Defining defensiveness as a protective reaction resulting from fear or a threat to one's face or ego, this paper provides a perspective on both verbal and nonverbal aspects of defensiveness. First, the paper examines two trait-like communication predispositions--communication apprehension and touch avoidance--which arguably produce defensive…

Results of research on rhetorical sensitivity suggest that the sensitive person has developed the ability to reach a social context and the others within it and to respond appropriately, while results of research on communication apprehension suggest that high apprehension leads to avoidance of communication situations. If so, then the degree to…

A discussion of the pros and cons of considering the theatre as literature despite the "performance" qualities of dramatics. (CH)

A feedback and analysis instrument measuring nonverbal teacher behavior is presented which focuses on fourteen specific behaviors. Data obtained from the instrument may be analyzed for each of the behaviors and developed into a quantified ratio of those categories tending to signal positive influence by the teacher toward the pupil and those…

Uses experimental evidence to define three stages in infants' pre-speech development: perlocutionary, illocutionary, and locutionary. (ED)

Reviewing the definitions of interpersonal communication, this paper concludes that intentionality (the idea that a message transmitted by a speaker is based on a conscious plan) is often an important component of those definitions. It notes that the debate about the inclusion of intent in a definition of communication has focused on two theories…

This document reports the case of 2-year-old girl who demonstrated verbal ability at home but who communicated through nonverbal means in the preschool classroom setting. Baseline data was collected by classroom observation for approximately 32 minutes per day during a 6-day period using an interaction process analysis format. Verbal and nonverbal…

An investigation was conducted to study the effects of self-analysis on the nonverbal message (Response Patterns) communicated during student teaching. A study group and control group viewed a series of video tape segments of their own lessons. The study group utilized a systematic schedule in collecting data on their nonverbal behaviors, as…

Neither teachers nor students have been instructed in the meaning of non-verbal communication. Several assumptions are presented regarding the nature of non-verbal communication. It has been difficult to do research and reporting in this field due to difficulty in data collection, the complexity of human communication, analization difficulty,…

This descriptive research study had as its major objective the development of a category system through which the teacher's physical motions in relation to his verbal actions could be analyzed with a high degree of reliability. The performances of five elementary teachers at the College Demonstration School were recorded on video tape. Narrative…

Traces the history of glottal sounds in humans, and examines some of the functions of the glottal stop in modern languages, particularly French. (AM)

Touch avoidance is a nonverbal communication predisposition that consists of same sex touch avoidance and opposite sex touch avoidance. It is related to communication apprehension, self-disclosure, self-esteem, and a series of cultural role variables. These seem to have the greatest relationship with the measures of touch avoidance. (Author)

Summarizes results of 75 studies bearing on the question of gender differences in ability to decode nonverbal cues of emotion. (Author/MP)

The multidimensional nature of nonverbal communication is discussed in reference to the need for a structuring of activities, experiences, people, and materials to reflect these dimensions. (MJB)

In a study that included nonverbal measures, young children indicated little understanding of the selling intent of commercials. Researchers interested in advertising effects on children are urged to consider the necessity and desirability of improved nonverbal measures in dealing with a subject population with limited language facility.…