Sociology

The influence culture has on nonverbal as well as verbal behavior is without doubt extensive and therefore the universal base for these behaviors that appear in different cultures cannot be overlooked (Manusov, Manusov and Patterson, 2006). This paper is going to look at the nature of aspects specific to various cultures as well as universal aspects of nonverbal behaviors focusing on various expressions worn on the face because they are important in the process of communication. This paper will begin with providing a definition of the term culture as well as a brief discussion about it so as to develop a base on which culture can be easily understood. The role of culture in the process of communication will also be looked at briefly, highlighting its impacts on both nonverbal and verbal behavior. The main objective of this paper is to is to enable people acquire an understanding on the influence of universal, genetic processes and specific cultural processes in the production and judgments of both verbal and nonverbal behaviors.

In order to understand how culture influences nonverbal behavior, as stated by Manusov, Manusov and Patterson (2006), its essential to first get an insight of what culture is as well as its origin. In this paper culture is clearly defined. A theoretical explanation of where it originates in addition to a description of some of its characteristics is also provided. According to Agliati, Vescovo and Anolli (2006), it is important to look into human nature in order to clearly understand and define culture. The outlook of human nature that offers the vital platform to give an explanation for not only pancultural universals, which are an essential feature of emotional expression, but also specific cultural aspects is that of evolutionally psychology (Wyer, Chiu and Hong, 2009). As Manusov, Manusov and Patterson (2006), states this view indicates that people have developed a set of intentions and determinations that are in the end related to reproductive accomplishment. Survival in the evolutionary context is related to the extent to which people can adapt their environments and also to the situation to which they exist.

People throughout history have had to find solutions to numerous social problems so as to adapt and therefore attain reproductive achievement (Bente, Senokozlieva, Pennig, Al-Issa and Fischer, 2008). Ways of dealing with particular problems can be very specific for a particular group according to the context in which that group lives. These ways have lead to development of cultures (Wolfgang, 1979). Culture therefore is an interaction result between universal biological requirements as well as functions, social problems resulting from those requirements, and the context in which people exist (Siegman, and Feldstein, 1985). All cultures must devise ways of dealing with various social problems thereby resulting to a cultural response that finally corresponds to the universal biological functions (Manusov, Manusov and Patterson, 2006). All aspects of a persons life are greatly influenced by culture. Culture, as illustrated by Poyatos (2002), is used to explain the similarities as well as differences between different groups of people. It provides a base for decision making and lays down the principles for group cooperation and divisions of labor. Psychological processes of human being, as asserted by Wolfgang (1979), are also specific to various cultures. Language is one of the best examples of behaviors specific to a particular culture. The need to have language, as illustrated by Manusov, Manusov and Patterson (2006), is a pancultural universal problem whereas language is a universal aspect that solves this problem. Verbal and nonverbal behaviors, according to Agliati, Vescovo and Anolli (2006), are contents of communication and both of them are influenced by culture. Nonverbal behaviors that are subject to cultural influence are gestures, gaze, interpersonal space, and facial expressions. All these are influenced in different ways according to the context to which people live.