ABSTRACT
The study of posture is a classical example of behavioral research at the interface between physiology and culture. For some psychologists who take biomechanics into account, posture is the medium through which most aspects of behavior are coordinated. It is possible to do a biomechanical analysis of body behavior at three levels similar to those identified by Argyle and Kendon. The three levels are base level, intermediary level and surface level. Different levels may be in direct contact with each other, bypassing intermediary levels. Research influenced by Darwin has accumulated evidence showing that human behavior uses at least two communication systems developed through phylogeny. Through these systems we have automatic ways of associating psychophysiological states with various types of nonverbal communication, generated by us or by those who interact with us. Bodily configurations generated by such communication systems are often called expressions. The chapter illustrates some modalities of these systems.
