Analyze jokes that are popular in your culture (either among comedians or among you and your friends). What are some ways the jokes build or support lines of power (e.g., putting some groups over others)? Discuss in class or with friends appropriate ways to address jokes that cast people as “Other,” when you hear them.

Think about different co-cultural groups in your own culture. Do you think that there are nonverbal differences between the groups (for example, between men and women;
older or younger; if you are in the United States, Blacks, Whites, Latinos, or other groups)? Explain possible differences in terms of the specific channels that we mention in this chapter. If possible, ask a member of the groups in question to verify if your understandings are correct.