Well I’m back with my analysis of the second chapter. This chapter is mainly focused on spoken language was evolved from gestures. Charles Darwin concluded that humans’ ability to express emotions, feelings and attitudes through posture and gesture stems from prehistoric apes that most resemble today’s chimpanzees.
Research into primate’s behaviour concludes that non-verbal behaviour including gestures and facial expressions is a reliable source for conveying messages. At first language was nonexistent, spoken language evolved from gestures. Language has been part of human communication for 500,000- 2,000,000 years. Although humans’ ability to communicate effectively has evolved with the development of speech, body language continues to be the most reliable source for conveying attitude, feeling and emotions.
Learned gestures, there are many forms of learned gestures such as discovered, absorbed and taught. Discovered actions are learnt during the growing up process. As you become familiar with your body you unconsciously discover you are able to do this. Absorbed actions are learned by imitating others. Humans are imitative characters, easily influenced by the action of others especially if they are considered to be of higher status. Trained actions are learned through practice such has a handshake or winking. Refined actions are several categories of actions that influence much behaviour you perform in your adult life. Such as crying or sitting with your legs crossed.
You simply need to be aware of and understand gestures some you make and some you see.
Research into primate’s behaviour concludes that non-verbal behaviour including gestures and facial expressions is a reliable source for conveying messages. At first language was nonexistent, spoken language evolved from gestures. Language has been part of human communication for 500,000- 2,000,000 years. Although humans’ ability to communicate effectively has evolved with the development of speech, body language continues to be the most reliable source for conveying attitude, feeling and emotions.
An American anthropologist Birdwhistell labelled a form of communication “kinesics” as it relates to the movement of the body part or the individual body parts. He classified kinesics in five different categories, emblems, illustrations, affective display, regulators and adaptors. Emblems are non-verbal signals with a verbal equivalent. They are easily identified because they’re frequently used in specific context e.g. the middle finger which usually is a form of curse words, the v shape which symbolise victory. Illustrators create visual image and support the spoken message. Example, holding your hands apart indicates size. Affective displays tend to be movements, usually facial gestures and displaying specific emotions. It can be expressions of love, frustration or anger. Regulators are body movements that control and adjust and sustain the flow of conversations. Frequently relied on to feedback how much of the message was understood. E.g. head nodding and eye movement.
Inborn responses are specific to the stimuli and require no practice or knowledge are performed unconsciously, unprompted and without self-analysis. Like a newborn baby crying or laughing. Learned gestures, there are many forms of learned gestures such as discovered, absorbed and taught. Discovered actions are learnt during the growing up process. As you become familiar with your body you unconsciously discover you are able to do this. Absorbed actions are learned by imitating others. Humans are imitative characters, easily influenced by the action of others especially if they are considered to be of higher status. Trained actions are learned through practice such has a handshake or winking. Refined actions are several categories of actions that influence much behaviour you perform in your adult life. Such as crying or sitting with your legs crossed.
You simply need to be aware of and understand gestures some you make and some you see.
No comments:
Post a Comment