Body Language
Dec 29, 2015
Body Language
Student name:
Rawan hawari
Fedaa dagamseh
Tasneem talafha
Ekram mryaaan
Mouna tawalbeh
outline:
body language Definition
Types of body language
Examples of body language
Definition Silent (non-verbal) messages
communicated through the sender's body
movements, facial expressions, voice tone and
loudness, etc. In social psychology, all behavior
in presence of another person is considered
communication. Also called kinesic
communications .
body language Definition
Body language is an important part of
communication which can constitute 50% or
more of what we are communicating. If you
wish to communicate well, then it makes
sense to understand how you can (and
cannot) use your body to say what you mean
Body language is a vital part of the whole communication process. It can determine either a positive or negative reaction from the one you are talking to.
and may come from any part of the body: eyes and eyebrows, lips, arms, and any other part that the receiver of the message see’s.It is important to be aware of the different body actions that you do while conversing (or even when not speaking) to avoid unnecessary and even unpleasant reactions.
Eyes And Eyebrows
The eyes are said to be the windows to our soul. Though it may sound too cryptic and deep, it holds a bit of truth that the person you are talking to may see some of the thoughts that you are holding back, or perhaps even misinterpret your eye's actions from what you would like him or her to understand.Even the position and movement of your eyebrows are some of the most noticed elements when you communicate with a person face-to-face.
A classic example on body language that conveys an apprehensive or burdened mood is when you have your eyebrows converging in the middle, as with frowning. Even if you talk softly and slowly, the person whom you are interacting with may think that you are almost at your temper's threshold.
LipsAnother body part that is usually interpreted for
the probable mood of a person is the mouth.
Though we have different shapes and positions for
our lips, particularly as to how they form, there
are some universal notions regarding how we
would most probably feel while in a conversation.
Here are some examples on body language of the
lips.
A retracted lower lip that is
almost bit by the upper
teeth is usually a sign that
the person is holding back
and waiting for affirmation
or action from the other
person.
On the other hand, a retracted upper lip that's bit
by the lower teeth usually signifies a person
who's holding back and keeping mixed reactions,
as with a reaction to the message being
conveyed by the other.
Such small movements of the lips have significant
implications to the person seeing them and may
serve as a basis to either continue or halt the
communication process.
Extremities
The arms and legs are considered responsible for a larger concept of body language, as these are more profound and have a heavier impact.
Crossing the arms over the chest usually signifies doubt, mistrust, impatience, or closed-mindedness. Coupled with the body resting on one leg and having the other stepped away and angled, the whole idea of this unwelcoming look is heightened
Body language comes in clusters of signals and postures, depending on the internal emotions and mental states
Types of body language
1 .Aggressive body language: Showing physical threat .
2 .Attentive body language: Showing real interest .
3 .Bored body language: Just not being interested .
4 .Closed body language: Many reasons are closed
5 .Deceptive body language: Seeking to cover up lying or other deception .
6 .Defensive body language: Protecting self from attack .
7 .Dominant body language: Dominating others .8 .Emotional body language: Identifying
feelings .9 .Evaluating body language: Judging and
deciding about something.10 .Greeting body language: Meeting rituals .
11 .Open body language: Many reasons for being open .
12 .Power body language: Demonstrating one's power. 12.
13 .Ready body language: Wanting to act and waiting for the trigger.
14 .Relaxed body language: Comfortable and unstressed .
15 .Romantic body language: Showing attraction to others .
16 .Submissive body language: Showing you are prepared to give in
Defensive body language
When a person is feeling threatened in some
ways, they will take defensive body postures.
Defending from attack
The basic defensive body language has a
primitive basis and assumes that the other
person will physically attack, even when this
is highly unlikely.
Covering vital organs and points of
vulnerability
In physical defense, the defensive person
will automatically tend to cover those parts
of the body that could damaged by an
attack.
The chin is held down, covering the neck.
The groin is protected with knees together,
crossed legs or covering with hands. The
arms may be held across the chest or face.
Dominant body language
Dominant body language is related to aggressive body language, though with a less emotional content .
Size signalsThe body in dominant stances is generally open, and may also include additional aspects.
Making the body highHeight is also important as it gives an attack advantage. This can be achieved by standing up straight or somehow getting the other person lower than you, for example by putting them on a lower seat or by your standing on a step or plinth.
The handshakeA classic dominant handshake is with the palm down, symbolically being on top. Another form of dominant handshake is to use strength to squeeze the other person.Holding the other person's hand for longer than normal also shows that you are in control.
EyesProlonged, unblinking eye contact acts like overplaying the handshake -- it says 'I am powerful, I can break the rules.' The dominant person may alternatively prevent eye contact, saying 'You are beneath me and I do not want even to look at you‘.
SpeakingThe person who speaks first often gets to control the conversation, either by talking for longer or by managing the questions.
Responding to dominance
If others display dominant body language you have a range of options .
The simplest response is simply not to submit, which is what they probably want. Continue to appear friendly and ignore their subtle signals.Another response is to fight dominance with dominance ,
Emotional body language
With careful observation, emotions may be
detected from non-verbal signs. Remember
that these are indicators and not certain
guarantees. Contextual clues may also be
used, in particular what is being said to the
person or what else is happening around
then.
AngerAnger occurs when achievement of goals are frustrated.Neck and/or face is red or flushed .Baring of teeth and snarling .Clenched fists .
Fear, anxiety and nervousnessFear occurs when basic needs are threatened. There are many levels of fear, from mild anxiety to blind terror.
The many bodily changes caused by fear make it easy to detect:
•Pale face ( Dry mouth, which may be indicated by
licking lips, drinking water, rubbing throat).
•Not looking at the other person.
•Damp eyes.
•Trembling lip.
•Varying speech tone.
•Speech errors
Voice tremors.
• Visible high pulse (noticeable on
the neck or movement of crossed
leg.
• Sweating.
• Tension in muscles: clenched
hands or arms, elbows drawn in to
the side, jerky movements, legs
wrapped around things.
• Gasping and holding breath.
Sadness
Sadness is the opposite of happiness and
indicates a depressive state.
Drooping of the body .
Trembling lip .
Flat speech tone .
Tears.
Embarrassment
Embarrassment may be caused by guilt or transgression of values.Neck and/ or face is red or flushed .
Looking down or away from others. Not looking them in the eye .
Grimacing, false smile, changing the topic or otherwise trying to cover up the embarrassment.
SurpriseSurprise occurs when things occur that were not expected.Raised eyebrows .Widening of eyes .Open mouth .Sudden backward movement.
HappinessHappiness occurs when goals and needs are met.General relaxation of muscles .Smiling (including eyes).
Greeting body language
There are many possible components of
greeting as the styles vary significantly
across social groups and cultures.
Greeting is a ritual that helps break the ice
and paves the way for appropriate other
interaction. Greetings can include signals that
may even be secret.
Formality is often an important
factor, and when you move
from a formal greeting to an
informal greeting is an
important factor in
development of a friendship.
Too early and it is an insult. Too
late and it you may be
considered arrogant or distant.
Handshake VariablesHandshake variables include:Strength (weak - strong) Temperature (cold - hot)
Moisture (damp - dry) Fullness of grip (full - partial)
Duration (brief - long) Speed (slow - fast)
Complexity (shake - dance) Texture (rough - smooth)
Eye contact (prolonged - intermittent - none)
StylesA firm grip shows confidence, whilst a limp grip may indicate timidity, particularly in men (women may be expected to be more gentile).Palm down indicates dominance and a feeling of superiority ('I am on top'). Palm sideways indicate equality. Palm up indicates submission.A long handshake can indicate pleasure and can signal dominance, particularly if one person tries to pull away and the dominant person does not let them.
Dominance may also be shown by using the
other hand to grip the person, such as at the
wrist, elbow, arm or shoulder. This may also be
done by gripping the shaken hand with both of
your hands. This may also indicate affection or
pleasure (which allows for an ambiguous
signal).
Salute VariablesSalute variables include:Shape of hand (straight - curved) Speed (fast - slower) Head-touch (forehead - none) Shape (up-down - curved)
StyleThe salute is a formal greeting where the open hand is brought up to the forehead. It is often used in the military in a strictly prescribed manner and situation.
There are several possible origins of this, including:
•Shading the eyes from the brilliance of a superior person. • An abbreviation of raising one's hat or tugging the forelock (in the absence of a hat). • Raising helmet visor to show the face (to allow recognition and dispel fears of enmity). • Raising the hand to show it does not contain a weapon.
Waving VariablesVariables for waving include:Open palm (flat - curved) Movement angle (big - small) Raised (above head - held low) Direction (sideways rotation - up-down)
Style
Waving can be done from a distance. This
allows for greeting when you first spot another
person. It also allows for
Waves gain attention and a big, overhead wave
can attract a person from some distance. This
also makes others look at you and is not likely
from a timid person.
Facial signalsThe face is used a great deal in sending greeting signals, and accompanies other greeting activity for example saying:Smiling: I am pleased to see you .Frowning: I am angry with you .Raised eyebrows: I am surprised to see you .Eyebrows together: I do not know your name .Looking down: I am inferior to you .Expressionless: I do not care about you .
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held for a socially prescribed period. Prolonged
eye contact can indicate both affection and
dominance. Little or no eye contact can indicate
timidity ('I dare not look at you'), dislike ('I do not
want to see you') or dominance ('You are
unimportant and below my interest.'). As with the
handshake, a dominant signal may be sent under
cover of the 'friendly' greeting.
WordsThe words used in greetings can change significantly with the culture and context.FormalityInformal greetings often use non-words and short forms like 'Hi', 'Watcha', 'Yay' and so on. Formal meetings use more formal language, such as 'Hello', 'Greetings', 'Good day' and so on. In some cultures, greeting is very formal and a fixed set of words are required in specific situations, 'Greeting, O holy one, father of us all and master of the world.'
A relaxed body generally lacks tension. Muscles
are relaxed and loose. Movement is fluid and
the person seems happy or unconcerned
overall.
Relaxed body
Breathing
Breathing is steady and slower. This may make
the voice a little lower than usual.
Relaxed body language
Color
The color of the skin is generally normal,
being neither reddened by anger or
embarrassment, nor pale with fear. There
are no unusual patches, for example on
the neck or cheeks.
Hands
When we are anxious, we often use our hands
to touch ourselves, hold ourselves or otherwise
show tension. Relaxed hands hang loose or are
used to enhance what we are saying. They are
generally open and may shape ideas in the air.
Gestures are open and gentle, not sudden nor
tense.
LegsLegs when sitting may sit gently on the floor or may be casually flung out. They may move in time to music, with tapping toes. They may be crossed, but are not wound around one another.Note that legs can be a particular sign of hidden tension when the person is controlling the upper body and arms. When they are sitting at a table, what you see may be relaxed, but the legs may be held tense and wrapped.
Relaxed headThere are major signs of a relaxed person in their face.MouthThe person may smile gently or broadly without any signs of grimacing. Otherwise the mouth is relatively still .
When talking, the mouth opens moderately, neither with small movements nor large movement. The voice sounds relaxed without unusually high pitch and without sudden changes in pitch or speed.
Eyes
The eyes smile with the mouth, particularly in
the little creases at the side of the eyes.
A relaxed gaze will look directly at another
person without staring, and with little blinking.
The eyes are generally dry .
Eyebrows are stable or may move with
speech. They do not frown.
Any questions ?