Gender, Power, & Nonverbal Communication
Summary
TLDRThis 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
🤔 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.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Nonverbal Communication
💡Body Language
💡Context
💡Power Dynamics
💡Gendered Power Dynamics
💡Gendered Body Language
💡Manspreading
💡Implicit Bias
💡Systemic Subordination
💡Empowering Communication
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
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