A female American Indian has come to the clinic for follow-up diabetic teaching. During the interview, the nurse notices that she never makes eye contact and speaks mostly to the floor. Which statement is true regarding this situation?
a. The woman is nervous and embarrassed.
b. She has something to hide and is ashamed.
c. The woman is showing inconsistent verbal and nonverbal behaviors.
d. She is showing that she is carefully listening to what the nurse is saying.
ANS: D
Eye contact is perhaps among the most culturally variable nonverbal behaviors. Asian, American Indian, Indochinese, Arabian, and Appalachian people may consider direct eye contact impolite or aggressive, and they may avert their eyes during the interview. American Indians often stare at the floor during the interview, which is a culturally appropriate behavior, indicating that the listener is paying close attention to the speaker.
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