Non-Verbal Communication

Question 1

Non-verbal Communication

Answer 1

communicating with others through body language unconsciously or consciously

Question 2

Gestures
Posture
Facial Expressions

Answer 2

• Gestures are body signals, our culture impacts the gestures we know; hand on chin= thinking
• Posture is how we move our body; slumped body= careless
• Facial Expressions is communicating with movement in face to convey feeling; raising eyebrow=shocked

Question 3

Core Theory, Social Learning Theory

Answer 3

• Is learnt and not instinctive; We learn to use non verbal communication through 5 steps
• Observation, watching others
• Imitation, copying others from observation
• Reinforcement, behavior which is repeated because positive reinforcement is given eg a reward
• Punishment, when behaviors are not repeated because of negative consequences
• Role Models, An individual who inspires people to be like them eg older siblings

Question 4

Cultural Variation in NVC

Answer 4

Cultural Variation supports the core theory because not everyone has the same non verbal communication so it means we must observe and imitate to learn how to communicate within a specific culture eg in France kisses are exchanged to say goodbye

Question 5

Criticisms of Core Theory

Answer 5

• Some NVC continues even when punished
• People within the same environment can communicate differently eg siblings
• Ignores effects of nature, eg babies cry to show distress which is not learnt

Question 6

Alternative Theory, Evolutionary Theory

Answer 6

• NVC is instinctive not learnt
• Humans and animals have evolved and passed on their genes along with NVC which has helped us survive and reproduce
  eg; aggressive body language for survival and flirtatious body language to reproduce

Question 7

Core Study, Yuki et Al

Answer 7

• Aim: To see if different cultures pay attention to different facial cues when seeing others
• Procedure: Cross cultural research involving 118 american students who should pay more attention to the mouth and 95 japanese students who should pay more attention to the eyes. Rating scale questionnaire of 1, being very sad, and 9, being very happy, were used. Participants were debriefed.
• Results :Japanese gave higher ratings to faces with happy eyes
  Americans gave higher ratings to happy mouths
• Conclusion: Communication is effected by cultural experiences therefore supporting the social learning theory

Question 8

Criticisms of Core Study

Answer 8

• Cannot be generalised for other age groups because only students were used.
• Lacks ecological validity because 2D emoticons were used which is unrealistic to real life facial expressions
• Demand Characteristics may have been shown because the participants were aware of the aim

Question 9

Applications to real life

Answer 9

• Can be used for the Rehabilitation of Offenders.
• Trainers should use open body language and neutral facial expressions to avoid anger
  Techniques:
  Modelling: NVC is modelled by trainer
  Imitation: Offender imitates behaviour
  Feedback: Trainer gives feedback to help improve
  Homework: Offender has to apply this in real life now