INSIDE INTUITION: What We Know About Non-Verbal Communication

by Flora Davis ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 15, 1973

When we talk we may be full of sound and fury, but we're signifying little that we do not communicate non-verbally. So say a group of avant-garde social scientists working on this type of body English -- psychologists, ethologists, anthropologists, kinesicists (they study body language), choreometrics researchers (who are trying to ""code dance and movement style""). By casing the offices and laboratories of everyone from Goffman to the more obscure, Davis has unearthed some interesting hypotheses: that gestural style is an integral part of a people's language; that men and women without a sexual interest in each other still act out a ""courting"" ritual; that our pupils dilate when we're presented with a particularly pleasant sight; that we assume spatial positions within a group commensurate with our social status and walk within our own ""space bubble,"" reacting irritably if this territory is invaded. Sensitivity to body language begins in the womb when the fetus moves in synchrony with the mother; a nursery schooler has already learned his culture's non-verbal code. Although unfamiliar concepts may tumble too quickly one upon the other, the whole is fascinating and -- well -- a lot of fun. Since words are out and intuition in, we've a hunch that this book is going to sell.

Pub Date: Oct. 15, 1973

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: McGraw-Hill

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1973

Categories: NONFICTION