Against the widespread belief that facial expressions are universally understood, I argue that smiling is a socially and culturally dependent phenomenon. The awareness of the perception and appropriateness of smiling in another society can be crucial to communicating successfully in an intercultural situation.
This paper first gives a theoretical overview of the topic, followed by a brief glimpse of the evolution of smiling. Then, attention is given to the exploration of smiling in different cultures. Furthermore, the connection between smiling, gender and power relations is displayed. Before concluding, the impact of lying on smiling is discussed.
Work completed under the supervision of Dr Dorottya Holló in fulfilment of the requirements of the Module Intercultural Communication, Eötvös Loránd University, 2018.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Scientific Background
- 3. The evolution of smiling
- 4. Smiling in different cultures
- 5. Power relations and gender
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to challenge the assumption that facial expressions, specifically smiling, are universally understood. It explores the cultural and social influences on smiling, demonstrating its complexity and variability across different societies. The paper investigates the evolution of smiling, its manifestations in various cultures, and the interplay between smiling, gender, and power dynamics.
- The cultural relativity of smiling
- The evolutionary origins of smiling and its connection to primate behavior
- Cross-cultural variations in the interpretation and use of smiles
- The relationship between smiling, gender, and power dynamics
- The impact of cultural norms on the expression and perception of smiles
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the paper by challenging the notion of universally understood facial expressions. It argues that smiling is a culturally dependent phenomenon, highlighting the importance of understanding cultural nuances in successful intercultural communication. The chapter outlines the structure of the paper, promising to explore the theoretical background of smiling, its evolution, cross-cultural variations, and the influence of gender and power relations on its expression and interpretation. It also briefly mentions key research used throughout the paper.
2. Scientific Background: This chapter delves into the scientific understanding of nonverbal communication, focusing on the complexities of smiling. It introduces the work of Ekman, who identified nineteen different types of smiles, varying in form and meaning. The chapter distinguishes between "Duchenne" smiles (genuine) and "Non-Duchenne" smiles (feigned), emphasizing that the latter lack the involvement of eye muscles. It explores the connection between nonverbal behavior and a speaker's thoughts, suggesting a synchronicity between verbal and nonverbal communication. The chapter also touches on situations where facial expressions may not align with typical classifications, such as those involving actions like eating.
3. The evolution of smiling: This chapter explores the evolutionary roots of smiling, drawing parallels between human and primate behavior. It highlights the biological basis of nonverbal communication, stating that gestures often precede speech. The chapter discusses the "silent bared teeth" display in primates, resembling a submissive smile, and contrasts it with the "play face," indicating that smiling isn't inherently tied to positive emotion. It emphasizes the cultural learning aspect of smiling, citing how infants learn to associate smiling with positive feedback within their cultural context, highlighting the "affect hunger" concept. The chapter also mentions the "Facial Feedback Hypothesis" and its application in advertising.
4. Smiling in different cultures: This chapter examines the cultural variations in the interpretation and use of smiling. It challenges the assumption that smiling is always a positive sign in intercultural communication, citing examples where smiling can have negative connotations. It contrasts "WEIRD" (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic) societies, where smiling is often perceived positively, with "Non-WEIRD" and high-context cultures where smiles can be interpreted differently. The chapter provides examples from various cultures, including Norway, Poland, Russia, Japan, China, and India, illustrating the diverse meanings and functions of smiles across different cultural contexts. The chapter emphasizes that cultural norms significantly shape the interpretation of smiling.
5. Power relations and gender: This chapter explores the relationship between smiling, power dynamics, and gender. It draws a connection between primate behavior, where smiles can signal submission, and human interactions, where low-power individuals tend to smile more. The chapter discusses how social pressure influences smiling behavior, particularly for low-power individuals. It further examines the gendered aspect of smiling, noting that women in "WEIRD" cultures smile more than men due to cultural expectations of expressiveness. This section highlights how societal norms and power imbalances can affect smiling behavior and interpretation.
Keywords
Smiling, intercultural communication, nonverbal communication, cross-cultural differences, Duchenne smile, Non-Duchenne smile, power dynamics, gender, cultural norms, evolution of smiling, primate behavior, facial expressions, WEIRD societies, high-context cultures, low-context cultures.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this language preview?
This preview summarizes a paper exploring the cultural and social influences on smiling, challenging the assumption that facial expressions are universally understood. It examines the evolution of smiling, its variations across cultures, and its connections to gender and power dynamics.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The key themes include the cultural relativity of smiling, the evolutionary origins of smiling and its connection to primate behavior, cross-cultural variations in smiling interpretation and use, the relationship between smiling, gender, and power dynamics, and the impact of cultural norms on smiling expression and perception.
What is the paper's objective?
The paper aims to challenge the idea that smiling is universally understood and to demonstrate its complexity and variability across different societies by investigating its evolution, cross-cultural manifestations, and interplay with gender and power dynamics.
What are the chapter summaries?
The Introduction sets the stage by challenging the universality of facial expressions and outlining the paper's structure. The Scientific Background delves into the scientific understanding of nonverbal communication, including different types of smiles (Duchenne vs. Non-Duchenne). The chapter on the Evolution of Smiling explores its roots in primate behavior and the cultural learning aspect. Smiling in Different Cultures examines cultural variations in interpretation, contrasting WEIRD and non-WEIRD societies. Finally, Power Relations and Gender explores the relationship between smiling, power dynamics, and gender roles.
What are the key research findings mentioned?
The preview mentions the work of Ekman, who identified nineteen different types of smiles, and discusses the "silent bared teeth" display in primates, the "play face," "affect hunger," and the "Facial Feedback Hypothesis." It highlights the differences in smiling interpretations across WEIRD and non-WEIRD cultures, and the impact of social pressure and gender roles on smiling behavior.
What are the key words associated with this paper?
Key words include: Smiling, intercultural communication, nonverbal communication, cross-cultural differences, Duchenne smile, Non-Duchenne smile, power dynamics, gender, cultural norms, evolution of smiling, primate behavior, facial expressions, WEIRD societies, high-context cultures, low-context cultures.
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The preview provides a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords, offering a comprehensive overview of the paper's content.
Who is the intended audience for this language preview?
The intended audience appears to be academics and researchers interested in intercultural communication, nonverbal communication, and the cultural and social influences on facial expressions.
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- Citation du texte
- Christina Haupt (Auteur), 2018, Body Language.The Smile in Intercultural Communication, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/424846
