This week, I am learning communication messages through body language and facial expressions. I was instructed to watch a television show with the volume turned off. After viewing, I had to write my impressions and turn it on to evaluate the truthfulness of those impressions. I heard so much buzz about The Office, so I decided to watch it. I chose episode 1 of season 5. From the body language, I could tell that two of the coworkers were romantically involved. They always look happy to see each other and I saw excitement in both faces. I could tell that the manager/authority was very odd. He interrupts, annoys, and seems to make everyone uncomfortable. I could see the relationship dynamic between two males and a female. She seems annoyed and uneasy about one of the people while she was having secret relationship with the other. The workers were trying to maintain or create a healthy working environment. They had fruits and vegetable during a birthday party. However, most seem unhappy while eating the fruits, so I figure they might have been required to eat healthy food. I also watch a couple of arguments between staff but I could not understand why they were arguing.
After I turned on the sound, some of my assumptions were true. I was glad that I knew their names. Michael is the weird, mindless boss who thinks he is best friends with his employees. Pam and Jim are romantically involved. Angela is Andy’s fiancée but she is having an affair with Dwight. I was surprised of the important details that I missed because of the lack of sound. I realized I misinterpreted Dwight’s unethical listening. I thought he was being helpful, and I could not believe what I was seeing once I turned on the volume. He constantly interrupts other's conversations, listens in, and budges in the conversation that was none of his business. Without sound, I not only misinterpreted certain behaviors, but I missed all the hyperboles, the sarcasms, and the contradicting behaviors.
This experiment was such a great learning opportunity. Nonverbal communication can reveal others’ feelings through their facial expressions, affects displays, and body languages. More importantly, it can be very reliable because those behaviors are often spontaneous. However, this was an opportunity to see that we cannot solely rely on behaviors one hundred percent because they can be interpreted subjectively and therefore, faulty. Consequently, I have learned to use nonverbal behaviors as reinforcements to a conversation. It is important to ask people to name their feelings to the best of their abilities rather than interpreting. It is also crucial to watch for those behaviors as they can reveal things that aren’t said especially when we are communicating with people from different backgrounds.
The Office was a good choice for this assignment. Although I found it frustrating to watch with no sound, I do think this was a good assignment. It really shows how communication can break down when you don't have the whole process.
ReplyDeleteIn The Office, I sometimes find that the body language does not match the verbal messages. I guess that is done deliberately. Did you find this to be true?
Ooh yes. How can we tell someone is being sarcastic if you do not hear him or her? All I could see was Jim’s smile when he talks to Michael. Are they best friends? No, but he is his boss, so he is putting on that masking smile which I cannot truly understand if I do not hear his words or tone of voice. Thank you for your input.
DeleteThank You for your posting. I never watch The Office so your insight was great. But it is true nonverbal expression can tell the whole story.
ReplyDeleteTo The Early Childhood Manoir, Facial expressions are so important to how we delieve any message. When you answer the telephone with a smile the person at the other end can "hear" the smile in your voice. If you scowl when you answer the telephone it send a differnt message. You should try it.It is very interesting.Excellent post.
ReplyDeleteI had chosen The Office as my show to watch this week, but alas, my internet connection is so slow that I could not complete an episode. I chose a different show from the library instead.
ReplyDeleteWhat I did see of The Office was confusing to me. There were so many characters, I could not keep them straight, and without sound, I was confused. You did an excellent job describing the show--picking up on so many more cues than I did! I enjoyed reading your post!