Sign Theory (e.g., Semiotics)
3 fields

• Semantics - the study of how signs relate to things ... the sign as designator.
• Syntactics - the study of how signs relate to other signs … how are signs organized into sign systems?
• Pragmatics - they study of how codes are used in everyday life.

• Semantics - What does the nonverbal sign mean?
• Syntactics - How does the nonverbal sign relate to other signs?
• Pragmatics - How does the nonverbal sign (or its group of signs) affect behavior?

• General Characteristics
• Analogic - continuous, forming a spectrum or range.
• Iconicity - resemblance to the thing being symbolized.
• Universal meaning - some codes may be biologically determined` e.g., emotions
• Simultaneous transmission - several nonverbal messages can be sent at once.
• Automatic response
• Spontaneity

More on Proxemics

• The ways in which space is used and interpreted are cultural matters.
• Humans’ use of space can be thought of as a specialized elaboration of culture.
• Proxemics is related to haptics - touching behavior; commmunication via touch.
• To what other mediums and forms of nonverbal behavior does space relate?

• Fixed-feature space
• Semifixed-feature space
• Informal Space

• Intimate Distance
• Personal Distance
• Social Distance
• Public Distance

Distance Factors in Conversation

• Posture-sex factors
• Sociofugal (discouragement of interaction) and sociopetal (encouragement of interaction) axis
• Kinesthetic factors (body and distance)
• Touching behavior
• Distance Factors in Conversation
• Visual Code (eye contact)
• Thermal code (perceived heat)
• Olfactory Code
• Paralinguistic Code (e.g., voice loudness)

Kinesics - Birdwhistell
Birdwhistell’s Six Key Assumptions
1.  All body movements have meaning potential in communicative contexts.
2.  Behavior can be analyzed because of patterns and repetitions.
3.  Although body action has biological limits, the use of body motion in interaction is part of the social system.
Kinesics
4.  People’s visual bodily activity can influence others.
5.  Communicative functions of bodily activity can be studied.
6. A person’s use of bodily activity will have unique, idiocyncratic aspects while also being part of a larger social system shared with others.
-- R. Birdwhistell, Kinesics and Context, 1970

Kinesics - Ekman and Friesen
Ekman and Friesen’s work emphasizes face and hands.  They propose three ways to analyze nonverbal behavior:
1.  Origin - source of the act (innate, species-constant, or variant).
2.  Coding - the act-meaning relationship (arbitrary, iconic, intrinsic).
3.  Usage - what does the behavior do, how does it convey information (communicative act, interactive act).

Ekman and Friesen assert that all nonverbal behavior is one of five types:
1.  Emblems - precise meaning
2.  Illustrators - depict verbal message
3.  Adapters - facilitate release of bodily tension
4.  Regulators - control or coordinate interaction
5.  Affect displays - presentation of feelings and emotions
-- Ekman & Friesen, Unmasking the Face, 1975

Illustrators
1.  Baton - movements that emphasize
2.  Ideograph -“sketch” of a thought’s direction
3.  Deictic movement - pointing
4.  Spatial movement - identifying space
5.  Rhythmic movement - pacing motion
6.  Kinetograph - depicting physical action
7.  Pictograph - drawing a picture in the air
8.  Emblematic movement - illustrating a verbal movement

Theories of Nonverbal Comm…. Some Key Questions
1.  How do people learn nonverbal behavior is some learned, some not learned)?
2.  What relationship exists between nonverbal behavior and verbal behavior?
3.  Does all nonverbal behavior communicate?
4.  Does understanding nonverbal behavior help us communicate well?