Part1
I found this experiment a bit difficult, as it was hard to explain things without using verbal communication. At times, it felt like a game of charades. The only easy things to get across were yes, no, food, drink, and look. My partners said they felt the need to alter the conversation toward a way that I could reply with gestures. They said they tried to simplify things to make it easier to communicate. The culture that is using verbal language had the advantage of communication complex ideas but only if the other culture understands the language. If the cultures do not have the same language then the culture using non-verbal communication would have the advantage. The speaking culture might feel as the superior culture and might see the other culture as less intelligent. Individuals who have difficulty speaking are those who are mute or have speech impediments and are unable to speak. This may affect the people who do speak to interact with them by making them feel that the individuals are not interested in the conversation, possibly treat them as though they are dumb, and make them alter the way they communicate.
Part2
I did not make it to the 15-minute mark by only using speech. It was hard not moving my head or hands while speaking, I ended up moving my hands unintentionally. My partners said they felt as though I was not interested or bored by the conversation. They said it felt weird like talking to a computer. It shows that the use of “signs” in our language is important to help us communicate by adding personality and feeling towards the conversation. It helps better interpret the tone of the conversation. I do think there are people who have trouble interpreting body language. The adaptive benefit of interpreting body language is the ability to tell when someone is lying in a conversation and what type of emotion he or she are feeling towards the conversation. It also helps you interpret what is being said if you do not speak the same languages. An environment were reading body language would not be beneficial would be an environment where it is hard to see or an individual is blind.
Good description of the experiment itself in Part 1.
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree that communicating complex ideas between the two cultures (speaking and non-speaking) will be very difficult, we are also talking about communication within the cultures. The culture that uses symbolic language would have the advantage of teaching new, complex ideas within their group compared with the non-speaking culture. Imagine having to teach some of the concepts in this course without symbolic language. Would it even be possible to do science without it?
"The adaptive benefit of interpreting body language is the ability to tell when someone is lying in a conversation and what type of emotion he or she are feeling towards the conversation."
Exactly. Could this explain why your partner might have been expressing disinterest or discomfort in your conversation? She couldn't confirm your words with your body language and was not able to tell if you were telling the truth.
Can you think of a specific group of people who have difficulty reading body language? Missing this point.
The last question does ask where reading body language is difficult, it asks when it might be better to ignore body language. Are there any circumstances where body language might mislead you? Can it be misinterpreted? Do all cultures use the same system of body language?
Hello, I really enjoyed reading and seeing how the experiment ended up working for you. I also had a similar experience when it came to conducting part one but part two is where mine differed slightly. Even though mine differed I liked reading the reaction your partner gave you compared to the one i got. All in all great post really liked how you presented and depicted what had happened.
ReplyDeleteFrancisco,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post. I agree that Part 1 was difficult. I was able to communicate simple words such as "No", "Yes", and "Stop" but communicating more complex thoughts with only hand gestures and facial expressions was nearly impossible.
Susan