether we make eye contact, smile, frown or try to totally ignore the person, we are communicating something. Sometimes, what is said Is less important than what is not said. For example, not attending a meeting at which you were expected, coming late to an employment interview, wearing jeans when you were expected to dress formally, wearing a suit when jeans were expected, talking about a sad situation with a smirk on your face, and speaking to someone but never looking at him or her in the eye. This conveys strong messages. We all believe, we can tell a great deal about people on the basis of their facial expression, appearance (sex, race, physique), clothing, willingness to make eye contact, body movements and posture. 2. Nonverbal Communication Depends on a Context The context in which nonverbal communication occurs plays a crucial role in its interpretation. Pounding on a table to make a point during a speech means something entirely different from pounding on a table in a response to someone's calling you a liar. Direct eye contact with a stranger mean something entirely different from direct eye contact with a close friend. When you 2  MODULE: OLENG01 – PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION communicate, your nonverbal and nonverbal cues usually supplement and support each other. Your appearance, tone of voice, eye movement, posture, and facial expression provide cues about communication relationship. 3. Nonverbal Communication Is a Primary Means of Expression We can often detect other people’s feelings of frustration, anger, sadness, resentment or anxiety without their actually saying anything. assumed that transferred up least a relationship between the two persons. 4. Nonverbal Communication is Related to Culture Culture contributes significantly to differences in nonverbal behavior norms and rules that govern ant to engagement of behavior differ from culture to culture. Yet because human beings around the world share common biological and social functions, it should not be too surprising to also find areas of similarity in nonverbal communication. For example, studies comparing facial expressions have found that certain universal expressions, such as those indicating sadness and fear are easily understood across varying cultures. Although much outward behavior is innate (such as smiling, touching, eye contact, gestures, etc.), we are not born knowing what meanings such nonverbal messages communicate. Most scholars would agree that cultures formulate rules that dictate when, how and with what consequences nonverbal expressions are exhibited. For instance, the way people sit can communicate different and important messages across cultures. In the United States, being casual and open is valued, thus people consciously or unconsciously, portray this value by the way they sit. Males in the United States often sit in a slumping and leaning back position as well as sprawl out so that they occupy a lot of space. However, in other countries such as Germany and Sweden, where there is more formality, slouching is considered a sign of rudeness and poor manners. The manner in which your legs are positioned also has cultural meaning. For example, the innocent act of ankle-to-knee leg crossing, typical of many American males as they sit, could be taken as an insult in Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, or Egypt. There are also many sexual connotations for gestures that are tied to culture as well. In the United States, the middle finger is used to send an insulting obscene gesture, however, is not universal. In other cultures, the gesture that is used to represent the same insult is the forming of a with the thumb is used stranger, which means "Okay" or 'good work" in American culture. 5. Nonverbal Communication is Ambiguous Because nonverbal messages are always present, we must recognize their importance or impact yet also be very fateful when interpreting them, like verbal communication, nonverbal behavior can be ambiguous abstract, and arbitrary. We cannot assume that nonverbal messages have anis one meaning. For example, does crying always signify grief or sadness on could it also expresses joy or pain? Interpreting nonverbal behavior requires understanding the context in which it takes place and the cultural terms governing it. Yet even when a person understands these dynamics nor still very easy 3  MODULE: OLENG01 – PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION to misinterpret nonverbal behaviors. For example, does a student's yawn signal boredom or fatigue? Does a speaker tremble because of nervousness or excitement? Most nonverbal behaviors have a multitude possible meaning, and to assume automatically that you have grasped the only possible meaning could lead to a serious misunderstanding. There are consistent rules for using nonverbal communication. There are many reasons why you should study nonverbal communication. The following are some of the more important reasons Nonverbal communication: (1) carries most of the meaning of a message, particularly feelings and attitudes toward others. (2) is a frequent source of misunderstandings. (3) is not governed by a set of universal rules. (4) is not a language. 5) is multichanneled, complicated, and ever-changing. (6) is context- and culture bound. (7) is more likely than verbal communication to be spontaneous and unintentional. (8) is powerful and is more believable than verbal communication. (9) is learned (not always consciously). (10) is critical in relationship, development, and termination. Functions of Nonverbal Communication Nonverbal communication adds life to our exchanges by complementing repeating, regulating, and substituting for our words. 1. Complementing Verbal Behavior Nonverbal cues can be used to complete, describe, or accent verbal cues This is called complementing. For example, when saying hello to a friend you show your genuine interest by displaying a warm smile, maintaining steady eye contact, and holding a friend's hand. We use complementary verbal cues to accent verbal behavior by emphasizing or punctuating our spoken words. For example, a mother trying to get her children to quiet down might say quietly, “Will you please keep your voice down.” If that doesn’t work and the noise is very bothering her, she might raise her voice that she wants quiet immediately. 2. Repeating Verbal Behavior Whereas complementing behaviors helps to modify or elaborate verbal sage, repeating behavior expresses message identical to the verbal one. For example, a father attempting to keep his child quiet at an adult gathering that she has two points to make might holp up two fingers to is lips while saying “Shush” A speaker stating father that she has two points is make hypermile as so tigers the actions me meaning as the verbal message. instant and the speaker are added sheeted y because inky convey the same Such repetition is especially common in sports. For instance, a referee on a basketball court shouts, 4  MODULE: OLENG01 – PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION “travelling” while rolling his arms in a circular motion, or a baseball umpire cries singer while raising his right arm. These repeating nonverbal signals are deliberate planned so that all players and spectators will know the official's call. Most repeating messages are sent without much thought. They are simply a natural part of communicative behavior. 3. Regulating Verbal Behavior Nonverbal cues can also be used for controlling the flow of communication, a behavior known as regulating. For example, we frequently use nonverbal signals to indicate that we want to talk, to stop another person from interrupting us when we are talking, or to show that we have finished talking and that the other person may take the turn. When we are listening, we might nod our head rapidly to suggest that the speaker hurry up and finish or we might nod slowly to show that we want to hear more. Senders might not even realize that they are sending regulating cues, but receivers are usually aware of such signals. In class, for example, a professor receives a clear message when students put on their coats or close their notebooks to indicate that class is over. Although the students are merely recognizing that it is time for them to leave, the message the professor receives might be quite different. 4. Substituting Verbal Behavior Using nonverbal messages in place of verbal messages is known as substituting. It is common when speaking is impossible, undesirable, or inappropriate. For example, ramp controllers at airports use hand signals to guide planes to their unloading positions, because the voice level is too hi guide plan communication; friends often exchange knowing looks when tig for spoken communicate something behind another person's back, sometimes person points at something as a sort of warning to another person. Nonverbal messages come in handy when verbal communication not possible. It cannot be denied that nonverbal communication is a good substitute for verbal messages when spoken language is not possible. 5. Deceiving When we purposely mislead others by using nonverbal cues to create false impressions or to convey incorrect information, we are deceiving Among the most common of such deceiving nonverbal behaviors is the poker face that some use when playing cards. Masking is a form of deceiving. We might try to appear calm when we are really nervous or upset, and we often act surprised, alert or happy when in fact we are feeling quite the opposite. Sometimes, we consciously try to manage our nonverbal behavior when we give a speech or attend a job interview in order to disguise our true purpose and emotions. People who can detect untruthfulness usually consider more than one nonverbal cue to determine whether someone is telling the truth. There is a very fine line between the nonverbal behaviors of someone who is legitimately anxious and someone who is not being truthful. Therefore, there are no sure ways to confirm lying sing no behaviors alone. Types of Nonverbal Communication 5  MODULE: OLENG01 – PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION When we dress formally for a meeting, smile at someone, sit in a specific seat in class, use your hands while talking, play with a pen or pencil while listening to a lecture, dim the lights to create a romantic atmosphere, play music loudly, look someone directly in the eyes, or burn incense to create a pleasant odor, you are communicating nonverbally. Every day, we perform a wide range of nonverbal behaviors without even thinking about them, yet such behaviors. can convey definite messages to others. Because nonverbal communication is diverse, complex, common and informative, we need to be sensitive to its many manifestations. Some of the more significant forms of nonverbal communication are: kinesis (body movements including gestures, facial expressions, and eye behavior), physical characteristics, haptics (touch), proxemics (space), chronemic environments. (time), vocalics/ paralanguage (use of voice), silence, elastics (odors) artifacts and 1. Facial Expressions and Body Movements We use body movements - gestures, facial expressions, and eye behavior - to create an infinite number of nonverbal messages. Kinesis is sometimes, referred to as body language. Two particularly significant categories of kinesics are eve behavior and facial expression a sub-category of facial expressions that of the eyes and is also referred to as oculesics, movement or eye behavior. The eyes, through eye the primary function of establishing relationships. Facial expression configurations of the face that can reflect, augment, correlated to a speaker's spoken message sessions. Eye behavior is that includes any movement or behavior as oculesics, which is the study of eye ye contact with others, have expressions include list, or appear Eye Behavior Oculesics. Eye behavior is the first and primary characteristic people Through eye behavior, we establish relationships with others. Eye an also Convey a variety of other important messages. We notice a speaker s eyes, sharp mutual glances with friends and feel uncomfortable when others stare at us. There are six communicative functions of eye behavior: (1) influence attitude change and persuasion; (2) indicate degree of attentiveness, interest; (3) express emotions; (4) regulate interaction; (5) indicate power and status; (6) form impressions on others. Eye gaze at the interpersonal level communicates sincerity, trustworthiness, and friendliness. Romantic partners are more like to gaze into each other's eyes for prolonged periods when expressing their affection for one another. Members of groups or teams use eye contact to build them relationships and to show unity or a sense of belonging to the group or team. Eye contact is also important for those of us who are listeners because looking at the speaker indicates our interest in what is being said and is a sign of respect for the speaker. 6  MODULE: OLENG01 – PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION Have you ever had a conversation with someone who was wearing dark glasses? If you have, you know that it is a bit uncomfortable because you can't completely see how the other person is reacting to you. We do learn much about other's feelings and emotions from their eves. For example, we associate a high level of gaze or indirect eye contact from another as a sign of liking or friendliness. in contrast, if others avoid making eye contact with us, we are likely. to conclude that they are unfriendly don't like us, or are simply shy. Although a high level of eye contact can be interpreted as positive, there are some exceptions to this rule. If people look at us continuously and maintain the eye contact regardless of actions we take, they are said to be staring. Generally, people find being stared at an unpleasant experience; it makes most of us nervous and tense TL: especially true of what is referred to as a cold stare," because it is a form of is often interpreted in our society intimidation, and unwanted stares are oft sign of hostility and anger. Facial Expressions Facial expressions are windows to our emotions. They provide clues about our emotional states, which at times can be very complex and difficult interpret accurately. More than two thousand years ago, the Roman orator Cicero stated, "The face is the image of the soul. " By this, he meant that human feelings and emotions are often reflected in our faces. It is possible to learn much about people's current moods and feelings from their facial expressions. racial expressions have an extremely powerful role in communication and relationships. Of all the body language, facial expressions convey the most information. We also make judgments about personality, such as the tendency to be friendly or unfriendly, harsh or kind, based on facial expressions. We perceive people who have relaxed facial expressions as having more power and being more in control than people whose facial expressions Seem nervous. Although many facial expressions are unconscious and involuntary reactions to certain stimuli facial cues may be only partially reliable in terms of what they express. Some people have learned to conceal their facial expressions in order to hide inappropriate or unacceptable responses. Body Movements Body movements and posture can reveal much about our physical states (vigor, age). Body motions are divided into five categories: emblems, illustrators, regulators, affect displays, and adaptors. (1) Emblems. Translate directly into words and are used for specific words or phrases. Meanings of emblems are like those of words - arbitrary, changeable with time, learned, and culturally determined. Example: A hitchhiker's extended thumb, the thumb and circle sign for "Ok," the peace sign. (2) Illustrators. Accent, reinforce, or emphasize a verbal message. 7  MODULE: OLENG01 – PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION Example: A child holding up his hands to indicate how tall he is while saying, "I’m a big boy"; an instructor underlining a word on a white board to emphasize it. (3) Regulators. Control, monitor or maintain interaction between or among speakers and listeners. Cues that tell us when to stop, continue, hurry, elaborate, make things more interesting, or let someone else speak. Example: Eye contact, shift in posture, nod wristwatch. nod of the head, looking at a clock or means of displaying affect, your body may also be red, (4) Affect displays. Body movements that express emotions. Though your face is the primary used. Example: Sad face, slouching, jumping up and down (5) Adaptors. Help one feel at ease in communication interpret and require the most speculation. eel at ease in communication situations, difficult to Example: Scratching, smoothing hair, playing with coins, smoking, moving closer to someone. Physical Characteristics Physical attractiveness has an extremely powerful influence on everyday communication. It appears that both males and females are strongly influenced by attractiveness, though males seem to be more responsive to appearance than are females. Overall, though, an appealing physical appearance is perceived as a positive characteristic that influences interpersonal attraction and interpersonal preferences. For both males and females, attractiveness is often considered the reason for their success, rather than their ability or hard work. Society places a great deal of value on physical appearance, but do attractive individuals differ in behavior from others who are less attractive? The answer is no. Surprisingly, self-esteem is not consistently high among those who are considered attractive. This could be because they believe that they are rewarded not for what they have done, but for how they look, thus diminishing their self- worth. Touch Touching is referred to as either tactile communication or haptics. Haptics is one of the most basic forms of communication. Touch is a critical aspect t communication. It plays a significant role in giving encouragement, expressing tenderness, and showing emotional support, and it can be more powerful than words. For example, when you have just received some bad news. A on the shoulder from a friend can be far more reassuring than any number of understanding words. The meaning of a particular touch depends on the type of touch, the situation in which touch occurs, who is doing the touching and the cultural background of those involved. 8  MODULE: OLENG01 – PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION Space Proxemics is the study of the use of space and distance between individuals when they are communicating. Edward T. Hall, anthropologist and author of the two classic books, The Silent Language and The Hidden Dimension, coined the term proxemics. Hall was the pioneer in helping to explain how space is used in North American culture. He identified four zones and these are: (1) Intimate space which is defined as the distance from no space between people to one-and-a-half feet between people. This zone is the most personal, and it is usually open only to those with whom we are well acquainted, unless such closeness is physically forced on us, such as in a crowded elevator or train. (2) The second zone is referred to as the personal space and ranges from one-and-a-half feet to four feet between people. It is not unusual for us to carry on conversations or other activities with close friends and relatives in this zone. If someone we don't know enters this zone, we are likely to feel uncomfortable or violated. (3) The third zone is called social space. It ranges from four to twelve feet and is where most professional conversations occur, as well as group interactions, such as meetings. (4) The fourth zone is the public space. This includes twelve feet or more. This distance is not unusual for public speaking situations, or other formal presentations. The actual distance or zone might be determined by the context and relationship of those involved in the interaction. The need for us to identify certain amounts of space as our own is an aspect of proxemics called territoriality. We often position markers such as books, coats, papers, books and other objects to declare our space. Some students become upset when someone else sits in a seat they usually occupy, even though seating is not assigned. This uneasiness stems from a strong desire to stake out and protect territory. Similar reactions occur when someone enters a room without knocking; it seems an invasion of our territory. Status affects the distance that is maintained between communicators. It is noticeable that people of higher status tend to close the distance between themselves and people of lower status, but seldom do people of lower status move to close the distance between themselves and a person of higher status. Culture creates a wealth of differences in the way individuals use distance for communication. For example, people from the United States tend to stand farther apart during conversations than do people from many European and Middle Eastern cultures. Arabs, for example, consider it polite to stand close to the person with whom they are communicating. There are as there are cultures, and it is not unusual for and culture-based differences and unfriendly and another as pushy and forward up to be perceived as cold result of their use of space. The important thing is to recognize that not all cultures view distance in the same Context also influences the space that is maintained between individuals. For example, people in line at an automated teller machine usually stand back for enough to give the person who is using the machine the feeling that the transaction is not being observed. But passengers waiting to board a bus or a train ordinarily stand close together to avoid losing their places. 9  MODULE: OLENG01 – PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION Time Chronemics is the study of how people perceive, structure, and use time as communication. People in our society are preoccupied with time. Everything seems to have a starting time and an ending time. We worry about how long we have to wait for something and how long it takes to do something. We even go as far as to say that time is money. Because we place such a high value on time, it plays a significant role in our nonverbal communication. We are particularly sensitive to people and events that waste our time or make exceptional demands on it. Consider your reaction, for instance, when your date keeps you waiting, when an instructor continues to lecture after the bell has signaled the end of the class, or when you are given only one day's notice of an upcoming test. Your feelings might range from confusion to indignation, to outrage, but you will almost certainly not neutral. To some extent, your reaction will depend on who the other person is. You will probably be more tolerant if the offending party. is a friend or someone who is your superior. For example, if a blind date keeps you waiting too long, you might decide to leave but if your professor is late in your appointment, you will suffer in silence and continue for his or her arrival. We tend to have many expectations about how time should be used, and we often judge people by their use of time. For example, students are expected to be on time for class. Therefore, students who are punctual are more likely to create a positive impression, whereas those who are consistently late may be perceived as irresponsible, lazy or uninterested. We must be constantly aware of the messages we send through our use or misuse of time. Paralanguage/Vocalics Paralanguage/vocalics is the way we vocalize, or say, the words we speak. Paralanguage includes not only speech sounds, but also speech rate, accents, articulation, pronunciation, and silence. Sounds such as groans, yawns, coughs, laughter, crying and yelping, which are nonsymbiotic but can communicate very specific messages are also included. Expressions such as "um," "wh-huh," "ya know," "like," and "ok" are referred to as vocal fillers and are considered paralanguage. Vocal fillers are Often sprinkled throughout conversations without forethought or a set order. They might reflect nervousness, speech patterns of a particular subculture, or a personal habit. In any case, the use of vocal filters can influence our image positively or damage and degrade others. The content of words is verbal communication, whereas the sound quality or volume that creates the words is a form of nonverbal communication. We rely more often on paralanguage than on the words themselves when interpreting another person's message. Note how the meaning of a sentence can vary according to the word that is emphasized: 1. Jane's taking Susie out for pizza tonight. (Not Mary or Alice) 2. Jane's taking Susie out for pizza tonight. (Not Dave or John) 10  MODULE: OLENG01 – PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION 3. Jane's taking Susie out for pizza tonight. (Not staying home) 4. Jane's taking Susie out for pizza tonight. (Not hamburger or spaghetti) 5. Jane's taking Susie out for pizza tonight. (Not tomorrow or the next day) Even though the words in each sentence are identical, each creates an entirely different message solely because of the emphasis placed on specific words. Paralanguage includes pitch (how high or low the voice is), the vocal force (intensity or loudness of the voice), rate (speed), quality (overall impression of the voice), and pauses or silence. The way we vary our voices conveys different meanings to receivers. For example, a person who speaks fast may communicate a message that is different from a person who speaks slowly. Even when the words are the same, if the rea, force, pitch, and quality differ, the receiver's interpretations will differ. The meaning of oral communication is affected by the use of the voice, by the way in which something is said rather than by what is said. On the basis of paralanguage, we make many judgments about what is being said, the person saying it, the speaking and listening roles, and the credibility of the message. Of course, judgments about people based on paralanguage can be just as unreliable as judgments based on body type. We must therefore recognize the effect that paralanguage has on our communication and adjust our use of it accordingly. Silence Silence or vocal pauses are very communicative, very powerful messages that often say volumes, whether intended or not. Vocal pauses or hesitations are usually short in duration, whereas silence generally refers to extended periods of time without sound. Vocal pauses can be used to emphasize a word or thought or to make a point to get others' attention. For example, a speaker stands in front of an audience and gazes at the audience in the hope of gaining the audience's attention so that they will listen. A teacher pauses during a lecture to get students' attention. Sometimes, people use vocal pauses to gather their thoughts or to allow others time to drink. Vocal pauses or prolonged periods of silence can create the perception that you are unsure of yourself, unprepared, or nervous. Regardless of why vocal pauses occur, they do send messages. Silence sometimes seems very awkward in a conversation, especially when you are talking to someone whom you do not know well and who might be of higher status than you. Most of us in this situation feel or sense the pressure to say something to get the conversation going again. Silence can also be used to disconfirm or create discomfort in others. Have you ever said "hello" to someone you admire or respect and he or she didn't reply or acknowledge you? You likely felt slighted or less than important. It is not unusual to use silence to prevent communication with others. Silence can be used to prevent certain topics from surfacing or to prevent someone from saying something that he or she might later regret. 11  MODULE: OLENG01 – PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION Silence is expected in certain contexts, for example, during a funeral or while listening to a speech presentation, or it can be self-imposed as a way of thinking or doing nothing at all. Silence has many possible meanings, none of which is easily interpreted. The next time a good friend says "Hi," try pausing for five to ten seconds before reacting. You will quickly learn the effect silence can have as a message. There are also cultural differences related to silence. What are some negative perceptions conveyed in our culture by silence at a business meeting or social gathering? In many cultures, silence is seen more positively. In Japan, for example, silence is considered more appropriate than speech in many situations. Smell Smell communication or olfactics, which is the study of smell or odors, is extremely important in our society. Billions of dollars are spent on perfumes, colognes, aftershave lotions, scented candles, deodorant, scented air sprays, soap and other such products to enhance our surroundings and us. It is likely that when smells are pleasant, we feel better about ourselves. Smell communicates very powerful messages, which can create a multitude of interpretations. In most developed parts of the world, people use an array of cosmetics to eliminate body odor or to replace it with other smells. We base many of our perceptions on smell, for example, when food smells good to us, we assume that it will taste good as well, and we are more attracted to others who have pleasant smells than those who do not. Many cultures consider natural odors to be normal; in fact, in some cultures, a person's smell is an extension of that person. As with all types of nonverbal communication, not knowing cultural variations in attitude toward smells can create misunderstandings and misperceptions, which ultimately can lead to incorrect assumptions. Artifacts Artifacts are personal adornments or possessions that communicate information about us. Such things as automobiles, eye glasses, briefcases, grooming, clothing, hair color, tattoos, makeup, and the many hundreds of other material perceptions that we create to communicate our age, gender, status, role, class, importance, group membership, personality, and relationship to others. A silver SUV conveys a different message from a green sedan, a red car conveys a different message from a white car, a sports car conveys a much different message from a minivan, and a Cadillac Escalade conveys a different message from a Ford Escape. How do you react to people who have body piercing and tattoos? It depends, but what does it depend on? Effective communicators learn to adapt their use of artifacts to a specific situation and not to judge others by appearance alone. It is important that we use artifacts that are consistent with and reinforce our intended messages. 12  MODULE: OLENG01 – PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION Environment Environment is the psychological and physical surroundings in which communication occurs, including the furniture, architectural design, lighting conditions, temperature, smells, colors and sounds of the location and the attitudes, feelings, perceptions, and relationships of the participants. The impact of the environment has a lot to do with the individuals, their backgrounds, and perception of what is important to them at the time of the interaction. The best environment allows a speaker's intended message to be delivered accurately. Thus, soft background music, dim lights, wine, and good food would create a perfect environment for a romantic encounter. Interpreting and Improving Nonverbal Communication If nonverbal communication is so credible and powerful and if we can define, categorize, describe and observe it, why do we still have difficulty in interpreting it? There are at least three good reasons: 1. Nonverbal cues have multiple meanings. nonverbal communication is difficult to understand because a single behavior can have many potential meanings. For example, a frown might indicate sadness, unhappiness, anger, pain, fear, fatigue, disapproval, dejection, aggressiveness, discouragement, or a combination of some of these. Unlike words, nonverbal cues lack dictionary definitions. Interpretations are unreliable because they depend so heavily on perceptions. Suppose, for example, that you have just walked out of a sad movie when you see a friend with tears in her eyes, talking to her sister. Her tears might be her reacting to the movie, or her breaking up with her boyfriend, or hearing the death in the family. Her tears could even result from laughing hard at something that occurred after the movie. 2. Nonverbal cues are interdependent. The meaning of one nonverbal cue often depends on the correct interpretation of several other simultaneously occurring cues. For example, when we see someone entering a room, we begin to select certain cues about that person, such as gender, physical traits, facial expressions, voice characteristics, and clothing. Each cue intermeshes with the others and adds to the total picture. This interdependence of nonverbal behavior and our inability to perceive all aspects of any one nonverbal communication make interpretation risky. 3. Nonverbal cues are subtle. Many nonverbal behaviors are subtle and difficult to observe. A cue that one person notices immediately might be overlooked by another person; thus, multiple interpretations may be made in the same situation. For example, a friend tells you that a person whom who are interested in getting to know has been looking at you, but you haven't noticed the glances or see the eye contact as more accidental than a deliberate message of interest in you. 13  MODULE: OLENG01 – PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION Improving Interpretation of Nonverbal Communication Nonverbal communication is complex but there are things that can be done to interpret it better. 1. Be observant of and sensitive to the nonverbal messages that you receive. 2. Verify nonverbal messages that you are not sure of or that are inconsistent with other cues. For example, a friend who used to visit you regularly hasn't come over to see you for several weeks. It might seem logical to conclude that she doesn't want to see you anymore, but then again, she might have become wrapped up in her studies, taken a part-time job, or fallen ill. To accurately interpret her behavior, consider all the possibilities and avoid jumping to conclusions. Because it is so tempting to make inferences based on nonverbal behavior, it is important to remember not to go beyond actual observations. For example, if you think someone's behavior seems to indicate that he is uncomfortable around you, but you're not sure, don't ask, "Why are you so nervous when I'm around?" Rather, describe the situation nonjudgmentally: Instead ask, "Pio, I get the impression that you may not be comfortable around me. Is that the case?" This allows the other person to explain without feeling defensive, and it enables you to avoid inaccurate interpretations. Although changing your nonverbal behavior is not simple, it can be done with little effort and desire. The key is to examine conscientiously how your nonverbal cues may be undermining your intended message. if you realize that you have distracting mannerisms such as smirking, playing with coins, touching your hair, shuffling your feet or saying "You know" or "Ok" too much, you can ask your friends or members of your family to call your attention to these things, and make conscious effort to change.  Sebastian, E. L. (2019). Purposive Communication (0th ed.). Mind shapers Co., Inc 14