The object of this field study was to observe and recognize new and unfamiliar body language in a familiar environment. The environment I chose was the dojo where I train in martial arts, Takai Mine Taekwondo. I am at the dojo probably 3-5 days each week for a few hours at a time. I characteristically follow a routine/informal ritual each and every time I enter the dojo. For the purpose of this field study I will be observing everyone else while following this informal ritual. My normal routine goes as follows: I walk into the door and immediately bow; Bowing upon entering the dojo is a formal ritual and shows respect to my Master (This formal ritual also establishes her as the dominant role in the dojo). Directly after bowing I take my shoes
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This is due in part to my favorite kid, Christopher. He is already hollering at me to come to see him as soon as he sees me at the floor opening. Of course he also runs up to me and jumps on me for his daily hug, and at that moment he draws my full focus. Between Chris and I this is an informal ritual that we observe, where he sees me as dominant. What about the other kids, and the other adults in the room? I never hear them verbally comment about this informal ritual with Chris or my formal rituals with my Master, and I have never observed them while this …show more content…
I was pleasantly surprised that I could relate many of these nonverbal behaviors to the readings and discussions done in class. An example of this would be the woman’s reaction to my informal ritual with Chris. It clearly coincides with Touch Status and Gender reading, because I was a woman my touch and hugging of Chris (someone else’s child) did not seem to worry her. We also discussed the idea of dominance and how it can be expressed through ritualistic behaviors. The nonverbal rituals (both formal and informal) stated who was the dominant and who was submissive in many of the verbal interactions I engaged in. Nonverbal communication and behavior plays a significant role in our everyday life, and unless we are consciously discerning it we become complacent to it. However, we become complacent with an instinctual understanding of what these behaviors are communicating to us. This concept was clearly demonstrated to me through this experiment/field
This is due in part to my favorite kid, Christopher. He is already hollering at me to come to see him as soon as he sees me at the floor opening. Of course he also runs up to me and jumps on me for his daily hug, and at that moment he draws my full focus. Between Chris and I this is an informal ritual that we observe, where he sees me as dominant. What about the other kids, and the other adults in the room? I never hear them verbally comment about this informal ritual with Chris or my formal rituals with my Master, and I have never observed them while this …show more content…
I was pleasantly surprised that I could relate many of these nonverbal behaviors to the readings and discussions done in class. An example of this would be the woman’s reaction to my informal ritual with Chris. It clearly coincides with Touch Status and Gender reading, because I was a woman my touch and hugging of Chris (someone else’s child) did not seem to worry her. We also discussed the idea of dominance and how it can be expressed through ritualistic behaviors. The nonverbal rituals (both formal and informal) stated who was the dominant and who was submissive in many of the verbal interactions I engaged in. Nonverbal communication and behavior plays a significant role in our everyday life, and unless we are consciously discerning it we become complacent to it. However, we become complacent with an instinctual understanding of what these behaviors are communicating to us. This concept was clearly demonstrated to me through this experiment/field