In his early writings, Darwin began to trace how certain facial expressions and bodily behaviors were related to certain emotions, both in humans and in other animals (Darwin & Prodger, 1998). In fact, our brains show a lot more activation when we watch dynamic body language – bodies in motion – than when we view body language that is static (Kret et al., 2010).īody language is so fundamental to interpersonal communication that the first modern scientist to study it in depth and describe its importance is none other than Charles Darwin. Interestingly, we seem to do better interpreting body language when it is unfolding in time – such as watching a person interact with somebody else – than we do when we just look at a photograph or see a person for only a moment (Atkinson et al., 2004). Next, we think more deliberately about what the different aspects of body language we are observing mean in combination: for example, what does your posture mean, and what does it mean in the context of your facial expression and words? First, we have an almost automatic, speedy reaction that is based in our gut understanding of what certain body language behaviors mean. Neuroscience tells us that we interpret body language in two stages (de Gelder, 2006). Think of how a loving grandparent might smile, open their arms wide, and even beckon you forward as they say, “It’s so good to see you, sweetie.” When our body language and our spoken words are in agreement, they emphasize each other. Our body language can communicate something opposite to what we are saying out loud, such as when somebody says they are not nervous, but the smile that accompanies this statement is not a genuine one (Harrison & Taing, 1997).Ĥ) Emphasizing what you’ve said. For example, I might tell you that I have a lot of work to do this week, and you might deduce from my raised shoulders and furrowed brow that I am worried about getting it all done.ģ) Contradicting what you’ve said. Sometimes, body language can add more layers of meaning to what is being said out loud. Instead of using words to send a message, we can sometimes say everything we need to say simply through body language.Ģ) Adding meaning to what you’ve said. Broadly speaking, the categories of body language are the orientation of the body (such as toward the other person speaking), hand gestures, eye contact, facial expressions, and our posture (Phutela, 2015).īody language can achieve at least four communicative goals (Phutela, 2015):ġ) Substituting for spoken language. Usually, the information we are conveying is related to our emotions, but it can also include more general cues about who we are. It also signals frustration and irritation.Body language is sometimes referred to as kinesics, and it includes all the ways that we use our bodies (but not our voices) to communicate information (Phutela, 2015). People rubbing eyes are either tired, sleepy or are in disbelief of what you are saying to them. Winking eyes suggest mischief and is normally used in between friends to pull off a joke on a seemingly unaware person. It could also mean frustration.įrequent blinking of eyelids means either you are participating in something that is too exciting or in something that is outright boring. People who don’t trust what you are saying tend to use this expression. It can also be the reaction when you hear a joke at a time you least expected it. When someone maintains eye-contact with you when he is listening to what you are saying, it means he is interested in the conversation.Įyes widening may signal wonder and surprise too. When speaking, this could mean the person is being honest in his speech. Looking to the right activates imagination and left activates memory. Looking to the right and down while speaking signifies selfdoubt, whereas looking right and straight/up signifies lying. Many children have this look in their eyes when they are asked to write on an imaginary situation. While looking at sideways, it means you are either hearing certain sounds or you are interested in imagining a story. Looking at left and straight means the speaker is having a self-conversation before re-engaging in a debate or conversation. Looking to the left and down while talking signifies that the speaker is either recollecting facts. While combined with other gestures, eyes can give much information about the thoughts running inside a person’s mind. Eyes are considered to be the mirrors to a man’s mind.
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