Table
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The word kinesics comes from the
root word kinesis,
which means “movement,” and refers to the study of hand, arm, body, and face
movements.
Kinesics is the
interpretation of body motion communication
such as facial expressions and gestures, non-verbal behaviour related to the movement of any part of the body or the body as a
whole.
Facial Expressions
Our faces are the most
expressive part of our bodies. Think of how photos are often intended to
capture a particular expression “in a flash” to preserve for later viewing.
Even though a photo is a snapshot in time, we can still interpret much meaning
from a human face caught in a moment of expression, and basic facial
expressions are recognizable by humans all over the world. Much research has
supported the universality of a core group of facial expressions: happiness,
sadness, fear, anger, and disgust. The first four are especially identifiable
across cultures. Our faces are the most expressive part of our body and can communicate an
array of different emotions. When delivering something light-hearted or
humorous, a smile, bright eyes, and slightly raised eyebrows will nonverbally
enhance our verbal message. When delivering something serious or sombre, a
furrowed brow, a tighter mouth, and even a slight head nod can enhance that
message.
Posture
The way that the body is held can communicate many different
messages.
An open body that takes up a lot of space can indicate comfort
and domination, whilst a closed-in body that makes itself small can signal
inferiority.
Copying of the other person’s body shows agreement, trust and
liking.
Eye Contact
The face and eyes are the main points of focus during
communication, and along with our ears, our eyes take in most of the communicative
information around us.
The saying “The eyes are the window to the soul” is actually accurate in terms of where people
typically think others are “located,” which is right behind the eyes.
Study Anatomy
Eye contact serves several communicative functions ranging from
regulating interaction to monitoring interaction to conveying information, to
establishing interpersonal connections. In terms of regulating communication,
we use eye contact to signal to others that we are ready to speak or we use it
to cue others to speak. I’m sure we’ve all been in that awkward situation where
a teacher asks a question, no one else offers a response, and he or she looks
directly at us as if to say, “What do you think?” In that case, the teacher’s
eye contact is used to cue us to respond. During an interaction, eye contact
also changes as we shift from speaker to listener. Our eyes bring in the visual
information we need to interpret people’s movements, gestures, and eye contact.
A speaker can use his or her eye contact to determine if an audience is
engaged, confused, or bored and then adapt his or her message accordingly. Our
eyes also send information to others. Making eye contact with others also
communicates that we are paying attention and are interested in what another
person is saying. Eye contact can also be used to intimidate others.
Table
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Proxemics is the study of how humans use space when we’re
communicating. How close we stand to someone, whether we touch them, and how
comfortable we feel are all part of the study of proxemics.
Definition of Proxemics
Do you feel
uncomfortable when someone stands too close to you? Do very bright colours in a
room make you feel distracted? These questions are important to the study
of proxemics.
Basically, proxemics
is the study of space and how we use it, how it makes us feel more or less
comfortable, and how we arrange objects and ourselves in relation to space. The
term was coined by the anthropologist Edward Hall. Hall was interested in
understanding how humans use space in communication.
Personal Territory
In order to understand
more about proxemics, we need to discuss different kinds of spaces. There are
four kinds of distance that people generally use in communication. This can
vary by place, and different cultures have different standards. These are known
as realms of personal territory. Let’s talk about these now.
·
Public
space is the space
that characterizes how close we sit or stand to someone, like a public figure
or public speaker. So, if you are at an event listening to a professor give a
lecture, you are probably about 12 – 25 feet away.
·
Social
space means we’re
getting a little closer, about 4 – 12 feet away. This is the kind of space
you’re probably in if you’re talking to a colleague or a customer at work.
·
Personal
space is even closer.
In this case, you’re probably about 1 – 4 feet away from someone. This is
reserved for talking to friends or family.
·
Intimate
space is for people
who you are very close to. In this case, you’re probably less than a foot away
and you might even be touching the other person. This is the space you’re in
with a romantic partner, for example.
It’s important to note
that this can vary culturally. These are the standards we generally find in the
United States. But this might not be the case everywhere.
For example, it might
be considered rude to stand too close to someone in one place but not another.
It might be very common to touch someone’s arm or shoulder while talking in one
place, but this could be considered rude in other places. In one country, you
might greet someone with a kiss on the cheek, and in other places, this might
be considered too intimate.
Physical Territory
Next, let’s talk
about physical territory. This is a little bit different than
personal territory. It’s more about the ways that we arrange objects in space.
For example, you probably have your bed set up so that you face the centre of
your bedroom, instead of the wall.
Another example of the
physical territory might be the colour of the walls in a room. Very bright
colours have been shown to be distracting. So, a person designing an office
building probably would not choose to use bright orange or red paint on the
walls, as it might be jarring to employees or students.
Geographic Territory
Finally, proxemics
also involves the study of geographic territory.
This is a lot like what it sounds like! It refers to how we act depending on
the kind of geographic space we’re in. There are a few types of geographic
territory:
·
First, a
person’s primary territory refers to the space that is most
comfortable, such as inside one’s house.
·
Secondary
territory is also space
where you feel comfortable, but it’s a little less private than your own home.
This might be a friend’s house or a coffee shop you like to frequent.
·
Public
territory is what we call
a neutral space. This means it’s not our own space, but it’s something like a
park or a city street. Depending on the space, we could feel comfortable or
uncomfortable here.
Proxemics is the study of space and how we use it,
and how it makes us feel more or less comfortable. How close you stand next to
someone, for example, depends on the relationship you have with that person. If
you’re talking to a colleague at work, you’ll probably stand a bit farther away
than if you’re talking to a close friend.
These are the
different kinds of space that determine how we interact with people:
·
Public
space: an impersonal
interaction, about 12 – 25 feet away
·
Social
space: an interpersonal
interaction, about 4 – 12 feet away
·
Personal
space: close up, about 1 –
4 feet away from someone
·
Intimate
space: very close, usually
within one foot and sometimes touching
These can vary
culturally and might change in different places. Proxemics also refers to how we arrange objects in
space, known as physical territory, such as furniture and the colours we use in
that space.
Geographic
territory is similar,
broken up into three levels:
·
Primary
territory: our homes or
bedrooms
·
Secondary
territory: also space where we
feel comfortable but a little less private than your own home
·
Public
territory: a neutral space
everyone shares, like a park or street
Proxemics is related ultimately to communication
and how we communicate differently when we’re in different spaces. The type of
communication we’re engaged in also dictates the kind of social space it takes
place in, and vice versa. You’ll interact in space much differently with your
oldest childhood friend than a stranger on the bus!
