Body Language

Body Language Grace Dennis Lake Waco Montessori

Body Language ABSTRACT Not a lot of people know what body language is, and if they do they probably don't know a lot about it. For my project, I researched multiple types of body language. Then, I made sure my

information was true. After that, I constructed a book of simple body language signs. When I was through with making the book, I wrote an essay and created a board of my data and process. At the end of my research I found out that body language is actually pretty simple. I also learned that we use and identify body language every day. What I learned was that basically body language is all around us. We acknowledge it even when we don't realize what it is. Without it, we wouldn't understand each other at all. The words we used would have meaning, but our messages would never come across. Body language is as important as the words we speak.

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Humans are able to communicate in nonverbal ways, such as body language. Body language makes up around ninety percent of human communication, while ten percent of our communication is made up of our words. Body language is a form of communicating through our body posture, gestures, facial expressions, eye movements, and etc. It can be used to understand what mood or state a person is in. People use body language every day, whether they use it subconsciously or intentionally. We identify body language multiple times a day without us even being aware of it. Body language covers a vast number of emotions and body parts. Body language is important to everyone. Not only is needed in order to communicate it is needed in order to express ourselves. The face is important when it comes to body language and expressions. It's many features work together to create an image of an emotion. Faces are very helpful when trying to find out a person's mood. They're also used to determine if a person is lying or being truthful. Each feature of the face has it's own body language. Eyes are know to be the windows to the soul because they can show a series of emotions and feelings. For example, an eye roll can show exasperation or annoyance. If a person looks away during a conversation they might be shy or uncomfortable. Staring at someone with wide eyes can express shock or disbelief. As well as squinting can indicate disbelief or skepticism. Eyes can also show what people are trying to remember. If a person looks up to the right they may be trying to remember a recent experience. If a person is looking up to the left they may be trying to process information and relate it to a past experience or an emotional feeling. If a person looks up they might be thinking over something they just heard.

Body Language Body Language Eyebrows are also important when showing emotion. Lowered eyebrows can show annoyance. People usually raise their eyebrows when surprised. Relief can be shown by pushing up the

eyebrows and pulling up the forehead. When eyebrows are pulled down and brought inward, they can shown anger or deep concentration. Displeasure is usually shown through the nose, along with disgust. Flared nostrils can show anger or extreme displeasure. Many people wrinkle their noses at a bad though or idea. Stress along with pain is usually represented with pinching the bridge of a nose. When a person wrinkles their nose to a side they could be disagreeing with an idea. Sniffing around a person can mean distaste, disapproval, or disgust. Even when not saying words, lips can say a lot of things. They are very important in recognizing facial expressions. Pursed lips are a sign of anger or distaste. Puckered lips usually show uncertainty or can be used for flirting. When the corners of lips are turned up, a person could either be grimacing or smiling. A smile that only involves the lips is fake, a smile should engage the entire face. When a person's lips are turned down into a frown, it can show a range of emotions to anger, disgust, distaste, sadness, confusion, and boredom. When the lips are pulled back in a snarl of aggression the eyes are either narrowed or staring. Doubt can be shown if both lips are protruding. When a person is biting their lips they are probably anxious. Relaxed lips might mean a relaxed person. Cheeks have body language signs but not many. When cheeks are sucked in, it could be a sign of disapproval. When a person blushes they could either be embarrassed or angry. Chewing the inside of a cheek could be a sign of nervousness or lying.

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The head can show a variety of signals that the facial features have already covered. Lowering the head can be a defensive move or a sign of submission. At times lowering the head can show a person is tired or stressed. If a head is lowered and raised when a conversation is started it could show that they're interested. If a person raises their head and stares upward they could be bored or trying to remember something. A person who tilts their head could be interested, confused, or flirting. During a conversation, if a person turns their head away they could have lost interest or are ignoring the speaker. Touching the face could be a sign of anxiety. The arms also important when it comes to body language. Even when they're not being used they can show our emotions. If a person is crossing their arms in the front, they could be defensive or self conscious. When someone is holding their elbows they are probably insecure. Even if a person reaches across and scratches their shoulder, they could show discomfort. Hands can be used to show what we are thinking, feeling, and trying to hide. They are important to body language as well. Palms that are faced up can symbolizes acceptance, trust, and openness. Palms that are faced down can show confidence, authority, dominance, or defiance. A person who desires belief and acceptance may put their hand on their heart, however it does not mean honesty. Chopping movements are use to make a point and for emphasis. Rubbing hands together symbolize anticipation and excitement. A person who is nervous, fearful, or uncomfortable might clasp their hands in order to reassure themselves. If a person is holding up their chin or face they could be bored, tired or evaluating a subject. A person who is playing an imaginary violin could be mocking sympathy or sadness.

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Handshakes can also be included into the body language genre. A weak handshake can mean various things, not just that they are weak or submissive. A strong handshake can show outward confidence, but a strong handshake with an arm clasp can show dominance and control. A pumping handshake can show enthusiasm and energy. A handshake with both hands can show a desire to be trusted and like. spread they could be arrogant or find the subject unimportant. Standing with buckled knees could show that a person is under pressure and stressed. The torso includes the shoulders, the belly, and the back. All of which have their own series of body language signs. Neither is more important than the other when trying to read someone. Hunched up shoulders can be a sign of tension, sometimes from anxiety or fear. A shrug usually means uncertainty or lack of understanding. Someone is truly relaxed will usually have their shoulders hung low with naturally moving arms. If a person turns their shoulders while talking to you, they probably have a desire to leave. The back has very few nonverbal signals. If a person does not wish to talk to someone, they will turn completely away. A person who turns away from an enemy and leaves themselves in a vulnerable position, is showing their confidence in their power. A person can also use their back as a shield if they feel threatened. People may pull in their stomach if they feel judged or uncomfortable. When a person pushes out their stomach in a group of friends they are comfortable and have no fear of criticism. Holding a stomach could signal discomfort or distress.

Body Language Body Language The legs and feet are more difficult to control consciously. Therefore many signals are

accidentally sent even when the sender is trying to control their moves. If you know what you're looking for, you could just find out a few secrets of a person who is trying to hide them. People who stand with their legs shoulder width apart are comfortable and relaxed. A person who stands with their legs too far apart are trying to appear powerful and dominate. Sometimes a person sitting with their legs spread are relaxed. A person standing with their feet touched together could be uncomfortable and nervous. The same goes with someone sitting with their legs closed together. Along with arms, a person who is crossing their legs could be protecting their body. A person who is standing up and crossing their legs could be shy. If standing, bouncing a leg can signal impatience. The knee can act like the elbow as an indicator of desire. Exposing the knee while wearing a skirt could be considered suggestive. While sitting, holding the knee can be a sign of anxiousness. Curling your toes could be a sign of extreme pleasure or extreme pain. Stomping can be used to gain a person's attention, but stomping is also another way to show annoyance or anger. Tapping a foot is a sign of impatience and boredom. Multiple emotions can be shown by body language. There are six expressions that are shown throughout the world. Happiness can be shown by the corners of the mouth raising up and down. Sadness can be shown by lowering of mouth corners and the raised inner portions of the eyebrows. Surprise can be shown by arched brows, wide eyes, and the jaw slightly dropped. Fear can be

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shown by raised brows, wide eyes, and a slightly opened mouth. Disgust can be shown by a raised upper lip, a wrinkled nose, and raised cheeks. There are millions of signals that the body can send. The numbers are infinite, even without trying, your body is talking to others. Through it's postures, gestures, and more. Learning about body language is important for everyone. It is used everyday by every human on earth, it's something we need to understand humans.