This document is a student assignment submitted for a Purposive Communication course at Visayas State University. It covers the topic of nonverbal communication, specifically defining and explaining key concepts such as kinesics, vocalics, artifacts, physical environment, chronemics, physical appearance, haptics, and proxemics. The text includes references to anthropologists Ray Birdwhistell and…
This document is a student assignment submitted for a Purposive Communication course at Visayas State University. It is written by Samantha Shane J. Montederamos and addressed to Prof. Annie A. Parmis Amorganda. The assignment focuses on defining and explaining key concepts in nonverbal communication.
The first section defines kinesics as the study of body language, popularized by anthropologist Ray Birdwhistell in the 1950s. It explains how movements, expressions, and posture replace or reinforce spoken language. The next section covers vocalics, also known as paralanguage, which refers to non-verbal vocal elements of speech that express emotion and intent.
The document then discusses artifacts in communication, describing physical objects that send silent messages about identity, status, and beliefs. A police uniform is given as an example. The physical environment is also addressed as the backdrop where nonverbal interactions occur.
Chronemics is introduced as the study of how people use and perceive time during social interactions. Physical appearance is described as a powerful form of nonverbal communication that conveys identity and status before words are spoken. Haptics is defined as communication through physical touch.
The final section covers proxemics, the study of how people use and perceive physical space during communication. Anthropologist Edward T. Hall coined the term in the 1960s, noting that space acts as an unspoken language showing feelings, cultural norms, and relationship levels.