Body Language :
Body
Language is an important type of non-verbal communication. According to some
experts about 55% communication takes place through body language only. Facial
expressions, smile, eye-contacts, gestures, postures, handshakes, etc. are
significant types of body language. Some of them are explained as follows :
Facial expression :
Facial
expression is integral when expressing emotions through the body. Combinations
of eyes, eyebrow, lips, nose, and cheek movements help form different moods of
an individual (e.g. happy, sad, depressed, angry, etc.).
A few
studies show that facial expression and bodily expression (i.e. body language)
are congruent when interpreting emotions. Behavioural experiments have also
shown that recognition of facial expression is influenced by perceived bodily
expression. This means that the brain processes the other’s facial and bodily
expressions simultaneously. Subjects in these studies showed accuracy in
judging emotions based on facial expression. This is because the face and the
body are normally seen together in their natural proportions and the emotional
signals from the face and body are well integrated.
Body Postures :
Emotions
can also be expressed through body postures. Body postures are accurately
recognised when an emotion is compared with a different or neutral emotion. For
example, a person feeling angry would show dominance over the other. Comparing
this to a person feeling fearful, they would feel weak, submissive and their
posture would display avoidance of tendencies, the opposite of an angry person.
Sitting
or standing postures also indicate one’s emotions. A person sitting till, his
back touched to chair, leans forward with his head nodding along with the
discussion shows that he is open, relaxed and generally ready to listen. On the
other hand, a person who has his legs and arms crossed with the foot kicking
slightly shows that he is feeling impatient and emotionally detached from the
discussion.
Gestures :
Gestures
are movements made with body parts (e.g. hands, arms, fingers, head, legs).
They can be voluntary or involuntary. Arm gestures can be interpreted in
several ways. In a discussion, when one stands, sits or even walks with folded
arms, this is normally not a welcoming gesture. It could mean that he has a
closed mind and is unwilling to listen to the speaker’s viewpoint. Another type
of arm gesture also includes an arm crossed over the other. It means that the
person feels insecurity and a lack of
confidence.
Hand
gestures, Finger gestures and Head nods are the kinds of gestures. They have
different meanings.
Handshakes :
Handshakes
are generally used for greeting/compliments. They are also used to welcome a
newcomer. They are commonly done on meeting, greeting, offering congratulations
or after the completion of an agreement. They always show the level of
confidence and emotion level in people.
There are several handshake styles,. They are the finger squeeze, the
bone crusher (shaking hands too strongly), the limp fish (shaking hands too
weakly).
A firm,
friendly handshake has long been recommended in the business world. It is a way
to make a good first impression, and the greeting is thought to date to ancient
times as a way of showing a stranger you had no weapons.
Breathing :
Body
language related to breathing and patterns of breathing indicates a person’s
mood and state of mind. Due to this, the relationship between body language and
breathing is often considered in contexts such as business meetings and
presentations. Generally, deeper breathing shows a relaxed and confidence.
Shallow and fast breathing shows nervous or anxious mood of the person
Some
business advisers, such as those who promote neuro-linguistic programming,
recommend mirroring a person’s breathing pattern in order to convey an
impression of mutual understanding.
Other Types of Physical Movements:
Covering one’s
mouth suggests suppression of feeling. It could also mean that the person is
thinking hard. He may be unsure of what to say next. What you communicate
through your body language and nonverbal signals affects how others see you,
how well they like and respect you, and whether or not they trust you.
Thus,
Facial Expressions, Postures, Gestures, Handshakes, Breathing, Head Nodding are
major types of body language. They have different meanings in different
contexts.
Body Language:
Tips/Techniques to Improve Body Language:
Here are
some techniques that can be helpful to improve body language.
1. Mind Your Vocal Tone: According to researchers, when we speak, we put
out low-frequency sounds. But we are not consciously aware of. People who put
out the right kind of sounds — below the range of conscious human hearing –
become the leaders of most groups. You can learn how to increase your
production of these secret influencers. Simply put lower richer tones. They are
more pleasing to us than higher ones.
2. Smile With Purpose: When you smile, people treat you respectfully. You
are viewed as attractive, reliable, relaxed and sincere person. But, smiling
too frequently may create wrong impression about you. According to one study,
very happy people are perceived as simpler than moderately happy individuals.
3. Take On A Powerful Pose: Research by social psychologist Amy Cuddy shows
that standing or sitting in a certain way makes immediate changes in your body
chemistry. This makes you appear more confident. It can also make you more or
less successful with how you do your job and how others respond to you. When
you need to feel more confident or dominant in a conversation, take on a power
pose beforehand. These poses are expansive and open. Stand with your feet hip
width distance apart, hands on hips, chin tilted slightly upwards, and feel the
confidence wash over you.
4. Make Eye Contact, But Not Too Much: There is such a thing as too much eye contact. You
don’t want to be rude, but you also want to look like you care. So what is the
right balance? As a general rule, direct eye contact 30-60% of the time during
a conversation should make for a comfortable atmosphere. Always make sure to
use more eye contact when you are listening than when you are speaking.
5. Use Your Hands To Improve Speech: Brain imaging has shown that a region called
Broca’s area is important for speech production. It is active not only when we
are talking, but when we wave our hands. If you want to get your point across
more effectively, try using some hand gestures while you speak.
Speech-associated gestures have been found to improve listener’s understanding.
They suggest that they are meaningful to listeners. Your hands help you
remember more. They also keep the listener engaged.
