Database results:
examBoard: AQA
examType: GCSE
lessonTitle: Evidence for Innate Behaviour
Non-verbal behaviour includes facial expressions, gestures, posture and body language that we use to communicate without words. A key debate in psychology is whether these behaviours are innate (born with us) or learned through our environment. This session explores the evidence suggesting that some non-verbal behaviours are innate.
Key Definitions:
Understanding whether non-verbal behaviours are innate helps us determine if human communication has biological roots. This has implications for how we understand human development, cultural differences and even conditions like autism where non-verbal communication may be affected.
From an evolutionary standpoint, innate non-verbal behaviours would have provided survival advantages to our ancestors. For example, universal facial expressions would allow humans to communicate danger or friendly intentions across different groups, even without shared language.
Charles Darwin was one of the first scientists to suggest that facial expressions might be universal and innate. In his 1872 book "The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals," Darwin proposed that emotional expressions evolved from behaviours that once had direct survival value.
Darwin noted that certain expressions appeared similar across cultures and even between humans and animals. He observed that people born blind (who couldn't have learned expressions by seeing others) displayed the same facial expressions as sighted people, suggesting these expressions were innate rather than learned.
The most compelling evidence for innate non-verbal behaviour comes from the work of psychologist Paul Ekman. In the 1960s and 70s, Ekman conducted groundbreaking research on facial expressions across different cultures.
Ekman identified six basic emotions that appear to have universal facial expressions across all cultures:
Raised cheeks and corners of lips drawn up
Lowered brows, raised upper eyelids, tightened lips
Drooping eyelids, downturned mouth, raised inner brows
Raised brows, widened eyes, open mouth
Wrinkled nose, raised upper lip
Raised brows, wide eyes, open mouth
In one of his most famous studies, Ekman travelled to Papua New Guinea to study the Fore people, an isolated tribe with minimal contact with the outside world. Ekman showed them photographs of facial expressions and asked them to match the expressions with scenarios (like "this person's friend has just arrived"). The Fore people identified the emotions at a rate far better than chance, suggesting that these expressions are indeed universal rather than culturally learned.
Some of the strongest evidence for innate non-verbal behaviour comes from studying those who couldn't have learned expressions through observation.
Newborn babies show facial expressions resembling adult expressions of disgust, pain and pleasure within hours of birth, before they could have learned these responses. Research by Meltzoff and Moore (1977) found that infants as young as 12-21 days old could imitate facial expressions like tongue protrusion and mouth opening, suggesting an innate ability to recognise and reproduce facial expressions.
People who are born blind display the same facial expressions as sighted people, despite never having seen these expressions. Eibl-Eibesfeldt (1973) found that congenitally blind children smile, frown and show expressions of anger in the same way as sighted children, providing strong evidence that these expressions are innate rather than learned through observation.
Research into the brain and nervous system provides further evidence for the innate nature of some non-verbal behaviours.
Specific brain areas are dedicated to processing facial expressions, suggesting their evolutionary importance:
Why would non-verbal behaviours be innate? Evolutionary psychologists suggest several advantages:
Facial expressions allow rapid communication of intentions and emotions, helping our ancestors coordinate group activities like hunting or avoiding predators. A universal "language" of expressions would be beneficial for survival.
Expressions like smiling help create social bonds. Studies show that smiling is recognised as positive across cultures and triggers positive responses in others, facilitating cooperation and group cohesion.
While there is strong evidence for some innate non-verbal behaviours, it's important to consider the limitations of this research:
Ekman later developed the concept of "display rules" - culturally learned norms that govern when and how emotions should be expressed. This suggests a more nuanced view: the capacity for certain expressions may be innate, but culture teaches us when to show them. For example, Japanese children learn to hide negative emotions in public settings, while the ability to form those expressions remains innate.
The evidence strongly suggests that some core aspects of non-verbal behaviour, particularly basic facial expressions, have innate components. However, cultural learning still plays an important role in shaping how and when these expressions are displayed. The most accurate view is likely that non-verbal behaviour results from an interaction between our biological predispositions and our social environment.
The strongest evidence for innate non-verbal behaviour comes from cross-cultural studies, research with infants and blind individuals and neurological findings. This suggests that humans are born with the capacity for certain universal expressions, though culture shapes how these are displayed.
When discussing evidence for innate behaviour in exams, make sure to mention specific studies (like Ekman's work with the Fore people) and consider both strengths and limitations of the evidence. Remember to explain why innate expressions would have evolutionary advantages.
Log in to track your progress and mark lessons as complete!
Login NowDon't have an account? Sign up here.