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3.9 Written Exercises
Exercise 1^1
Briefly describe two possible meanings for each of the following patient nonverbal
behaviors:
Patient nonverbal behavior Possible meanings- Patient stares at the floor
- Patient grimaces at the term “defect”
- Patient jiggles her foot repeatedly
- Patient sighs deeply and says nothing
- Patient has drops of sweat on his forehead
- Patient grips her partner’s hand
- Patient leans away from the counselor
- Patient stumbles over his words
- Patient frowns
- Patient draws in a deep breath
Exercise 2
Respond in writing to the following questions:
- What physical attending behaviors are most difficult for you to use?
- What physical attending behaviors are the easiest for you to use?
- What are your most powerful nonverbal behaviors (i.e., what do other people
notice the most about the way you attend)? - What strategies might you use to offset or lessen the intensity of your powerful
nonverbal behaviors with patients who are uncomfortable with them? - What distracting nonverbal behaviors do you engage in when you feel nervous?
Bored? Distracted?
Instructor Note
- Students could write responses to the five questions as part of a journal or a case
logbook.
(^1) Adapted from: Cormier and Cormier ( 1991 ).
3 Listening tofiPatients: Attending Skills