<p>In my experience people living together in difficult circumstances (e.g. close friends, family members) often learn to relate to each other's non-verbal cues. </p>

<p>For instance; A spouse may go shopping with a list in hand prepared by his partner, and return with a few items not mentioned on the list - only to have his partner indicate one or more items were missed by oversight. Similarly people sharing a room in a hostel may merely by a glance communicate an unspoken understanding of intent &amp; action. </p>

<p>Understandably such incidents probably do not occur with high frequency. They are, however, not totally rare either. This brings me to my question:</p>

<p><strong>Can such non-verbal communication be taught rather than acquired?</strong></p>

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2012-09-26T21:32:46.483Z
With the exception of emotional expression (the "faces" of certain emotions like anger and fear have been found to be rather common across many species) I'm not sure many forms of communication could *not* be considered acquired.
Zelda
<language><communication>
Can non-verbal communication in interpersonal relationships be taught rather than acquired?
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# Can non-verbal communication in interpersonal relationships be taught rather than acquired?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2012-09-26)

In my experience people living together in difficult circumstances (e.g. close friends, family members) often learn to relate to each other's non-verbal cues.

For instance; A spouse may go shopping with a list in hand prepared by his partner, and return with a few items not mentioned on the list - only to have his partner indicate one or more items were missed by oversight. Similarly people sharing a room in a hostel may merely by a glance communicate an unspoken understanding of intent & action.

Understandably such incidents probably do not occur with high frequency. They are, however, not totally rare either. This brings me to my question:

**Can such non-verbal communication be taught rather than acquired?**

**Tags:** language, communication

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: With the exception of emotional expression (the "faces" of certain emotions like anger and fear have been found to be rather common across many species) I'm not sure many forms of communication could *not* be considered acquired.  

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