We all know that words are not the only form of communication we use, in fact, they account for around 30% of all the information in any given discourse. Understanding one another often happens thanks to nonverbal gestures and that makes complete sense when you think of our subconscious and how big of a role it plays in our lives. Nonverbal cues can be incredibly useful because it shows what we are subconsciously feeling/thinking, this is exactly why most of us can innately “read” its basic forms. Make no mistake, this does not mean however that body language is easy or that everyone has a profound understanding of it.
- Body language is non-verbal communication in the form of gestures, facial expressions, posture, eyes, hand movements, etc.
It can be voluntary (fake-smiling) or involuntary (intentionally looking “busy”, to show a lack of interest) however differentiating between the two can be difficult, especially if the person opposite you is good at micromanaging themselves.
Body language, because it happens on a level which we have no control over has been around since before we could form words. Did you know we used to use it to communicate with animals? Sort of like making certain animals afraid of us while turning others into our companions. Most scientists agree that body language happens on a biological level. For example, a person born blind, still smile when experiencing something pleasant or frowns when experiencing something unpleasant just as another born with sight. This type of research eliminates the cultural aspect as a form of learning and leaves only genetic instincts as a source for body language.
Today body language is still just as important if not more, or is it? Using more and more non-direct forms of communication (phone calls, messages, social media, etc.) we have gotten increasingly disconnected from this form of expression – a phenomenon that continues to cause many younger and even old adults to have trouble both understanding their own body language and that of their companions. The new ways of the world and social distancing precautions shouldn’t discourage the importance of understanding body language or mean we should try and avoid it altogether. It is in fact quite the opposite. The more we can understand our modern body language, the better conclusions we can draw for ourselves and our feelings. Don’t agree, a bonus of learning body language has related to job performance in being able to connect and read people. Think of an FBI analyst or interrogator and ask any salesperson! Have you had any buyers’ regret lately?
- Some interesting Facts of body language:
- Crossing arms in front of the chest – this can indicate that the person is closing off from the conversation and doesn’t want to share
- Talking with your hands open and palms pointing up – can indicate that the person is being honest and telling the truth
- Slightly tilting your head to the side – this has been shown to indicate interest in the conversation
- Smiling with eyes wrinkling – this is considered a genuine smile, as it shows interest, emotion, and overall positivity
- Mimicking body language – this usually happens involuntarily and if that’s the case is a good sign as it indicates agreement and warm feelings towards the other person
- Leaning in and keeping eye contact – can indicate honest interest and possible desire for a deeper connection
Body language is something we all experience daily and yet still don’t understand completely. Some of the examples above it can provide insight into what the other person is thinking – some may even go as far as saying it’s as close as we’re going to get to mind reading. As these things above can “indicate” and have multiple other meanings especially if you are amongst those who have mastered the art of manipulating their body language. This proves both how complicated we are and how much we rely on our subconscious.
With all that in mind, we doubt anyone would disagree when we say that body language is not only useful from a biological point of view but also incredibly interesting and provides insight into crucial moments of everyday life. So how are you using your body language to get what you want? Hopefully, you found some of these tips interesting or just enough to research and become an expert on your own!
Dr. Picoyla McCall-Robinson, PsyD.
Author
Dr. Robinson is currently the founder and CEO of Nsight.Me LLC and United States Patent owner of the sex toy Sugah Lipz.
Dr. Robinson is a licensed psychologist and has over 18 years of experience in the social service sector. She has practiced in private settings, psychiatric hospitals, outpatient, geriatric settings, prisons, in home-care, as well as group homes.
Dr. Robinson became interested in caring for individuals with mental illnesses, especially in underserved populations and minority groups during her early work history in helping people with various mental health issues which motivated her to further her knowledge in psychology.