4. Social Perception Flashcards
Name the 4 aspects of social perception.
a) Nonverbal Communication
b) Attribution
c) Impression Formation
d) Impression Management
Define non-verbal communication.
An unspoken language of facial expressions and body language.
What forms can non-verbal communication take?
- basic channels
- movement
- gestures
- handshakes e.g. strength of grasp
- touch
- tone of voice
What are the basic channels of non-verbal communication?
- facial expression
- eye contact
- body posture
How can non-verbal communication vary between cultures?
- emotional experiences
- personal space boundaries
- touch habits
- gestures
Describe a study that shows the differences between cultures in non-verbal communication.
FREQUENCY OF TOUCH STUDY
London: 0
Paris: 2
Puerto Rico: 180
Recognizing deception
- micro-expressions (fleeting facial expressions e.g. frown followed quickly by a smile)
- inter-channel discrepancies (eyes inconsistent with face)
- non-verbal speech aspects (pitch, errors, hesitations)
- eye contact (blink more, pupils dilate)
- exaggerated facial expressions
Name the two views re. social function of facial expressions.
READOUT VIEW - strong link between emotions and facial expressions - though can be suppressed
SOCIAL COMMUNICATION VIEW - smile as a function of whether other people can see it;
- emotional expression not only indicators of emotions but also causes
- fear is caused not only by fear stimulus but by presence of expressed fear
FACS
Facial Action Coding System
Ekman & Friesen, 1976
- based on anatomical studies
- facial action units plus frequent combinations
- emotions universally easily recognized through their facial expressions: disgust, fear, sadness, happiness, surprise, fear
Is social perception a genetic disposition or a cultural convention?
- comparative observation
- cultural differences
- developmental evidence
- blind people
- angry-face phenomenon
Developmental evidence for our social perception
Emotional repertoire of newborns (Steiner 1979)
- sweet fluid: smile
- bitter substance: disgust
- loud noise: shock
Facial expressions in blind people
(DARWIN 1872)
(EIBL-EIBESFELDT 1973)
- no learning by mitation possible
- 5 children born deaf and blind
- basic emotional facial actions inherited (but coarser and more abrupt than in unimpaired children)
Explain the angry-face phenomenon.
- if genetic, there should be SURVIVAL VALUE
e. g. it should be easy to detect facial expressions signalling impending aggression
Name the scientists who investigated the angry-face phenomenon.
Hansen & Hansen 1988
- detection of angry face in crowd vs detection of happy face in crowd
- crowd size was manipulated
Outline facial feedback theory
— facial expressions can influence emotions just as emotions can influence movement of facial muscles
Approach movements facilitate…
perception and processing of positive stimuli
Avoidance movements facilitate….
perception and processing of negative stimuli
What reveals more?
Body Language and Facial expressions?
Body language
