The Impacts of Gesture on Quality Speech Production and Comprehension

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Impacts of Gesture on Quality Speech Production and Comprehension

Name:

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction

Background and Problem

Communication can build or tear down; thus, every person’s responsibility is to ensure appropriate and quality communication when interacting with others through teaching, encouraging, or offering support. One such way of ensuring quality communication is through gestures. Gestures have a close correlation with speech, persuasion process, and social perception. The process of speech presentation involves two kinds of messages to the audience. While the voice delves in transmitting verbal messages, a significant amount of information is conveyed visually through one’s manner, appearance, and physical behavior (Kita, Alibali & Chu, 2017). According to Hostetter (2011), 50% of human communication occurs non verbally; thus, when one speaks, the audience draws judgment of the message based on what can be seen and heard.

Similarly, Hirsh-Pasek et al. (2011) observe that gestures can be used effectively as a tool to add clarity and emphasis to the words when speaking. They are also considered as powerful instruments to depict sincerity, enthusiasm, and earnestness to the audience. Thus, to communicate effectively, it is imperative to understand the meaningful use of gestures, because it could be impossible to stop using gestures, but a speaker can manage and control the outcome by using appropriate gestures.

Compared to the fact that communication exists virtually in every part of human existence and is ubiquitous in communication, controversy still exists regarding the fundamental role and value of gesture in communication. While some argue that gestures have a primarily communicative function by enhancing listeners comprehension or non-communicative role by enhancing speech production, others have asserted that gestures exclusively enhance the comprehension of listeners; this study thus helps contribute to the field of the study by investigating how the deployment of gestures impact speech production. The study will also endeavor to establish the mediating effect of speech production on listeners’ comprehension.

Aims and Objectives

This research aims to establish the effect of gesture on the quality of communication, particularly speech production and listeners’ comprehension. Therefore, to help answer the research question, the researcher will adopt the following objectives will be adopted;

1. To establish the elements of quality communication.
2. To investigate the effective use of gestures for effective communication.

Research Question

The research will adopt the following question as to the primary guide;

How can gestures be used effectively to ensure quality communication?

 

Literature Review

Gestures Overview

A gesture refers to a speakers’ specific bodily movement to reinforce verbal messages to convey a particular emotion or thought Madapana et al. (2018). Gestures are predominantly a movement of the arms and hands; however,  head, shoulder, leg, and feet movement can also constitute gestures (Flickinger et al., 2013).  Gestures can be grouped into prompting gestures, emphatic gestures, descriptive gestures, and suggestive gestures. Descriptive gestures enhance or clarify a verbal message, prompting gestures are used to help evoke desired responses from the audience, emphatic gestures are used to underscore the message while suggestive gestures constitute symbols of emotions and ideas.

All good speakers employ gestures because they are arguably the most evocative forms of non-verbal communication. Studies establish that there is no other physical activity that can enhance a speech than gestures; they strengthen and support audiences’ understanding regarding a verbal message, thus helping paint a vivid picture in the audience’s minds through idea-dramatization(Byrne et al., 2013). Further, gestures function as visual aids to help call and retain the audience’s attention, help dissipate nervous tension when purposely used to channel out the nervous energy inherent in speaking, and help stimulate the audience to participate in a performance indicating the response being sought actively. Equality is essential; if there is a mismatch between gestures and verbal communication, the gestures will defeat the words. Therefore, when informing, inspiring, motivating, or entertaining, it is imperative to ensure the appropriateness of the gestures chosen (Hirsh-Pasek et al., 2015).

The concept of Quality Communication

According to Hirsh-Pasek et al.  (2015), effective communication entails understanding the emotion and intention that drives communication.  Effective communication also involves the precise passing of messages and listening in a way that ensures the other party is fully heard (Flickinger, Saha,  Moore & Beach, 2013). So, to ensure proper and quality communication, a speaker must issue proper focus and avoidance of distractions, ensuring the deployment of appropriate and consistent gestures for quality communication (Hirsh-Pasek et al., 2015).

Gestures and quality Communication

According to the study by Byrne et al. (2013), gestures have the power to portray the individual personality of a speaker; thus, the gesture that seems right for one speaker may not work for another speaker. Therefore, to ensure effective use of gestures for effective communication, the following aspects have to be  considered;

Evoke natural responses to speech and thoughts

Studies show that gestures are innate, and when one commences a speed, the gestures should be automatically evoked to strengthen and punctuate speech. Therefore, it is essential not to suppress the impulse by retreating behind the received mask of impassiveness, leading to tension build-up (Byrne et al., 2017). Similarly, Flickinger et al. (2013) assert that it would be inappropriate to copy other speakers’ use of gestures; the researchers demonstrate that the use of artificially acquired gestures has a negative outcome on the perception of a person being genuine or spontaneous; thus, the chances are that the audience will detect the inconsistencies and label a speaker as phony. Therefore for a naturally animated personality, using hand gestures freely in a formal conversation should be practiced just like in an informal conversation. However, it is essential for the reserved or low-key personality not to impose gestures to suit public speaking situations (Hirsh-Pasek et al., 2015).

Create a condition for gesturing

During a speech session, it is essential to be fully involved in communicating by exclusively directing thoughts and energy in the speech’s subject matter (Byrne et al., 2017). Hostetter (2011) argues that this endeavor will ensure that a condition that enables a natural response with appropriate gestures is created. However, if a speaker focuses on their hands or on how they will employ specific gestures, it will be impossible to employ gestures for quality speech effectively. In the same vein, Hirsh-Pasek et al. (2015) assert that gestures should be a natural outgrowth of individual unique thoughts and feelings and, therefore, should be habitually and naturally motivated based on a speaker’s attitude towards the message being presented.

Contextualize the actions based on the occasion

Fröhlich et al. (2019) argue that quality communication, the visual and verbal messages, should be synchronized with the speaker’s thoughts and feelings. If a speaker neglects the matching of words and gestures, the outcome could likely be artificial wooden, and in some cases, comical. Similarly, Madapana et al. (2018) argue that the reflective and purposeful use of gestures in line with the word used ensures that the listeners do not focus unnecessarily on the gesture but the effect. Thus, a speaker must ensure that the speech’s frequency and vigor are appropriate for word the choice.

The study by Roberts & Roberts (2019) proposes that a speaker should apply strong emphatic gestures exclusively when necessary based on a speaker’s feeling; secondly, a speaker may require to adapt their gestures to fit the nature and size of the audience. For instance, broader and slower gestures are appropriate for larger audiences. Thirdly, a speaker should note that younger audiences are more likely to appeal for vigorous gesturing than older audiences who are more conservative and feel threatened by a speaker when physical actions are immensely powerful (Fröhlich et al. 2019).

Additionally, since the logistics of a speaking situation impacts on gesturing, it is imperative to choose appropriate gestures; for instance, when in a physically confined position such as a head table where people are seated next to each other, a speaker may restrict themselves to broad, sweeping gestures (Gerwing, 2019).

Use Convincing Gesture

Gestures convey the intended impression when they are distinct and lively. If the speaker lacks earnestness and conviction, the gesture is rendered half-hearted. According to Hostetter (2011), useful gestures are considerably vigorous enough to convince, but still, be slow or brought enough for visibility. The author also added that appropriate gesturing should be devoid of following a set partner and not appear to be jerky (Madapana et al., 2018). For instance, when utilizing a hand gesture, the entire arm should be moved and not from the elbow. The speaker should move their body easily and freely; the speaker should also keep their wrists and wrists supple rather than tense and stiff (Roberts & Roberts, 2019).

Timely and smooth gesturing

According to Byrne et al. (2017), every gesture has three components: the approach, stroke, and return.  The approach initiates the body movement in line with the anticipated gesture; the stroke implies the gesture itself while the return takes the body back to its initial balanced speaking posture. A speaker needs to ensure a sequential and smooth flow of the gesturing process from balance, approach, stroke, and back to balance so that the audience only pays attention to the stroke: thus, timing is essential just as the gesture’s quality is important. Gerwing (2019) observes that when the approach is initiated well before the stroke, it is possible to obtain a powerful effect. Therefore, a speaker needs to approach a gesture several seconds in advance, then holding it until the stroke’s opportune moment. However, the return means the smooth dropping of the arm to the writer’s sides and does not need to be rushed (Fröhlich et al. 2019).

Conceptual Framework.

Based on the literature review, the following contextual framework is generated. Gestures and words form the independent variable, while quality communication constitutes the dependent variable.

Figure 1: Conceptual Framework

 

Methodology

Introduction:

This section outlines the methods and procedures that the researcher will employ, including research design, population sample, data collection, ethical concerns, and how data will be analyzed. The section will also include sampling techniques.

Research design

The researcher will adopt a quantitative research design to help model the relationship between gestures and speech quality. This method was adopted due to his ability to replicate the study outcome (Egbuna et al., 2018).

Participants

This study will leverage survey design. The study participants will constitute 80 1st year psychology students from the Institution, where the researcher is affiliated.

Data Collection

The researcher will utilize a questionnaire for data collection due to the inability to gather data from multiple respondents concurrently when faced with time constraints (Regmi et al., 2015). The first format of questionnaires will also eliminate the possibility of a more in depth or abstract observation by offering clear linear outcomes. The researcher adopted stratified random sampling. This scenario means that the researcher will subdivide the population before applying random sampling (Madapana et al., 2018).

Ethical Consideration

Ethics refers to the acceptable code of conduct when undertaking a research study (Yip, Han & Sng, 2016). Ethical concerns are part of all studies, and the researcher needs to put in place the mechanisms that will ensure such concerns are addressed. First, the researcher will address informed consent issues by informing the participants in advance about the study’s purpose and providing informed consent in writing. The researcher will affirm to all the participants that their personal information will be kept confidential.

Data Analysis

The research will deploy a mathematical analysis of the questionnaire.  Thus the researcher will utilize the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 18 for data analysis. The researcher also used tables and charts for data presentation.

Conclusion

This proposal presents the need to study the relationship between speech production and gesture. Therefore, the introduction illustrates the need for the study and establishes the research question. The literature reviews that concept concerning gestures and is needed for quality speech. The researcher also discusses the concept of quality speech and outlines the conceptual framework. The methodology elves on the methodology, methods, and tools that the researcher will leverage to collect, analyze and present data; the section also encompasses the ethical contents about the current study and how they were addressed.

Study Timelines

Timeline of the StudyTASK	TIMELINE
Proposal	October 2020
Gathering of Data	November 2020
Analysis of data and Finalization of the Dissertation	December 2020

 

References

Byrne, R. W., Cartmill, E., Genty, E., Graham, K. E., Hobaiter, C., & Tanner, J. (2017). Great ape gestures: intentional communication with a rich set of innate signals. Animal Cognition, 20(4), 755-769.

Flickinger, T. E., Saha, S., Moore, R. D., & Beach, M. C. (2013). Higher quality communication and relationships are associated with improved patient engagement in HIV care. Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes (1999), 63(3), 362.

Egbuna, C. H. U. K. W. U. E. B. U. K. A., Ifemeje, J. C., Maduako, H. T., Tijjani, H., Udedi, S. C., Nwaka, A. C., & Ifemeje, M. O. (2018). Phytochemical Test Methods: qualitative, quantitative, and proximate analysis. Phytochemistry, 1, 381-425.

Fröhlich, M., Sievers, C., Townsend, S. W., Gruber, T., & van Schaik, C. P. (2019). Multimodal communication and language origins: integrating gestures and vocalizations. Biological Reviews, 94(5), 1809-1829.

Gerwing, J., & Li, S. (2019). Body-oriented gestures as a practitioner’s window into interpreted communication. Social Science & Medicine, 233, 171-180.

Hirsh-Pasek, K., Adamson, L. B., Bakeman, R., Owen, M. T., Golinkoff, R. M., Pace, A., … & Suma, K. (2015). The contribution of early communication quality to low-income children’s language success. Psychological science, 26(7), 1071-1083.

Hostetter, A. B. (2011). When do gestures communicate? A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 137(2), 297.

Madapana, N., Gonzalez, G., Rodgers, R., Zhang, L., & Wachs, J. P. (2018). Gestures for Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) operation in the operating room: Is there any standard?. PloS one, 13(6), e0198092.

Navas Medrano, S., Pfeiffer, M., & Kray, C. (2020). Remote Deictic Communication: Simulating Deictic Pointing Gestures across Distances Using Electro Muscle Stimulation. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, 1-16.

Kita, S., Alibali, M. W., & Chu, M. (2017). How do gestures influence thinking and speaking? The gesture-for-conceptualization hypothesis. Psychological Review, 124(3), 245.

Regmi, P. R., Waithaka, E., Paudyal, A., Simkhada, P., & Van Teijlingen, E. (2016). Guide to the design and application of online questionnaire surveys. Nepal journal of epidemiology, 6(4), 640.

Roberts, S. G. B., & Roberts, A. I. (2019). Visual attention, indicative gestures and calls accompanying gestural communication are associated with sociality in wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii). Journal of Comparative Psychology, 133(1), 56.

Yip, C., Han, N. L. R., & Sng, B. L. (2016). Legal and ethical issues in research. Indian Journal of Anaesthesia, 60(9), 684.