Description

Non-verbal communication conveys strong messages and can get you into trouble in conflict situations, especially if what you are conveying non-verbally is not congruent with what you are saying. Most times we focus on verbal communication and reason to calm the other person down. If you find yourself trying to reason with someone without affect, it may be because your body language is conveying a different message.

Our life experience, our belief system and our judgement collectively help us interpret both words and body language, which is why we are all different from one another. We never know what is going to trigger the other person’s agreement—or hostility. Our best bet is to be flexible both verbally and non-verbally.

Since you have little control over others, the focus for study of non-verbal communication must be on yourself, and what you are communicating to others.

The Assignment
For each of the emotions listed below, describe the non-verbal behaviours through which you communicate that emotion. Finish each sentence with at least two non-verbal behavioural indicators. (You may find it helpful to complete this activity with someone who knows you well and who has seen you in situations where you have experienced these emotions.)

For example, the first statement is “When I am angry, I …”. Your response might be “When I am angry, I raise my voice and clench my fists.

When I am angry, I …
When I am sad, I …
When I am frightened, I …
When I am nervous or unsure of myself, I …
When I am confident, I …
Once you have done this, follow the requirements below.

Requirements
Complete an analysis paper based on the above. The paper must be a minimum of 500 words in length, typed and double-spaced, 12 point font, and in MSWord.
Include an APA cover page. (You can find a sample of the APA format in the Course Resources.)
Structure the paper with seven headings, as follows:
Introduction (1)

A heading for each of the following statements

When I am angry, I … (2)
When I am sad, I … (3)
When I am frightened, I … (4)
When I am nervous or unsure of myself, I … (5)
When I am confident, I … (6)
Reflection (7)

In the Reflection section, address the following points:
Analyze your behaviours. Were you aware of these behaviours before doing this assignment, or not? Which ones, if any, were a surprise to you? Were there any overlaps in your behaviours?
What is your experience with how other people have interpreted these behaviours? Have they done so accurately? If not, explain how they have misinterpreted your meaning.
Now that you are more aware of the non-verbal behaviours that are attached to specific feelings, are there some changes you would like to make? How will you go about making those changes?
What have you learned from completing this assignment?
In this reflection, use non-verbal terminology as described in the reading to describe your behaviours wherever possible.