1/25/2017 Chapter 2: Roots of Nonverbal Behavior Nonverbal Communication Preview Nature vs. nurture debate Three primary sources of nonverbal behavior Evidence from sensory deprivation Evidence from infants Evidence from twin studies Evidence from nonhuman primates Evidence from multicultural studies 1 1/25/2017 Nature vs. Nurture 3 Primary sources of nonverbal behavior 1. 2. 3. Inherited/ Genetic Common human experiences Individual social/ cultural experiences Have you developed mannerisms similar to your friends? Nature vs. Nurture 5 Research Perspectives 1. Evidence from sensory deprivation Being blind and/or deaf Findings suggest spontaneous expressions of emotions not significantly different in blind/deaf children Sadness, crying, smiling, laughing, etc… Team nature or team nurture? 2 1/25/2017 Nature vs. Nurture 5 Research Perspectives 2. Evidence from infants Differential Emotions Theory (DET) = Strong genetic basis for facial expressions Therefore, emotions will produce same facial expressions in adults & children Errors with DET Infants experiencing a different emotion and we label their expression with our interpretation? If researchers are looking for adult expressions, are they missing ones that don’t match up? Nature vs. Nurture 5 Research Perspectives 3. Evidence from Twin Studies 50% of items linked to heredity Job satisfaction, religious interests, sociability… Identical twins who were reared apart Had “identical body languages” Moved unconsciously in the same way 3 1/25/2017 Nature vs. Nurture 5 Research Perspectives Evidence from nonhuman primates 4. Are humans animals? Complex mental capacity of humans… Like comparing apples and oranges… Animals, like humans may emphasize facial displays Correspond with or complement cues… In other parts of the body What behavior does your pet display? Nature vs. Nurture 5 Research Perspectives 4. Evidence from nonhuman primates, continued Many of our facial expressions have evolved… Primal behaviors in attacking, fleeing, breathing Now manifest themselves in gestures of emotions Within humans, we can assume there exists… A system of universal rules Structure social interactions, verbal & nonverbal Concluded from observing children of various cultures 4 1/25/2017 Nature vs. Nurture 5 Research Perspectives 5. Evidence from multicultural studies We may share a common behavioral heritage, but… CULTURE significantly contributes to differences Examples of culture’s influence: “OK” symbol Eyebrow flash “Yes” & “No” direction of head nods vary Nature vs. Nurture 5 Research Perspectives 5. Evidence from multicultural studies, continued Important dimensions of culture that affect facial expressions Power Distance = status & hierarchy If high, will display more emotions in public that preserve status difference Individualism – Collectivism Individualists manifest greater differences in public emotional displays between ingroups & outgroups 5 1/25/2017 Nature vs. Nurture All cultures are most accurate when judging expressions made by people from their own culture. How do brands promote individualism – collectivism? What do you see on our multicultural campus? Team Nature Dominique Moceanu video 20/20 Youtube clip 6 1/25/2017 Review Nature vs. nurture debate Three primary sources of nonverbal behavior Evidence from sensory deprivation Evidence from infants Evidence from twin studies Evidence from nonhuman primates Evidence from multicultural studies 7