This document discusses the dimensions of nonverbal communication across cultures. It defines nonverbal communication and lists its key components such as facial expressions, tones of voice, spatial relationships, and bodily language. It then examines 8 dimensions along which cultures can vary in their nonverbal communication styles, including context, individualism vs collectivism, power distance, gender roles, uncertainty avoidance, time orientation, and physical proximity. Understanding differences across these dimensions can help improve intercultural communication competence.

1. The Basis of Cultural Differences in Nonverbal Communication Cultures in Contact

2. What is Nonverbal Communication? Nonverbal communication is a pervasive and powerful form of human behavior which involves a subtle, nonlinguistic, multidimensional, spontaneous process. Nonverbal communication is interpreted through: Facial expression Tones of Voice Spatial relationships Bodily language Environment

3. Nonverbal Codes Physical Appearance Proxemics Chronemics Kinesic Haptics Oculesics Vocalics Olfactics

4. 1. Physical Appearance: Is the most externally obvious nonverbal code and covers relatively stable physical features of human beings such as: Gender - Clothing Jewelery - Height Makeup - Weight Hairstyle - Skin Color - Accessories - Body Shape

5. Physical Appearance:

6. 2. Proxemics: Examines nonverbal communication differences via a culture’s most fundamental elements which are space and distance .

7. 3. Chronemics: The study of meanings, usage, and communication of time .

8. 4. Kinesics: The communication of the body and in motion and includes aspects of people’s facial expressions, body movements, gestures and conversational regulators.

9. Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RX3eBScTQNQ

10. 5. Haptics: Is a type of communication that is expressed through touch .

11. 6. Oculesics: The study of messages sent by the eyes, including eye-contact, blinks, eye-movements and public dilation.

12. 7. Vocalics: Includes all the nonverbal elements of the voice.

13. 8. Olfactics: Interpersonal communication via smell.

14. Dimensions of Intercultural Nonverbal Communication: Dimension One Extreme The Other Extreme Context Low Context High Context Identity Individualism Collectivism Power Low Power Distance High Power Distance Gender Femininity Masculinity Uncertainty Uncertainty Avoidance Uncertainty Tolerance Time Long Term Short Term Immediacy Low Contact High Contact

15. 1. Context : The degree to which communication is explicit and verbal or implicit and nonverbal. Dimension 1. Context Low Context High Context Core Values Freedom of Speech, Directness Silence, Indirectness Nonverbal Traits Literal meaning, specific details, and precise time schedules Information in the physical context, or internalized in the person Typical Cultures Switzerland, Germany, North America China, Japan, Korea

16. 2. Individualism/Collectivism: The degree to which the society reinforces individual or collective achievements and interpersonal relationships Dimension 2. Individualism/Collectivism Individualism Collectivism Core Value Individual Freedom Group Harmony Nonverbal Traits Proximally distant, different schedules, expressive of emotions Proximally close, coordinated facial expressions and body movements Typical Cultures United States, Australia, Great Britain Venezuela, China, Pakistan

17. 3. Power Distance: The degree of equality of inequality between people in the society. Dimension 3. Power Distance Lower Power Distance Higher Power Distance Core Value People’s Equality Respect for status Nonverbal Traits Located at high latitudes, more tactile, relaxing and clear vocalic cues Located near the equator, untouchable, regulated nonverbal displays Typical Cultures Austria, Israel, Denmark Philippines, Mexico, Venezuela

18. 4. Gender: The degree of traditional gender roles of achievement, control, and power. Dimension 4.Gender Femininity Masculinity Core Value Caring for others Material Success Nonverbal traits Relaxed and coordinated vocal patterns, nurturing High level of stress, loud, aggressive Typical Cultures Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands Japan, Austria, Venezuela

19. 5. Uncertainty: The degree of avoidance or tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity within the society . Dimension 5.Uncertainity Uncertainty Avoidance Uncertainty Tolerance Core Value Certainty; what is different is dangerous Exploration; what is different causes curiosity Nonverbal traits More emotional displays, higher level of anxiety More positive and friendly to strangers Typical Cultures Greece, Portugal, Belgium Singapore, Denmark, Sweden

20. 6. Time Orientation: Short term Cultures: Nonverbal communication is informal and liberated Long term Cultures: Nonverbal communication is more ritualized and prescribed

21. 7. Immediacy: The degree of closeness, intimacy and availability for communication. Dimension 6.Immediacy Low Contact High Contact Core Value Certainty; what is different is dangerous Exploration; what is different causes curiosity Nonverbal traits Located in cooler climates, stand apart and touch less, stay "cool” Located in warmer countries nearer the equator, stand closer together and touch more, expressive Typical Cultures Japan, China, Korea North Africa, France, Brazil

22. Conclusion These dimensions of intercultural nonverbal communication aim at providing a theoretical framework, but are neither exhaustive nor discrete. Studying these dimensions will help boost one’s intercultural communication competence.