Instructions: Watch People To Do This Essay

Instructions Since you have to watch people to do this essay it is rea

Since you have to watch people to do this essay, it is really not necessary, you can just invent it as long as it has to do with the topic. In this lesson, you will observe individuals in your surroundings—such as at a mall, Starbucks, or work—and note their nonverbal communication behaviors, specifically kinesic gestures. You are instructed to sit back, observe, and take detailed notes on various body movements and facial expressions without focusing on their spoken words. Your task is to identify at least ten different gestures, classify each according to kinesic categories (emblems, illustrators, regulators, adaptors, affect displays), and analyze their meaning, frequency, and context.

For each gesture, describe what it is, its type, what it conveys, how often it occurs, and the circumstances under which it is used. Reflect on whether the individuals are aware of these gestures and consider their role in nonverbal communication. After observing and noting these behaviors, you will compile a two-page, double-spaced essay with well-organized paragraphs, incorporating nonverbal communication terminology and specific examples from your observation.

Paper For Above instruction

In an effort to understand nonverbal communication through kinesics, I spent a typical afternoon at a local coffee shop—a Starbucks located downtown. The environment was lively, with patrons engaged in conversations, working on laptops, and enjoying their beverages. Over the course of an hour, I discreetly observed various individuals and noted their body language and facial expressions, aiming to classify and interpret their gestures within accepted kinesic categories.

The first gesture I observed was a man sitting alone at a table, frequently using his hands to emphasize points while speaking on his phone. These movements—gestures like pointing and hand movements—are examples of illustrators, as they complement his spoken words, perhaps emphasizing his message. I noticed he used this gesture about five times within a ten-minute conversation, likely to aid in emphasizing his ideas or clarify his points to the person on the other end. This behavior demonstrates an active engagement in communication, even through body language.

Next, I observed a woman in line who kept glancing at her watch repeatedly. This gesture, a regulator indicating impatience or a desire to wrap up, was used approximately six times over a five-minute span. The circumstances suggested she was checking the time in anticipation of an appointment, and her repeated glances communicated a need for the other party to expedite their exchange. Such gestures serve to regulate an interaction by signaling when it should end or when a shift is necessary.

A different individual, seated in a corner working on her laptop, twirled her hair nervously while typing. This is an example of an adaptor, a self-directed gesture that helps manage personal comfort. She performed this action about seven times during my observation, indicating her possible anxiety or discomfort in the social environment. Adaptors such as this often serve to soothe or manage stress in social settings.

Another notable behavior was two men sitting at a nearby table, involved in a lively discussion. One of them leaned forward, nodded frequently, and maintained eye contact—the behaviors indicative of regulators. These gestures signaled attentiveness and engagement, encouraging continued interaction. The heightened body language contrasted with other individuals who maintained more restrained postures, demonstrating the variability in kinesic behaviors depending on the social context.

In addition, a young woman sitting alone was seen smiling frequently during her phone conversation. Her facial expressions of smiling operate as affect displays, conveying positive emotion and friendliness. Such facial expressions are vital nonverbal cues that communicate emotions without words, and her persistent smiling likely signals happiness or satisfaction in her interaction.

Further, I observed a man in line adjusting his glasses and tapping his fingers rhythmically against his coffee cup. These behaviors are instances of adaptors, often related to self-soothing or impatience. The tapping, occurring approximately four times, suggests a degree of nervousness or impatience while waiting.

Similarly, a woman in a group conversation gestured broadly with her arms when making a point, a classic example of an illustrator. This visual emphasis likely helped clarify her message and engaged her listeners more effectively. Such gestures occur naturally during animated discussions, enhancing communication through visual cues.

In another case, a person sitting at a table repeatedly checked her phone and looked around, signaling regulators like glancing away and shifting posture. Her behaviors indicated she might have been bored or distracted, possibly trying to signal her disinterest in the ongoing interaction or her desire to leave.

Lastly, during a couple's discussion nearby, the man frequently nodded and leaned closer, indicating engagement and approval—also regulators. These gestures reinforced mutual understanding and encouraged continued communication, exemplifying the role of body language in nurturing social bonds.

Through this observation, I learned that kinesic gestures serve multiple functions in daily communication, from facilitating understanding to signaling emotional states or managing social interactions. Recognizing such nonverbal cues enhances our comprehension of human behavior and can inform better interpersonal communication skills.

References

  • Burgoon, J. K., & Guerrero, L. K. (2011). Nonverbal Communication. Routledge.
  • Ekman, P. (2003). Emotions Revealed: Recognizing faces and feelings to improve communication and emotional life. Times Books.
  • Knapp, M. L., & Hall, J. A. (2010). Nonverbal Communication in Human Interaction. Wadsworth Publishing.
  • Mehrabian, A. (1972). Nonverbal communication. Transaction Publishers.
  • Pease, A., & Pease, B. (2004). The Definitive Book of Body Language. Bantam Books.