This video was very interesting to me, as we I compared it to Chapter 4 of Chaika on kinesics. "Kinesics is the technical term for all aspects of this silent language" (Chiaka, p.108). Kinesics is a combination of so many things, including: smiles, lying, proxemics, gestures, eye contact, and touching.
In this video she discusses the power we hold by solely using our body movements. For example, the way we stand during a conversation can tell the person we are talking to how interested we are in the current conversation. You can also tell who holds the power in the relationship by their stances or the way they touch, or don't touch. One part of the video I found interesting was that of difference between gender body language. She spoke on women being more perceptive to body language and men needing to see the movement repeated to understand what the female was saying.
She also spoke on proxemics. In Chiaka, it discusses the difference in cultural proxemics, but here she discusses it as an out from the conversation. I think proxemics does, however, have a lot to do with culture. Even if the cultures aren't as different as Americans and Middle Eastern, there can be a great difference between the cultures of males and females. For example, in the video she shows a man and women talking, and the man moves closer to the woman, the woman doesn't like the movement so she steps back, he doesn't understand so he takes another step closer. Within a woman's culture, we need our space and will take if it uncomfortable, but in a male's culture, he thinks they like each other and wants to get closer as fast as possible. Both of these people have completely different ideas of what is going on in this interaction with causes problems when reading into each others body language.
The last thing I want to discuss is the overall message a person sends on a daily basis without using any words. In the video she discusses the basics like if your shoes are shined, your wearing clean and ironed clothes, or if you carrying a nice purse or briefcase. as things that people perceive and make judgments about. It is human nature to look at someone and have an opinion, and judge what that person is all about. It may not be right, but it's not going to change, so we have to be aware of it. The things you put on your body, tattoos or piercings, and the way you present yourself will determine who you interact with and where your future will go.
So I ask you, what are you showing the world about yourself today? Do you think it's true that people judge you on the basis of appearance and body language?
I would absolutely agree that people judge others based on appearance and body language alone, especially for the first time. Like we’ve discussed in almost all of our communication courses, non-verbal communication can say more about a person than the words that actually come out of their mouths. I also agree with your last statement that the things you put on your body, tattoos or piercings, and the way you present yourself will determine who you interact with and where your future will go. We don’t always make this distinction. I know for me, I don’t necessarily think that the people I associate with are a reflection of my appearance or my body language. I’d like to think I choose my friends based on more substantial qualities and that they aren’t just driven to me because of the way I look or how I carry myself. Interesting topic Holly!
ReplyDelete