Define nonverbal communication as a collection of symbols, letters, or words with arbitrary meanings that’s are governed in communicating.

Define or explain nonverbal communication as the process of using messages other than words to create meaning with others include eye contact, facial expressions, gestures, and body language

Write at least three rules for nonverbal behavior for each of the nonverbal areas: artifact cues, vocal cues, kinesics, space, and touch.

When entering an elevator with other people, move to the farthest corner.
When talking in a room with other people, lower your voice.
Do not speak loudly in church.
Relate the rules to the principles of nonverbal communication.

 

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.

God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Nonverbal Communication: A Deeper Dive

Nonverbal Communication Defined:

  1. Symbolic Definition: Nonverbal communication is a collection of symbols, letters, or words with arbitrary meanings that are governed in communicating. This definition emphasizes the symbolic nature of nonverbal cues, where certain gestures, expressions, or objects carry specific meanings within a cultural context.
  2. Process-Oriented Definition: Nonverbal communication is the process of using messages other than words to create meaning with others. This definition focuses on the dynamic and interactive nature of nonverbal communication, highlighting the role of nonverbal cues in shaping interpersonal interactions.

Nonverbal Communication: A Deeper Dive

Nonverbal Communication Defined:

  1. Symbolic Definition: Nonverbal communication is a collection of symbols, letters, or words with arbitrary meanings that are governed in communicating. This definition emphasizes the symbolic nature of nonverbal cues, where certain gestures, expressions, or objects carry specific meanings within a cultural context.
  2. Process-Oriented Definition: Nonverbal communication is the process of using messages other than words to create meaning with others. This definition focuses on the dynamic and interactive nature of nonverbal communication, highlighting the role of nonverbal cues in shaping interpersonal interactions.

Nonverbal Behavior Rules

Here are three rules for each nonverbal area:

Artifact Cues

  1. Dress Appropriately: Your clothing choices can convey messages about your professionalism, personality, and cultural background.
  2. Personal Adornments: Be mindful of your accessories, such as jewelry and piercings, as they can influence how others perceive you.
  3. Personal Space: Maintain a respectful distance between yourself and others, especially in formal settings.

Vocal Cues

  1. Volume Control: Adjust your volume to the situation and environment. Avoid speaking too loudly or too softly.
  2. Tone of Voice: Use a tone that is appropriate for the message you want to convey. Avoid sounding monotonous or aggressive.
  3. Pace of Speech: Speak at a moderate pace, avoiding rushing or speaking too slowly.

Kinesics

  1. Eye Contact: Maintain appropriate eye contact to show interest and engagement. Avoid staring or avoiding eye contact altogether.
  2. Facial Expressions: Use facial expressions to convey emotions authentically. Avoid overusing or underusing facial expressions.
  3. Posture: Sit or stand up straight to project confidence and attentiveness. Avoid slouching or crossing your arms defensively.

Space

  1. Personal Space: Respect others’ personal space and avoid invading their personal bubble.
  2. Proxemics: Adjust your proximity to others based on the relationship and the situation.
  3. Territoriality: Be mindful of others’ territorial boundaries, especially in shared spaces.

Touch

  1. Cultural Sensitivity: Be aware of cultural norms and expectations regarding touch.
  2. Contextual Appropriateness: Use touch judiciously, considering the relationship and the situation.
  3. Professional Touch: In professional settings, limit touch to polite gestures like handshakes or pats on the back.

Relating the Rules to Nonverbal Principles

The rules provided above are grounded in the principles of nonverbal communication. For example, the rule about moving to the farthest corner of an elevator relates to the principle of proxemics, which governs the use of space. By moving to the farthest corner, you are respecting others’ personal space and avoiding unnecessary closeness.

Similarly, the rule about lowering your voice in a room with other people relates to the principle of volume control. By adjusting your volume, you are demonstrating consideration for others and avoiding disrupting the conversation.

Ultimately, effective nonverbal communication involves a nuanced understanding of these principles and the ability to adapt to different social and cultural contexts.

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