body language essay in english

Body Language Essay

Nonverbal Behavior And Body Language

Body language, while easily overlooked as a means of communication, is used every day when people interact with one another. We interact beyond words by using what we call nonverbal signals. According to many experts in this field, such as James C. McCroskey and Virginia P. Richmond, the authors of Nonverbal Behavior in Interpersonal Relations, body language makes a huge difference in our daily communication. For example, the way we pose, the expressions on our face, and even the tone of our speech

Participant Quote Body Language

Quote Body Language Unwilling Acceptance This is who I am now. I have Carpal Tunnel. (P1) Eyes showed hurt. Entire demeanor showed defeat. How does that saying go, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Wished I believed that. (P4) Participant looked sad. Participant moved their head a lot when speaking. Hands did not move. Anger They tried to break me but they can’t. I’ve had drill sergeants try to do this and they couldn’t what makes them think they can do it. (P4) Participant’s body language

Body Language: Why Are Body Languages Important?

Why are body languages important? In the art of public speaking, some argue that body languages and gestures are equally, if not more important than the actual speaking. Although the content itself lies inside the speech given by the speaker, how the speaker conveys their point through their body language and gesture can mean the difference between having the audience actually paying attention or having them busy with themselves. Essentially, a person’s body language is as what the term suggests

Gestures Are Inherent Elements Of The Body Language

Admittedly, gestures are inherent elements of the body language. They intensify verbal communication and fulfill a lot of functions in communicating. Gestures explain ambiguous words, descriptions. Also can illustrate a various emotional status: aggression – clenched hands in a fist; fear – touch of face; abashment – scratching; tiredness – rub of the forehead.(Marzena, Kalkowska – Neyman, 3). In which situation we can clearly see gestures? Of course everywhere in the every time. They are around

Student Expression And Language And Body Language

if their expression is restricted. However, to make schools a better environment things need to change. Student expression should be restricted in language and body language, in clothing, and on the internet. Students are unique in every shape and form. However, there are many ways that students can express themselves in both language and body language. Students today come up with many new words for different uses, and that varies almost every few months. These words however may not always be politically

Argumentative Literature: Literature Review Of The Body Language

argues that, in narrative literature, references to body language are never just throwaway lines. Instead, these instances of nonverbal communication create a body semiotics, an "important signifying system in the literary text" that "contributes to the text's potential significance and effect. Based on a reader's everyday competence to interpret nonverbal communication as well as an acquired literary one, the interpretation of a text's body language gives the reader a useful tool to read, or misread

Conclusion Of Body Language

According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, “Body language is communication by means of facial expressions, gestures, postures, and other wordless signals. Body language also includes hair and clothing styles.” Although it is called non-vocal behavior, people can show their feelings, attitude and personalities through it. People get it inborn, learned or a combination of both of them. In different cultures, body language is explained in different ways. It is consciously or unconsciously used to communicate

Language : The Importance Of Communication Through Body Language

Language is building a fence with words until the sentence is complete. You take control of what you are trying to say and you build the fence. With multiple ways to communicate to someone through body language and words. A tool that can be used in different situations and that can be very diverse depending on who you are talking to. Language is a tool that attracts or pushes an audience away through both body language and the words they use. The way our language changes depending on who we’re talking

1 The definition of body language 2.2 The importance of body language 2.2.1 Body language is widely used in daily life 2.2.2 Benefits body language bring to us during communication Chapter 3 Characteristics of body language from the view of Sino-America cultural communication  3.1 Same body language conveys different meaning due to different culture 3.2 Same body language represents same meaning in different cultures 3.3 Only few body language exist in unique culture

Body language is using gestures , mimics, hands while having a talk it gives us extra emotion to the listener and makes person’s speech more emotional. Body languages can be helpful , while expressing views. Some people, who are enable, to speek use of body language. Moreover, mostly, it is used informal speech. Which , makes the dialog impressive. Body language is very important course , especially ,in education , in communication system. Each

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The Role Of Body Language In Communication

Body language often plays a significant role in communication and can be as important as the words we say. It can involve eye contact, head movement, posture, gestures, and facial expressions, all of which can add meaning to our verbal communication. Non-human primates also frequently use body language to communicate. Today, body language may not always play a role in communication, as many of our interactions tend to happen online through text only. However, body language will likely continue to be a crucial element of communication as long as people continue to have face-to-face interactions. If you struggle to communicate effectively or have trouble understanding various body language cues, working with a therapist in person or online may be helpful.

What is body language?

• Facial expressions
• Head movement
• Eye contact

These can be universal to all humans, and people may perform them consciously or subconsciously to convey their thoughts and feelings. Experts say body language usually constitutes about half of what we are trying to communicate. 

For example, a person may not always need to verbally say "no" to communicate that something is wrong or that they disagree with what a person is saying. Instead, they can shake their head from side to side to share the same sentiment. Moreover, if a student slouches in their chair in class and doesn’t make eye contact with their teacher, this may signal that they are bored.

Body language can also enhance and complement our verbal communication skills. For instance, if someone in a store is asking for directions on where to find a product, and an employee merely says, "over there," this information may be too vague to be helpful to the customer.

At that point, the employee can be more specific with the location of the item by stating what aisle or department it is in. However, they may also gesture or point in the direction where the product is located. Even if the employee was not very specific and simply said "over there" while pointing, it would likely be more helpful than the original scenario with no body language.

Body language often plays a significant role in everyday interactions, which may be why it tends to be one of the most popular topics in communication studies. It is believed to have been of interest for thousands of years; even the Ancient Greeks interpreted the meanings behind human physical behavior. 

Body language as a form of unconscious communication

The previous section discussed a couple of examples that show how movement can be used to enhance speech. However, body language psychology may also consider unconscious communication. Although these physical cues might be unintentional, they can still be interpreted by others.

Consider law enforcement as an example. A forensic psychologist or someone working with intelligence may be  trained to notice brief micro-expressions , or quick, unconscious expressions of emotion that can appear on a person’s face.

People in charge of investigations may be interested in these nonverbal cues because they can indicate whether a person is lying or trying to conceal something from the interrogator. These cues can happen in a split second, but if an observer slows or freezes a video, they might witness an apparent expression change at that moment.

Some other everyday situations where unconscious body language can occur may be during periods of nervousness or attraction. Specific expressions can vary from person to person. For example, someone might cough when placed in a scenario that makes them nervous, whereas another might touch their face or scratch themselves as though they have an itch.

People may be unaware of their body language in these situations because these cues tend to be performed subconsciously. However, they can be observable to others, and people might notice patterns over time. This may be especially true for people who interact with each other regularly, such as parents and their children, for example. 

Since people close to one another usually know each other's baseline or default personality, they can spot when something is off by noticing changes in body language. For instance, if a child lies to their mother about where they are going, they might exhibit distinct body cues that are out of the ordinary, such as avoiding eye contact or speaking more rapidly.

Evolution and the origins of body language

By researching non-human primates, we may better understand how we used body language early in our evolution as a species. The use of body language generally predates any spoken or written language that humans have created. Since they do not have the same vocal anatomy and brain size as humans do to produce speech, non-human primates frequently use body language to communicate with each other.

It is also generally believed that genetic differences may be similarly responsible for why we can speak, while our closest ancestors, chimpanzees and bonobos, cannot. A variation of the FOXP2 gene is suggested to be why this is the case, and humans may have a unique mutation. This mutation had likely occurred within the last four to six million years because that is when the last common ancestor to the Homo and Pan species lived. The mutation is believed to have stuck around, rather than gradually being bred out, because increased communication abilities likely enhanced our chance of survival.

Although they may not speak as we can, non-human primates can provide insight into why body language developed in the first place. We can observe them and see how they use nonverbal communication with one another to fulfill their need to communicate.

Gestures have often been noted in monkeys and great apes to produce different signals, some of which humans also use. For example, a hard touch or brush of the hand can tell another individual to stop, whereas a soft one or a light pull can be more inviting. Some species, such as orangutans, also embrace one another.

Others have unique forms of body language to communicate. Male gorillas may attempt to show dominance by standing on two legs and beating their chests. Despite being exclusive to gorillas, humans also typically have ways to assert power and strength nonverbally, such as standing with our feet at a wider stance than usual. Some primates, such as chimpanzees and bonobos, may pout; however, instead of signaling sadness or disappointment, pouting usually means wanting something related to food or grooming. 

In primates, gestures are often accompanied by facial expressions and eye contact. Baring teeth can be a universal sign of aggression among non-human primates. On the other hand, lip-smacking can be a friendly facial signal and may be a form of submission in some situations.

As our brains have grown and our facial structure has changed over time, humans have generally been able to utilize other types of body language in communication. While we may not show our teeth to express aggression, we frequently have other ways to convey the same message, such as scowling, glaring, or using unique gestures like the "middle finger"(which can tie in with language and culture).

The importance of body language in modern society

In today's digital age, many people rely on social media and text messaging to communicate with each other. Although virtual interaction may allow people to talk at their leisure and can minimize social pressure and anxiety for some, certain things can be lost in translation, so to speak. 

By being unable to see or hear the other person as you speak with them, you might miss critical nonverbal cues, as well as verbal ones, like vocal inflection. Online communication is generally becoming the primary modality for millions of people, and body language may continue to evolve to accommodate this shift.

Still, body language has likely been around for millions of years, and despite it being absent from certain situations, it can still be relevant. It may continue for the foreseeable future as long as people continue interacting face-to-face. Research has shown that body language can be vital for human cognitive functioning because it can enhance information transfer and lexical retrieval. 

For some, nonverbal communication may not come easily, and this difficulty may be exacerbated by the frequent use of technology, which may not allow for as many opportunities to learn and practice. If you struggle with communication, whether verbal or nonverbal, therapy can be helpful.

Benefits of online therapy

Online therapy can be convenient if you struggle with communicating or need extra help and support with mental health-related concerns. You generally won't need to leave your house to work with a licensed therapist suited to your needs, and if you're worried about the ability to pick up on nonverbal cues like body language, video-chatting with your therapist may be an option, in addition to phone call or online chat sessions.

Effectiveness of online therapy

A common reason for communication struggles can be social anxiety disorder. If you experience symptoms of social anxiety, it can be challenging to fully engage in conversation and pick up on body language cues. A 2022 study indicated that online therapy could be effective in treating social anxiety disorder . However, if communication difficulties stem from another cause, it may be helpful to know that online therapy is generally as effective as in-person therapy for a variety of mental health-related concerns, according to a growing body of evidence. 

Please continue reading for reviews of some of our therapists from people experiencing similar challenges.

Therapist reviews

"I have been working with Heather for several months. She handles difficult conversations delicately but says what needs to be said. She is timely and thinks through her responses when we communicate via text. Occasionally, when I have a difficult question with multiple parts, she acknowledges that she saw my message and assures me she wants some time to be sure she gives me a thoughtful response and not just type back to be speedy and off-the-cuff. These responses are always well-phrased and include examples she knows I can relate to. Her follow-up of these difficult questions during our phone sessions is consistent, and she checks if anything needs clarification."

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What is the 7 %- 38 %- 55 rule?

Generally speaking, body language plays a large role in our ability to communicate as humans. Understanding how to read body language can give someone a deeper connection and understanding of what is truly being said and felt by someone else. 

The 7%-38%-55% rule suggests that a mere 7% of communication is done verbally. It then hypothesizes that 38% of communication comes across in our tone and voice inflection, leaving 55% of the communication to come from someone’s body movement and language. 

Whether these exact percentages are true or not, it does show us just how much of a role body language, hand gestures, and facial expressions play in communication — possibly showing our unspoken emotions. 

How much does body language contribute to communication?

Our body movements and hand gestures can convey emotions that we may not even be consciously aware of. Even if we only use subtle movements, someone who is using active listening skills can understand these additions to our verbal message. Seeking out body language tips, as well as signs of positive body language and negative body language can help us to use these skills more effectively socially. 

What are the 4 types of body language?

Generally speaking, people recognize four main types of body language. These can include soft and fluid, precise and bold, dynamic and determined, and light and bouncy movements. Each of these types can convey understanding and support our speech in a visual sense. 

What are the 3 V's of communication?

Many recognize that the three V’s of communication include visual, vocal, and verbal communication methods; which can be shown by positive body language, vocal inflection, and other ways. For example: Maintaining open posture and open body language as you welcome a new friend to a group can send the message that you’re genuinely a warm, safe person to be around. Alternatively, maintaining an open posture and maintaining eye contact can be a way to generate tension if you’re angry, signaling that you’re ready for conflict. 

What is the most effective body language used in speaking to someone face-to-face?

Many sources find that the most effective body language type for face-to-face communication is simply the management of your facial expression. A nice smile can be a great way to facilitate connection and conversation, for example. 

What are some examples of bad body language?

“Bad body language” is entirely subjective, and can be formed by a person’s unique experiences. However, common examples of body language that people may perceive negatively can include: 

• Shifting one’s weight from side to side 
• Tensing your cheek muscles 
• A Body Language Guide: 15 Common Nonverbal Cues Medically reviewed by April Justice , LICSW
• How To Figure Out If A Guy Likes You Medically reviewed by Karen Foster , LPC
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Body Language

The surprising power of body language, nonverbal communication is complex and sometimes mysterious..

Posted April 14, 2021 | Reviewed by Davia Sills

• Body language is complex: Charisma and physical attractiveness are both affected by how we communicate without words.
• Subtle, nonverbal cues can have a big impact on how we perceive and evaluate others.
• We can be affected by others' nonverbal behavior and be completely unaware of it.

Here are four studies that illustrate the surprising power and complexity of nonverbal behavior.

Study 1: A man’s body language can actually make a woman more attractive.

In a clever study by social psychologists Mark Snyder, Beth Tanke, and Ellen Berscheid, men were led to believe that they were talking on the telephone with either an attractive or an unattractive woman (they were shown fake photographs). The nonverbal behavior of the women was measured during the phone conversation. If the men believed they were talking to an attractive woman, their belief was conveyed through tone of voice to the woman, who then began behaving in a more sexually attractive manner.

Women in the physically attractive condition were rated by others as more sociable, sexually warm, and poised than were women whose callers thought they were unattractive. Essentially, the men were able to convey to the women their beliefs about the women’s attractiveness entirely through nonverbal vocal cues. The women then responded accordingly with their own nonverbal behavior.

The lesson: Positive expectations matter.

This research is consistent with the well-known Pygmalion Effect , which states that our expectations about others can be subtly conveyed through nonverbal cues. In the classic Pygmalion study, school children whose teachers thought they were smarter than the others (they were actually randomly assigned) actually performed better academically due to the teacher’s expectations. In the same way, the male callers’ impressions were subtly conveyed to the women via nonverbal cues.

Study 2: Misreading a smile can lead to trouble.

This clever study advertised for a job as a research assistant. Fifty young women applied and were interviewed. In one condition, some sexually provocative questions were interspersed with typical job interview questions (e.g., "Do you have a boyfriend?"). The women were videotaped, and their facial expressions were analyzed.

Analysis of the videos found that women often smiled in response to the sexually provocative questions, but the smiles were not of enjoyment but "fake" smiles associated with discomfort. Debriefings with the participants found that many of the female interviewees felt that they had to "grin and bear it." Unsurprisingly, when the interviewees' videos were later rated by management students, those in the sexual harassment condition were rated as performing more poorly than in the non-harassment condition.

But here is the kicker: The researchers showed silent videotapes of the women's uncomfortable, fake smiles while being harassed (along with more genuine smiles and non-smiling clips) to men, who rated the smiling women. Beforehand, the men were given a scale that predicts likelihood to sexually harass. Men with a tendency to sexually harass were more likely to rate the uncomfortable smiles as "flirtatious" and rate them as more "desirable."

What are the implications of this research? First, it demonstrates some of the dynamics of sex and power. Women are placed in a sort of "double bind" in that they tend to use fake smiles to cover their discomfort and try to perform well in the interview, but this strategy seems to backfire as they are rated as "less competent."

Moreover, the fake smiles are misinterpreted by the very men who might be likely to put them into uncomfortable sexual situations and could lead to increased incidence of harassment.

Lesson: Employers need to be alert and proactive when it comes to sexual harassment in the workplace, as the dynamics of sex and power are subtle and insidious.

Study 3: Capturing charisma.

In one of our studies, we measured participants’ emotional expressiveness—their ability to spontaneously express real emotions—before they returned for an experiment. We simply videotaped each participant as they entered the laboratory and greeted other people—in all, the video clips were less than a minute. Those clips were shown to judges, who rated each participant on their likability.

More emotionally expressive persons were rated as more likable, and the judges thought they were higher on general “attractiveness” (we statistically controlled for the participants’ actual physical attractiveness)—confirming that emotional expressiveness was a key element of charisma .

Lesson: First impressions really matter.

Study 4: How nonverbal behavior affects others’ moods: Capturing emotional contagion.

In another study, we recruited participants for an experiment after measuring their emotional expressiveness. We chose three people for each group—one who was very emotionally expressive, and two who were moderately low on expressiveness. We gave them all measures of their moods, and then asked them to wait in a small “waiting room” with three desks facing each other.

We told them not to talk, but to simply wait silently, and we would call them for the experiment. This actually was the experiment. After three minutes of sitting silently together, we again measured their moods and then dismissed them. The study was over!

Here is what we found:

The individual who was expressive—able to easily convey emotions via nonverbal behavior—was able to affect the other two participants’ moods. In fact, they “converged” on the mood of the nonverbally expressive person. If that person was bored , the others in the group became more bored. If they were happy coming in, the others became happier, etc. In short, we captured, in the laboratory, the process by which emotions are transmitted nonverbally from one person to another.

Lesson: Nonverbal communication is subtle. It affects our moods, and we may be completely unaware of how others’ moods affect us.

Snyder, M., Tanke, E.D., & Berscheid, E. (1977). Social perception and interpersonal behavior: On the self-fulfilling nature of social stereotypes. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 35, 656-666.

Woodzicka, J.A. & LaFrance, M. (2005). Working on a smile: Responding to sexual provocation in the workplace. In R.E. Riggio & R.S. Feldman (Eds.), Applications of Nonverbal Communication (pp. 139-155). Lawrence Erlbaum Publishers.

Friedman, H.S., Riggio, R.E., & Casella, D.* (1988). Nonverbal skill, personal charisma, and initial attraction. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 14, 203-211.

Friedman, H.S., & Riggio, R.E. (1981). Effect of individual differences in nonverbal expressiveness on transmission of emotion. Journal of Nonverbal Behavior, 6, 96-104.

Ronald E. Riggio, Ph.D. , is the Henry R. Kravis Professor of Leadership and Organizational Psychology at Claremont McKenna College.

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Body Language: I wanted to be one of the boys, but fashion had other ideas

By Julia Felsenthal

Body Language is an essay series that speaks to the ongoing conversation about beauty standards around the world—an exploration of where we came from and where we’re headed.  

I was raised by a mother who raged against the strictures of 1950s femininity by lacing up her Converse and sprinting in the other direction. She wore Levi’s 501s and flannel shirts and dressed her two young daughters in kind, a second-wave feminist sartorial backlash that became rigid in its own right. Find your uniform, she preached, and get on with the important things in life. Makeup was anathema, as was any effort to enhance one’s appearance. Clothing was valued, coveted even, but only if it was classic, durable, and, in large part, purchased in the men’s section. In our family, we intuitively understood boyishness to be better than girliness. To be boyish was to be natural, serious, athletic, scrappy— yar in that WASP-y Philadelphia Story Katharine Hepburn way, never mind that we were bookish Midwestern Jews.

By Frédérique Verley

When it came time to take control of her own appearance, my older sister, from birth smaller, more delicate, and more femme than I, eagerly broke with the house style. But I took my mother’s rejection of all things girly and ran with it. She took great pleasure as a middle-aged lady in showing up at my lawyer dad’s work parties in Annie Hall -ish tomboy drag. I, a child of 1980s Chicago, where the discourse very much did not yet include any notion of raising one’s daughter gender neutral or non-conforming, desperately wished to be a boy. So, I kept my hair short—save an ill-begotten rat tail that was more bewildering than masculine—and committed myself to a wardrobe of sweatpants and Dickies , swaggering slogan tees, and oversized Chicago Bulls jackets. I played on boys’ sports teams, made almost exclusively male friends, and attended boys’ sleepover parties where, late at night, my horny, young comrades used their parents’ dial-up connections to scour the internet for the kind of pornography only adolescent straight boys might like. My presence did nothing to deter this, nor did I have the wherewithal to express my discomfort. But there was also something so deeply satisfying about being invisible in their midst, truly one of the pack. I equally thrilled to the bus driver who once mistakenly called me “son” as I paid my fare. What a feat to be so self-invented! It helped that I was the tallest person in my grade, always at the back of the school photo, and slow to puberty. I wore swim trunks to the beach right up until the moment that my sister glanced down at my 12-year-old bare chest and informed me that my nipples had gotten puffy, and please put a shirt on.

It was around this time that I, still a twiggy, prepubescent featherweight, assumed my full height of six feet tall, and perhaps you can now see where this story is going. It was the mid-1990s, and a certain kind of terribly thin, unkempt, androgynous look was very much in fashion. Even the rat tail was suddenly working for me, if one assumes I was pleased about the abrupt crush of attention from model scouts, photographers, and casting agents who seemed always to be loitering on the streets of my leafy neighborhood, waiting to press their business cards into my sticky palms. But I wasn’t happy. Modeling was as unsavory to me as makeup was to my mom, something only a girl might do, and it felt like a breach of my careful disguise that these adults saw something in me that I hadn’t wished to convey. The story from that era that sticks out was the time, around my freshman year of high school, that I accompanied a friend, a fierce vegan activist, to a protest outside a furrier on Michigan Avenue. There were six or seven of us marching in a loose ring, chanting “fur is murder” and waving signs pasted with images of sad, skinned little minks and rabbits. But I was the only one the store’s owner came out to pull aside. Would I be interested in returning the following week to shoot their new campaign?

By Clovis Goux

By Sylvia Jorif

The author in her early teens.

When I scan the bookshelves in my childhood bedroom, alongside future-English-major paperbacks and fantasy novel box sets, there’s a spine that always jumps out at me. It’s a coffee table book titled Cat Walk , a sort of encyclopedic guide to ’80s supermodels. I have a vague memory of buying it from the bargain shelf at Barnes and Noble around this time, and hiding it under my bed. For all my insistence that I would never want to model, that fashion was for other people, I was clearly on some level curious, or at least trying to understand how one might see a bit of these glamazons in deliberately odd, gender-bending me. Then, there were the photos I let my sister take of me a couple years later: sexed-up, grungy glamour shots in which I’m wearing a Delia’s baby doll dress and black lipstick and attempting a desultory lean against the Trainspotting poster taped to her bedroom wall. She’d convinced me to pose for the photos, so that she could submit them to one of those teen magazine modeling contests, and, under the cover of indulging her, I’d agreed. Identity is never as straightforward, never as fixed, as we think.

By Carole Sabas

I didn’t win that contest. By that time, the modeling scouts had retreated into the shadows from whence they came, to lay in wait for other even skinnier girls. I was finally going through puberty, and my body was thickening; waifdom soon would be firmly in the rearview mirror. I was starting to look like a woman, and, more surprising, I didn’t totally mind. Adolescent hormones were reshaping my desires, and, as unsettling as it was to admit, what I now wanted was not to disappear among the boys, but to be noticed by them. I didn’t know how to dress that part, and it was a halting, awkward transition that included many ill-fitting belly shirts and too much cleavage—one that I can see now took courage to undergo at the same school where I’d tried for so many years to convince people to regard me as a boy.

And, eventually, even as fashion lost interest in me, men did begin to look. So, I traded in, for better or worse, one gaze for another. It would be a long while before I remembered what I once knew so well: that real style has nothing to do with who wants to dress you, or who wants to undress you, and everything to do with what you want to tell the world about how you would like to be seen.

This article was originally published on Vogue.com

By Alexandre Marain

By Radhika Seth

Reading and Understanding Body Language Report (Assessment)

Introduction, body language.

Body language refers to the non-verbal and often unintentional communication manifested by an individual through gestures, stances and facial expressions. Since this form of communication accounts for between 60 to 75 percent of the meaning in a message (Hogan, K., 2010), it is very important to learn how to read the body language.

Our study of reading the body language begins from the amount of space between us and the person we are addressing. The closer someone is to us, the more comfortable they are. If you try to move slightly closer to the person and he moves slightly further back, this implies that the person does not want the relationship to be closer than it already is (Businessballs para. 4) However, if the person doesn’t move further away, then they are receptive but if they even move closer then they perhaps like us. The amount of space between two people can be used to deduce the nature of their relationship though this may vary from one culture to another.

Head position

A study of the position of the head also reveals much; a tilted head is a sign of sympathy but if the head tilting is accompanied by a smile, then this is an indication of the person being mischievous or flirting. A lowered head indicates that the person is not being honest, shy or embarrassed. Nodding shows agreement while slow nodding shows attentiveness. Head shaking shows disagreement and slow head shaking is a sign of a strong disagreement.

The head tends to affect the general movements of the body, it is also delicate being where the brain is. It is therefore used in many directional movements for both body language and protective mechanisms.

Eye movements

Eye movements such as blinking, eye direction or winking conveys a lot of information. Looking sideways is a sign of dishonesty or distraction while looking down exposes someone to be shy. Direct and persistent eye contact can reveal a faked honesty while widening the eyes shows someone’s interest. Winking is a friendly acknowledgement or cheeky behavior and blinking frequently can mean that one is lying (Psychologist World p. 2). Details of the eye can be observed from 40 meters or more and this makes it an accurate communication tool if the people are 40 or 50 meters away from each other.

Arm Position

The position of the arms also give information about an individual. Crossed arms give the impression of a possibly defensive position. When the legs are also crossed, the person is probably defensive but when he clenches his fists too, then this is a definite defensive position. Crossed arms with parted feet signify authority but if the hands are rested on the hips then the person is growing impatient. Arms are quite an accurate communicator of mood and emotion especially when used in combination with other body languages.

Position of Feet or Legs

Legs and feet can give more accurate information than other body parts. Look at the individual’s feet, if he is tapping them, shifting weight or walking in circles then he is impatient or scared. A knee buckle with the arms rested on the knees is a sign of exhaustion. When an individual crosses his feet at the ankles while sitting, then he is relaxed and when the legs are together (standing at attention), this as a sign of respect. Movements of the legs and feet are quite difficult to control than other parts like the head and can give more accurate messages about the individual’s mood.

The type of handshake can also give information about someone, especially his emotions; a firm handshake shows that the person is confident but placing hands in the pocket shows nervousness, lack of confidence or boredom (Lee para. 5). A firm handshake should however not be mistaken as a sign of physical strength, neither does it have a meaning of a positive mood or persona. When the handshake is done using both hands, then the person is trying to win your trust or showing his honesty. This type of handshake could also mean that the person is trying to extend his control over you. Sweaty palms could be a sign of dishonesty, this type of body language is also prone to misinterpretation since a medical condition known as Hyperhidrosis also causes sweating of the palms and feet (Businessballs para. 12). Finger play is commonly practiced by children and is a sign that the child is telling a lie or is being dishonest in some way.

Our body language study now focuses on the voice; the tone, pitch or volume of the voice all give meaning about you. Yelling shows that an individual has lost control of a situation while a lack of tonal variation is a sign of boredom (LessonPlans para. 6). Boredom is also exhibited by use of one-sentence answers while an energetic voice tone shows that the person is confident. The voice is prone to misunderstanding and must be carefully used, some people are used to speaking in a loud voice and this may be misinterpreted to mean rudeness.

While body language can be used to gather more information than verbal communication, misinterpretations can easily occur especially if the people are not from the same culture. Different gestures or facial expressions have different meanings in different societies; therefore, analysis of a body language becomes more accurate when used in combination with other forms of communication.

Certain bodily signals are known to be due to medical conditions, examples include Hyperhidrosis, which causes sweating of palms, and Astigmatism, which causes defects in the eye and may be mistaken to mean that one is avoiding eye contact. Cultures also have different interpretations for the different body languages; avoiding eye is a sign of respect in some Black Caribbean cultures but is a sign of dishonesty in the Western cultures.

• Businessballs. Body Language: how to read body language signs and gestures – non- verbal communications – male and female, for work, social, dating , and mating relationships . 2010. Web.
• Hogan, K. Secrets of How to Read Body Language . 2010. Web.
• Lee, M. Reading Body Language. 2010.
• Lesson Plans Inc. Tone of Voice and Nonverbal Body Language. 2010. Web.
• Psychologist World. Reading the Eyes . 2010. Web.
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2024, April 17). Reading and Understanding Body Language. https://ivypanda.com/essays/reading-body-language/

"Reading and Understanding Body Language." IvyPanda , 17 Apr. 2024, ivypanda.com/essays/reading-body-language/.

IvyPanda . (2024) 'Reading and Understanding Body Language'. 17 April.

IvyPanda . 2024. "Reading and Understanding Body Language." April 17, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/reading-body-language/.

1. IvyPanda . "Reading and Understanding Body Language." April 17, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/reading-body-language/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Reading and Understanding Body Language." April 17, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/reading-body-language/.

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Article • 12 min read

Body Language

Beyond words – how to read unspoken signals.

By the Mind Tools Content Team

What Is Body Language?

Body language is the unspoken part of communication that we use to reveal our true feelings and to give our message more impact.

Communication is made up of so much more than words. Nonverbal cues such as tone of voice, gestures and posture all play their part.

A simple example of body language is a relaxed facial expression that breaks out into a genuine smile – with mouth upturned and eyes wrinkled. Equally, it can be a tilt of the head that shows you're thinking, an upright stance to convey interest, or hand and arm movements to demonstrate directions. It can also be taking care to avoid a defensive, arms-crossed posture, or restlessly tapping your feet.

When you can "read" signs like these, you can understand the complete message in what someone is telling you. You'll be more aware of people's reactions to what you say and do, too. And you'll be able to adjust your body language to appear more positive, engaging and approachable.

In this article and video, we explore body language some more, and look at how you can interpret it to understand and communicate with people more effectively.

We also have an infographic showing how to put this information about body language into practice.

The Science of Body Language

You've probably heard the statistic that only seven percent of a message is conveyed through words, and that the other 93 percent comes from nonverbal communication. This is often quoted out of context and is therefore misleading.

It's taken from Mehrabian's Communication Model , which states that body language is more important than tone of voice and choice of words when communicating true feelings. But Mehrabian makes clear that his study dealt only with communications involving emotions and attitudes. So, it's not applicable in all cases.

However, it does help to explain why it's so tough to gauge sentiment when we can't see people – on email or messaging apps, for example. It's also part of the reason for the rise in use of emojis , even in business communication.

How to Read Body Language

Being aware of body language in others means that you can pick up on unspoken emotions and reactions. It’s a valuable form of feedback, but it can easily be missed if you’re not aware of what to look out for.

So let’s explore the most important nonverbal clues – some with negative interpretations, and others that are positive signs.

Negative Body Language Examples

If someone’s exhibiting one or more of the following, negative behaviors, they'll likely be disengaged , disinterested or unhappy (see figure 1):

• Arms folded in front of the body.
• Minimal or tense facial expression.
• Body turned away from you.
• Eyes downcast, maintaining little contact.

You may encounter these behaviors when you’re dealing with colleagues who are upset, or dissatisfied customers .

Being aware of what these signals mean can help you to adjust what you say – and how you say it. You can show empathy for someone’s unhappiness, for example, explain yourself more clearly, or work to calm a heated situation .

If someone exhibits these signs during a negotiation, focus on engaging their interest and putting them at their ease. Then, if the negative behavior stops, you’ll know that they’re ready to negotiate with you effectively – and more open to persuasion .

Other types of body language can indicate that someone’s bored by what you’re saying. This might be in a presentation, a team meeting, or even a one-on-one chat.

Here are some of the most common signs of boredom (illustrated in figures 2–5, below):

• Sitting slumped, with head downcast.
• Gazing at something else, or into space.
• Fidgeting, picking at clothes, or fiddling with pens and phones.
• Writing or doodling.

You can re-engage people by asking them a direct question, or by inviting them to contribute an idea.

Additional signs of negative body language include:

• Nail biting: suggesting insecurity or stress.
• Locked ankles: also associated with anxious thoughts.
• Rapid blinking: which may indicate uncertainty or concern.
• Tapping/drumming fingers: often a mark of impatience or boredom.
• Fidgeting: more evidence that someone’s disinterested or distracted.

Positive Body Language Examples

People also use their body language to convey positive feelings, such as trust , interest and happiness . Spotting these signs can reassure you that others are engaged with what you’re saying and at ease with the situation.

What’s more, by adopting these behaviors yourself, you can support your points, convey ideas more clearly, and avoid sending mixed messages.

Here are three specific ways to use positive body language to your advantage:

1. Body Language for a Good First Impression

Your nonverbal signs play a big part in people’s first impression of you. Here are ways to appear trustworthy , engaged , confident , and calm :

• Have an open posture. Be relaxed, but don't slouch. Sit or stand upright and place your hands by your sides (see figure 6). Avoid standing with your hands on your hips, as this can communicate aggression or a desire to dominate (figure 7).
• Use a firm handshake. But don't get carried away! You don't want it to become awkward, aggressive, or painful for the other person.
• Maintain good eye contact. Try to hold the other person's gaze for a few seconds at a time. This will show them that you're sincere and engaged. But avoid turning it into a staring contest! (figure 8).
• Avoid touching your face. If you do this while answering questions, it can be seen as a sign of dishonesty (figure 9). While this isn't always the case, you should still avoid fiddling with your hair or scratching your nose, so that you convey trustworthiness.
• Smile! Warm, sincere smiles are attractive, reassuring – and infectious!

It's easy to miss some of the subtleties of body language. So, check out our Body Language Video for more advice on how to interpret and convey signals effectively.

2. Body Language for Effective Public Speaking

Positive body language can help you to engage people, mask any presentation nerves , and project confidence when you speak in public. Here are a few tips to help you do this:

• Have a positive posture. Sit or stand upright, with your shoulders back and your arms unfolded by your sides or in front of you (see figure 10). Don't be tempted to put your hands in your pockets, or to slouch, as this will make you look disinterested.
• Keep your head up. Your head should be upright and level (figure 11). Leaning too far forward or backward can make you look aggressive or arrogant.
• Practice and perfect your posture. Stand in a relaxed manner, with your weight evenly distributed. Keep one foot slightly in front of the other to keep yourself steady (figure 12).
• Use open hand gestures. Spread your hands apart, in front of you, with your palms facing slightly toward your audience. This indicates a willingness to communicate and share ideas (figure 13). Keep your upper arms close to your body. Take care to avoid overexpression, or people may focus more on your hands than your ideas.

If you notice your audience's concentration dip, lean slightly forward while you speak. This suggests that you're taking them into your confidence and will help to regain their attention.

3. Body Language for Interviews and Negotiations

Body language can also help you to stay calm in situations where emotions run high, such as a negotiation, performance review or interview. Follow these suggestions to defuse tension and show openness:

• Use mirroring. If you can, subtly mirror the body language of the person you're talking to. This will make them feel more at ease and can build rapport . But don't copy their every gesture or you'll make them uncomfortable.
• Relax your body. Maintain the appearance of calm by keeping your hands still and by breathing slowly.
• Look interested. If you're asked a complex question, it's OK to briefly touch your cheek or stroke your chin. It shows you're reflecting on your answer (see figure 14).

Body language expert Amy Cuddy recommends striking a " power pose " for two minutes, in private, before a stressful situation. It tricks your body's hormone levels so you feel more confident and less stressed. Her mantra is, "Fake it till you become it." Mind Tools Club members and corporate licensees can read our full review of her book "Presence" here .

Virtual Body Language

You can apply much of the body language guidance above to video calls, too. You'll just have a little less space – and body – to work with! Here are some ways to show your enthusiasm, and to help make others feel comfortable and receptive to your ideas:

• Get your camera set up right. This means you're close enough to show interest, but not too close to invade people's virtual space. Check that your camera is at eye level, so that your gaze appears natural to others. And leave room to gesture without hitting the screen!
• Maintain eye contact. Look into the camera as if you're looking into someone's eyes. If it's a group call, looking around the participants will let you watch without staring.
• Use facial expressions. Your face is front and center on a video call, so maintain a slight smile throughout. Raise your eyebrows to show engagement, and avoid frowning.

How Do You Use Your Body Language?

The tips given in this article are a good general guide for interpreting body language, but they won't apply to everyone.

For example, people may have a different cultural background from you, and positive gestures in one country can be negative in others.

So, reflect on how you use your body language, and avoid making assumptions. If you're getting mixed signs from someone, ask them what they're thinking. After all, interpreting body language should be a complement to talking and listening attentively, not a replacement for it.

Body language is a range of nonverbal signals that you can use to communicate your feelings and intentions. These include your posture, facial expressions, and hand gestures.

Your ability to understand and interpret other people's body language can help you to pick up on unspoken issues or feelings.

You can also use body language in a positive way to add strength to your own verbal messages – both in person and on screen. This is particularly important when you’re meeting people for the first time, speaking in public, or taking part in interviews or negotiations.

Infographic

See our animated Body Language infographic for top tips on communicating with non-verbal signals.

Photographs in this article © Mind Tools/Toby Phillips.

Body Language Project. (2013). The Most Common Body Language Gestures Associated With Liars [online]. Available here . [Accessed  December 9, 2020].

Forbes. (2020).  8 Top Tips For Improving Your Body Language During Virtual Meetings. Available  here . [Accessed December 9, 2020]

Healthline. (2020).  A Beginner's Guide to Reading Body Language. Available  here . [Accessed December 9, 2020]

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LESSON PLAN FOR ENGLISH TEACHERS

Body language and feelings.

Level: Intermediate (B1-B2)

Type of English: Business English

Tags: BEC business people behaviour, feelings and emotions meetings body language business skills 16-18 years old 18+ years old Exam preparation

Publication date: 19/09/2023

BEC Preliminary

This lesson introduces students to the vocabulary of feelings and emotions in the context of an article about body language. Students will be introduced to Reading Part 5 questions and look at methods of deciding on the correct answer.

by Joe Wilson

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COURSE PLANS

This comprehensive course plan covers the full range of language needs – listening, role play, vocabulary development.

Worksheets in Business Environment and Concepts (BEC) course plan

Type of English: Business English Level: Intermediate (B1-B2)

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