Week 7 meant to be in communication folder

Question 1

Non-Verbal Communication Overview:

Answer 1

Non-verbal communication (NVC) refers to the messages people send to each other without using words. This includes body movements (e.g., gestures, posture), facial expressions, eye contact, touch, and even aspects like dress, space, time, and smell. Research suggests that more than 65% of social meaning in communication is conveyed non-verbally (Knapp, 1992). It serves several functions in communication, including:
* Reinforcing or complementing verbal messages (e.g., smiling while telling a funny story).
* Contradicting verbal messages (e.g., saying “that’s fine” while frowning).
* Regulating the flow of conversation (e.g., nodding or raising your hand to take turns).
Substituting verbal communication (e.g., nodding for yes, shaking your head for no)

Question 2

Key Channels of Non-Verbal Communication:

Answer 2

1. Kinesics: The study of body movements and gestures.
   ○ Eye contact: Eye gaze can be crucial in building social closeness and communicating emotions. Too little or too much gaze can impact communication negatively.
   ○ Facial expressions: Universal expressions (joy, sadness, fear, etc.) are shared across cultures and can convey emotions, even for individuals born blind.
   ○ Body language: Includes gestures and postures. Open body language shows interest, while fidgety or defensive gestures may indicate discomfort or disinterest.
   
   2. Proxemics: Refers to the space between communicators.
      ○ Personal space: In Western cultures, there are four zones: intimate, personal, social, and public.
      ○ Proxemics varies based on the relationship between communicators and cultural context.
   3. Haptics: The study of touch as communication.
      ○ Touch can vary from functional (e.g., handshakes) to intimate (e.g., hugs), with each type conveying different meanings.
   4. Paralinguistics/Prosody: Focuses on how we speak, not just what we say.
      ○ This includes tone, pitch, volume, speed, and pauses in speech.
   5. Chronemics: The study of time in communication.
      Involves how timing (e.g., pauses, response times) and punctuality affect communication.

Question 3

Non-Verbal Communication and Disabilities:

Answer 3

People with disabilities may face challenges in non-verbal communication. For example:
* Speech-generating devices limit the use of paralinguistics.
* Slurred speech or tics (e.g., Tourette’s Disorder) can make non-verbal cues harder to interpret.
* Visual impairment can prevent individuals from reading facial expressions or gestures.
* Hearing impairments may prevent understanding of tone and pitch.

Question 4

Case Study: Parkinson’s Disease

Answer 4

Parkinson’s disease affects non-verbal communication significantly due to symptoms like tremor, rigidity, and slowed movement, impacting:
* Voice characteristics (e.g., monotonous speech, quiet voice).
* Facial expressions (e.g., reduced range of expression).
* Gestures and body posture (e.g., reduced limb movement and stooped posture).
Medications, surgical treatments, and therapies (like the “Think Loud” approach) can help people with Parkinson’s improve their communication.

Question 5

Proxemics and Haptics (Space and Touch)

Answer 5

1. What is proxemics?
   ○ Proxemics is the study of personal space and the distance between communicators.
   
   2. What are the four personal space zones in Western culture?
      ○ Intimate, personal, social, and public zones.
   3. What is haptics?
      ○ Haptics is the study of touch as a form of communication, which can include functional (e.g., handshakes), social (e.g., arm touches), or intimate (e.g., hugs) forms of touch.

Question 6

Paralinguistics/Prosody and Chronemics (Voice and Time)

Answer 6

1. What does paralinguistics refer to?
   ○ Paralinguistics refers to the aspects of speech such as volume, tone, speed, pitch, and the use of silence.
   
   2. What is chronemics?
      ○ Chronemics is the study of how time influences communication, including response timing, punctuality, and the appropriate duration of conversations.

Question 7

Non-Verbal Communication and Disabilities

Answer 7

1. How can disabilities impact non-verbal communication?
   ○ Disabilities can affect one’s ability to use or interpret non-verbal cues. For example, those with speech-generating devices may have limited access to tone of voice, and individuals with visual impairments may struggle to interpret facial expressions.
   
   2. How does Parkinson’s disease affect non-verbal communication?
      ○ Parkinson’s disease can reduce facial expressions, limit gestures, and alter speech characteristics like pitch and speed due to symptoms like rigidity and bradykinesia.

Question 8

Pragmatics Overview

Answer 8

1. What is pragmatics?
   ○ Pragmatics is the study of how people use language in context, including the rules and social norms that guide language use in different situations.
   
   2. What are the three major communication skills that comprise pragmatics?
      1. Using language for different purposes (greetings, requests, explanations).
      2. Changing language based on the listener’s needs (adjusting complexity, tone, or non-verbal cues).
      3. Following rules for different types of discourse (e.g., conversation, narratives, debates).

Question 9

Pragmatic Breakdown Example

Answer 9

1. What are some pragmatic breakdowns in the example where the child greets a man in a wheelchair?
   1. The child did not recognize that the man may not have heard or acknowledged the greeting.
   2. The child made an inappropriate assumption about the man’s hearing ability, which can be seen as socially insensitive.
   3. The child did not adjust their behavior to the social context, not understanding the potential for embarrassment or discomfort.

Question 10

Pragmatics in Autism and Disabilities

Answer 10

1. What is a common social language challenge for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
   ○ People with ASD often struggle with interpreting non-verbal cues (e.g., facial expressions, body language) and understanding the subtleties of social communication.
   
   2. What is the difference between person-first language and identity-first language in the context of autism?
      ○ Person-first language (e.g., “people with ASD”) emphasizes the individual before their condition, while identity-first language (e.g., “autistic person”) emphasizes the condition as part of their identity. Both terms are used to accommodate various preferences within the autism community.
   3. What are the common communication traits seen in people with ASD?
      ○ Delayed or absent speech, difficulty recognizing non-verbal cues, difficulty understanding abstract language, and challenges in expressing or recognizing emotions.
   4. What is echolalia?
      ○ Echolalia is the repetition of words or phrases spoken by others, often seen in people with autism, especially in early childhood.

Question 11

Communication Strategies for Pragmatics

Answer 11

1. What are some strategies to support communication with people who have pragmatic difficulties?
   1. Speak clearly and directly, avoiding sarcasm, metaphors, and euphemisms.
   2. Use positive language to frame instructions and rules.
   3. Allow the person to avoid eye contact if they feel uncomfortable.
   4. Express your feelings directly and clearly.
   
   2. What is a Social Story and how can it help people with pragmatic difficulties?
      ○ A Social Story is a short, simple narrative designed to explain social situations and expectations. It helps individuals understand how to react in specific situations and can reduce anxiety or confusion.

Question 12

Autism Spectrum Disorder and Communication

Answer 12

1. How does sensory sensitivity impact communication in people with ASD?
   ○ Sensory sensitivities may make people with ASD over- or under-sensitive to stimuli such as light, sound, taste, or touch, which can affect their communication or ability to participate in social situations.
   
   2. What is social disinhibition and when can it occur?
      ○ Social disinhibition refers to the lack of control over social behaviors, such as inappropriate comments or actions, and may occur after acquired brain injuries, strokes, or conditions like dementia.