BODY LANGUAGE

What is Body Language?

Body Language is the communication of
personal feelings, emotions , attitudes,
thoughts through body movements
-gestures, postures , facial expressions,
walking styles, positions & distance - either
consciously or involuntarily i.e. its not only
your tongue you communicate with but also
you speak with your body movements &
gestures.

The Main Aspects of Body

Language
Gestures: A gesture is the verbal or non-verbal
body movement used to express or emphasize
an idea , an emotion or a state of mind.
Body Movements: This includes the head,
eyes, eyebrows , lips , neck , shoulders, fingers
and so on. One can distinguish four main kinds
of gesticulation: Emblem, illustrators, regular
and self-touching.

 Behaviour : This refers quite simply , to

everything we do which is overt or observable. It
is important because it is observable to others.
Emotions: Refers to states such as
happiness, depression & anxiety &
milder moods such as feeling of pleasure
& displeasure , degrees of excitement or
drowsiness etc. A Emotional cue is a
facial expression, body movement or
tone of voice indicative of emotion.

THE FACE

The face is the most significant and the most

photographed- part of human body . The
flashes of facial signals are generally
spontaneous reactions which a person
finds difficult to hide.

General
Characteristics
Expressions: Facial expressions are highly
flexible & changeable. The face can encode a
variety of communicative & informative
messages.
Raise of eyebrows express astonishment.
We frown in displeasure or confusion.
Envy or disbelief may be displayed by a raised
eyebrow.

 Emotions:The face is the most

reliable indicator of a wide
range of emotions : Joy &
happiness , fear , annoyance,
surprise, anger, sadness etc.
When we are shocked we open
our mouth.
Blushing is another facial
phenomenon that expresses
emotion. A shy person becomes
red in face when attention is
focussed on him.

 Smiling: smiling & frowning are two

major facial expressions.
A genuine smile means I appreciate
you; I accept your ideas.
A frown means I find you puzzling.

Laughter: Laughter is composed of a

broad range of gesture & sounds.
Ha-Ha is a genuine laughter.
He-He is a mocking laughter.
Hee-Hee suggests a secret giggle.
Ho-Ho communicates surprise

Head Gestures
The Head Nod : A nod depicts a positive
signal & a head- shake signifies no or a
negative gesture.
Head nods show continuing attention , it also
depicts what is happening to us emotionally.
Heads tilt is a signal of interest.

 Eyebrows:
People lower or knit their
eyebrows when they show
disagreement or displeasure.
Frown when in displeasure.
Mouth :
When raised , the mouth communicates
positive feelings , happiness , optimism.
If kept straight to conceal emotion.
Turned down to express sadness, confusion ,
dissatisfaction.

 The Lips: When one

does not utter a word lips
can be eloquent because
silent lips express a wide
range of emotions from
smile to frown.
Throat: when the
Adams applejump
unconsciously signals
anxiety,
embarrassment or
stress.

The Eyes
The eyes can be steely, knowing, mocking, piercing,
shifty. They can level a burning glance, or a cold
glance or a hurt glance or again can be wise ,
knowing , inviting , scary , disinterested and so on.
Pupils dilate when a person is interested.
We gaze in order to perceive the expressions of
others.
We look straight in the eye to get attention.

 Ways of Looking:
Side long glance is referred to as stolen
look.
Blank stare depicts boredom.
Sparkling eyes are an attribute of those
who have magnetic personalities.
Glasses:
Peering over glass depicts being
judgmental or critical.
Dark glasses are worn by those who
conceal their genuine feelings.

THE HANDS

The Human hand is a

restless organ
Limp hands show
boredom.
Nervous or jittery person
shows restless hands.
Clenched hands often
shows frustration.
Clapping of hands shows
applause.

 When the arms are crossed they form a

barrier to an impending threat.
Arms folded with finger tucked in armpits &
thumbs sticking out: this is when subordinate
faces his superior whom he considers equal.
Arms behind the back is resorted by those
who is experiencing an inner conflict.
Neck stroking signals suspicion.

 Putting objects in mouth is when

they are busy with something.
Pinching the bridges of nose
indicates a person in deep thought.
Nose rub is a sign of rejection.
Chin stroking is when people are
in deep reflection.
Slapping the head signifies self
punishment.
Hands behind the head is used by
professionals who are confident &
dominant.

Styles Of Handshake
Palm down thrust : signifies dominance
or aggression.
Palm up position shows submission by
the giver.
Glove Handshake: Politician
Handshake, this is with people one is
familiar with.

THE LEGS
Crossed legs signify negativity.
The foot lock is especially among shy &
timid women.
The ankle lock signifies holding back of
strong feelings , attitudes & emotions.
Sitting on edge of chair indicates
compromise, accept or agree or conclude.
Rocking or swinging in chair indicates a
person is in full control of situation.

Walking Gestures

Arms swinging.
Hands in pockets.
Hands on hips.
Meditative walk.
Confidence walk.
Leadership walk.
Pacing.
Swagger.

When _____ people enter an

elevator, they each...
1.One or two
...lean against the walls of the elevator.
2. Three or four
...occupy a corner.
3.five or six
...all turn to face the door.
...get taller and thinner.
...hands and purses and briefcases hang
down in front of the body, or "fig leaf position."

...must not touch each other in any way unless

the elevator is crowded, and then only at the
shoulder or lightly against the upper arm.

...have a tendency to look upward at the

illuminated floor indicator.

Thank You!!