Television Episode:
The television program I watched was an episode of “Martin” titled, “You’ve Got a Friend”. As I watched this episode on mute, I saw a variety of different nonverbal expressions and body languages that showed hand gestures, smiling, hugging, disagreement, eye contact, confusion, and hostility. The character’s relationships seemed to be an off-and-on togetherness.
After I watched the episode with the sound on, I realized the true meaning of the various expressions, and body gestures. It was exciting to see how my assumptions of their nonverbal behaviors of what were actually going on was so different from hearing the verbal communications.
I believe my assumptions would have been more correct if I had watched a show I knew well. But from watching this episode, I have learned that communication is not always straightforward. You can make the wrong assumptions based on messages communicated through body language and facial expressions.
This assignment was also great because I was able to put myself in a deaf person’s position, and see how difficult it is to read lips, and understand what a person is saying verbally.
Carol, It is crazy how we can think one thing but it can be another. Nonverbal skills can send so many messages. I could not agree with you more about this assignment allowed me to also think about deaf people. I tried really hard to read lips. Thank you for your post!
ReplyDeleteMy husband had an Aunt who was deaf. She did not know sign language but she could read lips and people. She noticed everything people did with their eyes and bodies. She watched T.V. all day and the whole neighborhood knew what she was watching because she didn't know how high she had the volume up until someone stopped by her door to let her know. She was very attuned to nonverbal language she heard your intent not your words.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right--we can make the wrong assumptions when we are not thoughtful about our listening to others. This assignment really brought home the ideas that communicating is a process that has many aspects to it and that we really need to be on our game, mind and body so as to understand the true meaning behind what is being said and behind what we too are saying to others.
ReplyDeleteCarol-
ReplyDeleteI think that you make a good point about experiencing what a person who is deaf might as they observe and interpret the body language and expressions of others. In my experiences with people in the deaf community, I have learned that it is important for them to acquire eye contact and, if they are able to read lips, to position yourself in a way that they can do that. This was a good exercise because it showed us the importance of understanding individuals and the context too. Thank you for your post!
Katherine
Carol, I can tell you from the aspect of hearing loss it does become more difficult to listen in conversations and some of the details may be lost. And just reading lips doesn't always help, especially if your not in close proximity.
ReplyDeleteCarol,
ReplyDeleteyou are so correct that wrong assumptions can be made from body language. You bring up an interesting point that I had not thought of about deaf people. People who are hard of hearing can so easily misinterpret what is said and rely on our nonverbal communication gestures. Thanks for sharing.