Week 5: Nonverbal Communication & Congruence
Nonverbal Observation Journal
Instructions
This activity helps you become more aware of nonverbal communication in your daily interactions. Over 2-3 days, observe nonverbal cues around you and reflect using these prompts. Take 20-25 minutes to complete your observations and analysis.
1Practice Prompt
Observe a conversation between two people (in person, on TV, or in a video). Without listening to the words, what can you infer about their relationship and emotional states based solely on their nonverbal cues? What specific cues led you to these conclusions?
Look at facial expressions, body positioning, gestures, and physical distance.
2Practice Prompt
Pay attention to your own nonverbal communication during a conversation. Describe what you noticed about your eye contact, posture, gestures, and facial expressions. Did your nonverbal cues match what you were saying verbally?
This is challenging - try to notice without changing your behavior.
3Practice Prompt
Describe a situation where you witnessed (or experienced) incongruence between verbal and nonverbal messages. What was said? What were the nonverbal cues? Which message did you believe - the verbal or nonverbal? Why?
Think about times when someone's body language didn't match their words.
4Practice Prompt
Consider a relationship where you'd like to improve your nonverbal communication. What specific nonverbal changes could you make (eye contact, posture, tone, etc.) to communicate more effectively in that relationship?
Choose small, specific changes you can actually practice.