13-06-2012, 03:30 PM
BODY LABGUAGE IN A GD
Body language is a form of non-verbal communication, which consists of body posture, gestures, facial expressions, and eye movements. Humans send and interpret such signals subconsciously.
It is suggested that while communicating, between 60 to 70 percent of all meaning is derived from nonverbal behavior."
Body language may provide clues about the attitude or state of mind of a person. For example, it may indicate aggression, attentiveness, boredom, relaxed state, pleasure, amusement, and intoxication, among many others. This technique of "reading" people is used frequently in interviews.
Body language signals may have a goal other than communication. People in conversation keep this in mind and limit the weight on non-verbal cues. Signals indicate the biological origin of actions. Example: Yawning – showing lack of interest or the desire to change the topic.
PHYSICAL EXPRESSION
Physical expressions like waving, pointing, touching and slouching are all forms of nonverbal communication. The study of body movement and expression is known as KINESICS. Humans move their bodies when communicating because, it helps "ease the mental effort when communication is difficult." Physical expressions reveal many things about the person using them. For example, gestures can emphasize a point or relay a message, posture can reveal boredom or great interest, and touch can convey encouragement or caution.
One of the most basic and powerful body-language signals is a person crossing his/her arms across the chest. This can indicate that a person is putting up an unconscious barrier between themselves and others. It can also indicate exposure to cold which is clarified by rubbing the arms or huddling. If the situation is amicable, it means that a person is thinking deeply about the discussion. But in a serious or confrontational situation, it can mean that a person is expressing opposition. A harsh or blank facial expression indicates unfriendliness.
EYE CONTACT
Consistent eye contact can indicate that a person is thinking positively of what the speaker is saying. It also means that the other person doesn't trust the speaker and so stares at the speaker. Lack of eye contact can indicate negativity. Eye contact can also be a secondary and misleading gesture because of different cultural norms. If a person is looking at you, but is making the ‘arms-across-chest’ signal, the eye contact indicates that something is bothering the person and wants to talk about it. While making direct eye contact, if a person is fiddling with something, it indicates that the attention is somewhere.
There are three standard areas that a person will look which represent different states of being. If the person looks from one eye to the other, then to the forehead it is a sign that they are taking an authoritative position. If they move from one eye to the other then to the nose, that signals that they are engaging in what they consider to be a "level conversation" with neither party holding superiority. The last case is from one eye to the other and then down to the lips, which strongly indicates romantic feelings.
Disbelief is often indicated by averted gaze, or by touching the ear or scratching the chin. Boredom is indicated by the head tilting to one side, or by the eyes looking straight at the speaker but becoming slightly unfocused. Interest can be indicated through postures such as standing and listening properly. Dishonesty can sometimes be indicated by touching the face during conversation. Excessive blinking indicates lying.
Some people use and understand body language differently, or not at all. Interpreting their gestures and facial expressions in the context of normal body language usually leads to misunderstandings and misinterpretations if body language is given priority over spoken language. People from different cultures interpret body language in different ways.
BODY LANGUAGE AND SPACE
Interpersonal space refers to the psychological "bubble" that we can imagine exists when someone is standing too close to us. Research has revealed four different zones of interpersonal space.
1. Intimate distance – ranges from touching to about eighteen inches apart. The space reserves for lovers, children, as well as close family members and friends.
2. Personal distance – an arm's length away. starting around eighteen inches from us to about four feet away. Used in conversations with friends, chatting, and in group discussions.
3. Social distance – ranges from four to eight feet away from us. Social distance is reserved for strangers, newly formed groups, and new acquaintances.
4. Public distance - more than eight feet away from us. Used for speeches, lectures etc., Public distance is reserved for larger audiences.
Unintentional gestures
Unintentional human gestures such as an eye rub, a chin rest, a lip touch, a nose itch, a head scratch, an ear scratch, crossing arms, and a finger lock have been found conveying some useful information in specific context. Research is underway in the context of educational applications for detecting deception or behavioral patterns.