Question #4 of the Mid-term Exam asked us to identify the type of nonverbal communication Johnny displays when he rolls his eyes. I decided the answer to be Olfactics- communication through smell. Clearly, this is not the right answer. My eyes haven't smelled anything for the past 19 years, and they probably won't start any time soon. The correct answer, Ocalics, falls under the larger category of Kinesics- body communication. More specifically, ocalics, refers to eye communication. Eyes offer the primary portal through which we perceive body language and, according to the book, it is nearly impossible to disguise your eyes' true meaning as they are an extension of your brain. When Johnny rolled his eyes at the request to "clean his room" he insinuated disdain for the chore simply with a twitch of the eyes. Suffice it to say, his poker face lacks a certain element of mystery.
Aaron, 10 points for the correct answer and for a post that managed to make me glad I spent my entire Saturday grading and doing work.
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