Interpersonal communication refers to the verbal or non-verbal exchange of information between two or more individuals. Some of the methods used in interpersonal communication include the use of words, gestures, facial expressions, tonal variations, and body movements (Okoro et al., p.29). Interpersonal communication is used in the everyday lives of people both at work, at home, and at social events. Interpersonal communication skills are useful in work-life as they can help to improve productivity in the workplace, help build strong relationships with colleagues and friends, help in smooth completion of projects, and help in everyday interactions among people.
There are various forms of interpersonal communication. The most common types of interpersonal communication in the workplace include oral communication, verbal communication, non-verbal communication, and listening. Oral communication involves the exchange of information and ideas through spoken words. This form of communication is commonly used in meetings whereby management expects everyone to participate and give their ideas and thoughts on various issues, such as how to go about a project. In oral communication, people use word of mouth to explain or share their views and opinions. According to Braithwaite et al. (pg.15), the ability to communicate well gives the employers confidence in an individual.
Verbal communication involves the use of written communication to exchange information. In many institutions, there are emails to communicate to clients or colleagues. An individual is therefore required to have the ability to express the necessary information by writing. For example, when responding to clients or the employer, one may need to use words appropriately and accurately.
Non-verbal communication involves using gestures and body language to communicate effectively. For example, when presenting to prospective clients, one has to use appropriate gestures and expressions to make them interested in the products you are giving. Possession of presentation skills is vital for anyone aspiring for success in their career. It is difficult to rise through corporate ranks without the ability to understand and make proper use of non-verbal communication.
Listening is a crucial aspect and component of interpersonal communication. It involves hearing and understanding the information being passed to you. When attending training seminars, trainers can tell active listeners based on how they respond to various concepts. The ability to listen helps one gain new knowledge and skills and share them with others in the future. Good listening skills enable one to do their work accurately since they follow instructions as stipulated. The most competent people in the corporate world are good listeners who are keen on details and instructions.
Pop-Culture Analysis
Pop culture is a millennial way of life-powered by entertainment and soft life. This analysis looks at the upcoming widespread behaviors resulting from interactions and their influence on cultural aspects of modern-day human lifestyle such as art, music, language, nutrition, and fashion (Dustin, p.14). The analysis examines how the media; including TV shows, social media networks, and social events influence people in such aspects like clothing, behavior, and language.
Effects of non-verbal communication on America Got Talent.
Non-verbal communication theory focuses on transmitting information using body parts. Some of the components of non-verbal communication include gestures, facial expressions, eye contact, posture, body movements, and tonal variation (Balconi and Fronda pg 20). This form of interpersonal communication makes use of one’s entire body features to pass a message. Non-verbal communications are interpreted differently but some have a universal meaning and can be used by everyone and everywhere.
In America’s Got Talent Show, various talented individuals present themselves to the judges to showcase their talents, hoping they will finally win and achieve their goals. The judges, too, want to sharpen and encourage the contestants that they can be the best of the rest. It is a show involving many feelings, emotions, and thoughts. The various components of non-verbal communication such as the use of gestures, eye contact, facial expressions, posture, haptics, proxemics, and tonal variations are highly applied in America Got Talent Show.
Use of Gestures
Gestures are movements an individual use to communicate their feelings and emotions about an event or a situation. Gestures allow people to share how they feel about an event or a situation. In America’s Got Talent Show, when most contestants are taking to the stage, they wave at the judges and the supportive audience, indicating that they feel accepted and welcome for their performance. The judges and the audience, on the other hand, get the feeling that the contestant is confident. While performing, the judges point at the contestants in astonishment. They nod their head to show acceptance of what the contestant is presenting. After the performance, if thoroughly impressed with the performance, the judges hug the contestants or give them a thumbs up. All these gestures give the contestant more confidence in their performance and act as an encouragement to them. The contestants, after their performances, get positive reactions and may use their hands to blow kisses to the audience as an appreciation for accepting their performance.
Eye Contact.
Eye contact is a form of non-verbal communication where an individual looks at the other person’s eyes directly to send a specific message. Maintaining eye contact is seen as a sign of confidence and authority. In the show, contestants who approach the stage while fixing their eyes on the judges are considered confident. While performing, especially those showing their singing abilities improve their eyes on the judges. The judges also show interest in the contestants’ performance by maintaining eye contact. This motivates the contestant and encourages them to keep up.
Facial Expressions
Facial expressions makes use of facial movements to pass a message. It includes the use of eyebrows, eyes, and mouth to express emotions or feelings. In the America’s Got Talent Show, most contestants approach the stage with a smile, indicating that they are excited to be taking the step. It gives the judges and the audience an indication that the contestant is ready and happy to be on stage. During the performance, when impressed, the judges smile at the contestant. They raise their eyebrows and open their mouth in gasp to show how surprised they are with the version. The contestants feel confident and impressed after seeing all these facial expressions.
Posture
Posture involves how an individual place their body while standing or sitting. It is used to judge confidence, personality, and the open-mindedness of an individual on various issues. On the America’s Got Talent Show, body posture is one of the aspects the judges and the audience consider when a contestant takes the stage. How they stand as they introduce themselves and what they are to showcase gives the judges a dimension to judge the person’s personality before their performance. How the judges sit as they welcome the contestant on stage gives them an impression of what to expect. There is always a favorable reception as the judges sit composed, waiting for the contestant to start performing.
Haptics
Haptics refers to the use of touch to pass a message. The indication can be a hug, a soft pat on the shoulders, and a grip on the arm. Most people use haptics to signify acceptance, encouragement, or create a form of connection with others. In the show, when contestants request a hug, or a handshake from the judges, the judges always act in acceptance. After an impressive performance, the judges are ready to take to the stage to give the contestants hugs, a pat on the shoulder, and rubs to calm them down. This gives the contestants more hope and the desire to put more effort into realizing their dreams.
Proxemics
Proxemics refers to the space or the distance an individual is willing to keep as they communicate based on the kind of relationship they want to portray with them. In the show, the majority of the contestants prefer going near the judges to make their performance this they want to create a social relationship with them. This indicates to the judges that the contestant is a socially responsible person and aims to develop good social relations. On the other hand, the contestant feels accepted socially and therefore becomes ready to show their talents with passion.
Tonal Variations.
Tonal Variations refers to how one maintains their tone of voice to show various emotions such as confidence and preparedness in the show when contestants walk in. The styles they use to respond in the introduction sessions give an impression of how prepared they are. During the presentation, some contestant gives a dramatic pause to make the judges stay in suspense about what will happen next. This makes the judges and the audience interested in knowing more. Seeing this, the contestant has to give their best to meet the expectations already set in anticipation of their performance. When asked to comment on the performance, some judges give a long silence to show how they lack words to comment on a contestant’s performance.
In conclusion, using non-verbal communication on America’s got talent gives the judges, the audience, and the contestants a message of positivity. The judges feel impressed by the use of non-verbal communication by the contestants to portray their personalities, while the contestants feel appreciated and accepted. The streaming of this show has since led to the emergence of various shows with similar intentions to nature talents. Therefore, we can say that the show has since led to people coming up with skills in arts, music, and other aspects. This is a developing culture to make people in society realize their talents.
Reference List
Balconi, Michela, and Giulia Fronda. “The Use of Hyperscanning to Investigate the Role of Social, Affective, and Informative Gestures in Non-Verbal Communication. Electrophysiological (EEG) and Inter-Brain Connectivity Evidence.” Brain Sciences, vol. 10, no. 1, 2020, p. 29.
Braithwaite, Dawn O., Paul Schrodt, and Kaitlin E. Phillips. Introduction: Meta-theory and theory in interpersonal communication research. Routledge, 2021 pg 1-28
Kidd, Dustin. Pop Culture Freaks: Identity, Mass Media, and Society. Routledge, 2018.
Okoro, Ephraim et al. “29”. Ijllnet.Com, 2017, Retrieved from http://www.ijllnet.com/journals/Vol_4_No_3_September_2017/3.pdf.
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