You Just Viewed A Scene From The Film Dances With Wolves

You Just Viewed A Scene From the Film Dances With Wolves Starring Ke

You just viewed a scene from the film "Dances with Wolves" starring Kevin Costner. The year is 1868 and Kevin Costner's character, Lieutenant John Dunbar, is posted at an army base in the westernmost frontier Indian country. Upon his arrival, he learns he is the only army personnel there. After many months, he decides to introduce himself to the Sioux Tribe. Eventually, the two cultures come to trust one another and even become friends.

In this particular scene, they are tracking a herd of buffalo. Which type of Kinesics is displayed by the Sioux when he looks through the binoculars for the first time? Be specific and explain. List and define the various types of Kinesics—emblem, illustrator, regulator, adaptor, or affect display—from the text. VIDEO LINK:

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Kinesics, the study of body movements, gestures, and facial expressions as a form of nonverbal communication, plays a significant role in intercultural interactions and understanding subtle cues during communication (Burgoon, Buller, & Woodall, 1996). In the scene from "Dances with Wolves," when the Sioux individual peers through binoculars for the first time, he exhibits a form of body language that provides insight into his emotional state and engagement with the environment. Analyzing this gesture through the lens of kinesics, it is evident that the Sioux's action aligns closely with the category of an affect display.

Among the various types of kinesics—emblems, illustrators, regulators, adaptors, and affect displays—affect displays are facial expressions, gestures, or postures that convey emotional states (Ekman & Friesen, 1969). The Sioux's action of looking through binoculars may involve subtle facial expressions or body movements that communicate curiosity, alertness, or interest. These visual cues do not serve as direct substitutes for words (emblems), nor do they accompany speech to clarify or emphasize meaning (illustrators). Instead, they manifest emotional reactions or internal states, making affect displays the most appropriate classification.

Specifically, in this scenario, the Sioux's action demonstrates an affect display because it reveals his emotional response to the situation—heightened alertness or curiosity. The act of peering through binoculars might involve facial expressions like raised eyebrows or widened eyes, indicative of trying to gather more information or assess a situation carefully. These are natural, involuntary expressions that reflect internal emotional states, aligning precisely with the definition of affect displays.

This form of kinesics is crucial in intercultural contexts, especially among indigenous groups like the Sioux, where body language conveys deep, culturally embedded meanings that may not be explicitly expressed through words. The Sioux's use of affect displays in this scene underscores their attentiveness and alertness in tracking buffalo, highlighting the importance of nonverbal cues in understanding their intentions, emotions, and engagement in shared activities such as hunting.

In sum, the Sioux's act of looking through the binoculars is best characterized as an affect display, as it exemplifies an emotional and expressive body language that communicates interest, curiosity, or alertness necessary for successful hunting and awareness of their surroundings.

References

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