Incorrectly thinking that a persons frown indicates her disapproval of you is a problem of

Abstract

Classroom-process data indicate that teachers' verbal praise cannot be equated with reinforcement. Typically, such praise is used infrequently, without contingency, specificity, or credibility. Often it is not even intended as reinforcement, and even when it is, it frequently has some other function. The meanings and functions of behaviors typically included under the category of teacher praise are determined by the degree of congruence between verbal and nonverbal components and by the context in which the interaction occurs. Much teacher praise is determined more by teachers' perceptions of student needs than by the quality of student conduct or performance. Considerations of classroom feasibility and probable student response to teachers' attempts at social reinforcement suggest that teacher praise should remain infrequent, but that it could be made much more effective. Attribution theory is an important supplement to social learning/reinforcement theory for suggesting guidelines for praising effectively.

Journal Information

Review of Educational Research (RER) publishes critical, integrative reviews of research literature bearing on education. Such reviews should include conceptualizations, interpretations, and syntheses of literature and scholarly work in a field. RER encourages the submission of research relevant to education from any discipline, such as reviews of research in psychology, sociology, history, philosophy, political science, economics, computer science, statistics, anthropology, and biology, provided that the review bears on educational issues.

Publisher Information

The American Educational Research Association (AERA) is concerned with improving the educational process by encouraging scholarly inquiry related to education and by promoting the dissemination and practical application of research results. AERA is the most prominent international professional organization with the primary goal of advancing educational research and its practical application. Its 20,000 members are educators; administrators; directors of research, testing or evaluation in federal, state and local agencies; counselors; evaluators; graduate students; and behavioral scientists. The broad range of disciplines represented by the membership includes education, psychology, statistics, sociology, history, economics, philosophy, anthropology, and political science.

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Interpreting Nonverbal Communication

You just learned the importance of interpreting nonverbal cues to gather information. You can also rely on nonverbal cues to help guide the conversation during the assessment interview.

Can you interpret nonverbal cues accurately?

You will view a series of images that present nonverbal cues. Click the choice that represents the best interpretation of the cue the individual is sending. You will get feedback after your choice.

Question 1 of 5

How would you interpret Ruth’s nonverbal cue?

Click the best choice.

A. Angry or frustrated

B. Shy or timid

C. Skeptical or unconvinced

Good choice! People who look to the sides a lot are nervous, lying or distracted. If a person looks away from you, it could indicate submissiveness. Looking askance, as in the image of Ruth, generally means the individual is skeptical or unconvinced.

Sorry, that’s incorrect. Option C is a better choice. People who look to the sides a lot are nervous, lying or distracted. If a person looks away from you, it could indicate submissiveness. Looking askance, as in the image of Ruth, generally means the individual is skeptical or unconvinced.

Question 2 of 5

How would you interpret Juanita’s nonverbal cue?

Click the best choice.

A. Comfortable and happy

B. Shy or timid

C. Skeptical or unconvinced

Good choice! Individuals who look down at the floor a lot are probably shy or timid. People also tend to look down when they are upset or trying to hide something emotional. People are often thinking and feeling unpleasant emotions when they stare at the ground. Some cultures believe that looking at someone directly in the eyes is a sign of disrespect, so this could explain why an individual is avoiding eye contact with you.

Sorry, that’s incorrect. Option B is a better choice. Individuals who look down at the floor a lot are probably shy or timid. People also tend to look down when they are upset or trying to hide something emotional. People are often thinking and feeling unpleasant emotions when they stare at the ground. Some cultures believe that looking at someone directly in the eyes is a sign of disrespect, so this could explain why an individual is avoiding eye contact with you.

Question 3 of 5

How would you interpret the nonverbal cues of Juanita’s mother?

Click the best choice.

A. Closed or unconvinced

B. Shy or timid

C. Happy and calm

Good choice! Some individuals just cross their arms as a habit, but it usually indicates that the person is closed off from and uncomfortable with the discussion. Crossed arms could also mean the individual is reserved and self-conscious. If the individual’s arms are crossed while standing with feet shoulder width apart or wider, this is a position of toughness or authority.

Sorry, that’s incorrect. Option A is a better choice. Some individuals just cross their arms as a habit, but it usually indicates that the person is closed off from and uncomfortable with the discussion. Crossed arms could also mean the individual is reserved and self-conscious. If the individual’s arms are crossed while standing with feet shoulder width apart or wider, this is a position of toughness or authority.

Question 4 of 5

How would you interpret Steve’s nonverbal cue?

Click the best choice.

A. Nervousness or strength

B. Stubbornness or resistance

C. Confidence or authority

Good choice! Arms are very reliable indicators of mood and feeling, especially when interpreted with other signals. Clenched fists reinforce stubbornness, aggression or the lack of empathy indicated by crossed arms.

Sorry, that’s incorrect. Option B is a better choice. Arms are very reliable indicators of mood and feeling, especially when interpreted with other signals. Clenched fists reinforce stubbornness, aggression or the lack of empathy indicated by crossed arms.

Question 5 of 5

How would you interpret the nonverbal cue of the woman dressed in red?

Click the best choice.

A. Nervousness or stress

B. Anger or defensiveness

C. Disapproval or failure

Good choice! Fingers are placed in or near the mouth when a person feels under pressure. While most hand-to-mouth gestures involve lying or deception, the fingers-in-mouth gesture is an outward manifestation of nervousness or stress.

Sorry, that’s incorrect. Option A is a better choice. Fingers are placed in or near the mouth when a person feels under pressure. While most hand-to-mouth gestures involve lying or deception, the fingers-in-mouth gesture is an outward manifestation of nervousness or stress.

Now you’ve had some practice interpreting nonverbal cues.

Click Next to continue.

What describes the ability to recreate another person's perspective in order to understand his or her point of view?

Are personal stories that we and others create to make sense of our personal world?

Which is true regarding the fundamental attribution error?

Which of the following behaviors has been identified by researchers as one of the main ways people indicate attraction?