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Activity 1
Non-verbal communication represents approximately 93 percent of the relational content of a message. For the following scenarios, describe the non-verbal messages that you might use to demonstrate two different meanings (provided) in response to the statements below.
Nursing Scenario
- Describe your non-verbal responses to the statement, “You need to lay down so I can check your heart rate” to communicate a) empathy, and b) frustration.
- Describe your non-verbal responses to the statement, “Look at you! I haven’t worked with you in months” to communicate a) excitement, and b) disgust.
- Describe your non-verbal responses to the statement, “When we are done here, it is time for your bath” to communicate a) compassion, and b) disgust.
- Describe your non-verbal responses to the statement, “Well, I haven’t seen anything like this before” to communicate a) curiosity, and b) fear.
Business Scenario
- Describe your non-verbal responses to the statement, “I agree totally with your idea” to communicate a) agreement, and b) sarcasm.
- Describe your non-verbal responses to the statement, “You’re late; thanks for getting to the meeting” to communicate a) anger, and b) humour.
- Describe your non-verbal responses to the statement, “Let’s role play the sales call” to communicate a) support, and b) sarcasm.
- Describe your non-verbal responses to the statement, “Well hello, nice to hear from you” to communicate a) joy and b) contempt.
Communication Scenario
- Describe your non-verbal responses to the statement, “I love you” to communicate a) sincerity, and b) indifference.
- Describe your non-verbal responses to the statement, “That looks great on you!” to communicate a) praise, and b) criticism.
- Describe your non-verbal responses to the statement, “Thank you” to communicate a) gratitude, and b) sarcasm.
- Describe your non-verbal responses to the statement, “Aren’t we a pair!” to communicate a) pride, and b) embarrassment.
Activity 2
Non-Verbal Miscommunication
How could Jen and Mel have communicated differently so that the outcome of this interaction could have been more positive for both of them?
Jen and Mel are best friends who share an apartment. One morning, Jen had an interview for a summer internship with the company she really wanted to work for after graduation. In the week leading up to the interview, she talked with Mel nonstop about her hopes and fears. When she left for her interview, she hollered, “Hey, Mel, wish me luck!”
After her afternoon class, Mel returned to their apartment, where she saw Jen slumped on the couch, still in her suit, staring at the television with the sound off. Consumed with frustration and annoyed by her professor, Mel tossed her backpack by the door and burst out, “Jen, you would not believe how BORING class was today! Professor Juarez went on and on about the only thing she thinks matters.” “Uh huh,” Jen replied quietly, twirling a piece of her hair and looking miserable.
Jen glanced in Mel’s direction, hoping that Mel would notice her obvious distress, but Mel was busy pushing her coat into the closet and didn’t even look in Jen’s direction. “Yeah! I mean, I know the class is earth science, but do we reeeeeally have to talk about the Andean Volcano Belt ad nauseam just because it’s the focus of her research?” Mel complained. This time, Jen didn’t even nod or look up. Her eyes filled with tears. Mel, who was heading toward the kitchen, didn’t seem to notice. “I know you’ve complained that some of your professors are boring, but you have no idea what boring is until you’ve had Juarez. Today was way beyond annoying,” Mel said, with an exaggerated sigh.
“You’re right, I have no idea,” Jen quietly replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm. When Mel disappeared into the kitchen, Jen got up from the couch, went to her room, and slammed the door. That startled Mel, who called out, “Hey, Jen? What’s going on? ... Are you OK?”