What is the functional approach to studying gestures?
The functional approach analyzes the meaning and usage of nonverbal behaviors in nonverbal communication. As an example, consider Ekman and Friesen's typology of functions for nonverbal behaviors. This example will help to understand points about artificial signal systems. Ekman and Friesen distinguish five classes of nonverbal behaviors: emblems, adaptors, illustrators, regulators, and affect displays.
Emblems:
- movements with precise meanings,
- most like an artificial set of signs,
- culturally specific and sometimes gender sensitive.
:
| Emblem Examples | |
|---|---|
| Stop! | Bye-bye |
| Shrug | Happy (smile) |
Adaptors:
- movements that manipulate one's physical self
- often habitual and outside awareness
- are not intended to convey a message
| Adapter Examples | ||
|---|---|---|
Scratch your nose |
Lip biting and licking |
Posture adjustments |
Illustrators:
- movements that accompany and highlight speech
| Illustrator Examples | |
|---|---|
| Hand movements illustrating speech | Facial movements emphasizing particular parts of speech |
Regulators:
- movements that mediate the flow of communication
- metacommunication about the communications
| Regulator Example |
|---|
| What do you think!? |
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