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[0.000 --> 9.880] Say you're at a cookout when you notice that there's a giant spider hanging out on your |
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[9.880 --> 10.880] friend's shoulder. |
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[10.880 --> 15.360] You want to avoid total pandemonium, so you casually wave to get their attention, then |
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[15.360 --> 17.400] make a brushing motion on your left shoulder. |
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[17.400 --> 21.360] But instead of realizing that there inches away from certain death, your friend thinks |
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[21.360 --> 25.160] that you're busting out a new dance move, and the whole cookout starts breaking it down. |
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[25.160 --> 29.040] Waving to say hello, yelping when you get hurt or brushing at your shoulder to try to |
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[29.040 --> 34.000] save your friend from mortal danger are all examples of non-verbal communication. |
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[34.000 --> 38.200] Non-verbal communication is the process of sharing thoughts and ideas using behavior other |
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[38.200 --> 39.200] than words. |
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[39.200 --> 43.800] The gestures, movements, and facial expressions we use to share information with one another |
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[43.800 --> 46.160] are all forms of this type of communication. |
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[46.160 --> 50.040] It also includes things like smiling to show you're happy, or giving a thumbs up to say |
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[50.040 --> 51.040] okay. |
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[51.040 --> 54.640] In other words, non-verbal communication is kind of like a game of shurides. |
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[54.640 --> 57.920] Only you're playing it all the time, even if you don't realize it. |
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[57.920 --> 63.720] In fact, around 65% of the meaning we get from communication comes from non-verbal signals. |
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[63.720 --> 68.000] So understanding how non-verbal communication works can help you better express yourself |
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[68.000 --> 69.640] and avoid being misunderstood. |
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[69.640 --> 74.480] I'm Cisandra Ryder, and this is Study Hall, intro to human communication. |
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[74.480 --> 82.840] But non-verbal communication isn't a solo act. |
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[82.840 --> 84.240] It's more like a duet. |
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[84.240 --> 87.560] This is because our non-verbal and verbal communication work together as part of the |
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[87.560 --> 88.560] same system. |
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[88.560 --> 93.040] Verbal communication uses words to share ideas, and non-verbal communication uses gestures |
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[93.040 --> 94.040] and sounds. |
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[94.040 --> 98.120] It's like verbal communication is the melody, and non-verbal communication is the harmony. |
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[98.120 --> 101.880] And when their powers combine, our messages become even more meaningful. |
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[101.880 --> 106.120] For instance, we tend to rely on verbal communication to share complex ideas and express ourselves |
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[106.120 --> 107.120] clearly. |
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[107.120 --> 110.920] Like when someone asks us for directions, we use spoken or written words to explain which |
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[110.920 --> 111.920] route they should take. |
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[111.920 --> 116.120] You know, like turn left to the library, or it's the second door on your right. |
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[116.120 --> 120.320] Because to help someone get from point A to point B, they need as much specific information |
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[120.320 --> 121.320] as possible. |
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[121.320 --> 123.720] And that's where verbal communication really shines. |
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[123.720 --> 128.560] Non-verbal communication, on the other hand, adds extra context to the words that we use. |
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[128.560 --> 132.680] So along with using words to give directions, we can also use our hands to point out which |
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[132.680 --> 134.080] way someone should go. |
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[134.080 --> 137.840] Non-verbal cues can also clear things up when our words might be misinterpreted. |
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[137.840 --> 140.280] Like telling someone, go that way. |
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[140.280 --> 143.440] You'd be confusing unless you also pointed to where you wanted them to go. |
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[143.440 --> 147.080] We also use non-verbal communication to convey emotions and connect with others. |
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[147.080 --> 150.680] For instance, you'd probably smile while giving directions so the other person knows |
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[150.680 --> 152.440] that you're friendly and willing to help. |
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[152.440 --> 157.280] And finally, non-verbal communication also helps us make judgments about a person's credibility |
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[157.280 --> 158.560] or trustworthiness. |
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[158.560 --> 162.000] Like someone whose lost might not ask you for help if you're looking around and have |
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[162.000 --> 163.000] your arms crossed. |
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[163.000 --> 166.600] In this case, you're broadcasting that you're probably waiting for someone and don't have |
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[166.600 --> 168.560] time to answer a stranger's questions. |
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[168.560 --> 172.800] So if non-verbal communication can do all of these things, does that make it more important |
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[172.800 --> 174.120] than verbal communication? |
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[174.120 --> 176.400] Well, it depends on the context. |
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[176.400 --> 180.200] Like verbal communication is probably more important when you're making a big business |
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[180.200 --> 182.920] deal and want to make sure everyone's on the same page. |
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[182.920 --> 186.240] But if you're disagreeing with a friend, paying attention to their tone of voice and body |
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[186.240 --> 189.240] postures can clue you into how they're really feeling. |
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[189.240 --> 190.520] And that's normal. |
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[190.520 --> 194.400] Because non-verbal and verbal messages play different roles in how we communicate. |
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[194.400 --> 196.480] But they also have a few things in common. |
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[196.480 --> 201.640] Like both verbal and non-verbal communication include non-vocal and vocal elements. |
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[201.640 --> 207.040] For instance, writing in American Sign Language are non-vocal elements of verbal communication |
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[207.040 --> 209.200] because they both use symbols to make meaning. |
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[209.200 --> 211.360] And you don't actually speak them with your voice. |
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[211.360 --> 214.760] We also use non-vocal elements during non-verbal communication. |
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[214.760 --> 218.600] According to the field of kinesics, which is the study of movement, there are three main |
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[218.600 --> 224.120] types of non-vocal, non-verbal cues, gestures, facial expressions, and postures. |
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[224.120 --> 228.680] These are non-vocal and non-verbal because most gestures don't refer to a specific word |
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[228.680 --> 230.920] like a written or signed symbol does. |
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[230.920 --> 235.360] Like when you wave to your friend at the cookout, you could have been saying, hello, goodbye, |
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[235.360 --> 236.840] or trying to get their attention. |
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[236.840 --> 241.120] Because there isn't one single word that we associate with waving, we have to use context |
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[241.120 --> 246.360] clues, like facial expressions or spoken words to understand what the wave really means. |
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[246.360 --> 250.680] And while many gestures have more than one meaning, kinesics lets us sort them into different |
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[250.680 --> 253.680] categories based on the type of information they're sharing. |
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[253.680 --> 257.560] For instance, gestures that describe something are called illustrators. |
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[257.560 --> 260.840] Illustrators are used to clarify or reinforce a verbal message. |
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[260.840 --> 264.720] Like if you'd pointed at your friend's shoulder during the cookout and said, there's a huge |
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[264.720 --> 265.720] spider. |
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[265.720 --> 269.720] They would know exactly what you're communicating, in this case, that they need to brush |
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[269.720 --> 270.800] the spider off. |
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[270.800 --> 275.560] And by using an illustrator to clarify your verbal message, you can save your friend and |
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[275.560 --> 276.560] the cookout. |
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[276.560 --> 280.000] Then there are emblems, or gestures that have a meaning that people in a community or |
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[280.000 --> 281.400] culture have agreed upon. |
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[281.400 --> 284.760] Some of them and emblems include shaking your head to say no, or shrugging to show that |
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[284.760 --> 285.920] you don't know something. |
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[285.920 --> 289.720] In the cookout scenario, if your friend went to brush the spider off and asked if it was |
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[289.720 --> 293.680] gone, you might use the emblem of nodding your head instead of saying, yes. |
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[293.680 --> 298.000] Or if they asked how many spiders were on their shoulder, you could hold up one finger, |
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[298.000 --> 299.680] which would also be an emblem. |
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[299.680 --> 303.760] Basically, emblems are super helpful because they give us a way to communicate clearly without |
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[303.760 --> 305.440] using words at all. |
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[305.440 --> 309.840] We can also use gestures called regulators to manage our conversations with others. |
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[309.840 --> 313.520] Just keep the conversation flowing, like when we lean forward to show that we want someone |
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[313.520 --> 314.520] to keep talking. |
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[314.520 --> 317.200] But we can also use regulators to pause a conversation. |
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[317.200 --> 320.880] Like if your friend is telling a wild story, but you really need to tell them about the |
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[320.880 --> 324.600] spider on their shoulder, you might hold your hand out with your palm open to get them |
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[324.600 --> 325.600] to pause. |
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[325.600 --> 329.360] And in any scenario, regulators help us keep the conversation flowing and ensure everyone's |
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[329.360 --> 330.360] voice is heard. |
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[330.360 --> 333.840] Then there are adapters, which are gestures that help our bodies release tension during |
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[333.840 --> 338.280] stressful situations, like twirling our hair or clicking a pen during a job interview. |
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[338.280 --> 341.680] These are different from the other types of gestures because we usually aren't aware |
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[341.680 --> 342.680] that we're doing them. |
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[342.680 --> 346.800] And while they make us feel better in a tough situation, adapters can actually distract |
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[346.800 --> 348.360] the people we're communicating with. |
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[348.360 --> 352.280] Like hair twirling during an interview totally steals a spotlight from your awesome story |
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[352.280 --> 354.680] about how you saved your friend from a deadly spider bite. |
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[354.680 --> 358.800] Because even when we don't realize it, our non-ribble cues still send messages to other |
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[358.800 --> 359.800] people. |
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[359.800 --> 361.760] Even our subconscious hair twirling and pen clicking. |
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[361.760 --> 366.000] But with a little self-awareness, we can recognize and monitor our adapters and project confidence |
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[366.000 --> 367.760] in any situation. |
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[367.760 --> 371.520] Directors, emblems, regulators and adapters are important because they add meaning to |
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[371.520 --> 375.480] what we say and even replace verbal communication when the moment is right. |
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[375.480 --> 379.240] But gestures aren't the only non-vocal elements of non-brible communication. |
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[379.240 --> 383.600] We also use things like eye contact to create connections, share information, establish |
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[383.600 --> 387.000] our credibility, and even make a good impression when meeting someone new. |
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[387.000 --> 390.480] But eye contact can also be used to intimidate others. |
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[390.480 --> 394.880] Like we probably all remember disobeying the rules as a kid and getting the look from our |
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[394.880 --> 395.880] parents. |
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[395.880 --> 400.680] And they made eye contact, oh man, you knew you were in big trouble and needed to clean |
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[400.680 --> 402.200] your room right away. |
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[402.200 --> 407.040] Eye contact also interacts with other non-brible cues, like facial expressions, so we can better |
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[407.040 --> 409.360] understand what people are thinking and feeling. |
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[409.360 --> 413.880] For example, if you smile at a baby, they'll know your friendly and might even smile back. |
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[413.880 --> 417.880] Facial expressions, like smiles, are often viewed as innate, emotional reactions to the |
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[417.880 --> 418.880] world around us. |
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[418.880 --> 422.440] Like, smiling at strangers in public might feel totally involuntary to you. |
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[422.440 --> 428.280] But the truth is that all of our facial expressions, including smiles, are also social behaviors. |
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[428.280 --> 431.600] In many cultures, we smile to make other people feel at ease. |
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[431.600 --> 435.440] And because we wear those social smiles for the benefit of others, we view them differently |
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[435.440 --> 440.200] than the genuine smiles we put on when we're feeling strong emotions, like joy or excitement. |
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[440.200 --> 444.080] So like waving or giving the thumbs up, most facial expressions have different meanings |
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[444.080 --> 446.400] depending on how we use them in different contexts. |
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[446.400 --> 450.400] And the better we are at pairing facial expressions with our verbal communication, the more |
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[450.400 --> 452.080] effective our messages can be. |
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[452.080 --> 455.320] But there are also vocal elements of non-verbal communication. |
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[455.320 --> 457.560] Yep, you heard that right. |
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[457.560 --> 460.960] Some of the sounds we make count as non-verbal communication. |
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[460.960 --> 462.600] I know, I know. |
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[462.600 --> 463.760] That's pretty confusing. |
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[463.760 --> 467.440] But we often use sounds to add meaning to the words we speak, like when you raise your |
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[467.440 --> 470.360] voice when you're angry or speak quickly when you're excited. |
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[470.360 --> 474.760] Because these sounds aren't included in our grammar system, we call them pary language, |
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[474.760 --> 477.400] which literally means alongside language. |
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[477.400 --> 482.560] Pair language refers to the vocalized but non-verbal parts of a message, like pitch, volume, |
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[482.560 --> 484.360] rate of speech, and verbal fillers. |
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[484.360 --> 488.440] Like if I start talking loud and really fast, you might think something exciting is about |
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[488.440 --> 489.440] to happen. |
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[489.440 --> 493.000] Once we learn how pary language works, we can use it to convey meaning and emotion in our |
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[493.000 --> 494.480] conversations with others. |
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[494.480 --> 498.720] For instance, in English, we use a rising pitch to indicate that we're asking a question, |
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[498.720 --> 499.720] like this. |
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[499.720 --> 501.320] Is there a spider on my shoulder? |
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[501.320 --> 505.200] And if we want to emphasize the intensity of a verbal message, we might increase the volume |
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[505.200 --> 507.080] of our voice like this. |
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[507.080 --> 509.240] There's a giant spider on your shoulder. |
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[509.240 --> 513.880] Vocal elements of non-verbal communication make our words more expressive, and they can |
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[513.880 --> 519.200] even stand in for words when we need to express sudden feelings, like surprise or fright. |
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[519.200 --> 523.040] Without these vocal cues, our verbal communication just wouldn't be as exciting. |
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[523.040 --> 526.800] So if non-verbal communication is so important, how do we learn to do it? |
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[526.800 --> 530.480] It's not like you take classes on when to use an illustrator versus an emblem in school. |
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[530.480 --> 534.680] Instead, we learn how to use non-verbal communication by participating in our culture. |
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[534.680 --> 538.360] Non-verbal communication cultures have unique norms or guidelines for how to use non-verbal |
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[538.360 --> 539.360] cues. |
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[539.360 --> 543.520] For example, pointing is fine if you're from the United States, but in China and Indonesia, |
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[543.520 --> 545.320] it's considered really rude. |
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[545.320 --> 549.200] Artifacts or objects and possessions we use are another form of non-verbal communication |
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[549.200 --> 551.160] that's shaped by the culture we live in. |
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[551.160 --> 555.920] Most cultures have rules about how we use artifacts, which include our clothes, jewelry, and |
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[555.920 --> 557.760] the decorations we put up in our spaces. |
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[557.760 --> 562.600] For example, on some college campuses, it's the norm for students to wear pajamas to class. |
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[562.600 --> 566.960] There's a good chance no one told students that wearing fuzzy slippers to class is cool. |
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[566.960 --> 569.920] They just saw older classmates doing it and assumed it was okay. |
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[569.920 --> 574.040] But some cultures have explicit rules about how artifacts should be used, like wearing |
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[574.040 --> 576.560] a wedding ring on your third finger on your left hand. |
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[576.560 --> 579.880] And using artifacts to express ourselves can also be fun. |
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[579.880 --> 583.480] Like if you're a huge Lord of the Rings fan, you might have a bumper sticker of the |
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[583.480 --> 585.360] ring of power on the back of your car. |
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[585.360 --> 588.800] But someone who hasn't seen Lord of the Rings might think your bumper sticker represents |
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[588.800 --> 593.400] your passion for ancient jewelry, instead of your undying devotion to the fellowship. |
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[593.400 --> 596.640] Navigating non-verbal communication can be a little confusing if you're not familiar |
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[596.640 --> 598.480] with cultural rules and norms. |
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[598.480 --> 603.280] But it's impossible to know all the non-verbal norms from every culture in the entire world. |
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[603.280 --> 606.840] So it's inevitable that non-verbal messages are going to get mixed up sometimes. |
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[606.840 --> 611.080] It's just a normal part of living in a world with so many amazing cultures and traditions. |
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[611.080 --> 615.600] But just like we use context clues to figure out what unfamiliar words mean, we can also |
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[615.600 --> 618.800] look for context clues to understand non-verbal communication. |
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[618.800 --> 622.880] For instance, if you notice young people bowing to older people, you can infer that bowing |
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[622.880 --> 624.360] is a sign of respect. |
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[624.360 --> 626.800] And add that to your non-verbal vocabulary too. |
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[626.800 --> 631.040] At the end of the day, we can't not communicate when it comes to non-verbal communication. |
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[631.040 --> 635.040] Our non-verbal cues are a window into our feelings and emotions, and they're constantly |
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[635.040 --> 636.760] seeping out of us. |
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[636.760 --> 637.880] Even if we don't realize it. |
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[637.880 --> 642.120] So to make sure our non-verbal communication reflects what we truly want to say, we have |
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[642.120 --> 643.640] to be extra thoughtful. |
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[643.640 --> 648.120] Because a single hand gesture can be the difference between squashing a giant spider and accidentally |
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[648.120 --> 649.120] starting a dance party. |
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[649.120 --> 652.840] Thanks for watching Study Hall, Intro to Human Communication, which is part of the Study |
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[652.840 --> 655.920] Hall project, a partnership between ASU and Crash Course. |
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[655.920 --> 658.800] If you liked this video and want to keep learning with us, be sure to subscribe. |
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[658.800 --> 662.920] You can learn more about Study Hall and the videos produced by Crash Course and ASU in the |
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[662.920 --> 664.440] links in the description. |
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[664.440 --> 665.040] See you next time! |
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