Nonverbal Communication: Reread the sections on proximity, eye contact and touch in our

textbook. Visit locations were groups of singles congregate (dances, church, the school cafeteria,
etc.) and watch the non-verbal behaviors of the singles. If married folks are in the room, it might
be interesting to compare their nonverbal behaviors to those of the single people. What types of
nonverbal behaviors do you observe? Are there any differences in the nonverbal behaviors of the
males and the females? Are there singles from different cultures in the room? Do the males and
females from those cultures have any unique nonverbal behaviors? This does not have to be
done in one sitting and may involve several locations.

The definition according to The Marriage and Family Experience textbook of nonverbal
communication is communication of emotion by means other than words, such as touch, body
movement, and facial expression (Strong & Cohen, 2014, p.555). I have been several public
places where I have observed the norm of nonverbal communication. What I found was very
interesting and consistent. I went to a school dance on Saturday as well as work at a food
restaurant, then on Sunday I went to church, and Monday I went to school. I found that with
married couples I could always tell if they were married because they were so comfortable with
each other and they were not afraid to touch each other and I could tell because of their body
language. I could also tell which of the couples were together but not married because they were
very touchy but you could tell they were not as comfortable with their partner because they were
a little more timid. I also found that females were a lot more obvious with their feelings because
of their facial expressions, it was harder to tell what a man was thinking and feeling than a
women. Females that I observed tended to be more enthusiastic with their facial expressions and
body language. I found at the dance that I went to there was a difference in cultures because of
how everyone was dancing and you could tell how different groups of people were raised
differently and some were more open with their bodies and more comfortable. There was also a
big difference in how the females danced from the males and the females tended to be more
suggestive but subtly and the males more enthusiastic almost sarcastic dancing if that could be a

thing. It was very interesting to observe peoples different communications and I enjoyed it very
much and I gained a new perspective especially on males and females.
By Janie Boman
Strong, B, & Cohen, T. F. (2014). The marriage and family experience: Intimate relationships
in a changing society (12th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth