Out of all the definitions in Table 2.1 (page 20) I think the one I identify most with is definition #6, "Communication is a process whereby people assign meanings to stimuli in order to make sense of the world." As Trenholm states, "people who take this view prefer that the definition of communication include unintentional as well as intentional behaviors."
Although something I wish people wouldn't pick up on my unintentional behaviors, I think it is a big part of understanding someone else. Unintentional communication is why I can tell when my best friend is upset even though she is smiling (her eyebrows always pinch together when she's upset) and why professional detectives can tell when people are lying (again from unintentional physical cues). If we always disregarded the unintentional aspect of communication, then I think we would miss out on a lot the actual meanings of messages we receive. I don't know if anyone else likes to people watch, but you can sure learn a lot about humanity just by sitting on a bench in the mall and watch what people are doing.
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Unintentional communication is a really interesting concept. I think it is a lot more useful when it comes to people we know as in the example you gave of your best friend. We can tell what the people we are closest to are truly feeling on the inside and disregard what they are showing on the outside. I also enjoy people watching, it is fascinating to watch others when they don’t know they’re being watched. Essentially, I think when we people watch, we are making judgments about people we don’t know and will most likely never see again. Based on their actions, mannerisms and appearance we make conclusions or guesses as to why they are doing that, why they are walking a certain way or why they would ever think of wearing that!
ReplyDeleteI think that the unintentional communication concept is easier to grasp when you are talking about someone that you are familiar with. It becomes very difficult when you cannot predict ones behavior or reaction, and that can make messages hard to decode.
ReplyDeletePeople watching is my absolute favorite thing to do(aside from eating). It's interesting to see how socially awkward some people really are. I always wonder how their parents/guardians interacted with them when they were younger because it will negatively affect those who don't know how to communicate.