1. Identify the authors' note that suggests "Chronemic cues play an important role in online communication.” How do you see "time" issues as having a role in online communication which may or may not be attended to immediately?
According to the author, Chronemic cues are nonverbal, time-related cues such as silence, pause, and time of day which play a significant role in online communication. The primary reason as to why they are important is because the time in which the message is sent either in day or night time through an email or any delay to respond within 24 hours significantly influences the relational communication expressed in the message sent. It, therefore, indicates that the aspects of pausing, or keeping silent in the process of communication distort the entire communication process, and this may lead to ineffective communication as well as inappropriate interpretation of the message conveyed.
It is vital to understand therefore that time issues play a significant role in communication. Any delay to respond to an online message, or silence will affect the communication. For example, if one communicator delays to respond to a message for 24 hours or fails to respond though silence, the other respondent will be in a worry of whether the message was inappropriate or was conveyed in a wrong manner, thus cases of misinterpretation or lack of effective relationships between the two parties. But on the other hand, when there is no silence nor delay in responding to the online message, there will be an adequate flow of communication, building effective relationship and workflow.
2. Identify the authors’ discussion regarding "Text-based CMC [Computer-mediated communication] can convey nonverbal cues (Walther, 2006) and that these cues interact with communicator attributes." How do you use text-based CMC to convey nonverbal cues?
Although the author describes the computer-mediated communication as lacking non-verbal cues, which in one way or the other affect the nature of interpersonal interaction through the computer-mediated communication, the computer-mediated communication conveys nonverbal cues regarding chronemics or time-related messages. In communicating the nonverbal cues, text-based CMC allows the proceedings of a conversation near-synchronously, with prompt exchanges of messages or asynchronously.
The use of distinct time signals through email or any other text-based form influences the interpersonal perceptions of the CMC senders and respondents. Through Chronemics or text-related messages in which text-based CMC convey the nonverbal cues, aspects of silence or the time used to respond to a message plays a significant role in the communication process. For example, any virtual silence in the communication and delay in responding to a message easily escalates the breakdown of a virtual team or relationship.
3. Find what the authors determined in the conclusion of their article. How can you apply the conclusion to your future life?
Based on the conclusion, it is factual that online response latencies and silence are chronemic expectancy violations. When communicating especially through email or any other online-based communication, we should be careful to avoid delay in message response as well as silence. Therefore, I learn that in the future, in any form of communication, I should respond promptly to messages and avoid silence for silence and pause. For silence and pause is part of nonverbal cues which can negatively affect communication as well as the interpersonal relationship between the sender and the receiver of the message.
For each of the Functions listed (Complementing, repeating, contradicting, regulating, substituting, and accenting), provide an example and an explanation of WHY the example represents that function.
There are five fundamental functions of nonverbal communication which include substitution, contradiction, regulation, reinforcement, and accentuation. All of these functions are essential because they help the individuals who are sending a message and those receiving the same message to make the substance of the communication in a more understandable state.
Reinforcement as a function of nonverbal communication describes the amount of redundancy the nonverbal communication adds to the verbal message. Through this function, a person augments the verbal communication by a nonverbal action. For example, when one says that they are hungry, they will probably rub the stomach to reinstate through an action that they are hungry. The action of rubbing the stomach is an action of reinforcing the statement that the person is hungry.
Contradiction, on the other hand, is a function of the non-verbal which intends to negate or nullify the verbal message or communication. For example, if someone is asked how he or she is feeling, and they respond by saying they are good, but in the process, they shrug their shoulders, it is an indication that they are not good as stated and such action was to nullify the verbal message earlier given.
Substitution is another fundamental function of non-verbal communication in which instead of using verbal communication through speaking, a person uses a nonverbal action instead of speaking. For example, an individual may prefer just waving at someone instead of greeting them verbally. Waving the hand in this case as an act of greeting will replace or substitute the verbal communication.
Regulation is another function of nonverbal communication which indicates a sign of giving a command or conversational order. For example, when people are communicating, an individual may raise a hand to be given a chance to speak. The raising of a hand communicates to the other person that the person is requesting an opportunity to talk. Also, an individual can use nonverbal signals such as just looking at the other person with an indication to say something such as, "What is your perception of such an idea?" This is a form of communication without saying or speaking any word.
Accentuation is the last function of non-verbal communication in which an individual uses nonverbal actions or cues to indicate the intensity of the verbal communication. For example, in the case where a person is speaking on a particular issue, and they raise their voices or shout, it is a sign of adding intensity to what they are verbally speaking or communicating.
Based on physical attributes, which president seems more credible? Jefferson or Adams? Explain and discuss your conclusions?
In verbal communication, one of the significant tools which people look upon from the communicator is the physical appearance. According to Ambady and Rosenthal (1993), in nonverbal communication, quality is more vital and significant than quantity. This means that an individual can speak a lot of words, but their physical appearance speaks more words than the spoken words. The type of clothing, the choice of color for their outfit, hairstyles, among other factors which affect an individual’s appearance, which is a fundamental means of nonverbal communication. In any communication, people will look at an individual’s appearance and then offer judgments about the person's personality, their credibility, and abilities.
Therefore, it is critical for a person to dress up appropriately, have a clean body, clean nails, and put on an effective facial expression. For example, a person can do little to alter their face, but they can do more about their facial expressions, which are vital in the communication process. Credibility is the aspect of trustworthiness and can be gained through a person’s physical appearance and their body language. The body language defines the person’s image, which is conveyed by the physical self-individual and enhances what the person is communicating. Therefore, the moment the visual image is contrary to the message being spoken, it is only the non-verbal or the physical appearance, which will be more trusted and believed by the audience.
Based on the two pictures between the Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, it is easy to check the most credible or trustworthy individuals. This is because, by looking into the physical appearance, it will be easy to judge the individual’s personality since appearance speaks louder than spoken words. Therefore, from the analysis of the two presidents, I can state that Thomas Jefferson looks more credible and trustworthy than John Adams in this picture. First looking at the hairstyle, John Adams' hair looks more shaggy and unaddressed and therefore, this places more doubt on his character. On the other hand, looking at the facial expression, John Adams seems less serious and committed to his words, but Jefferson is more serious and therefore, an indication that whatever he says, he means it, thus being more trustworthy.
Reference
Ambady, N., " Rosenthal, R. (1993). Half a minute: Predicting teacher evaluations from thin slices of nonverbal behavior and physical attractiveness. Journal of personality and social psychology, 64(3), 431.
