The role of silence in communication: Cross-cultural studies examining beliefs about talk and the role of silence indicate that silence is viewed differently by different cultures and different social values and norms govern the amount of talk and silence in communication contexts. Scallon (1985) and Giles et al., (1992) have shown that silence is associated with the negative values in Western culture (lack of interest; unwillingness to communicate, rejection; interpersonal incompatibility; shyness). In UK talk is seen as the norm in communication, and the role of silence as a means of communication has been largely ignored. Here discussion is a recognised teaching technique, most prominently in the humanities and social sciences and active classroom participation is encouraged and often is part of the evaluation of effective learning. This paper looks at the role silence may play in learning from a different perspective.
(The role of silence in communication)
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