Kinesics: The Study Of Body Motion Or Body Behavior 667783

KINESICSTHE STUDY OF BODY MOTION OR BODY BEHAVIOREMblemsgestures Th

Kinesics: the study of body motion or body behavior. Emblems: gestures that have a direct verbal translation and can stand alone, such as the “OK” sign. Illustrators: gestures that complement our words, such as pointing when giving directions. Regulators: gestures that may prolong or terminate the conversation, such as looking at your watch, walking away, or nodding and leaning forward. Adaptors: gestures that make you feel more comfortable in a communication situation, such as twirling your hair or tapping your fingers. Affect Displays: facial expressions motivated by emotion, such as a smile or frown.

In this lesson, you will venture out and observe the people around you. Tune out what they are saying and then sit back and watch. Take notes on what type of gestures (emblems, regulators, illustrators, adaptors, and affect displays) they are using. How often do they use each one? Are they aware of these gestures? You will then use your notes to write a typed two-page essay describing what you witnessed.

FOR THIS ESSAY, WRITE ABOUT BEING IN A STARBUCKS IN MIAMI, FLORIDA. Describe at least ten separate gestures. What type? What are they conveying? How many repetitions? What are the circumstances? Please submit your essay to this dropbox and include the following: At least two pages typed -- MINIMUM of 675 words. Double spaced. Paragraphs, not bullets. Include nonverbal terminology. Specific examples. Reminder: All written work must comply with standard English rules, such as proper capitalization, grammar, and spelling.

Paper For Above instruction

During a visit to a bustling Starbucks in Miami, Florida, I had the opportunity to observe various individuals engaging in different forms of body language and gestures, many of which fell into the categories of kinesics. These nonverbal cues significantly enhanced or complemented their verbal communication, providing insight into their emotional states, attitudes, and social interactions. Over the course of the observation, I noted several distinct gestures, each conveying specific messages and varying in frequency and context.

One of the most prominent gestures I observed was the “OK” sign made by a middle-aged man while conversing with a barista. This emblem gesture, which has a direct verbal translation of “everything is fine,” was used to affirm his satisfaction with his order. He repeated this gesture twice during his interaction, emphasizing his contentment and closing his statement confidently. Such emblem gestures are often instantly recognizable and are directly linked to verbal statements, which was evident in this scenario.

Another frequent gesture was a woman’s pointing finger when she was giving directions to her friend, sitting nearby. This illustrator gesture served to visually support her verbal instructions, making her directions clearer and more engaging. She pointed multiple times, about four or five, each time emphasizing a particular landmark or turn. These gestures were seamless extensions of her speech, helping her listener understand her better.

A different type of gesture, a regulator, was observed when a young man checked his watch attentively while waiting for his coffee. This gesture indicated that he was perhaps anxious about being late or about a meeting scheduled later. His glance at the watch occurred three times within a short span, likely to monitor the time and regulate the pace of his communication or simply his actions. Such regulators are often subconscious, yet they convey a sense of urgency or impatience.

Adaptors appeared in the form of a woman twirling her hair while seated with her laptop. This repetitive, subconscious gesture made her more comfortable in the social setting. She repeated this action about six times over a span of ten minutes, usually when she was thinking or slightly anxious about her upcoming presentation. Adaptors like this often serve as self-soothing mechanisms and indicate internal emotional states.

Affect displays were visible in facial expressions that revealed their emotional reactions. For instance, a teenage girl sitting nearby smiled broadly when her friend complimented her new earrings. This smile, a classic affect display, expressed happiness and was sustained for about five seconds. Conversely, a man in the corner frowned when he was ignored by the barista and looked away briefly. These facial expressions were involuntary but crucial in understanding their underlying feelings.

Another notable gesture involved a couple engaging in a silent handshake with their hands, which conveyed mutual trust and agreement post-conversation. Additionally, I observed someone repeatedly tapping their fingers on the table while waiting, a clear sign of impatience or agitation, repeated about four times during a five-minute wait.

Throughout my observation, it became evident that many of these gestures were performed with varying degrees of awareness. Some individuals appeared consciously aware of their gestures, especially those involved in direct communication like pointing or nodding, while others seemed unaware, especially with subconscious adaptors like hair twirling or finger tapping.

In conclusion, the observable nonverbal behaviors in the Starbucks setting vividly illustrated the importance of kinesics in everyday interactions. Gestures such as emblems, illustrators, regulators, adaptors, and affect displays serve not only to reinforce verbal messages but also to convey unspoken emotions and reactions. Recognizing these cues provides deeper insight into social dynamics and individual psychological states, highlighting the significance of body language in communication processes.

References

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