THE NEURAL BASIS OF NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION: HOW THE BRAIN PROCESSES BODY LANGUAGE CUES

This theoretical and integrative neuroscience review examines the neural mechanisms underlying nonverbal communication, focusing on how the human brain processes body language cues, including posture, gestures, and facial expressions. Drawing from recent advancements in affective neuroscience, social cognition, and neuroimaging research, the article synthesizes findings across multiple disciplines to explain the functional roles of key brain structures, including the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, superior temporal sulcus, and mirror neuron systems, in decoding nonverbal signals. The review highlights how these structures collaborate to interpret social and emotional meaning embedded in nonverbal behavior, with implications for understanding social disorders and improving interpersonal communication. Particular emphasis is placed on studies from the past 10 years to ensure contemporary relevance. This review also addresses theoretical frameworks such as Embodied Simulation Theory to contextualize empirical findings within broader models of brain evolution and communication. By integrating cognitive, affective, and evolutionary perspectives, this paper aims to clarify the neural architecture that supports nonverbal social interaction.