4 posts tagged “non-verbal communication”

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Eye 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

Our eyes are always moistured to maintain their proper work .The tear ducts provide moisture for washing and cleaning as well as tears.Apart from tears our eyes can be just damp.Dampness can be result of suppressed weeping due to sadness,anxiety or fear.It can also indicate that the person was recently crying or is tired.These are usually accompanied by redness of the eyes.
 

Tears

    Tears appear due to different reasons.That can be anything from fear,offence to extreme joy.If a person can control emotions to a certain point, then they might show a little or no expression while silently weeping.Usually weeping involves screwing up of the face.When emotions are very strong weeping can be accompanied by uncontrollable sobs. 
     In most cultures men are taught to suppress cry.If their eyes feel damp they may turn away.Women can cry out everything that troubles them.That's absolutely acceptable in society.
     Tears can be transformed into anger and directed towards anyone on the way.
 

Rubbing

Sometimes when somebody feels uncomfortable their eyes may water a little.To cover this and to bring dryness back they may rub their eyes.That also gives the person an opportunity to turn their head away.We may rub just with fingers or with hands.Usually that means that the more the coverage(hands versus a finger) the more person is trying to hide behind the coverage.
 
To sum up eye body language,I'll describe pupils.I have mentioned pupils in one of my earlier posts.But this is very important as pupils are probably the only thing that can't be controlled by conscious.They send signals as pure as they appear on subconscious level.
 

Pupil size

    So depending on a situation our pupils may dilate or contract.
    Generally speaking when person likes somebody or something their pupils dilate.Sexual desire is probably the best example.Sometimes it is also called "bedroom eyes".
    During conversation,when another person's pupils dilate they show that they like you.So in return we may be attracted to them and our pupils might also dilate.Although that's not always the case.
    Pupils also dilate,when it's dark.
    When we don't like person our pupils contract,expressing coldness and unwellcomeness.
 
    I tried the exersise in front of the mirror.At one moment I was thinking about something I like and then changed my thoughts at something unpleasant.Well,I think I did notice some differences.
   What if we could think of something pleasant,when speaking with somebody we don't like? Will that enables us to hide true feeling about them?Or is it really uncontrollable?
What do you think?
 
 

 

13 comments Tags: body language, non-verbal communication

Eye Non Verbal Communication

    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.

   Sometimes staring means nothing at all.That happens,when person is making internal processes,focusing attention on what's inside their head.For others it'll look like they are in their own world (which to some point is true), as they might not hear others addressing to them.
 
Following
     Our eyes always notice any kind of movement.They follow somebody or something that grabs attention.Looking and following the object can have different characters - curiosity,just neutral and fear if the movement shows any kind of threat.
 
Squinting
     Narrowing eyes is just another way of body language communication.I can indicate uncertainty or evaluation of what's being seen or heard.
Sometimes liars use squinting not to be detected in lying.
We also squint eyes when the sun or light are too bright.
 
Lowering eyelids
    Lowering of eyelids can have a similar meaning as squinting.That can be a sign of tiredness. 
   When lowering eyelids, but still looking at the other person may be part of  romantic and suggestive cluster.Tossing back the head ususally accompanies that.
 
 
Blinking
    Blinking is a natural process of cleaning the eyes and to moisture them.The rate of blinking can say something about character of the person.The one who blinks often considered to be more nervous.But the rate of blinking also increases when people think more.This may help to indicate lying,as person has to think what to say.Some times liars try to hide this by forcing their eyes open and often overdo and appear staring.
    Blinking eyes may indicate rapport.People who stay connected usually blink at the same rate.If somebody is truly interested in what's being said,he/she might unconsciously "watch" the talk and not willing to miss something even with a blink of eyes.That's why they are more likely to blink during the pause. 

 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"

  These all are considered on top of natural blinking,as we have to blink no matter what feelings and emotions we experience.
 
Winking
 Winking is a deliberate gesture that can be kind of conspiration.Something similar to "hey,you and me,we know what we are talking about".It can be a kind of greeting as well.  
 
Closing
Closing the eyes is another non verbal form of communication.Litarely this means shutting out the world.
If somebody closes their eyes during conversation that equivalents to turning away.This means avoidance of eye contact and ignoring the topic.But it's not always that bad,visual thinkers can close their eyes to better see the picture of the talk and not to be distracted.
Tomorrow I'll continue on this topic and it'll be the last part on eye body language.Our eyes indeed tell a lot...
Lena
 
 
source:changingminds.net
 
 
 
16 comments Tags: body language, non-verbal communication

Body Language Through Emotions

 
   Humans are never constant.Our thoughts,feelings and emotions change rapidly through out the day.All our muscles are ready to support and add value to what we are feeling inside.It is good in situations,when we are sincere and not that beneficial,if we want to say something different from what we feel.That's why it's so important to know how non-verbal communication works.Learning how to interpret body language would allows us to get the results we want out of conversation much easier.
 
   Today we'll continue with facial expressions and how movements of face muscles can reveal this or that emotion.To send any particular signals of emotion,we use at least few facial muscles.
 
Happiness - this is feeling of joy and satisfaction.It's usually expressed with a smile or even laugh.Brows are   
                            slightly raised and we can notice some crossed wrinkles on sides of sparkling eyes.
 
 
Sadness     - That's the feeling of loss,disadvantage or helplessness.We usually become more quiet and less
                            energetic.Usually we put our head down and our lips are pinched.Eyes cast down and might be
                            damp or even tearful.
 
 
Desire         - It's a sence of longing for somebody or something with exitement.Person is prepared to take some
                          actions in order  to get so much wanted result.Our head tilts forward,eyes are wide open and pupils
                           are dilated.Our lips might show a smile.
 
 
Contempt   - this is intense feeling of being worthless and dishonored;disgrace,open disrespect.
 
Boredom    - means disinterest,lacking of inspiration.Our face practiclly doesn't move and often propped up with 
                            a hand;eyes are looking away and often we pull our lips to side.
 
 
Interest       - find something or somebody to be worthy our attention,being intrigued.Our head is pushed
                            forward,we maintain an eyecontact with a person or just have a steady gaze at an object with
                             slightly raised eyebrows.
 
 
Surprise      - this is a short emotional state and is a result of experiencing unexpected event.It can be pleasant
                            and unpleasant.Usually we put our head back,eyes are wide opened and eyebrows raise high.At
                             this moment there is no tention around the mouth,so very often we end up with dropped jaw.
 
 
Envy            - very negative feeling towards somebody else.Signals:staring eyes,corners of the mouth are turned
                             down,nose can be turned in sneer.We can also experience chin jutting.
 
 
Confusion   - it can be interpreted as loss of orientation and sometimes memory.Usually eyes are running from
                            side to side not being able to focus,we may clip eyes often,brows are pulled down in a middle.
 
 
Anger          - a strong emotion that may show anything between minor and intense irritation.This emotion
                             involves a lot of muscles:staring with eyes,middle of eyebrows are pulled down,making our ,  
                            forehead wrinkled,red cheeks,flared nostrils,jutting chin,flattened lips and clenched teeth.
 
 
Anxiety       - a feeling of uneasiness,worries.In this case our head is usually slightly tilted down,eyebrows
                            pushed together,eyes are damp and also lower lip might tremble.
 
 
Fear             - is a body answer to danger or threat.It often occures in response to some stimulus,like pain.Due
                            to raised adrenalin level our face becomes white,head is down,corners of the mouth point
                            down,eyebrows are raised,eyes can be either open wide or closed.
 
 
Disgust       - is associated with something unpleasant.Signals:head and eyes move away,mouth is closed and
                           nostrils are flared 
 
 
Relief          - a sigh of easiness,alleviation.Head is usually tilted,corners of the mouth either pulled up or
                            down,outer edges of  eyebrows are lowered.
 
 
Shame        - uncomfortable feeling.It's usually expressed with red cheeks,low position of eyebrows,head and
                           eyes are turned  down.
 
 
Pity              - showing compassion for something or somebody.It's accompanied with tilted head,extended gaze
                             and eyebrows being slightly put together,corners of the mouth pulled down.
 
  These emotions are most common ones,although there is a great number of others.
 
 
 
 
 
resources for the article:wikipedia.com,changingminds.org
14 comments Tags: facial expressions, non-verbal communication, learning body language, interpret body language

Head Body Language

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 

 

 

17 comments Tags: body language, non-verbal communication, body language signs, interpreting body language, nonverbal signals, decoding body language