Darwin's illegitimate children

How body language experts undermine Darwin's legacy

Bibliographic Data

ID6146036
AuthorsVincent Denault (0000-0001-7602-594X), Mircea Zloteanu (0000-0002-2753-637X, corresponding author)
Year2022
Volume4
Pagese53-e53
Publication date2022-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueEvolutionary Human Sciences (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2513-843X • E-ISSN: 2513-843X
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/ehs.2022.50
PMID37588916
OpenAlexW4308803248
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited47

The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals has received and continues to receive much attention from emotion researchers and behavioural scientists. However, the common misconception that Darwin advocated for the universality of emotional reactions has led to a host of unfounded and discredited claims promoted by ‘body language experts’ on both traditional and social media. These ‘experts’ receive unparalleled public attention. Thus, rather than being presented with empirically supported findings on non-verbal behaviour, the public is exposed to ‘body language analysis’ of celebrities, politicians and defendants in criminal trials. In this perspective piece, we address the misinformation surrounding non-verbal behaviour. We also discuss the nature and scope of statements from body language experts, unpacking the claims of the most viewed YouTube video by a body language expert, comparing these claims with actual research findings, and giving specific attention to the implications for the justice system. We explain how body language experts use (and misuse) Darwin's legacy and conclude with a call for researchers to unite their voices and work towards stopping the spread of misinformation about non-verbal behaviour

Biology · Darwin (ADL · Evolutionary biology · Genealogy · Child and Animal Learning Development · Computer Science · Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior · Language and cultural evolution · Psychology · History