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examBoard: AQA
examType: GCSE
lessonTitle: Review and Practice - Non-verbal Explanations
Non-verbal behaviour refers to how we communicate without using words. This includes facial expressions, gestures, posture, eye contact and personal space. There are two main explanations for why humans use non-verbal communication: evolutionary and cultural.
Key Definitions:
According to evolutionary psychologists, many non-verbal behaviours are innate (we're born with them) and universal (the same across all cultures). They evolved because they helped our ancestors survive and reproduce.
For example, facial expressions like smiling or showing fear helped early humans communicate danger or friendliness quickly, which could be the difference between life and death in dangerous situations.
This explanation suggests that non-verbal behaviours are learned through socialisation and vary between cultures. We learn appropriate gestures, expressions and use of personal space from those around us.
For example, the acceptable distance between people during conversation (proxemics) varies widely between cultures, with some preferring closer interaction than others.
Paul Ekman's research identified six basic facial expressions that appear to be universal across cultures:
Smiling is recognised worldwide as showing pleasure or friendliness.
Furrowed brow, narrowed eyes and tight lips signal aggression.
Widened eyes and raised eyebrows alert others to danger.
Downturned mouth and drooping eyelids signal distress.
Raised eyebrows and open mouth show unexpected events.
Wrinkled nose and raised upper lip help avoid contamination.
Ekman and Friesen showed photographs of facial expressions to people from different cultures, including a remote tribe in New Guinea with little contact with the outside world. They found that people across all cultures could identify the six basic emotions from facial expressions, suggesting these expressions are innate rather than learned.
Another piece of evidence for the evolutionary explanation comes from studies of people who are blind from birth. These individuals display the same facial expressions as sighted people, even though they've never seen these expressions. This suggests that certain expressions are innate rather than learned through observation.
While some expressions may be universal, many aspects of non-verbal communication vary significantly between cultures:
The same gesture can have completely different meanings in different cultures. For example, the thumbs-up gesture is positive in the UK but can be offensive in some Middle Eastern countries. The 'OK' hand sign is positive in Western cultures but considered rude in Brazil.
In Western cultures, direct eye contact shows confidence and honesty. In many Asian, African and Latin American cultures, prolonged eye contact with authority figures is considered disrespectful. These differences suggest cultural learning rather than innate tendencies.
Ekman also identified what he called "display rules" - cultural norms that govern when and how emotions should be expressed. For example, in Japan, it's considered inappropriate to show negative emotions in public, so people learn to mask these with smiles. This shows how culture can modify our innate expressions.
Most psychologists now believe that non-verbal behaviour is influenced by both evolutionary and cultural factors. This integrated approach suggests that:
Understanding the evolutionary and cultural bases of non-verbal communication has practical applications in many fields:
In your exam, you might be asked to compare and evaluate these explanations. Remember to:
Before moving on to the quiz, think about these questions:
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