The Power of the Setting in Nonverbal Communication

Sample

Nonverbal communication is a dynamic and complex process. The study of face-to-face, nonverbal communication often focuses on one or more of the following factors affecting the course of interaction: (a) individual and group characteristics (e.g., biology, culture, gender, personality); (b) relationships between individuals; and (c) goals and motives of individuals (see comprehensive handbooks on nonverbal communication by Hall & Knapp, 2013, Matsumoto et al., 2016; Manusov & Patterson, 2006). These factors are important in understanding the give-and-take of nonverbal communication. Nevertheless, an often-neglected factor is the critical role of the surrounding physical environment in shaping patterns of face-to-face, nonverbal communication. The present chapter’s focus is on the effect of one aspect of the physical environment—seating arrangement—on nonverbal communication. Two cases of the impact of seating arrangement will be described and analyzed. Because seating arrangement is only one aspect of a larger system of environmental influences on nonverbal communication (Patterson & Quadflieg, 2016), it is worthwhile, first, to step back and provide some context, with a brief overview of the role of the immediate, physical environment on nonverbal communication.