Non-verbal communication and its explanations (Darwin, 1872)

Welcome to the World of Silent Communication!

Have you ever known a friend was upset before they even opened their mouth? Or felt uncomfortable because someone stood just a little bit too close to you? That is the power of non-verbal communication (NVC).

In this chapter, we are going to explore how we communicate using our bodies instead of our words. We will look at different types of NVC and dive into Charles Darwin’s (1872) famous theory about why we do it. This topic is part of your Optional Topic 10: Language, thought and communication.

Note: To see how these ideas link to other parts of this topic, you can also check out the notes on Yuki et al. (2007) regarding cultural differences in NVC.

1. Types of Non-Verbal Communication

Non-verbal communication is basically any information we send to others without using spoken or written words. Here are the main types you need to know for your exam:

Facial Expressions

Our faces are incredibly expressive. We use them to show how we feel (emotions). Darwin argued that many of these expressions are universal, meaning people all over the world use the same face for happiness, sadness, anger, or fear.

Eye Contact

This is when two people look at each other’s eyes at the same time. It serves several purposes: 1. Regulating flow: It helps us know when it's our turn to speak. 2. Expressing emotion: High levels of eye contact can show attraction or interest. 3. Signalling status: Looking away can show submission, while staring can be a sign of dominance or aggression.

Body Language: Postures and Gestures

Students often mix these two up, so let's keep them separate:

Postures: This is the way you hold your whole body. For example, standing tall with your shoulders back (open posture) usually shows confidence, while crossing your arms and hunching (closed posture) might show you are defensive or unhappy.

Gestures: These are specific movements of the hands or body to express an idea. For example, waving "hello," pointing at something, or giving a "thumbs up."

Personal Space (Proxemics)

Proxemics is the study of the physical space we keep between ourselves and others. Think of it like an invisible "bubble." Cultural Differences: This is a key part of the syllabus. People from "contact cultures" (like those in Mediterranean or Latin American countries) often prefer to stand closer together. People from "non-contact cultures" (like the UK or USA) usually prefer more personal space.

Quick Review: - Facial Expressions: Universal signs of emotion. - Eye Contact: Used for turn-taking and showing interest. - Postures: The "shape" of your whole body (open vs. closed). - Gestures: Specific movements (waving). - Proxemics: Your personal space bubble (varies by culture).

2. Darwin’s Theory of Evolution (1872)

Charles Darwin is most famous for his work on how animals change over time. In 1872, he wrote a book called The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals. He argued that NVC isn't just something we learn—it’s something we have evolved to do.

Key Concepts of the Theory:

1. Innate and Hereditary: Darwin believed NVC is innate (we are born with it). It is passed down through our genes (hereditary) from our ancestors.

2. Survival of the Fittest: NVC helps us survive. If an early human could show they were angry by baring their teeth (like a wolf does), it might stop a fight before it starts. If we can signal "danger" with a terrified facial expression, we help our tribe survive.

3. Serviceable Associated Habits: This is a fancy way of saying that a behavior once served a practical purpose. For example: - Baring teeth: Ancestors did this to get ready to bite. Now, we do it as a "sneer" or "scowl" just to show we are angry. - Widening eyes in fear: This actually helps us see more of our surroundings (increasing the visual field) so we can spot threats better. Now, we just do it to show we are scared.

4. Adaptiveness: Because NVC helped our ancestors survive and reproduce, those who were good at communicating non-verbally passed those traits on to us!

Memory Aid: Think of a dog growling. It doesn't have to "learn" to look mean to protect its bone; it just happens naturally to help it survive. Darwin said humans are the same!

3. Evaluating Darwin’s Theory

In your exam, you need to be able to talk about the strengths and weaknesses of this theory (AO3).

Strengths

+ Research Support: Studies on babies show they use facial expressions (like smiling or crying) almost immediately after birth. Since they haven't had time to "learn" this, it suggests NVC is innate, just like Darwin said.

+ Universality: Research has found that basic facial expressions (happiness, sadness, etc.) are recognized across almost all cultures. This supports the idea that NVC is biological rather than learned from our specific society.

Weaknesses

- Cultural Differences: Darwin struggled to explain why some NVC (like gestures and personal space) is so different across cultures. If it were purely biological, wouldn't we all have the same personal space "bubble" size?

- Ignores Learning: The theory doesn't account for how we can learn to "mask" our emotions. We can be sad but force ourselves to smile. This suggests that NVC is partly under our conscious control and influenced by our environment, not just our evolution.

Summary Key Takeaways

1. NVC includes facial expressions, eye contact, postures, gestures, and personal space (proxemics).

2. Darwin (1872) proposed that NVC is evolved and innate.

3. He argued NVC has survival value (e.g., baring teeth to warn off enemies).

4. While many facial expressions are universal (a strength), the theory doesn't easily explain cultural differences in gestures and personal space (a weakness).

Common Mistake to Avoid: Don't assume all NVC is the same everywhere. Remember that while facial expressions are mostly universal, proxemics (personal space) and gestures are often different depending on where you grew up!