Understanding Non-Verbal Communication Research

Early Study of Non-Verbal Signals

Since 1914 to 1940, there was considerable interest in how people communicate through facial expressions.

Disciplines in Communication Study

The investigation of communication draws from 5 disciplines: psychology, psychiatry, anthropology, sociology, and ethology.

Culture Shapes Non-Verbal Cues

We take for granted premises about masculinity and femininity that originate from culture. Human culture can provide behavior patterns consistent or not consistent with the gender of the individual. Conventions, such as how people dress or style their hair, also help convey cultural norms.

Gender, Culture, and Behavior Patterns

Studies of three different tribes showed variations in gender roles. In one, both sexes were ferocious and aggressive; in another, both were soft and dedicated to caring for children. In the third, men seemed to curl hair and did the shopping while women were energetic, executive, and sports-oriented.

Interpreting Non-Verbal Complexity

A significant challenge when trying to interpret non-verbal behavior lies in the bewildering complexity of human communication. Within a relationship, there may be specific key behaviors understood only by those involved; overt seduction is not always at stake.

Challenges in Understanding Cues

Ambiguous signals, sometimes referred to as quasi-courtship, can occur in situations where confusion is generated, such as when a woman behaves aggressively or dominantly.

Kinesics: Body Language Analysis

Ray Birdwhistell, a pioneer among kinesics specialists, estimated that only 35% of the significance of any conversation corresponds to spoken words.

Birdwhistell and Body Movement

A perceptible kine is simply movement. Kinemes can sometimes be exchanged or substituted for one another without altering the meaning of the message.

One of the most compelling ideas proposed by communication scholars is the notion that sometimes the body communicates by itself. The human being is a great imitator, wonderfully sensitive to the bodily signs of their fellows.

Ethology: Comparing Human and Animal Signals

Ethologists analyze and compare the communication systems of humans and animals.

Facial Expression Research

Methods like FAST (Facial Affect Scoring Technique) provide an atlas of the face, cataloging expressions using facial photographs. These techniques often divide the face into three regions: the forehead and eyebrows, the eyes, and the lower face.

Darwin's Work on Facial Signals

Charles Darwin began research in 1872, comparing the facial expressions of mammals, including humans.