Page 56 - Effective group discussion theory and practice by Adams, Katherine H. Brilhart, John K. Galanes, Gloria J

Human Communication Processes in the Small Group Context 39

Types of Nonverbal Behaviors
Interpreting nonverbal behavior appropriately requires that we look at the pattern of behav-
ior rather than at just a single cue. At the same time, we need to be aware of the various
types of nonverbal behavior to avoid overlooking any. Those listed next are especially rele-
vant to communication among group members. Proceed with caution; there is consider-
able cross-cultural variation in the types of nonverbal behavior, and, as we mentioned
earlier, behavior can be highly ambiguous and must not be interpreted out of context.

Physical Appearance Members of a new group react to each other’s appearances
long before they begin to judge each other’s expertise and competencies. We attribute
factors such as intelligence and likability to people on the basis of what we initially
observe of them. Of course, we may change our judgments later, but we form them
initially from a variety of nonverbal messages.
Sex, body shape, and ethnicity particularly affect how group members interact
with each other initially. Interestingly, given how much American culture pays
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attention to physical attractiveness, no research to date has examined the impact of
relative physical attractiveness of group members to group dynamics or outcomes. 50
Cultural factors influence our responses to physical appearance as well.
Americans apparently have a clear picture of what a leader should look like. We tend
to be prejudiced against endomorphs (heavy bodies), whom we often perceive as lazy,
sloppy, stupid, and undependable but also as jolly and easy to get along with. Ecto-
morphs (tall and skinny) are perceived as frail, studious, and intelligent. Mesomorphs
(muscular types) are more likely than others to be perceived as leaders. Height is
particularly important. The taller a person is, the more likely she or he is to be looked
up to, literally, as a leader; short people have to try harder to be seen as potential
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group leaders. It is especially important that we teach ourselves to respond to what
a person does, not his or her physical appearance.
The appearance of group members matters to outsiders as well. How group mem-
bers appear to others can affect their credibility and even their success during group
presentations. The most famous rock band of all time, The Beatles, used black clothes
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early in their career to mimic the color of beetles. When John Lennon was asked
how much of their success was due to their sound rather than their appearance, he
replied, “We could have managed, looking like we look and making worse records, or
we could have managed, looking like the average pop singer and making our noise.
But the combination makes a better impact. We have always looked different from the
rest of the mob.” 53

Space and Seating There have been many studies of how we use proxemics, or per- Proxemics
sonal space and territory, to communicate. For example, a person who sits close to The study of uses of
other members, directly in the circle in a flexible seating space, close to a circular space and territory
table, or at a central point at a square or rectangular table signals a need to belong or between and among
a sense of belonging; a member who sits outside the circumference, pushed back people.
from a table, or at a corner may be signaling a desire to withdraw. Sitting within
range of touch indicates that we feel intimately or personally involved, whereas sit-
ting from just outside touch distance to several feet away signals a more formal,

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