Demonstrative_Communication

Demonstrative Communication BCOM 275 September 27, 2011 University of Phoenix Demonstrative Communication We all have different ways of expressing how or what we are thinking and feeling while communicating with others. We communicate verbally and non-verbally, written or visual. Demonstrative communication is defined as the process of sending and receiving messages and involves exchanging thoughts, messages or information. Demonstrative communication entails sending and receiving wordless messages. It is often used to reinforce verbal communication, though it can stand alone and convey messages on its own. One of the most common ways to communicate non-verbally is with our body language and facial expressions. For example, when someone is tired, he or she will normally yawn and stretch their arms. This type of body language could be perceived as tiredness by others. Body language and facial expressions also allow us to receive negative or positive feedback from others. . Demonstrative communication reinforces verbal communication. For example, dressing properly, a firm handshake and a friendly demeanor can speak volumes about the kind of person someone is at a job interview. A person can rely on these qualities to reinforce his or her verbal performance. When a person meets someone, they can tell if the other person is friendly, not only because they say hello, but because they smile, speak cheerfully, and face him or her. A person can gain an idea of what others think about them by the non-verbal signals her or she produce. They can also gauge someone’s reaction to gain positive or negative feedback and use it to his or her advantage. I work for Red Rock Resort in the security department and interact with people on a daily basis. Through demonstrative communication, I am able to assess if co-workers are engaged in my conversation or if he or she is interested in what I am verbally communicating. This is very important especially since many of my peers are engineers who seem to be more impersonal and reserved and require me to pay attention to more than what they are verbally communicating. Sometimes, an officer may tell a joke that no one finds funny but after he laughs, we all laugh. His laughter is an indication to us that he is trying to be funny. Once, during one of our nightly briefings, I was giving everyone a summary about the events of the previous night and I could tell the Assistant Shift Manager was not very interested in what I was communicating. He would constantly look at his blackberry which let me know that he was more preoccupied with what he was reading then the meeting. He was also slouching, yawning, and seemed to be uneasy in his chair. His body language was an indication to me that I needed to Make my briefings more lively, fun, energetic and by doing such, people will pay more attention. Demonstrative communication allows self-expression. How a person presents themselves says much about their personality to others. A bank executive wears a power suit to convey his dominance and ability as a leader. People use demonstrative communication every day without evening knowing that they are doing so. Hairstyles, clothing, tattoos, symbols, and architecture are all different types of demonstrative communication. Although this type of communication can be positive, people should be careful how they use demonstrative communication because it can be imprecise and easily misread. Gestures, appearances, and facial expressions can mean different things to different people. It can be easy for someone to misread a person they do not know. Demonstrative communication lacks the complexity that language has to offer. A person cannot communicate the story of his or her life without using words, or literally showing it through pictures, which would still leave parts of the story untold. Like other forms of communication, demonstrative communication involves listening and responding. Often an individual can learn more from others actions than from their words. Tone of voice can affect the positive or negative delivery of a message. Pleasant and non-confrontational inflections in ones tone of voice can be perceived as a form of positive communication. Fast talking, yelling, or stumbling through sentences can be interpreted as nervousness or lack of confidence in their knowledge of the material being presented. Presentations are effective if the presenter studies and becomes familiar with what is being presented. Studying the material prior to the presentation provides the audience with confidence that the presenter has bought into what they are presenting. In conclusion, there are many forms of body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions that can be effective in verbal and nonverbal communications. Subject matter of the issue being presented should be studied so the presenter has a clear understanding of how to present effectively with the appropriate communication tools and resources.