2. 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.
3. 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.
4. • Behavior : 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. • 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.
8. • 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
9. 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.
10. • 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.
11. • 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 Adam’s
applejump unconsciously
signals anxiety,
embarrassment or stress.
12. 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.
13. • 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 glassesf are worn by those who conceal their
genuine feelings.
14. • The Human hand is a
THE HANDS restless organ
Limp hands show
boredom.
Nervous or jittery person
shows restless hands.
Clenched hands often
shows frustration.
Clapping of hands shows
applause.
15. • 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.
16. • 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.
17. 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.
18. 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.
20. 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."
21. ...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!!