Communications

Choices & Connections (with /LaunchPad – Six-Month Access)

by Steven McCornack, and Joseph Ortiz
Copyright 2020, MacMillan Publishing

ISBN – 978-1319314385

ANSWER

Fieldwork Essay: Gestures

Introduction

Non-verbal communication entails gestures, facial expressions, the pitch of the voice, and tone displayed through body language. Non-verbal communication allows the transmission of signals or messages through non-verbal platforms (Steven and Joseph, 2020). Ideally, there are different types of gestures that people use while communicating non-verbally. The study of these gestures is referred to as kinesics. This paper will describe ten different gestures and how they have been used to convey information.

Emblems

Emblems are considered as specific gestures with a certain meaning that are continuously used and understood (Steven and Joseph, 2020). Emblems have a direct verbal translation since they are quotable gestures that are learned in society to communicate a particular message. An example of an emblem gesture is a V sign. While taking my sister to school in the morning, my mom shouted, “bye, Lea!” and my sister turned around at the door to mom and threw a V-sign. A V emblem is a hand sign with the middle and index finger being lifted apart while others are clamped. The peace sign was used to mean goodbye rather than her shouting back.

I also witnessed my sister using the thumb down sign while leaving school after one of her classmates bide her goodbye. She is fond of repeating this to mean “not friends.” The thumbs down sign is used to illustrate rejection, negation, and disapproval. Another gesture is the thumb up, which is a sign of approval. While at work, the project manager gave our project leader a thumb up sign. The thumb up sign was used to express approval, which meant that we should continue working on the project.

Illustrators

Illustrators are among the most common gestures used in illustrating verbal messages that they accompany.  These gestures are used to compliment words such as pointing while showing directions. Illustrators lack meaning on their own but are used to indicate something. For instance, hand gestures are used to indicate the shape or size of an object. I witnessed an illustrator gesture while in the park as the guide tried to give some directions to some tourists who wanted to walk on the canopy. In another instance, my mom was on the phone and could not verbally tell my sister to bring her the gift box. So instead, she was pointing at the gift box near the TV. My mom kept repeating the shape of the gif box since my sister could not understand what mom meant. I could see my mom holding hands apart to indicate the size of the box. Therefore, illustrators are used to developing a visual image as well as support the spoken message.

Adaptors

Adaptors are considered as touching movements and behaviors that illustrate internal states linked to anxiety or arousal (Steven and Joseph, 2020). Relatively, adaptors are gestures that make one feel comfortable in a communication situation. Adaptors include actions such as crossing legs, fidgeting with fingers, postural changes, and twisting hair. An example of an adopter gesture was during an interview where I noticed one of the interviewee shaking her legs while patiently waiting to be called. This gesture results from anxiety and uneasiness while waiting to do something. Once her name was called, she ceased repeating the gesture. Another example of an adaptor’s gesture was during a journey with my friend, who was looking outside and fidgeting with fingers. I don’t think she was aware of what he was doing until I called her attention. Ideally, adaptors are considered as gestures or movements that are to control or manage feelings.

Regulators

Regulators are considered body actions that are used to change, control, and stand the flow of a dialogue. They are often utilized to indicate the extent to which a listener understood the message (Steven and Joseph, 2020). These include nodding, looking at the watch, eye movements, and walking away. An example of a regulator gesture was during lunch break, one of my friends was narrating a story, and everyone nodded to indicate that they were following the story keenly. Another example of a regulator gesture was at the bank where a man in line seemed to be in a hurry and kept looking at his watch. After some time, he left the line unattended, which means he was running late.

Affect Displays

Affect displays are non-verbal displays, which can be through body language, tone, and volume, which are motivated by emotions. They display affective states of happiness, depression, pleasure, and displeasure, thus sending a message about feelings. An example of affect display was after my sister got a letter for her first job. My sister handed the letter to my dad, who had the biggest smile on his face indicating that he was happy and proud. Another example of affect displays was at KFC, where a couple was sitting next to each other, and the lady looked at her phone and frowned. They all got from their chairs and rushed to the parking. Their actions indicated that something wrong had happened. Affect displays send signals and reveal one’s feelings non-verbally.

Conclusion

In conclusion, non-verbal communication plays an essential role in human behavior, and thus it’s essential to understand the role of nonverbal gestures. According to kinesics, various body movements have communication functions. People rely on adaptors, emblems, affect displays, regulators, and emblems to display emotions, feelings, and communicate non-verbally. Therefore, gestures are effective ways to display feelings and enhance verbal messages.

References

Steven, M. & Joseph, O. (2020). Launchpad for Choices & Connections, Six–months Access: An Introduction to Communication.