Shortly after beginning the first
conversation, where only one was permitted to speak, it quickly became apparent
how difficult this was going to be. It was difficult to start a conversation
that we were able to go into depth with. The questions and answers between us
had to stay pretty basic in order for us to understand each other. Even then,
the conversation was hard to carry on with.
For this experiment, my partner was
in control of the conversation. I decided to be the one to try and not speak.
Since I couldn’t say anything, there was really no way for me to ask her
questions without her getting confused as to what I was trying to say. Most of
the conversation consisted of her asking the questions and changing the topics,
while I attempted to answer the questions. If I compared this conversation to a
balance of power, my partner definitely had the power in this conversation.
If my partner and I were to be
compared to two different cultures, she would be the one who would have the advantage
of communicating complex ideas. Even though my culture may understand body
language with each other, it is not enough to relay complex information to each
other. Unfortunately, the culture who has the advantage of using language to
communicate will most likely feel superior to the culture who cannot. This can
be seen between the interaction of human and wild animals. As humans, we
communicate with language while wild animals communicate in their own way that
humans do not fully understand. Many humans feel as though they are superior to
animals because of our ability to intellectually communicate with each other.
The second conversation was definitely
easier, but was still difficult in some ways. I always talk with my hands, so
it was extremely difficult to prevent myself from doing that. This time, we
could have a slightly more in depth conversation, but due to the lack of
emotion it was difficult for us to talk about things that involved feelings or opinion.
Afterwards, we both compared the conversation to text messaging. There is no
feeling and just using words without feeling can easily cause confusion.
This experiment shows that the use
of signs in language is extremely important. Just using words alone isn’t enough. When receiving
the information from a person’s body language when conversing, the feelings
about the conversation become apparent. We can tell if one really wants to be
having the conversation or not. It also gives us insight to what their opinions
are on the matters being discussed.
Being able to read a person’s body
language can help us survive in certain situations. It allows us to tell if the
person we are with are willing to help us if we are in need or not. By reading
body language we get a real sense of their feelings toward us rather than just
relying on what they say. This also becomes apparent when reproduction comes
into play. When dating, body language is a huge factor when determining if
someone is into you or just wants the date to end.
I am sure there are people who have
a hard time reading body language, however it is difficult to identify them. I
cannot think of a situation when reading body language is not important. I feel
as though it is important in every situation. It even allows us to tell if
someone is lying or telling the truth. The only situation in which reading body
language isn’t available is when we are talking on the phone. However, I don’t necessarily
think this makes it unimportant.
Good opening description for the first experiment.
ReplyDelete"I decided to be the one to try and not speak."
? That was part of the assignment, so I'm a little confused here. Otherwise, good discussion on the issue of power.
While I understand the point you are making with animals, we don't try to carry on conversations with animals. We don't go to them to ask them directions to the store or to get instructions on how to open a bank account. Can you think of any people-to-people examples? How about with the immigrant population in our country? What must it be like to travel to a new country when you don't speak their language?
Feelings and emotions are important aspects of body language when we are talking to people we know, but doesn't body language have other functions besides that, particularly if you are talking to strangers? Humans use body language as a lie detector. If the words they hear don't match the body language, they know that the person is not telling the truth and not to trust them. We use this all the time, when buying things, listening to politicians, talking with family member... Think about how important this would be in a survival situation, particularly with someone who you don't know. You touch on this a bit in the next section but not fully.
Individuals in the autism spectrum are unable to read body language, which is why they can't understand jokes. People who are blind also have trouble with body language although they can hear vocal intonation.
The question wasn't when body language wasn't important. When might it mislead you? Imagine traveling into a culture not your own. Would it be safe to assume they use the same system of body language that you do? Do all cultures use the same body language?
Hi Amy,
ReplyDeleteI think the first part where we were unable to speak was a big limiter in the ability to hold an in depth conversation with our partners. I felt in mine I was basically just there to sit and listen to a conversation as I could only make very simple responses into gestures for the others to understand. Anytime I did try and say something it took a long time for them to understand and largely they were the one to take control of the conversation because they had the ability to speak which I felt was a dominant factor and I think this can relate to the culture question because definitely having a language and ability to hold conversations with complex ideas is an advantage over a culture without that. In the second part it was easier to hold an in depth conversation, but without hand movement or expression of emotion it was almost like having a bland conversation with a very uninterested person and my partner said it was just odd for that one having me sound like a emotionless person. I think your situation where reading body language isn’t available on the phone is a good example, because you can hear them on the voice and can tell the emotions of the person but that’s roughly it.
Hi Amy,
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I to thought the 1st half of the assignment was difficult. I found it easy at first but found it more difficult not to communicate. For the 2nd part, I always use my hand when I am talking. I liked how you pointed out that body language is important and how we use it to read people that we might be dating or if someone is lying or telling the truth.