Non-Verbal Communication - SLT

OUTLINE

Social learning - How a person's behaviour with, towards,and around others develops as a result of observing and imitating others both consciously and unconsciously.

The key concepts are

1. Observation - To watch someone with the purpose of learning about behaviour
2. Imitation - Doing, saying, and behaving the same as the 'model' who was observed doing, saying, or behaving.
3. Reinforcement - A process in which a behaviour is strengthened because the consequences are positive 
4. Punishment - Negative consequences following an action 
5. Role model - An individual who other people aspire to be like

There are significant cultural variations in some kinds of body language in different countries, which supports this theory. 

All these variations are results of the key concepts

1. Observation - We see how other people interact
2. Imitation - It's easier to repeat behaviour we see frequently
3. Reinforcement - Rewarded for following cultural norms
4. Punishment - Become reluctant to repeat punished behaviours

CRITICISMS 

1 - The theory can't explain why some non-verbal communication persists despite being punished

• Someone could be attacked for using a gesture, but still continue to use it. However they should have stopped due to associating the gesture with the negative consequences

2 - Not everyone can learn new forms of non-verbal communication

• Convicts are taught positive body language, but it often doesn't work
• If it was just learning, it shouldn't be so difficult to teach them these new behaviours

3 - It doesn't explain why children bought up in the same environment have different ways of communicating non-verbally

• They may express themselves differently

4 - It ignores the effect of nature on non-verbal communication

• There are universal gestures/expressions such as smiling.