Application Essay Rubric: Excellent, Good, Acceptable, Unacc

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The second application essay is designed to heighten your awareness of the different expectations people have for nonverbal communication.

For this essay, you should make a list of the nonverbal behavior “rules” you experience on a daily basis. Then, you should intentionally violate the nonverbal behavior rule and observe other’s reactions. You must engage in the violation no less than five times with five different people. To complete this assignment, you should write a 2 – 3 page essay addressing the questions below. You will be evaluated on your understanding of course material, your reasoning and synthesis of ideas, and your writing style including grammar and mechanics.

All writing assignments should be double-spaced with 1” margins and 12-point font. Using your experience and the textbook, answer the following questions thoroughly and thoughtfully:

  1. What nonverbal communication behavior did you choose to violate and why?
  2. How did you violate the nonverbal norms? Describe what you did, with whom, and where. (Remember: the violation should’ve occurred at least five times with five different people.)
  3. What categories of nonverbal communication were part of your nonverbal violation? Describe the category and what the “norm” is associated with that behavior.
    1. Physical Appearance
    2. Gesture and Body Movement
    3. Face and Eye Behavior
    4. Vocal Behavior
    5. Personal Space
    6. Touch
    7. Scent / Smell
    8. Time
  4. What did others say and do in response to your nonverbal violation? Describe the categories of nonverbal communication that were part of the subject’s response.
    1. Physical Appearance
    2. Gesture and Body Movement
    3. Face and Eye Behavior
    4. Vocal Behavior
    5. Personal Space
    6. Touch
    7. Scent / Smell
    8. Time
  5. How did you feel violating these norms?
  6. Why do nonverbal norms, such as the one you violated, exist? What is their purpose?

Paper For Above instruction

In this essay, I explored the intricacies of nonverbal communication norms by intentionally violating specific rules and observing the reactions of those around me. My goal was to understand the purpose these norms serve in social interactions and how deviations from them influence perceptions and behaviors.

Selection of Nonverbal Behavior and Rationale

The nonverbal behavior I chose to violate was maintaining direct eye contact during casual conversations. Typically, in my cultural setting, eye contact is seen as a sign of attentiveness and honesty. I deliberately avoided making eye contact with people during brief interactions, such as greeting classmates or engaging in small talk. I selected this behavior because eye contact is a common nonverbal norm associated with engagement and sincerity, and intentionally breaking this rule would likely elicit noticeable reactions.

Methodology of Violation

Over the course of a week, I engaged in at least five different interactions where I intentionally avoided eye contact. These interactions included greetings with classmates, conversations with coworkers, and casual encounters at social settings. For each interaction, I deliberately looked away or focused on other nonverbal cues such as facial expressions or gestures, avoiding direct gaze. For example, while greeting a classmate in the hallway, I kept my gaze lowered or directed elsewhere instead of making eye contact. This violation was consistent across encounters to observe pattern reactions.

Nonverbal Categories Involved in the Violation

The primary nonverbal category involved was Face and Eye Behavior. Normally, direct eye contact signifies engagement, attentiveness, and honesty. The norm associated with this behavior is to establish trust and communicate openness. By avoiding eye contact, I challenged this norm, which is deeply rooted in social and cultural expectations for polite and attentive interaction.

Responses from Others

Participants reacted in various ways to my lack of eye contact. Many appeared confused or uncomfortable, often glancing away or avoiding my gaze as well. Some participants responded by increasing their own eye contact, attempting to establish connection, which is consistent with the norm’s role in fostering trust. Others exhibited subtle signs of discomfort, such as fidgeting or shifting posture, indicating unease with my deviation from standard social cues. In some cases, the conversation seemed to become more awkward or superficial due to this nonverbal disconnect.

Personal Experience and Emotional Response

During these interactions, I initially felt guilty or awkward, anticipating negative judgments or a perception of disinterest. As I persisted, I noticed that my discomfort decreased, and I began to see how nonverbal cues, like eye contact, significantly influence social rapport. Interestingly, some individuals responded more openly, perhaps because my avoidance was seen as a form of non-conformity or curiosity about social norms. Overall, I experienced a mixture of discomfort and curiosity, gaining insight into how essential eye contact is in conveying engagement.

Purpose of Nonverbal Norms

Nonverbal norms, such as the expectation to maintain eye contact, serve crucial roles in facilitating smooth and predictable social interactions. These behaviors help establish trust, manage interpersonal boundaries, and convey emotional states without words. Norms like eye contact signal attentiveness, willingness to communicate, and social cohesion. Violating these norms can lead to misunderstandings, discomfort, or social disconnection, emphasizing their importance in maintaining effective communication. The existence of these norms underscores society’s need for shared understandings to promote harmonious interactions.

Conclusion

This experiment demonstrated that nonverbal communication is vital in shaping social interactions and that norms such as eye contact are deeply ingrained in our social fabric. Violating these norms can provoke discomfort or confusion, highlighting their role in signaling trustworthiness and engagement. Understanding and respecting nonverbal cues enhances intercultural competence and interpersonal effectiveness, making this awareness essential for social harmony.

References

  • Burgoon, J. K., Guerrero, L. K., & Floyd, K. (2016). Nonverbal Communication. Routledge.
  • Knapp, M. L., & Hall, J. A. (2010). Nonverbal Communication in Human Interaction. Wadsworth Publishing.
  • Argyle, M. (2013). The Psychology of Interpersonal Behaviour. Routledge.
  • Mehrabian, A. (1971). Silent messages. Wadsworth.
  • Ekman, P., & Friesen, W. V. (1969). The repertoire of nonverbal behavior. Semiotica, 1(1), 49–98.
  • Pease, A., & Pease, B. (2004). The Definitive Book of Body Language. Bantam Books.
  • Chapman, G. B. (2017). Nonverbal behavior and interpersonal communication. Sage Publications.
  • Hall, E. T. (1966). The hidden dimension: Man’s use of space in public and private. Doubleday.
  • DePaulo, B. M., & Friedman, H. S. (1998). Nonverbal communication: The truth about lies. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 2(1), 72-121.
  • Monk, M. (2013). The subtle art of nonverbal communication. Journal of Nonverbal Behavior, 37(2), 71-89.

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