Non-Verbal Communication Practical Implications

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  • Created by: H_H
  • Created on: 04-06-17 19:21

Eye Contact

Eye movement in conversations help us to understand why we might feel uncomfortable talking to someone who is constantly looking at us or never looking at us at all. This will also affect the flow of the conversation.

Pupil dilation is biological so we have no control over it. A disadvantage of this is that we may not be able to control our emotions if we are attracted to someone, this will be if we see their eyes.

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Facial Expressions

If a facial expression is inherited, it happens instinctively and therefore more likely to be true. We are therefore more able to understand how someone is feeling. 

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Postural Echo

People may use postural echo to their advantage in everyday life.

For example: 

Counsellors may use postural echo deliberatly to develop a closer relationship with their clients. These clients might therefore reveal more about themselves to their counsellor.

Salespeople may use postural echo when talking to a customer so they can make a sale. 

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Gestures

Restaurants can train it's waiters and waitresses to squat down when taking orders at the table. Customers will see this as a friendly gesture but research suggests that there could be other motives. 

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Personal Space

People might think that if a person older or younger than themselves are standing further away from someone, they are being unfriendly, but research has showed us that this is normal behaviour. 

If we attempt to stand closer to someone who is older or younger than us, this can make them feel uncomfortable. 

If we are not sensitive to personality differences between ourselves and people we talk to, we might not realise that we are causing the, discomfort by standing too close.

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Cultural Norms

The fact that Europeans and Americans usually stand back during conversations, helps us to understand why people in Arab countries reguard them as unfriendly and untrustworthy.

It also helps us to undertand why Mediterranean men are deem romantic by British girls, they usually stand closer than most British men.

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Status

It might be implied that we feel more threatened when approaching someone of higher status. We show our anxiety by keeping our distance.

It also implies that we feel more comfortable approaching people of equal status.

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