Unit 1.2 HC: The Notion of Signal Flashcards
What is a signal?
Any element of visual, auditory, tactile nature-transmitting info (signs & symbols)
What is a signal made up of
signs and symbols
What is a code?
System that links a set of signals to referents (meaning)
Turns signals into understandable messages
What is a sign?
Behaviour conveying meaning due to a causal relationship (e.g. blushing = embarrassed)
What are the characteristics of a sign?
Usually unintentional
Innate/involuntary
Interpreted using common-sense (inherent relation to referent)
Expressive bhvr shared with animals
What is a symbol?
Conveying meaning due to social convention
“I am embarrassed”
what are the characteristics of a symbol?
Intentional
Requires explicit learning (from speaker & listener)
Interpret = must master symbol system
Relationship with referent is conventional
Not shared with animals
Is body language a sign or symbol?
Sign - because it is involuntary, innate and is understood using common knowledge
What are the 3 aspects of body language?
Kinesics
Proxemics
Paralanguage
What are kinesics?
Body movement (gestures, posture, gaze, facial expression)
What are proxemics?
Use of space (e.g. distance, position, space structure)
what is paralanguage?
Vocal signals (e.g. loud/quiet, voice volume, intonation, speech rhythm, accent)
What are the 5 verbal language gestures from most symbolic (intentional) to least symbolic (most expressive)
Emblems (highly intentional)
Illustrators (somewhat int)
Regulators (not overly int)
Affect displays (not v int/symbolic)
Adaptors (least int)
Is verbal language a sign or a symbol?
symbol
What is the continuum of gestures?
There are 5 types of gestures (e.g, emblems, illustrators etc) which sit on a scale of symbolic –> expressive.
The more intentional and translatable to verbal terms a gesture is the more symbolic it is.
The less intention & translatable = more expressive
What is an emblem? Where does it sit on continuum of intentionality? Example?
Non-verbal signed with straightforward verbal meaning
Culture bound & convention
Highly intentional
e.g. thumbs up, clapping, middle finger
What is an illustrator? where on continuum? example?
Used to emphasise, explain, and visually support a verbal message Pictographs, rhythmic or dietic movements
pictographs, rhythmic or dietic movements
Somewhat intentional
What is a regulator? where on continuum? example?
Help to synchronise back-and-forth conversation (regulates convo)
Cannot be directly translated into verbal terms.
e.g. holding hands together to indicate listening
Not overly intentional
What is an affect display? where on continuum? example?
Conveys feelings with face, posture or body movements
needs context
e,g. holding chest to indicate compassion
Not very intentional
What is an adaptors? where on continuum? example?
Linked to internal states to regulate levels of physiological arousal
self contact gestures
e.g. rubbing eyes when tired
Least intentional/symbolic/translatable
What is the difference between digital and analog? What are these different values like?
DIGITAL
conventional in nature (numbers, letters)
Signal-referent relationships = abritrary (random, context dependent)
Discrete unit
ANALOG
Inherent
sign-referent relationship = necessity
Continuous
