The science of reading body language

The science of reading body language is a relatively new study, dating mostly from around 60 years ago, but body language itself has been, of course, much older than humans themselves. Today, many people tend to focus more on spoken words, in turn most of whom are largely uninformed about body language, let along its significance in daily lives. This lack of knowledge about this peculiar communication process leaves a lot to be desired. Here, however, we'll present some basic information that may prove to be helpful to you.

The first step to understanding the science of body language involves learning a bit about the five major categories of non-verbal communication or signals: mehrabian, gestures, facial expressions, body positions and tonality. Understanding the types and forms of each of these five major types of body language can then help you understand the non-verbal signals you receive from other people. Here, I'll discuss each of them in detail.

Mehrabian gestures refer to non-verbal gestures (i.e. facial expressions) that have specific meanings. Thus, you might see a man giving the thumbs up to a woman while telling her he admires her physique. A mehrabi man may also wave his arms about mid-air while speaking, and smile at another person. Mehrabi gestures, like facial expressions, can't reveal a lot about the sender, but they do provide clues about the receiver.

Non-verbal body language or signals include body positions and tone of voice. When a person faces you, they are either telling you something with their eyes, or showing you something by their body language. Look for the body-language cues associated with certain phrases. For example, if a man wants you to notice him, he'd better hold his gaze on you. If he wants you to pass, his gaze will move slightly away from you, so that you'll notice him.

Gestures are non-verbal signals that can reveal your unconscious thoughts and feelings. In general, the hand motion we call the wiretap is one example. Most folks have at least one wiretap on them, and it's a gesture they use unconsciously. A tight crossed arm may also signal intimacy. But how do you recognize that gestures show what emotions or feelings?

The answer lies in knowing the difference between verbal and non-verbal communication. Verbal gestures may be simple things we unconsciously use every day, but non-verbal gestures are not something we are constantly aware of. We can't tell whether or not someone is smiling because they're smiling or because they're holding back a laugh. Non-verbal communication is much more subtle. And the person who is "making fun" probably isn't happy about your pointing out the dog's misbehavior.

So how do you pick up on these body language signals? One way is to pay close attention to where the person smiles, and how their eyes are fixated on something. Watch how they hold their hands and how they tap their chin or sift through their hair. Watch for posture - if they slouch or slump, this could be a gesture cluster. You might also look for body language signals like grimaces, scratches, squinting, or even shrugs.

By paying attention to the details of non-verbal communication, you can begin to understand executive salaries and what employers consider appropriate salary ranges. While you're paying attention, pay attention to body language signals as well. Paying attention will help you distinguish between playful or frustrated behavior, which is more appropriate in some ways than gestures, which are often more directed to one's intentions. Paying attention will also help you spot any authoritative signals, such as raising your own hand or tightening your grip on a document when you don't want to give it away.