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Nonverbal Communication
An Applied Approach

May 2020 | 240 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
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Nonverbal Communication: An Applied Approach teaches students the fundamentals of nonverbal communication by making connections between the principles they learn and the everyday communication they perform and interpret. Award-winning teacher and author Jonathan M. Bowman uses a narrative style and an applied approach that is informed by the important theories and research-driven knowledge of this interdisciplinary area of study. The approach encourages students to understand the relevancy of nonverbal codes by exploring applications sooner rather than in the latter half of their course. Bowman brings in a unique focus on culture and social justice, demonstrating how nonverbal communication shapes how we interact in a diverse society.

Jonathan Bowman was awarded the 2021 University Professorship by the University of San Diego. This is the highest academic honor bestowed university-wide and is given in recognition of outstanding scholarly achievements in teaching and research.

Included with this title:

The password-protected Instructor Resource Site (formally known as SAGE Edge) offers access to all text-specific resources, including a test bank and editable, chapter-specific PowerPoint® slides. Learn more.
 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Author
 
Chapter 1: Nonverbal Communication Origins
Models of Communication

 
Defining Nonverbal Communication

 
Why Isn’t ASL Considered Nonverbal?

 
Nonverbal Communication Primacy

 
Nonverbal Communication Channels

 
A Summary of Nonverbal Communication Origins

 
Closing Questions

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 2: Nonverbal Communication Features
Principles of Nonverbal Messaging

 
Digital vs. Analog Representations

 
Message Processing

 
Nonverbal Communication—Our Innate Ability

 
A Summary of Nonverbal Communication Features

 
Closing Questions

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 3: Identity and the Nonverbal Codes
Managing Identities

 
Identity, Relationships, and Nonverbal Codes

 
Prominent Nonverbal Codes

 
A Summary of Identity and the Nonverbal Codes

 
Closing Questions

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 4: Kinesics: Engaging Motion and Gestures
Kinesics

 
Communication, Movement, and the Face

 
Communication, Movement, and the Hands and Body

 
A Summary of Kinesics: Engaging Motion and Gestures

 
Closing Questions

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 5: Proxemics: Engaging Personal Space and Interpersonal Distance
Proxemics

 
Proxemic Violations

 
Interactional Motivations

 
A Summary of Proxemics: Engaging Personal Space and Interpersonal Distance

 
Closing Questions

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 6: Haptics: Engaging Physical Contact and Touch
Haptics and Human Development

 
Classifying Touch

 
Diverse Attitudes Toward Touch

 
Affection Exchange Theory

 
Attachment Theory

 
A Summary of Haptics: Engaging Physical Contact and Touch

 
Closing Questions

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 7: Oculesics: Engaging Gaze and Other Eye Behaviors
Oculesics

 
Oculesics and Emotional Displays

 
A Summary of Oculesics: Engaging Gaze and Other Eye Behaviors

 
Closing Questions

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 8: Vocalics: Engaging the Voice and Other Vocalizations
Vocal Characteristics

 
Communication Accommodation Theory

 
A Summary of Vocalics: Engaging the Voice and Other Vocalizations

 
Closing Questions

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 9: Physical Appearance: Engaging Identity and Physical Features
Identity and Self-Esteem

 
Theories of Identity

 
Group Membership

 
In-Groups and Out-Groups

 
Appearance and Identity

 
Tie-Signs and Expressions of Uniqueness

 
A Summary of Physical Appearance: Engaging Identity and Physical Features

 
Closing Questions

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 10: Environmental Elements: Engaging Fixed and Semi-Fixed Features
Environmental Elements

 
Fixed-Feature Environmental Elements

 
Use and Volume of Space

 
Semi-Fixed-Feature Environmental Elements

 
A Summary of Environmental Elements: Engaging Fixed and Semi-Fixed Features

 
Closing Questions

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 11: Chronemics and Olfactics: Cultural Codes of Time and Scent
Codes and Culture

 
Group Membership Revisited

 
Chronemics

 
Olfactics

 
A Summary of Chronemics and Olfactics: Cultural Codes of Time and Scent

 
Closing Questions

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 12: Nonverbal Communication Moving Forward
Nonverbal Communication in Review

 
Absorbing Popular Media, Moving Forward

 
Examining Ethical Behavior, Moving Forward

 
Recognizing Diverse Perspectives, Moving Forward

 
Assessing the Self, Moving Forward

 
Applying Nonverbal Principles Across Contexts, Moving Forward

 
A Summary of Nonverbal Communication Moving Forward

 
Closing Questions

 
 
Glossary
 
References
 
Index

Supplements

Instructor Resource Site
edge.sagepub.com/bowman

Online resources included with this text

The online resources for your text are available via the password-protected Instructor Resource Site, which offers access to all text-specific resources, including a test bank and editable, chapter-specific PowerPoint® slides.

“Nonverbal Communication: An Applied Approach offers a broad and valuable insight into the interplay of one of the most important, undervalued, and powerful modes of communication in all of human interaction. In essence, it provides a useful guide for maneuvering and navigating this complex world with some particularly intriguing tools for the road ahead.”

Raymond Blanton
The University of the Incarnate Word

“This is the textbook to choose if you are like me and looking for one with accessible and relevant content —so that your students will actually read out of class—while also having the kinds of thought-provoking activities and questions that you can teach from and use for guiding meaningful discussion in class.”

Trey Guinn
The University of the Incarnate Word

“This text has a different, interesting structure. It will help students relate the nonverbal codes to various important contexts that I believe they will appreciate, and integrates several important theories that will benefit students.”

Sara N. Morgan
Old Dominion University

“This text provides multiple activities, cases, and critical thinking opportunities to re-engage the disengaged.”

Robin N. Williamson
University of St. Thomas-Houston

“The boxed features of each chapter add variety to the text and provide stimulus to challenge our students’ assumptions or thoughts.”

Naomi Bell O’Neil
Clarion University of Pennsylvania

The book covered interesting topics in new ways that helped bring the already enjoyable material to life for my students. BUT the best part about this book are the AMAZING in class activities that Jonathan has created to go along with each chapter. They are thoughtful, engaging, and really bring the material to life.

Ms Sara Pitts
Public Relations, Alice Lloyd College
January 29, 2023
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This is an excellent book that I know my students will thoroughly enjoy reading. We have not taught nonverbal communication at Mizzou in over six years. I could not have found a better textbook to utilize for this endeavor.

Dr Kevin J. Hales
Communication, University Of Missouri
June 22, 2022
Report this review

Great book
Well organized
Forward thinking

L. Jake Jacobsen
Communication Dept, Univ Of Nebraska At Kearney
June 2, 2021
Report this review
Key features
KEY FEATURES:
  • A narrative style helps engage students and keep them interested in the material.
  • Learning objectives, guiding questions and application-based vignettes at the start of chapters allow students to anticipate forthcoming content with more context.
  • Inclusive examples make the material more directly relatable and memorable to students.
  • Measure boxes focus on the measurement of a nonverbal construct using methods from nonverbal research to illustrate operationalization.
  • Examine boxes provide opportunities for personal reflection and the consideration of the ethics of nonverbal communication as it relates to each chapter.
  • Engage boxes highlight nonverbal communication with practical, real-world examples of nonverbal communication in diverse contexts.
  • Absorb boxes feature a stable-link fair-use video clip from current television or film to explore a nonverbal communication behavior in an example from recent media.
  • Apply boxes use scenarios to help students consider how to practice content related to each section within their own social worlds, encouraging students to become more fluent in navigating unique contexts.
  • Line drawings and photographs help illustrate key content and show contexts in which that content emerges.
  • End-of-chapter summaries and closing questions allow students to review and reinforce chapter content.