Non-Verbal Behaviour (AQA GCSE Psychology): Exam Questions

Describe and evaluate Yuki’s study of emoticons.

Researchers observed the behaviour of 20 babies who were 3 months old. Ten of the babies were blind and the other 10 were not blind. The researchers counted the number of times each baby smiled over a one hour period. The results are shown in Table 2.

Table 2: Total number of smiles for each group of babies over a one hour period.

Outline what is meant by the term ‘innate’.

With reference to the data in Table 2, discuss whether or not smiling might be an innate non-verbal behaviour.

Research suggests that cultural norms influence whether people focus more on the eyes or the mouth when interpreting emotions.

Outline how you would design an experiment to investigate whether some participants rely more on eye expressions than others when identifying happiness.

In your answer:

• identify who your participants would be and explain why you would choose these participants

• describe what you would ask your participants to do and what data you would collect

• identify whether the data you collect would be qualitative or quantitative and explain your answer

Describe and evaluate Darwin's evolutionary theory of non-verbal behaviour.

Psychologists have found evidence that non-verbal behaviour is innate by carrying out research with neonates and the sensory deprived.

Explain what is meant by ‘neonates’ and ‘the sensory deprived’.

Explain why a case study can be seen as a suitable method for researching the non-verbal behaviour of the sensory deprived.

Outline Darwin’s evolutionary theory of non-verbal communication.

Describe and evaluate Yuki’s study of emoticons.

Briefly describe the fight or flight response and Darwin’s theory of non-verbal communication as evolved and adaptive.

Discuss whether or not the fight or flight response can be used to support Darwin’s theory of non-verbal communication. Use your knowledge of both in your answer.

Briefly describe both Yuki’s study of emoticons and Gregory’s constructivist theory of perception.

Discuss whether or not the results of Yuki’s study support Gregory’s theory. Use your knowledge of both in your answer.

Describe and evaluate Darwin’s evolutionary theory of non-verbal communication.

Read the following statements about findings from research into facial expressions.

Decide if each statement suggests that non-verbal behaviour is more likely to be innate or more likely to be learned.

Tick (✓) the correct box next to each statement.