Gestures
by Desmond Morris, Peter Collett, Peter Marsh
and Marie O'Shaghnessy
First published 1979
The distribution and meaning of human gestures are mapped for the first time in this scientific charting. The variety of meanings were gathered through field work, actually questioning those who use them as they occur in different parts of the world. A single gesture can be read
by people in many different ways and the cultural differences and origins are explored. An Oxford research team, which included 29 countries across Western Europe and the Mediterranean conducted the studies, systematically tracing the origins and special geographical range of key gestures, making it possible to see behind the actions a precise pattern of human behaviour. There are lots of illustrations including art and photographs and, the illustrated end page maps, indicate the 40
locations sampled in the project.