Discussion – Proxemics

Discussion – Proxemics

The video ‘Cultural Proxemics Personal Space’ highlights how personal space affects people’s social interactions in different cultural backgrounds. To begin, the video classifies zones of personal space across different cultures. These zones include intimate space, personal space, social space, and public space (SNHU A11y Remediated Videos, 2017). People from different cultures react differently when other parties enter any of the spaces above. One notable observation consistent across different cultures is that when someone invades the intimate space, the other party gets alarmed and may retreat or be offended (Opresnik, 2014).

Another notable highlight from the video is about different non-verbal communication features that affect social interactions. Breathing, gender position, voice volume, body heat, body position, and smell affect how people interact (SNHU A11y Remediated Videos, 2017). These features constitute dimensions of personal space interactions. The narrator also notes how cultural differences affect how people manage personal space. For instance, in some Asian cities, it is acceptable for a commuter to fall asleep on a stranger’s shoulders. However, in New York, such is considered an invasion of personal space and offensive.

References

Opresnik, M. O. (2014). Hidden rules of successful negotiation and communication. Springer International Publishing.

SNHU A11y Remediated Videos. (2017, May 25). WCM 510 Cultural Proxemics Personal Space CC [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGODEnT_V4U

ORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HERE

We’ll write everything from scratch

Prompt: Proxemics is a theory of non-verbal communication that explains how people communicate without words through personal speaking distance, speech volume, eye contact, touching, body position, and the context in which the communication occurs. Different individuals, especially those from different cultural backgrounds, have different comfort levels with these non-verbal elements of communication and may have different non-verbal communication standards.

Discussion – Proxemics

For this discussion, identify three volunteers, if possible, from different demographic backgrounds, including age, national origin, and gender. Explain the theory of proxemics to them and ask if they would allow you to assess the degree of comfort or discomfort when these different non-verbal communication components are varied. As you talk to them, vary the personal distance, speech volume, eye contact, touching (if appropriate based on local cultural norms), body position, and setting in which the communication occurs. Discuss how each variable positively or negatively impacts the communication process. Then, summarize how these factors increase or decrease your ability to actively listen to the other party and why they are valuable.

If you cannot find three volunteers for this assignment, watch the following video clip: Cultural Proxemics—Personal Space. Then, provide three key ideas you have gained from watching the video clip. Include a summary of what you have observed and learned from this exercise.

As a final step, comment on at least two of your peers’ posts, suggesting other cross-cultural differences in non-verbal communication from the readings or from personal experience that could impact the negotiation process positively or negatively.

Resources: https://youtu.be/RGODEnT_V4U?si=e0HnHbW7NsZXYXev

https://search-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.snhu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=800267&site=ehost-live

https://youtu.be/b_tlSAccoWU?si=AeZF8gkuFs4jwKrh