Body Language

Much of what we do in terms of body language and indeed ALL NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION can occur without us being

consciously aware of it!!!

The X-factor and open/closed body language.

CLOSE BODY LANGUAGE: When people use their body in this way, they are in effect erecting a barrier.

OPEN BODY LANGUAGE: When your body is exposed.

Body Language and Likeability

By developing an open body language, you are also developing your “likeability factor”.

Forward leaning, close proximity, eye contact, openness of arms, possible exposed palms, openness of body, postural relaxation and positive facial expressions are all connected to your likeability factor-

Teachers who leaned forward, who used

direct eye contact and who purposeful gestures were

perceived as likeable and approachable by

their students.

Sharp- Sudden and curved movements: Interpreted as threatening.

Rounded and curved movements: Sympathetic and less threatening.

Using the body to mirror what we say

Our speech and movements are rhythmically coordinated.

Your x-factor is just like mine!

When a teacher wants to acquire pupils’ attention, they should remain still, prompting the students to mimic this behavior in what is knowing as MIRRORING…

Chameleon effect

Humans mimic the mannerisms, posture and facial expressions of the people they interact with. It indicates that when we are communicating at a meaningful level, we mimic each other’s body language in a subconscious way.

Lower body and feet

The direction in which a person points his/her body or feet is a signal of where he/she would prefer to be going. Body orientation which is too direct and exceeds expectations can cause discomfort and compensatory shifts by the other person

Walking and Movement

A brisk pace and upright posture indicate a confident individual who has a secure sense of direction. // Happy people: They have a lightness of step and are eager to move forwards.

Body movements are indicators of: self- confidence, energy levels, fatigue, mood and even status. A happy person will carry a more erect posture than someone who is depressed or shy.

By actually adopting the physical attributes of a particular emotion we can develop that emotion in ourselves!!

If you walk in an erect, confident, yet relaxed style, people will respond positively towards you.

Correct posture aids voice projection and breathing, and also, helps overcome tension and anxiety.

By adopting a relaxed postural style, one can accentuate one’s dominance in the group.

12.5 % of our brain space is devoted to the use of hands.

Hands on your hips can communicate dominance especially when accompanied by expanding the chest.

Open palm: openness honesty and friendliness.

Raised steeple: conveys the message of confidence.

Lowered steeple: self- assuredness and cooperation.

Thumbs up: approval

Gripping the hands behind the back: they project confidence because the individual is happy to expose the vulnerable front of the body.

Where are your hands as you move?

The X-factor and self-touching

Displacement activities: They help us deal with emotions. They are things we do to help us when we experience inner conflict, torment or frustration of some kind.

Categories

1, Shielding: These actions are undertaken to reduce information coming through the senses.

2. Cleaning actions: Hair grooming and straightening clothes.

3. Specialized actions: Used to convey specific messages.

4. Self- intimacy actions: Comforting actions.

Adaptors: Things we do which may not necessarily involve self- touching but do involve touching.

Fidgeting: a high need for stimulation.

Scratching: related to one’s hostility or suspicion of another person.

Head nodding and back channel responses

Back channel responses: reinforcements for the speaker and typically take the form of head nods.

When we are listening, agreement can be accompanied by a sideways lean, while disagreement can be signaled by defensive, body-closing gestures.