摘要
Employing a qualitative view of issues in nonverbal communication, the author offers an explanation of the nature-nurture debate. The anthropological view, taken by Birdwhistell and others, is compared with a Darwinian perspective. In particular, the author looks at how physical appearance, space, and gestures function in a natural way to protect the individuals who are participating in the exchange. Apparent deceit is frequently the result of such interactions. While the traditional arguments arising from religious tenets are discussed, the author explains how the nature approach has been reinforced in the 20th and 21st centuries with DNA and neurological investigations. In the study of nonverbal communication, the arguments about nature and nurture began in the middle of the 20th century with anthropologists, especially Birdwhistell, taking the nurture stance and others taking the nature stance. Ekman＇s nature stance on kinesics started from premises suggested by Charles Darwin. In large measure, it is because of Ekman＇s extensive work that the ＂balance＂ has somewhat shifted toward a nature view.
