Chronemics: Use of Time and Communication

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Chronemics Use of Time and Communication
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Studying Chronemics

• Three general approaches
• Biological uses of time
• Psychological uses of time
• Cultural uses of time

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Biological Uses of Time

• Daily time cycles (24 hrs.)
• Governs mammal behaviors and bodily functions
• Affected by light, temperature, humidity
• Circadian rhythms
• 24 hour daily time cycle
• Runs free from environmental influences

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Biological Uses of Time

• Circadian rhythms
• Daily pacemaker guiding time-oriented responses
• Includes a urinary cycle that is affected by
  several things
• Influenced primarily by light
• Influences hormones and immune system

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Applications of Circadian Rhythms

• The restless elderly
• Effects of jet lag
• Night people
• Historical necessity
• Night culture
• Factory work and industrial accidents

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Biorhythm Cycles

• Roughly monthly cycles said to affect human
  behaviors
• Comprised of three cycles
• Intellectual cycle (33 days)
• Physical cycle (28 days)
• Emotional cycle (28 days)

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Additional Biorhythm Cycles

• Intuition cycle (38 days)
• Passion cycle (26 days)
• Wisdom cycle (31 days)
• Mastery cycle (28 days)
• Often referred to as secondary cycles that
  combine elements of the primary 3

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Biorhythm Cycles Key Periods

• Active period
• Passive period
• Zero days
• Critical days
• Triple critical days
• Triple low periods

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Psychological Uses of Time

• Psychological time orientations
• Concerns how we think about time and its uses
• Three orientations
• Past
• Present
• Future

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Research on Time Orientations

• Number of studies have found relationships
  between time orientation and
• Age
• Income
• Risk behaviors (e.g., substance abuse, safe sex
  behaviors, and auto safety)

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Cultural Time Orientations

• Technical time
• Formal time
• Time cycles (e.g., seasons, years, months, etc.)
• Informal time
• Punctuality displaced vs. diffused
• Use of time monochronistic vs. polychronistic

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Other Uses of Time

• Waiting time
• Reflects use of time as a commodity
• Spending time
• Highly communicative of affection or feelings
• Talk time
• Primarily affects perception of competence and
  confidence
• Body speed
• Hypokinetic vs. hyperkinetic