EXPERIENTIAL VEHICLE
3.1 BREAKING NONVERBAL RULES*
The general objective of this exercise is to become better acquainted with some of the rules of
nonverbal communication and to analyze some of the effects of breaking such rules.
Much as we learn verbal language (that is, without explicit teaching), we also learn nonverbal
language—the rules for interacting nonverbally. Among such “rules” might be some of the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Upon entering an elevator turn to the door and stare at it or at the numbers indicating where
the elevator is until your floor is reached.
When sitting next to someone (or in general area) do not invade his or her private space with
your body or your belongings.
When strangers are talking do not enter their group.
When talking with someone do not stand too close or too far away. You may move closer
when talking about intimate topics. Never stand close enough so that you can smell the
other person’s body odor. This rule may be broken only under certain conditions, for
example, when the individuals involved are physically attracted to each other or when one
individual is consoling another or when engaged in some game where the rules require this
close contact.
When talking in an otherwise occupied area lower your voice so that other people are not
disturbed by your conversation.
Procedure
Groups of two students should be formed, with one student designated as rule breaker and the other as
observer. The task of rule breaker is simply to enter some campus situation in which one or more rules of
nonverbal communication would normally be operative and to break one or more rules. The task of the
observer is to record mentally (or in writing if possible) what happens as a result of the rule breaking.
Each group should then return after a specified amount of time and report back to the entire class
on what has happened.
Note: No rules should be broken if it means infringing on the rights of others.
*This exercise was suggested to me by Professor Jean Civikly.
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