4 posts tagged “non-verbal communication”
Today is a last day on eye body language topic.There are just few areas to cover.Tomorrow we'll move to non verbal communication of nose.
Damp
Tears
Rubbing
Pupil size
Eyes can show up so many things and tell a lot without words.That's a proper non verbal communication.I'll continue with interpreting eye movements and signals they send to the rest of the world.
Staring
Staring indicates a big interest in something or somebody.Usually that's a prolonged attention with slightly wider eyes and reduced blinking.Staring can be caused by shock or disbelief after hearing unexpected news.It can mean aggression, affection or deception.
A single blink (a bit longer) may be sign of surprise,if like they are not sure about what they see and need to clean the "screen"
Yesterday I gave the introduction to what I would be covering in the next couple of days.As we moved from the top to bottom,I'll start with the head today.
Head gets the most attention,while communicating.It has many parts that send nonverbal signals to the opponent.I'll be covering them in my further posts.Today I'm concentrating on head positions and movements,which are affected by neck muscles.
Lowering head
This gesture has a lot of meanings.It can be greeting,agreement or confirmation,subduing or shame.Other parts of body will help to distinguish which one exectly it is.
A single nod with the head means greeting.
Lowering head can be agreement with the other person or it can be a signal of power.
It can be a gesture "from the past" having a defencive meaning,as neck is very volnurable part of the body.So it can occur as a result of any possible threat and not necessarely physical.Literaly,it makes body smaller and protects the neck.
Lowering head,complemented with lowering eyes,can be a sign of submission or shame (you can add red cheeks here as well).These are driven by affection or fear.
Finaly,it can just mean that the person is tired,so the person's head will sag.
Raising head
If person raised a lowered head it can mean an interest.This is usually accopmpanied with the eye contact and raised eyebrows.
A quick flick upwards can be a sign of query.
Looking at the ceiling with raised head can show that the person is bored or is deeply thinking.Another example when the person wants to focus on some sound and averts his/her eyes to be able to concentrate on it.
Nodding and shaking head
Nodding is a gesture of confirmation in most cultures and negation in few,like Sri Lanka and Bulgaria.When nodding means agreement it's usually accompanied with a smile and other approval gestures.A strong nodding probably indicates a strong agreement,a slow one should be questioned as it indicates conditional agreement.
Shaking head shows disagreement or disapproval.The speed of swinging indicates the strength of disapproval.If the head is lowered while swinging that's a particular disagreement as person doesn't even want to look in the eyes of opponent.
Nodding or shaking at the moment of talking is the encouragement for the other party to agree.This one works very often.
Nodding when somebody else is speaking means agreement and encouragement to continue.
Short and sharp nod can show that the person wants to strike the other person,e.g to emphasise some point in the conversation.
Saying something positive and shaking head at the same time is a negative sign.This may be when person doesn't believe what he/she is saying.
Tilting head
This sign can show that the person is interested in what's being discussed.It can be a flirting signal,showing an interest as well.
If,while tilting,the head is pushed forward as if person wanted to look at you from different angle,that can be curiosity,query or uncertainty.The greater the tilt,the greater the signal.
On the contrary,if head is pulled back it shows that the person has suspicion (defencive sign).
Tilting head at the angle of each side means doubt in most cultures.
If tilted head is supported with a hand it can mean both - tiredness or continued interest.
Rotating head
Rotating head in circle movement is extrimely rare and basically person just exercises stiff neck,although this may be boredom as well.
A slight rotation when nodding or shaking can show incomplete approval or disaproval,e.g.indicating external agreement with a hint of disagreement (that can be actually significant,when person feels coerced to agree).
A slight head turn shows just one eye to the other person.This position can be used as act of dominance or even giving "an evil eye".
Chin pointing
We can point by chin at a person or a thing,just anything we have interest at.We can also point a direction,usually when our hands are busy.Some times this gesture is also used as a greeting.If somebody points at a person without looking at him/her it can be insulting.
Touching the head
People touch head in different places.This is mostly done while being anxious.When people are concerned they usually stroke or touch preferred place.
Covering eyes with sunglasses is easy way to hide some emotions,as eyes' pupils are the only thing we can't control.
People stroke their chin or touch their nose when they are thinking,judging or making decisions.
When we are bored or tired we tend to prop our chin with the hand.This gesture can also mean that we are evaluating something or just thinking.
We can scratch the back of our head,when we don't know the answer and trying to figure it out from the outside world.
That's the power of non-verbal communication.Many people who earn their living by playing games know a big deal about decoding and interpreting body language signs.Just by watching other players give them the better position in the game and they can work out better steps in the game.
Tomorrow we'll continue body language talk...
Reading and Decoding Body Language
Materials used for the article:wikipedia.com;changingminds.org