Choose one of the following activities and record your observations in the space provided.
Watch a television drama or comedy and write down all of the instances of nonverbal communication that you see. After watching the program, list each instance, classify it based on the list of types below, and place a plus sign (+) next to any example that contributed to the message and a minus sign (-) next to any that detracted from the message.
Go to a park or shopping mall and sit in one spot where you can view different groups of people. Observe moods, body stance, hand gestures, eye movement, and voice pitch. Notice the different types of nonverbal communication exhibited by people of different ages (e.g., between two teenagers, two children, a teenager and a parent, a child and a parent, two adults). Note any nonverbal communication that suggests that people may be making decisions or resolving conflicts. Observe carefully and take good notes.
For both activities, refer to the list of the eight types of nonverbal communication as needed.
body movements
facial expressions and eye movements
self-presentation
distance
touch
time
voice
