- I found this assignment relatively easy on account that I already communicate mostly through facial expressions and hand movements.
- My partner did have to alter the way they talked to me a few times during our conversation, mostly when it looked like I was confused. Then they would slow down and try to use different language until it seemed as though I understood. Overall, it was kind of easy to carry on a conversation. However, there was minor confusion here and there, sometimes I would make a face when they were telling me something I disagreed with and it was hard for me to really explain why I was making the face, or getting worked up. Gradually, after they would run down the list of possible reasons I could be mad at one of their comments we worked everything out, but it took time and in those times it was pretty difficult.
- I think that as long as both parties know the language then the person who speaks will have the advantage when explaining complex ideas. The speaker may have the attitude that the non speaker may be slow or just stupid because it is hard to explain what or why you don't understand something just through facial expressions or hand movements. Sometimes it looks like you're just having a tantrum when in reality you're trying to convey your ideas. When talking to children for instance or even the mentally handicapped most individuals tend to talk down to them and use simple language, "no," being the most common word used I think.
2.
- I lasted around 6 1/2 minutes. This part was very difficult for me. I cannot not make facial expressions and I talk with my hands during almost every conversation.
- My partner said that for the most part (during the times when I did keep a straight face and talked in monotone) I was creepy. They said it was hard to read my reactions to their stories or to their opinions.
- I think this shows that non-verbal language is almost as important as verbal language. It conveys our emotions which allows others to read how we feel about them and the subject of discussion.
- I think there are people who do have trouble reading body language, for instance when someone is telling a story that is making everyone uncomfortable but they continue talking because they're not picking up on the vibes of everyone else. Being able to read body language is helpful, it allows you to be able to tell how others are feeling which can help you sense when you may be in trouble. Such as on a dark night when someone is acting suspiciously and you can sense something bad is going to happen. I personally cannot think of a situation where not being able to read body language would be helpful.
I liked how you related the experiment in part 1 to the way people talk to children. Is this because people look upon non-speakers as immature or lacking in intelligence or something else? Good descriptions and good analysis.
ReplyDelete"I was creepy".
This is a very common response! Zombie-esque is another typical description. Partners in this part of the experiment are often very uncomfortable speaking with someone who does not use body language of any kind. Why do you think this is?
You describe a scenario in which one person doesn't pick up on the body language of the group, but there is a group of people who are physically incapable of reading body language. Can you think of who they are?
Regarding a benefit to reading body language: Can you think of a circumstance where body language might mislead you or you might misread it? Do all cultures use the same system of body language?