Nonverbal Communication

The one concept I felt need further discussion was nonverbal communication. Nonverbal communication accounts for the majority of what is heard and understood by a listener. Nonverbal communication has the ability to persuade, confuse and empower the people directly around you. When your verbal communication and nonverbal communication agree, the message you are communicating will be better understood and digested. Wordless messages or kinesics are the way we communicate by sending and receiving signals using body language, gestures, postures, proximity, haptics, and facial expressions. We can reinforce, contradict, substitute, complement or emphasize our verbal communication with non-verbal cues such as gestures, expressions and vocal inflection. Avoiding eye contact when we tell someone we love them communicates something far different than do spoken words, just as a bright smile when we say congratulations reinforces the sincerity of our words. Watching other people's body language, facial expressions and tendencies, and being conscious of your own physicality and feelings can enhance nonverbal communication.

Favorite and Least Favorite Part

My favorite part of the class would simply have to be because it is online. You can go about and do your work whenever you have time too. I like that there is no set class time it just allows for more flexibility with your time during the day. Having a full week to get your work done is a relief especially if you have piles and piles of work to do from other courses. Taking quizzes and tests online is less of a hassle as well because you can complete it whenever. I believe the blogs really helped with communication among classmates and helped us to express ourselves in our own way. My least favorite thing about this class would probably be the length requirements on the blogs. I feel like for some of the posts I could easily get my point across in way less than one hundred and fifty words. I have no other problem with this class at all.

What I Learned

I have learned a lot of new terms and concepts while taking this communication and human relationships course. Above that I have built skills I need to become a much better communicator. This course and the text along with it have given me a logical introduction to the concepts, principles, and skills of interpersonal communication in our society. I am better equipped to take on challenges and choices that may affect communication in relationships by taking this course. I have learned about topics such as awareness of emotions and forgiveness, interracial relationships, safe sex, homosexual relationships, race related conflicts, and characteristics of building a strong intimate relationship. If we need to work through issues in relationships, we can do it effectively if we lay a foundation of a supportive and trusting climate. Overall the main concept I have learned is that communication is the basis of meaning in human relationships and it is how we build, refine, keep, and transform connections with others.