Topic - 10 - Chronemics

Chronemics

Chronemics is the study of how we use time to communicate. Some of us are preoccupied with time, while others regularly waste it. Some of us are typically early, while others are chronically late. Some of us are early birds, functioning best in the morning, while others, night owls, perform best at night.

Misunderstandings, miscalculations, and disagreements involving time can create communication and relationship problems. What does it mean to be “on time”? How is the concept of punctuality construed?

Status affords us greater power to control both our own time and others’ time. The more status a person has, the longer others with less status will wait to see him or her.

Importance of Time: In professional world, time is valuable commodity.  When you are late for an appointment, people react negatively. If you arrive early, you are considering over eager. As a speaker, your awareness of schedule is a chronemic element.

Our culture influences how we use and think about time. In some cultures people live for today, but in others they are waiting for tomorrow. Thus, even the meaning of the phrase “a long time” is influenced by how a culture’s members conceive of time. There are two dominant time pattern: (1) Monochronic time and, (2) Polychronic time

(1)Monochronic time: A monochronic time system means that things are done one at a time and time is segmented into small units. Under this system time is scheduled, arranged and managed.

·       People in Monochronic time culture pay attention to clock time and do one thing at a time

·      People in Monochronic time usually engage in one activity at a time. They tend to separate task.

·      Time is a tangible commodity

·      Members of individualistic cultures tend to follow the Monochronic time pattern

· Monochronic cultures include Germany, Canada, Switzerland, United States, and Scandinavia.

·      Monochronic committed to the job

·      Monochronic People are concerned about not disturbing others; follow rules of privacy and consideration.

           (2) Polychronic time: A polychronic time system is a system where several things can be             done at once, and a more fluid approach is taken to scheduling time. Unlike Americans and           most northern and western European cultures, Latin American and Arabic cultures use the         polychronic system of time.

·      People in polychronic time pay attention to relational time and may be involved in many simultaneous activities.

·      People in polychronic time tend to engage in multiple activities at the same time

·      Time is a relational issue rather than a clock time issue.

·      Members of collectivistic cultures tend to follow the polychronic time pattern.

·     Polychronic cultures include Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Mexico, Philippines, India, and many in Africa.

·      Many polychronic cultures have a past-orientation toward time

·      Polychronic cultures are committed to people and human relationships

·   Polychronic People are more concerned with those who are closely related than with privacy

Topic - 9 - Proxemics

Proxemics

The word proxemics is derived from ‘Proximity’ which means ‘nearness’. Proxemity is the study of how people interact.   The custom and culture of the country also affect the person to make proximity

Definition:

“The study of man’s transaction as he perceives and uses intimate, personal, social and public space in various settings while following out of awareness dictates of cultural paradigms” (Hall, 1947).

·      Variables and Characteristics of Proxemics:

Use of physical space to communicate:

·         Public Space: 5 to 6 feet; brief eye contact

·         Social Space: 1 to 3 feet; no physical contact

·         Personal Space: Less than a foot; handshake

·         Intimate Space: Body contact; hug

(1) Intimate Distance:

This zone extends from zero to eighteen inches from the person. There are two phase – zero to six inches is a close phase and six to eighteen inches is a far phase. An intimate distance include the person’s body, sound, smell and feel of the breath all combine to signal unmistakable involvement with another body. Strangers are not invited into the intimate zone by adult, middle class Americans. 

         

(2) Personal Distance:

            The personal zone extends from one and one half to four feet, with a near phase extending to two and one half feet and feet and a far phase beyond that. Personal space changes depending on culture, upbringing, and relationship to the individual and expectations. We have an invisible boundary that allows us to be comfortable because intruders may not enter. The personal zone allows a variety of both formal and non-formal contact between people. “It is a zone that people use in public, and it seems to be a ‘normal’ contact distance that enables people to remain in reasonable proximity or to move toward more or less personal communication. Perfumes,  colognes or deodorants may be detectable, if used, and fine details of the face and clothing can be detected visually with little perceived distortion.

(3) Social Distance:

            This zone spans from four to twelve feet, the close phase extending from four to seven feet and the far phase from seven to twelve feet. The boundary line is between the far phase of personal distance and the close phase of social distance marks, in the words of one subject, the “limit of domination.” Social distance is typically used in business settings, among people who are working together, and in more formal social situations.

(4) Public Distance:

            The public distance zone extends from twelve feet on out, with a close phase from twelve to twenty feet and far phase beyond that. The close phase in terms of self defence, and also sensory shifts that occur at a separation of about twelve feet. The sensory shifts associated with this distance are speech which becomes loud although not shouting.

            The far phase is truly public. At this distance people tend to be perceived “in a setting” rather than the person filling the entire stage of attention. In this phase voice and details of facial expression are lost at this distance, and voice, gestures and expressive movements must be exaggerated.