Gender, Power, & Nonverbal Communication

Summary

This video script explores the role of nonverbal communication in conveying power dynamics, particularly through gendered body language. It discusses how societal norms and hierarchies influence our nonverbal cues, often unconsciously reinforcing gender biases. A case study from Madrid in 2017 highlights the issue of 'manspreading' as a symbol of unequal gender power dynamics. The script encourages viewers to be aware of their nonverbal cues and to challenge these dynamics to promote equitable communication for all genders.

Takeaways

• 🤔 Nonverbal communication is a significant part of our daily interactions, conveying messages through body language and gestures.
• 👀 Context greatly influences nonverbal cues; different situations require different body language to communicate effectively.
• 💼 Power dynamics, including those based on gender, play a crucial role in shaping nonverbal communication patterns.
• 🚹🚺 Gendered power dynamics often privilege masculinity and disadvantage femininity and androgyny, affecting how we interpret and use body language.
• 🌐 The concept of gendered body language refers to nonverbal communication that aligns with culturally relevant gender norms and roles.
• 🚶‍♂️ 'Manspreading' is a real-world example of how gendered body language can reflect and perpetuate unequal power dynamics.
• 📢 Activism against 'manspreading' aims to challenge and change the normalization of unequal gender power dynamics in public spaces.
• 🤝 Nonverbal communication is often performed and decoded unconsciously, which can lead to the reinforcement of gender biases.
• 🔍 Becoming aware of power dynamics in nonverbal communication is the first step towards recognizing and challenging gendered biases.
• 👥 Practical steps, such as being mindful of personal space and respecting touch boundaries, can help disrupt harmful gender hierarchies in communication.

Q & A

What is nonverbal communication?

Nonverbal communication refers to the use of body language, facial expressions, gestures, and other non-verbal cues to convey messages and emotions.

How does body language differ based on the context of the interaction?

The body language used in an interaction depends on the context; for example, when asking for a raise, one might stand straight and project confidence, whereas when apologizing, one might appear smaller and avoid eye contact.

What are social factors that influence nonverbal communication?

Social factors such as power dynamics between different groups in society, including those based on gender, race, and social status, influence how nonverbal communication is used and interpreted.

What is meant by gendered power dynamics?

Gendered power dynamics refer to the varying levels of access to power that are determined by socially constructed hierarchies of gender, which often privilege masculinity and disadvantage femininity and androgyny.

How do gendered power dynamics affect nonverbal communication?

Gendered power dynamics influence nonverbal communication by shaping the body language and gestures that align with culturally relevant gender norms and roles.

What is the concept of 'manspreading' mentioned in the script?

Manspreading refers to the act of men, particularly cisgender men, spreading their legs widely in public spaces, taking up more space than those around them, which is seen as a form of normalized unequal gender power dynamics.

Why was the campaign against manspreading significant?

The campaign against manspreading was significant because it targeted a normalized form of unequal gender power dynamics in nonverbal communication and aimed to make cisgender men more aware of their body language and its impact on others.

How can we recognize gendered body language in nonverbal communication?

We can recognize gendered body language by being conscious of the various power dynamics at play during communication and observing how people's body language aligns with or challenges culturally relevant gender norms.

What steps can be taken to ensure nonverbal communication does not reinforce harmful gender hierarchies?

To ensure nonverbal communication does not reinforce harmful hierarchies, one can make a conscious effort to be aware of power dynamics, adjust one's own body language to be more inclusive, and respect others' personal space and boundaries.

How can understanding gender power dynamics alter our nonverbal communication?

Understanding gender power dynamics can lead to more mindful and respectful nonverbal communication by encouraging individuals to be aware of their body language, personal space, and the impact of their actions on others.

What is the potential impact of changing our nonverbal communication habits in line with gender awareness?

Changing nonverbal communication habits in line with gender awareness can disrupt gender hierarchies, empower individuals of all genders, and promote more effective and inclusive communication.

Outlines

00:00

🤔 Impact of Gender on Nonverbal Communication

This paragraph discusses the everyday use of nonverbal communication and how it is influenced by the context of interactions. It highlights the difference in body language when asking for a raise versus apologizing, emphasizing the need to appear confident in the former and remorseful in the latter. The paragraph then delves into the societal factors that shape nonverbal communication, particularly focusing on power dynamics and how they are influenced by gender. It introduces the concept of gendered body language, which aligns with culturally relevant gender norms and roles. The discussion is exemplified by the 'manspreading' campaign in Madrid, Spain, which aimed to address the unequal gender power dynamics in public spaces. The paragraph concludes by encouraging awareness of these dynamics and suggests ways to alter nonverbal communication to disrupt harmful gender hierarchies.

Keywords

💡Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal communication refers to the process of conveying meaning without using words. It includes body language, facial expressions, gestures, and eye contact. In the video, nonverbal communication is highlighted as a significant aspect of interpersonal interaction, with the script emphasizing how it can be influenced by social factors and power dynamics. The video uses examples such as body language when asking for a raise versus apologizing to illustrate the point.

💡Body Language

Body language is a form of nonverbal communication that consists of observable body movements and gestures. The script discusses how body language can be modified based on the context, such as appearing confident when asking for a raise or appearing remorseful when apologizing. It also touches on how gendered power dynamics can influence body language, leading to different expectations and behaviors for men and women.

💡Context

Context refers to the circumstances or setting in which something occurs. In the video, context is crucial for understanding how nonverbal communication is used. For instance, the script explains that the body language appropriate for a professional setting, like asking for a raise, differs from a more personal setting, like apologizing.

💡Power Dynamics

Power dynamics describe the relationships between individuals or groups characterized by differential access to power. The video script discusses how power dynamics, particularly those based on gender, can shape nonverbal communication. It points out that societal hierarchies often privilege certain groups, leading to unequal communication patterns.

💡Gendered Power Dynamics

Gendered power dynamics are the varying levels of access to power that are determined by socially constructed hierarchies of gender. The video explains that these dynamics consistently privilege masculinity and disadvantage femininity and androgyny. This concept is central to the video's theme, as it influences how individuals use and understand nonverbal communication along gender lines.

💡Gendered Body Language

Gendered body language refers to nonverbal communication that aligns with culturally relevant gender norms and roles. The video uses the term to describe how body language can be influenced by societal expectations of masculinity and femininity. It provides the example of 'manspreading' to illustrate how certain behaviors can be seen as a manifestation of gendered power dynamics.

💡Manspreading

Manspreading is the act of men sitting with their legs spread wide, taking up more space than necessary in public areas. The video discusses a campaign in Madrid to address this behavior, framing it as a symbol of normalized gender power dynamics. The campaign aimed to challenge this behavior as a way to disrupt unequal gender norms in nonverbal communication.

💡Implicit Bias

Implicit bias refers to the unconscious attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions. The video script suggests that becoming aware of implicit biases is crucial for recognizing how gendered power dynamics are communicated nonverbally. It encourages viewers to be conscious of their nonverbal cues to avoid reinforcing harmful hierarchies.

💡Systemic Subordination

Systemic subordination refers to the entrenched patterns of discrimination or exclusion that are built into the social or institutional structures of society. The video discusses how nonverbal communication can contribute to the systemic subordination of certain groups, such as women, transgender, and non-binary individuals, through the reinforcement of gendered power dynamics.

💡Empowering Communication

Empowering communication is a form of interaction that supports and uplifts others, particularly those who are marginalized or underrepresented. The video concludes by emphasizing the importance of using nonverbal communication to empower and effectively communicate with people of all genders, suggesting that awareness and change in nonverbal cues can help disrupt harmful gender hierarchies.

Highlights

Nonverbal communication is used daily, influencing how we interact.

Body language varies with the context, such as asking for a raise versus apologizing.

When asking for a raise, one might stand straight and project confidence.

Apologizing may involve body language that conveys remorse and submission.

Social factors deeply impact nonverbal communication.

Power dynamics between groups influence nonverbal cues.

Gendered power dynamics privilege masculinity and disadvantage femininity.

Gendered body language aligns with culturally relevant gender norms.

The 2017 Madrid campaign aimed to stop manspreading in public spaces.

Manspreading is a form of normalized unequal gender power dynamics.

The campaign sought to address the inequality in nonverbal communication.

Many men are unaware of their manspreading or imposing body language.

Gendered power dynamics are deeply rooted and normalized in society.

People often communicate gender biases unconsciously through body language.

Becoming aware of power dynamics in nonverbal communication is the first step.

Pay attention to whether you move for others or expect them to move for you.

Help others gain attention by setting a good example and giving them your focus.

Be mindful of physical touch as it can demonstrate dominance.

Use touch carefully, respectfully, and within understood boundaries.

By understanding nonverbal communication, we can disrupt gender hierarchies.

Awareness can prevent the subconscious contribution to gender subordination.

This knowledge empowers and supports effective communication with all genders.

Transcripts

we use nonverbal communication every day

we send receive and interpret countless

nonverbal cues that contribute to how we

communicate like verbal communication

how we use our body language depends on

the context of the interaction for

example think of the body language you

would use when asking your boss for a

raise

versus the body language you would use

when apologizing to your boss when

asking for a raise you want to appear

capable and confident so you may stand

up straighter project your voice or wear

fancy clothes when apologizing you want

to appear remorseful so you may bring

your hands together punch your body so

you appear smaller or avoid eye contact

along with situational context social

factors that shape society have a deep

impact on how we use nonverbal

communication these social factors are

the power dynamics that exist between

less powerful and more powerful groups

of course multiple and overlapping power

dynamics in society create a unique web

of communication patterns we are going

to focus on the impact of gender to

power dynamics a term that describes the

varying levels of access to power that

are determined by socially constructed

hierarchies of gender these hierarchies

consistently privilege masculinity and

disadvantage femininity and androgyny

gendered power dynamics influence how we

use and understand nonverbal

communication along the lines of gender

this explains the concept of gendered

body language or nonverbal communication

that aligns with culturally relevant

gender norms and roles let's examine a

case that demonstrates the real-world

effect of gendered body language in 2017

a campaign was run throughout public

transportation in Madrid Spain with the

intention to stop man spreading man

spreading refers to the act of cisgender

men spreading their legs widely in

public spaces and taking up relatively

more space than those around them women

in Madrid formed an activist group

created a viral hashtag and presented a

petition to ban ban spreading until

signs warning against the act were

installed in public transportation so

why is man spreading such a big deal

this campaign targets a form of

normalized unequal gender power dynamics

in nonverbal communication the campaign

intends to make up for that inequality

by compelling cisgender men to evaluate

the impacts of their body language of

course many of these men have no idea

when they are manspreading or otherwise

imposing on others with their masculine

body language that is because people

often perform and decode nonverbal

communication without conscious

knowledge or intention because gendered

power dynamics are so deeply rooted and

normalized throughout society people

communicate their implicit gender biases

through their body language often

without realising how can we begin to

recognize these performances of gendered

body language and how can we ensure that

we are not reinforcing harmful

hierarchies through our nonverbal

communication the first step is to make

a conscious effort to consider the

various power dynamics at play when

communicating with others just like the

takeaway from implicit bias trainings

you may have already experienced we

should work on becoming aware of how

when where and why we create and sustain

gendered power dynamics through

nonverbal communication here are some

ways this understanding of gender power

dynamics can alter how we communicate

non-verbally pay attention to whether or

not you move out of the way of people

who are in your path if you mostly wait

for other people to move you should

intentionally try to move for others

more often if you notice someone is

trying to gather other people's

attention you can help by setting a good

example and giving them your attention

while failing to engage with others who

are not be aware that physical touch

like Pat's back slaps and shoulder

squeezes are often used to demonstrate

dominance use them carefully

respectfully and only after

understanding the touch boundaries of

those who you are communicating with

these are only a few examples but

together we can make these changes with

the knowledge that how we use nonverbal

communication has the potential to

disrupt gender hierarchies we will no

longer subconsciously contribute to the

systemic subordination of women

transgender and non-binary people

that is enforced through how we

communicate along the lines of gender

instead this knowledge and awareness

allows for greater opportunity to

empower support and effectively

communicate with people of all genders