Anda di halaman 1dari 5

Semiotics

Based on semiosis, the relationship between a sign, an object, and


a meaning.
The sign represents the object, or referent, in the mind of an
interpreter.
Interpretant refers to a sign that serves as the representation of an
object.
Signs can be verbal (words) or nonverbal. (from C.S.
Pierce, Selected Writings, 1958).

Semiotics
According to C. Morris, people are interpreters of signs. Signs have
three factors that guide interpretation:
The DESIGNATIVE aspect directs to interpreter to a particular
object.
The APPRAISIVE aspect highlights object qualities, enabling
evaluation.
The PRESCRIPTIVE aspect directs one to respond in specific ways.
-- from C. Morris, Signification and Significance, 1964.

Semiotics - Signs and Meanings


According to Morris, human action involves signs and meanings in
three ways:

The perception stage - the person becomes aware of a sign.


The manipulation stage - the person interprets the sign and
decides how to respond to it.
The consummation stage - the person responds.

Semiotics - Signs and Values


Three signs ands values connections:

Detachment - the person or system maintains autonomy


(independence).
Dominance - The person or system takes precedence over,
controls, or dominates another person or system.
Dependence - The person or system needs, is controlled by, or
dominated by another person or system.

Actions, Signs, and Values


Action Stages Sign Dimensions Value Dimensions

Perceptual Designative Detachment


Manipulatory Prescriptive Dominance

Consummatory Appraisive Dependence

-- C. Morris, Signification and Significance, 1964.

Langers Theory of Symbols

S. Langer asserts that symbolism underlies all human knowing


and understanding.
Prefers the concept of symbol to sign.
Symbols are vehicles for the conception of objects.--
Langer, Philosophy in a New Key, 1942.
A symbol is an instrument of thought, allowing a person to
think about something apart from its immediate presence.

Langers Theory of Symbols

Key relationship: symbol, object, person.


Symbols become meaningful in discourse.
Symbols can be discursive or non-discursive.
Discursive symbolism - language-based thought and meaning
Non-discursive symbolism - nonverbal- based emotion and
meaning; art, music, dance, etc.
Meanings can be found in both non-discursive and discursive
symbolism.

Signs, Symbols, Semiotics

Every sign has meaning and the potential for multiple


meanings.
Multiple meanings are socially and culturally influenced.
Signs have both denotative and connotative meanings.

Semiotics - What Value?

What is the practical relevance of semiotics?


What can we learn from semiotics that will help us
communicate well?
In what situations might semiotics theories apply?
Are semiotics theories relevant to both verbal and nonverbal
communication situations?

Nonverbal Communication Theories


Sign Theory (e.g., Semiotics)
3 fields

Semantics - the study of how signs relate to things ... the sign
as designator.
Syntactics - the study of how signs relate to other signs how
are signs organized into sign systems?
Pragmatics - they study of how codes are used in everyday life.

3 Fields and Nonverbal Comm.

Semantics - What does the nonverbal sign mean?


Syntactics - How does the nonverbal sign relate to other signs?
Pragmatics - How does the nonverbal sign (or its group of
signs) affect behavior?

Nonverbal Code Systems

General Characteristics
Analogic - continuous, forming a spectrum or range.
Iconicity - resemblance to the thing being symbolized.
Universal meaning - some codes may be biologically
determined` e.g., emotions
Simultaneous transmission - several nonverbal messages can
be sent at once.
Automatic response
Spontaneity

Proxemics
According to anthropologist Edward Hall, proxemics refers to the
study of how humans construct and manage microspace--the
distance between people in the conduct of everyday transactions, the
organization of space in their houses and buildings, and the designof
their towns.
-- Hall, The Silent Language, 1959; The Hidden Dimension, 1966.

More on Proxemics

The ways in which space is used and interpreted are cultural


matters.
Humans use of space can be thought of as a specialized
elaboration of culture.
Proxemics is related to haptics - touching behavior;
commmunication via touch.
To what other mediums and forms of nonverbal behavior does
space relate?

Proxemics - Space and Distance


Types of Space

Fixed-feature space
Semifixed-feature space
Informal Space

Types of Distance

Intimate Distance
Personal Distance
Social Distance
Public Distance

Distance Factors in Conversation

Posture-sex factors
Sociofugal (discouragement of interaction) and sociopetal
(encouragement of interaction) axis
Kinesthetic factors (body and distance)
Touching behavior
Distance Factors in Conversation
Visual Code (eye contact)
Thermal code (perceived heat)
Olfactory Code
Paralinguistic Code (e.g., voice loudness)

Kinesics
Kinesics is the nonverbal code system of bodily activity; body
language.
Major theorists are R. Birdwhistell, and P. Ekman and W. Friesen

Kinesics - Birdwhistell
Birdwhistells Six Key Assumptions
1. All body movements have meaning potential in communicative
contexts.
2. Behavior can be analyzed because of patterns and repetitions.
3. Although body action has biological limits, the use of body motion
in interaction is part of the social system.
Kinesics
4. Peoples visual bodily activity can influence others.
5. Communicative functions of bodily activity can be studied.
6. A persons use of bodily activity will have unique, idiocyncratic
aspects while also being part of a larger social system shared with
others.
-- R. Birdwhistell, Kinesics and Context, 1970

Kinesics - Ekman and Friesen


Ekman and Friesens work emphasizes face and hands. They
propose three ways to analyze nonverbal behavior:
1. Origin - source of the act (innate, species-constant, or variant).
2. Coding - the act-meaning relationship (arbitrary, iconic, intrinsic).
3. Usage - what does the behavior do, how does it convey
information (communicative act, interactive act).

Ekman and Friesen assert that all nonverbal behavior is one of five
types:
1. Emblems - precise meaning
2. Illustrators - depict verbal message
3. Adapters - facilitate release of bodily tension
4. Regulators - control or coordinate interaction
5. Affect displays - presentation of feelings and emotions
-- Ekman & Friesen, Unmasking the Face, 1975

Illustrators
1. Baton - movements that emphasize
2. Ideograph -sketch of a thoughts direction
3. Deictic movement - pointing
4. Spatial movement - identifying space
5. Rhythmic movement - pacing motion
6. Kinetograph - depicting physical action
7. Pictograph - drawing a picture in the air
8. Emblematic movement - illustrating a verbal movement

Theories of Nonverbal Comm. Some Key Questions


1. How do people learn nonverbal behavior is some learned, some
not learned)?
2. What relationship exists between nonverbal behavior and verbal
behavior?
3. Does all nonverbal behavior communicate?
4. Does understanding nonverbal behavior help us communicate
well?

Anda mungkin juga menyukai