Talking with our hands: Duke study reveals how culture shapes our gestures

(Press-News.org) You are having dinner with friends, and the conversation is lively. Do your hands join the chat, or do they stay focused on your knife and fork? 

New research from Duke’s Department of Psychology & Neuroscience shows that gesture is not merely a matter of individual style or habit, but a reflection of cultural expression tied to racial identity.  

The research also suggests that mismatched expectations about gesture may influence the dynamics of interracial communication.   

“The biggest takeaway is we all clearly communicate in very different ways,” said Gaither, Nicholas J. and Theresa M. Leonardy Associate Professor Psychology & Neuroscience and co-author of the paper. “Some of us may talk differently than others. Some of us may use our hands more than others. It doesn’t mean we can’t communicate. When we experience that mismatch in communication, maybe we all need to try a little harder to understand each other across group differences.”  

In a paper published in the November issue of The Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, Gaither and lead author Postdoctoral Associate Esha Naidu examined how frequently Black and White Americans use gestures when speaking and how others interpret this non-verbal communication.   

Their findings show consistent patterns suggesting that what feels natural when speaking can differ across racial groups, and that those differences can shape how people perceive one another.  

The paper compiles the results of four studies. In the first one, Naidu and Gaither focused on gesture perception: Black and White study participants observed video clips of Black and White actors who either did or didn’t use frequent gestures while speaking. Consistent with cultural norms, Black viewers found high gesturing to seem more natural — especially for Black speakers — whereas White viewers found lower levels of gesturing to feel more typical of White speakers. Speakers who matched these cultural expectations were also rated as more “positive” and “competent”.   

To understand if speakers adjusted their gesture style depending on the identity of their dialogue partner, the research team analyzed footage from the "Tavis Smiley Show" (a popular television talk show featuring in-depth interviews) to observe gesture use in a natural conversational setting. Their results mirrored their previous findings, showing that the Black host used more hand movements with Black guests than with White guests, suggesting culturally synchronized communication styles. 

Naidu and Gaither then focused on the gesturing itself, comparing gesture frequency and size among monoracial Black and White individuals in a laboratory setting. Once again, Black speakers were shown to both gesture more frequently and use larger gestures than White speakers. 

Finally, the research team extended this work to Biracial (Black/White) individuals. When participants’ Black identity was made more salient, they gestured more frequently and with broader movements. When their White identity was primed, their gestures became more restrained. This suggests that gesture use can shift flexibly with cultural identity, even within the same individual.  

Collectively, these studies highlight that gesture is not only a personal characteristic but also a culturally grounded mode of expression, deeply linked to identity and group norms. The research also underscores how mismatched expectations about nonverbal behavior may affect perceptions and interactions across racial groups.  

“Black and white people gesture and talk differently, and that’s okay,” Naidu said. “But it can make it harder to connect across group lines. If we take a moment to consider why someone may be communicating differently, that increased awareness could lead to better understanding.”  

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