Body Language
This is perhaps the most difficult aspect of body language discourse to engage in. There is no agreement among scholars on how body language reading evolved. However, what remains undeniable is that it is the oldest form of communication. Some scholars opine that before verbal utterances evolved, men used to communicate through gestures and that is why it has remained a pivotal means of communication till date. When you are grounded in the knowledge of the past about body language, you will be able to make intellectual and logical deductions without going out of confined states.
For the sake of empirical purpose, however, we will consider some submissions by scholars in the field and make a cautious conclusion from their viewpoints. In its opinion, Study Body Language, a platform solely dedicated to body language discourse states that body language origin can be divided into two depending on the context. First, they describe it as “something that evolves over time to answer human social needs.” That is gestures blend and conform to societal patterns per time to answer the needs of its users. The way a person gesticulates while angry is different from how they behave when happy. Hence, anthropologists and concerned scientists are still in the daily search of how body language signs develop and the purposes which they are made to serve for humans. On the other hand, the group states that “body language in communication can be divided into several groups.” Many of the gestures that are universal are inborn. That is, you need not learn them before you begin to display them. A foremost psychologist and researcher, Paul Ekman says there are seven universal micro-expressions. They include happiness, anger, joy, contempt, among others.
Some other body language gestures are learned through observations. While you keep some as observed, some others are refined as you advance in age and its use. So, to this school of thought, the question on the origin of body language reading is appropriately answered as “it depends.” For instance, you were never taught how to scowl in anger—this has been ‘programmed’ in your brain to respond in such manner when angry. Conversely, there is high probability that you heard or learned that when you stand straight and accompany it with appropriate smile, you are projecting a positive and charming image of yourself.
More importantly, the platform advises that we should not just see body language as a remnant of our past. This is because, as noted in the introductory paragraph, the use of speech is still relatively new to humans. There are speculations as to when it started and there is no definite agreement among scholars. However, the “new” means it has been in existence for hundreds of thousands of years ago. Prior to that time, human communication system was likened to that of every animal—we understand and send nonverbal cues as a sole means of communication. You know that “old habits die hard” and that is why nonverbal communication still remains a prominent part of human communication. In fact, Professor Albert Mehrabian states that it contains 55% of the entire message we pass in a communicative context. Body language still remains an integral part of our communication and as a matter of fact, it is not by our own choice or thinking. Have you ever noticed that you wave and make minor gesticulations while on phone, yet your co-interlocutor does not see you—this is the power of body language at work.
Body Language
Edward Puentes in her contribution to the origin of the body language in humans likens all humans to a computer system. So, in the computers, there are “bags of files with pieces of information” in each. The “bags of files” is what is referred to as body language. The usage rate in individuals is what differs. While some use it more than others, others are conscious of always reading the body language signals of people. One undeniable fact is that body language is real and plays a prominent role in present-day experiences. Talking about body language acquisition, the strongest influence on it is the environment. Body language reading is culturally-based. How the Asians read or interpret body language cues differs from how the Europeans do them, except for the universal expressions. As babies, humans are fond of mimicking what they see the elderly ones in their surroundings do. So, the computer file earlier mentioned come to use and it gives meaning to each behavior. Most of the time this process is unconscious, but still exists. So, an Asian child born and raised in America or among Americans will be used to the body language behavior of Americans. Hence, you can always read body language as a book with time, observation and curiosity.
Do not be trapped in the deception that body language is now primitive. There cannot be face to face communication without the use of body language—it is indispensable part of every communication. This is to mean that both the verbal and nonverbal communication complement each other. To be more practical, body language should be seen as the “flavor” in every communication. For instance, you saying “I’m OK” without an appropriate bodily action shows that your words cannot be believed. Anytime there is variation in the clue, the message becomes impossible to consume.
English philosopher, Francis Bacon was said to be the first person to study body language. He wrote on it as far back as 1605. He had this to say about body language in his Of Proficience and Advancement of Learning, Divine and Human: Aristotlehath very ingeniously and diligently handled the fractures of the body, which are no less comprehensible by art, and of greater use and advantage. For the lineaments of the body do disclose the disposition and inclination of the mind in general; but the motions of the countenance and parts do not only so, but do further disclose the present humour and state of the mind and will.
For as your majesty saith most aptly and elegantly, “As the tongue speaketh to the ear so the gesture speaketh to the eye.” And, therefore, a number of subtle persons, whose eyes do dwell upon the faces and fashions of men, do well know the advantage of this observation, as being most part of their ability; neither can I be denied, but that it is a great discovery of dissimulations, and a great direction in business.
With the above quote, Bacon has revealed the heart and soul of body language. Through body language, we know the state of the mind and the will of men.
References
http://www.study-body-language.com/body-language-communication.html
http://www.all-about-body-language.com/body-language-history.html
https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-origin-of-body-language-and-hows-it-developing
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