Sunday, September 14, 2014

Communications Skills and Styles--Muted



 Image courtesy of http://www.medialifemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/
2013/01/days-of-our-lives.jpg

This week’s assignment was to watch a show we do not usually watch (without the volume on) and watch for non-verbal communications that might allow us to figure out the relationship of the characters and what their feelings and expressions may be telling us of the interaction.
I googled an episode of Days of Our Lives, I hadn’t seen the show since 1998 and thought for sure I would be able to see some exaggerated non-verbal communications. I was not disappointed! As I remembered, it was ever dramatic.
Between the arms flailing and eye rolling, I could easily tell who the adversaries and allies were. 
I then started the program over and listened this time, I was pretty close to the mark, I had not been able to peg what sort of conversation topic they were having from the silent screening, but the worded watching was filled with the emotional words that matched the actions. It seems, as though the more exaggerated the physical movements are the more either celebratory or confrontational the situation.
I can remember when I was in high school it was one of my friends and my favorite games to play in the cafeteria. We would put words to the actions from groups talking across the room. I do not know if it was helpful but it was fun, I learned a lot about reading people by watching them talk.

4 comments:

  1. Hi Davey, I think it was 1989 since I watched that show and I bet their are the same people on the show still. It is amazing how nonverbal communication with each other plays a large part of our conversations.

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  2. Hi Davey

    It is rather interesting how much information can be correctly acquired by observing nonverbal behaviors. I too many some very correct assumptions. However, many a times, without the verbal communication to verify it we can make some erroneous assumptions.
    Thanks for sharing1

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  3. Davey,
    Isn't it interesting how much we can truly understand without the volume on at all. I am often asked the question would I rather be deaf or blind. I know some people that always say blind so they can hear people speak. I understand that but you can truly pick up so much without language.
    What would you say?
    Catherine

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    Replies
    1. I have a secret and silly fear of being blind, so I would say give me deafness if I only had those two to choose from...I'm fairly good at reading lips and I don't know if I could give my sunrises, sunset, mountain views and seeing my children grow and change!

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