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Nonverbal communication norms can vary significantly from one culture to the next. The first concept to understand is the meaning of culture. Culture "describes activities or behaviors, refer to the heritage or tradition of a group, describe rules and norms" and otherwise describes "general characteristics" of a group (Matsumoto, chapter 1). Cultures arise from such things as environmental conditions, needs and motives. Culture with respect to communication governs the norms of communication within a given society. Every society has a need for social coordination, and culture is the intermediary by which the norms of in-group communication occur (Matsumoto, chapter 1). Thus, culture typically governs the norms within a group with respect to all forms of communication, including the non-verbal.
When one is raised in a culture, one learns how to communicate within that culture. The forms that communication takes are passed along within that culture so that while one is growing up, the norms regarding that culture are learned. Culture is differentiated in a number of ways. A culture arises out of geography and other factors, and can also be influenced strongly by thins like language and religion. When a cultural group is differentiated in some way, that group...
As a result, the different elements of nonverbal communication such as gestures, personal space, touch, and facial expressions are going to be different for each group.
Ethnocentrism arises when people have the worldview that their culture is the base culture, and that all other cultures are essentially compared to one's own culture, rather than understood on their own merits. Thus, other cultures become conceived through the differences to one's own culture. It is difficult not to have a little bit of ethnocentrism in the sense that we all grew up learning a culture and others naturally do not occupy the same position in our worldview. The key is to understand one's ethnocentrism, and to account for it when thinking about other cultures.
This is where understanding different cultures can help to reduce the outcomes of ethnocentrism. For example, in some cultures direct eye contact is not normal, whereas Americans typically find that they want to look someone in the eye, especially when making a deal. Someone who will not make eye contact is inherently going to be considered untrustworthy. The key is to understand that this view is actually ethnocentric, and that the signal a…
References
Matsumoto, D. & Juang, L. (2013). Culture & Psychology, 5th Edition. Wadsworth-Cengage Learning.
This expose the fact that non-verbal communication is imperative and effective because the eye, voice, or even touch sense is being used in a general conversation that are a part of non-verbal communication (Calero 2005). Sending and receiving silent gestures on a constant basis is the regular and unconscious practice during general interactions. This demonstrates that all the non-verbal behaviors of an individual during the general conversations such as the
Nonverbal Communication Skill Although there is no consensus about the exact definition of "nonverbal communication" among experts, it is generally regarded as any communication conveyed through body movements (the "body language") and the intonations and emphasis that are given to words (also called the "paralinguistics"). The term "nonverbal Communication" may itself be relatively new but its importance has long been realized. Martin Luther, the 16th century protestant reformer, often advised his followers,
Another example of NVC differences across culture refers to the expression of affection. While some cultures will allow heterosexual and homosexual couples to hold hands, embrace or even kiss in public, others will discourage or even prohibit such public manifestations of affection. The interaction between customer and employee is also subjected to differences and an example in this sense is given by the snapping of fingers to call on the
Non-Verbal Communication When we communicate, we tend to focus on what people are saying and their emotions, while paying very little attention to their body language. We're all aware of some non-verbal cues but "body language is about more than how we move and stand and the signals we give off in any interaction have more influence than the words we say" (Gray, 53). In fact "only 5 per cent of
Nonverbal Communication: Journal Entry From an early age, I was urged to always make eye contact when I spoke to others. I feel that making eye contact is natural, given that it seems people are more willing to listen to what you have to say, if you gaze directly into their face and eyes. I have since learned that eye contact is not commonly practiced in all cultures as a way
Gestures whether voluntary or involuntary can be used to support a message or call attention to specific points in a delivery. Generally those gestures that appear natural and relaxed are more likely to send a message of self-confidence and less likely to detract from the speaker's message than those that are extreme. The authors suggests that rubbing or clenching hands may signify tension or anxiety and should be avoided