Often when we think of communication we tend to automatically go right to speaking and the words
people use, or we try to be the first ones to say our opinions or experiences often disregarding our
surroundings and the implications that can be drawn from simply observing and understanding our
environment. In this assignment, I would like to challenge you to take a backseat to your surroundings and observe and analyze.
In this assignment, you will select an environment in which you can observe the interactions of others. You can choose virtually any location (e.g. park, mall, work, school), and take about 10-15 minutes and observe the communicative interactions you see, or even lack thereof. Now I am not asking you to eavesdrop on
strangers’ conversations, but I am asking you to observe the nonverbal communication you witness within the context of the environment; do they seem affectionate and enjoying each others company? Do they
seem like long lost friends reconnecting over a cup of coffee? Does it appear to be a family outing? During your observation, take lots of notes that describe the setting of your observation, the people that you are observing, and the various activities you witness.
Once you have your notes, in at least 750 words, begin your essay by describing the details of your observation. (Not meeting the word count will result in point deduction of 20pts). Be sure to provide enough descriptive details for us to fully understand the context of your observation and what you saw. After your description, I would then like you to discuss your own perception of the events that took place. Ask yourself the following questions:
- How did you feel during the observation?
- What were your thoughts on the nonverbal communication of the people involved in the observation?
- Do you feel you do the same or something different?
- Do you think there were more effective ways for the individuals to communicate nonverbally?
- How do you think this will influence your own tendencies for nonverbal communication in the future?
Testimonials
