Silent Words

A topic in this week's reading that I found interesting was whether or not communication involves intentionality. On page 21, in the book, it used an example of unobtrusive observation. However, I'm going to use my own example. Let's say for instance, I'm walking in the store and I see a mother with her two children. One of the children begins to cry and the other child reaches for everything on the shelf. The mother has no clue that I'm watching her. As I continue to observe her, I see her facial expression change from relaxation to frustration, at least that's what it appeared to be.

Definition 5, in table 2.1, says "In the main, communication has as its central interest those behavioral situations in which a source transmits a message to a receiver(s) with conscious intent to affect the latter's behavior." (20) Basically, this definition is saying that since the mother did not know I was observing her, it was not her intention to send me a message.
Not everyone agrees with this definition because it is difficult to distinguish when a message is intentionally sent to a receiver. Furthermore, the receiver's interpretation of the message causes many to believe that communication should include unintentional behaviors, as well. Some people believe this because definition 6, of table 2.1, says "Communication is a process whereby people assign meanings to stimuli in order to make sense of the world."

I, too, agree that unintentional behavior should be included as one of the definitions of communication because nonverbal communication says a lot! Even when it's not accompanied with words. This is why I'm not in complete agreement with definition 9, in table 2.1. The definition says "Nonverbal interaction is the unspoken, often unintentional behavior that accompanies verbal communication and helps us fully interpret its meaning."
In the book, In Mixed Company by Rothwell, it states: "Verbal communication has identifiable, discrete beginnings and endings. We speak and verbal communication begins; we stop speaking and verbal communication ends. Nonverbal communication continues to send messages to those who are aware of our behavior. We can't stop our facial expressions. Even a blank face communicates. You can't stop the nonverbal leakage." (14)

Therefore, although the mother wasn't aware that I was watching her she still became the sender and whoever was around to see the nonverbal expression became the receiver.
Think about the instances of nonverbal communication that is not accompanied by words. For example, in the courtroom there are many people who don't take the stand to defend themselves. Although the defendant isn't uttering one word, it's imperative that their nonverbal behavior be appropriate or it could cost them their freedom. For instance, in 2002 Robert Noel was convicted of involuntary manslaughter. Noel's dog viciously mauled and killed a lady. During the trial Noel didn't show any reactions. The jury interpreted his nonverbal behavior as unremorseful and convicted him (Rothwell, 15).

For those of us who have children (and those who don't. . . BEWARE), think about how many times our children have nonverbally "tipped us off" that they were up to something "interesting." As parents, we are always observing our children, even when they think we're not. They don't mean to tip us off, but they can't help it.

According to me, communication is always happening - even when we don't know we are being watched. The sure way to avoid communication is to stay away from people and even your pets because animals, too, can can communicate without words.