Verbal and Nonverbal Communication (8C) - Psych & Soc

1. What is the facial feedback hypothesis?

   Facial expressions can influence the emotional experience. Facial muscle activation can trigger corresponding emotions.

2. What is proxemics in nonverbal communication?

   Use of interpersonal distance and space to convey meaning. Physical distance communicates intimacy, dominance, or cultural norms.

3. Identify the gesture type: fidgeting with a pen during stress is which category?

   Adaptor. Adaptors are self-directed actions that alleviate stress without communicative intent.

4. What is the definition of the facial feedback hypothesis?

   Facial expressions can influence and intensify emotional experience. The hypothesis posits that muscular feedback from expressions can amplify corresponding emotions.

5. What are affect displays in nonverbal behavior?

   Facial expressions that communicate emotion. Universal expressions reveal emotional states across cultures.

6. Identify the nonverbal concept: rapid speech with high pitch primarily reflects what channel?

   Paralanguage (vocalics). Paralanguage conveys emotional states through vocal qualities independent of words.

7. What is the definition of the looking-glass self?

   Self-concept shaped by perceived judgments of others. The looking-glass self develops through internalized reflections of others' evaluations.

8. What is haptics in nonverbal communication?

   Communication through touch. Physical contact conveys emotions and relationships.

9. What is an adaptor (self-adaptor) behavior in nonverbal communication?

   Self-touching or fidgeting that often reflects arousal or discomfort. These unconscious behaviors manage internal states.

10. Identify the term for adjusting speech style to match a conversation partner.

    Communication accommodation (convergence). Speakers adapt style to build rapport or show solidarity.

11. What is the definition of the fundamental attribution error?

    Overattributing others' behavior to traits and underweighting situation. We tend to ignore situational factors when judging others.

12. What is proxemics in nonverbal communication?

    Use and interpretation of interpersonal space. Distance between people conveys relationship and comfort levels.

13. What is oculesics in nonverbal communication?

    Communication through eye contact and gaze patterns. Eye behavior signals attention, interest, and social dynamics.

14. What is the definition of the self-serving bias in communication about outcomes?

    Attributing success internally and failure externally. This bias protects self-esteem by internalizing positive outcomes and externalizing negative ones.

15. What is the difference between a gesture and an emblem in nonverbal communication?

    Emblem has a specific verbal translation; gesture may not. Emblems like thumbs-up have direct word equivalents.

16. What is the difference between a "duchenne" smile and a non-duchenne smile?

    Duchenne includes eye muscle activation; non-duchenne does not. Duchenne smiles indicate genuine happiness by engaging orbicularis oculi muscles, unlike forced smiles.

17. What is the definition of the actor-observer bias?

    Self: situational attributions; others: dispositional attributions. This bias arises from differing perspectives: actors see their situations, observers see traits.

18. What is metacommunication?

    Communication about how to interpret messages (often nonverbal). Context cues that frame how to interpret the main message.

19. What is chronemics in nonverbal communication?

    Use of time (punctuality, pacing, waiting) to convey meaning. Chronemics communicates status, urgency, or respect via temporal patterns in interactions.

20. What is kinesics as a channel of nonverbal communication?

    Body movement cues, including gestures, posture, and gait. Kinesics provides insights into emotions and intentions via observable physical movements.

21. What is the definition of nonverbal communication in interpersonal interactions?

    Communication conveyed without words (e.g., cues, behaviors, signals). Encompasses all non-linguistic channels of human interaction.

22. What is haptics in nonverbal communication?

    Communication through touch (type, duration, intensity). Touch conveys emotions, relationships, and cultural meanings.

23. What is the main function of illustrators in nonverbal communication?

    Gestures that accompany and reinforce spoken content. Illustrators visually emphasize or clarify verbal messages during communication.

24. Identify the term: a speaker pauses longer than usual before answering a sensitive question.

    Chronemics (response latency as a time cue). Extended pauses communicate hesitation or discomfort.

25. What is haptics in nonverbal communication?

    Communication through touch (for example, handshakes or hugs). Haptics conveys affection, power, or comfort through tactile interactions in social contexts.

26. Which concept best explains: a clinician interprets a patient's lack of eye contact as disrespect, ignoring cultural norms?

    Cultural mismatch in nonverbal norms (display rule differences). Eye contact norms vary significantly across cultures.

27. What is the definition of nonverbal communication in social interaction?

    Communication via behaviors and cues other than words. Nonverbal communication transmits implicit information through actions and signals beyond language.

28. What is paralanguage (vocalics) in communication?

    Vocal cues beyond words (tone, pitch, volume, rate, pauses). How something is said often matters more than what is said.

29. What is the definition of verbal communication in social interaction?

    Communication using spoken or written words and language. Verbal communication relies on linguistic elements to convey explicit messages in social exchanges.

30. What are adaptors in nonverbal communication?

    Often unconscious self-touch or fidgeting that relieves tension. Adaptors help manage anxiety or discomfort, often without conscious awareness.

31. What is paralanguage (vocalics) in nonverbal communication?

    Vocal features such as tone, pitch, volume, rate, and pauses. Paralanguage enhances verbal messages by adding emotional nuance through vocal variations.

32. What is the difference between a closed-ended and open-ended question?

    Closed-ended limits responses; open-ended invites elaboration. Closed gets yes/no; open encourages detailed responses.

33. What is chronemics in nonverbal communication?

    Communication through time use (punctuality, pauses, response latency). Timing behaviors communicate attitudes and cultural values.

34. Identify the nonverbal concept: standing closer to signal intimacy is an example of what?

    Proxemics. Proxemics governs how spatial proximity communicates relational closeness or boundaries.

35. What is the definition of verbal communication in a social interaction context?

    Communication conveyed through spoken or written words. Includes all linguistic elements that convey meaning through language.

36. What is an illustrator gesture in relation to speech?

    A gesture that complements or emphasizes spoken content. These movements visually support verbal messages.

37. What is chronemics in nonverbal communication?

    Use and interpretation of time (punctuality, pacing, waiting). Time usage reflects cultural values and relationship dynamics.

38. What is oculesics in nonverbal communication?

    Communication through eye contact and gaze behavior. Eye movements and patterns reveal attention and emotions.

39. What are regulators in nonverbal communication?

    Cues that manage conversational flow (turn-taking, feedback). Regulators maintain smooth interaction by controlling the pace and direction of dialogue.

40. What is the main function of emblems in nonverbal communication?

    Gestures with a direct verbal translation in a given culture. Emblems serve as symbolic substitutes for words, facilitating quick cultural understanding.

41. Which concept explains how expectations can shape another person's behavior?

    Self-fulfilling prophecy. Expectations influence behavior, creating their own reality.

42. What is active listening?

    Attending and reflecting to confirm understanding (paraphrase, clarify). Shows engagement through feedback and verification techniques.

43. What are affect displays in nonverbal communication?

    Nonverbal cues (often facial) that express emotion. Affect displays reveal internal emotional states, aiding in empathy and social bonding.

44. Which option best describes a regulator cue during conversation: nodding, leaning forward, or smiling?

    Nodding. Regulators control conversational flow and turn-taking.

45. Which option best describes the function of a backchannel cue like "mm-hmm"?

    Regulator that signals attention and encourages the speaker to continue. Minimal responses that maintain conversation flow.

46. What is oculesics as a form of nonverbal communication?

    Eye behavior, especially eye contact, gaze, and pupil changes. Oculesics signals interest, dominance, or deception through variations in eye-related behaviors.

47. What is the definition of impression management in social interaction?

    Strategic control of behaviors to influence others' perceptions. Impression management allows individuals to shape social identities and achieve desired outcomes.

48. Identify the most likely interpretation when verbal content conflicts with facial affect.

    Nonverbal cues are typically weighted more heavily than words. People trust body language over words when they contradict.

49. Identify the concept: words say "I am fine," but tone and slumped posture suggest distress.

    Mixed messages (incongruent verbal and nonverbal cues). Verbal content contradicts nonverbal signals.

50. What is the difference between denotation and connotation?

    Denotation is literal meaning; connotation is implied/emotional meaning. Dictionary definition vs. cultural/emotional associations.

51. Identify the gesture type: a "thumbs-up" with a clear word meaning is which category?

    Emblem. Emblems are culture-specific gestures that directly correspond to verbal equivalents.

52. What is kinesics in nonverbal communication?

    Body movements (posture, gestures, facial expressions) as signals. Body language conveys emotions and attitudes nonverbally.

53. What are display rules in the context of emotional expression?

    Culture-specific norms for when and how emotions are expressed. These learned rules vary by culture and context.

54. What is paralanguage (paralinguistics) in spoken communication?

    Vocal features other than words (tone, pitch, volume, rate). These vocal qualities modify meaning beyond word choice.

55. What is the primary claim of the universality hypothesis for basic emotions?

    Basic emotions have facial expressions recognized across cultures. Ekman identified six universal facial expressions.

56. What is proxemics in the study of nonverbal communication?

    Use of interpersonal distance and personal space to convey meaning. Proxemics reflects relational dynamics and cultural norms by regulating spatial interactions.

57. What are adaptors in nonverbal communication?

    Often unconscious self-touching/movements linked to arousal or stress. These behaviors reveal anxiety or discomfort unconsciously.

58. What is kinesics in nonverbal communication?

    Body movement cues (gestures, posture, facial expressions). Studies how body movements communicate meaning.

59. What are regulators in nonverbal communication?

    Cues that manage conversational flow (nodding, turn-taking signals). These behaviors coordinate smooth conversational exchanges.

60. What is the Duchenne smile, and what does it typically signal?

    Genuine smile with eye crinkling; typically signals true enjoyment. Involves both mouth corners raised and orbicularis oculi contraction.

61. What is the definition of the Pygmalion effect in interpersonal contexts?

    Higher expectations lead to improved performance (self-fulfilling). The Pygmalion effect demonstrates how positive expectations create self-fulfilling prophecies in performance.

62. What is the fundamental attribution error in interpreting others' behavior?

    Overattributing behavior to traits and underattributing to situation. We blame personality over circumstances for others' actions.

63. What is the fundamental attribution error in interpreting others' behavior?

    Overemphasis on dispositional causes and underemphasis on situation. The error occurs because observers overlook situational factors when judging behavior.

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