Non-Verbal Communication

Question 1

Non-verbal communication

Answer 1

Telling others what we are thinking or how we are feeling through recognised body movement

Question 2

Universally recognised facial expressions (6)

Answer 2

1. Surprise
2. Fear
3. Anger
4. Disgust
5. Happiness
6. Sadness

Question 3

NVC core theory:

Social Learning Theory (3)

Answer 3

• Non verbal communication is learnt
• 1. Observation: to watch someone w/ the purpose of learning about behaviour
     2. Imitation: doing, saying and behaving the same way the ‘model’ was observed
     3. Reinforcement/ punishment: the behaviour is strengthened or weakened through positive or negative consequence
• Explains cultural variations (eg kissing cheeks 3 times in France)

Question 4

NVC Social Learning Theory evaluation (3)

Answer 4

1. Doesn’t explain why certain NVCs persist after punishment, which doesn’t back up the idea of punishment as prevention
2. Cannot explain why children brought up in the same environment can have different NVCs, as their similar upbringing would suggest similar learning
3. Ignores effect of nature- universal gestures and expressions would suggest that they are a product of human nature and not learning

Question 5

NVC Alternative theory:
Evolutionary theory (3)

Answer 5

• Our NVCs are governed by instinct
• It is in our nature to want to survive long enough and to reproduce, so we have developed certain NVCs to aid this
• Eg warding off threats and making yourself appear attractive to the opposite sex

Question 6

Yuki et al (2007) (4)

Answer 6

• Hypothesis: different cultures pay attention to different facial cues when meeting and talking to each other
• Procedure: 118 American students and 95 Japanese students completed a questionnaire rating 6 different emoticons on a scale of 1-9 on how happy they looked
• Results: Japanese reacted more to happy eyes, and Americans reacted more to happy mouths.
• Conclusion: Shows there is cultural differences, this aspect of NVC is affected by upbringing and culture

Question 7

Yuki et al (2007) evaluation (3)

Answer 7

1. Lacks ecological validity as computer-generated emoticons are not accurate representations of real life faces and consequently, our reactions to them are not the same
2. Unrepresentative sample as all are students
3. Dependent variable makes it very reductionist- using a rating scale is also subjective

Question 8

NVC Applications of research:

Social Skills training

Answer 8

Rehabilitation of offenders- Modelling, practice, feedback & homework mirror the ideas of the social learning theory. These are done in an attempt for the criminal to ‘learn’ new and more appropriate behaviours