Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: AllenG on 20/07/2009 20:15:04

Title: Is the facepalm gesture a universal expression?
Post by: AllenG on 20/07/2009 20:15:04

From Wiki:

Verb
to facepalm (third-person singular simple present facepalms, present participle facepalming, simple past and past participle facepalmed)
To bring the palm of one’s hand to one’s face as an expression of mixed humor and disbelief or disgust or shame, for example, when one is caught off-guard with a particularly bad pun.
To bring one’s face down to one’s cupped hand or hands.

Is this a gesture that is instinctive like a smile or a frown, or is it a learned behavior?
I ask because I've seen it displayed by many cultures and children.

Even when seen in animals the meaning is impossible not to anthropomorphize.

(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fweb.me.com%2Fawcg%2FiWeb%2FSpringwood%2FLibrary_files%2Ffacepalm.jpg&hash=7d0c5bdbd3ef89d05237963f708080f1)

(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fweb.me.com%2Fawcg%2FiWeb%2FSpringwood%2FLibrary_files%2Ffacepalm-1.jpg&hash=af26373c005b89ec1e15972b511ed4ac)

(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fweb.me.com%2Fawcg%2FiWeb%2FSpringwood%2FLibrary_files%2Ffacepalm2ic7copyrl2.jpg&hash=3addd245bc60526130115c91e0b9304c)

Title: Is the facepalm gesture a universal expression?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 21/07/2009 06:38:39

Quote from: AllenG on 20/07/2009 20:15:04

Is this a gesture that is instinctive like a smile or a frown

Yep, I think it is.