Body language

Prepared By Aspirant Society of Professionals for Industrial Research & Education

The Evolution of Language

The theory of the organic evolution of language says that language evolved from purely manually gesture-based more focused on gestures in the mouth We were able to categorize and conceptualize, visible (primarily manual) gestures This led to the development of language marshalling these concepts and articulators as linguistic symbols

Verbal Communication The words we use

Nonverbal Communication Bodily actions and vocal qualities that typically accompany a verbal message

Impact of language
TOTAL IMPACT OF A MESSAGE

VERBAL 7%

NON-VERBAL 55%

VOCAL 38%

According to experts( Albert Mehrabian), our non-verbal language communicates about 55% of what we really mean (voice tonality contributes 38%) while words themselves contribute a mere 7%.

Functions of Nonverbal Communication

To provide information To regulate interaction To express or hide emotion and affect To present an image To express power and control

Types of Nonverbal Communication

Kinesics Paralanguage Vocal interferences Spatial Usage Self-presentation cues

Kinesics / Proxemics
body language motion and gestures

It is the study of communication that occurs through body movements, positions, and facial expressions

What is Body Language?

Body Language is the communication of personal feelings, emotions , attitudes, thoughts through body movements -gestures, postures , facial expressions, walking styles, positions & distance - either consciously or involuntarily i.e. its not only your tongue you communicate with but also you speak with your body movements & gestures.

Paralanguage
Pitch Volume Rate Quality

Vocal Interferences
Extraneous sounds or words that interrupt fluent speech
uh, um you know, like

Place markers Filler

Spatial Usage
Proxemics
Intimate distance Personal distance

Social distance
Public Distance

Territory Artifacts
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Major areas of nonverbal behaviors are: Eye contact Facial expressions Gestures

 Posture and body orientation

Proximity

Paralinguistic

EYE CONTACT

EYE CONTACT
Good eye contact helps the audience develop the interest in the speaker.

Eye-contact helps regulate the flow of communication and reflects interest in others.

EYE CONTACT
Direct eye-contact conveys interest, warmth, credibility and concern. Shifty eyes suggest dishonesty.

Downward gaze may be a sign of submissiveness or inferiority.

FACIAL EXPRESSIONS

FACIAL EXPRESSIONS
There are six categories of facial expressions: Happiness Sadness Anger Disgust Surprise Fear

FACIAL EXPRESSIONS
HAPPINESS

Whoever is happy will make others happy too. -Mark Twain

FACIAL EXPRESSIONS
SADNESS

Sadness dulls the heart more than the grossest sin

-Author Unknown

FACIAL EXPRESSIONS
ANGER

Anger is one letter short of danger Author Unknown

FACIAL EXPRESSIONS
SURPRISE

The eye-brows and the eyes are most affected in an expression of surprise.

FACIAL EXPRESSIONS
FEAR

There is nothing to fear, but fear itself.

GESTURES
Gestures communicate as effectively as words, sometimes even better. Gestures support the verbal communication.

They sometimes detract from what you say.

GESTURES
There are some negative gestures which should be avoided:
Pointing at people- It is perceived as accusatory. Fiddling with your items-It gives the impression that you are nervous. Dragging the feet-It implies lethargy. Head Down- It suggests timidity.

GESTURES
Drooping shoulders- It implies weariness and lethargy. Weak handshake-It implies meek and ineffectual personality. Shifty eyes- It suggests nervousness. Arms crossed on the chest- It is a defensive gesture. Shaking feet or legs- It shows indifference and disinterest.

Avoid these hand gestures

Use these hand gestures

POSTURE AND BODY ORIENTATION

POSTURE
Body posture can be open or closed.

Interested people pay attention and lean forward.

Leaning backwards demonstrates aloofness or rejection.

POSTURE
A head held straight up signals a neutral attitude.

A head down is negative and judgmental.

POSTURE
Some negative postures should be avoided: Rigid Body Posture-Anxious/ Uptight Hunched Shoulders Lacks interest/ Feeling inferior Crossed Arms-Protecting the body/ Negative Thoughts

What impression do the following people give you?

What impression do the following people give you?

PARALINGUISTICS
Components of Para linguistics are:
Rate of speed- When a speaker speaks too fast, he is seen as more competent. Pitch-Pitch should be changed in accordance with the context of spoken words.

PARALINGUISTICS
Volume- It refers to loudly we speak.Loud people are perceived as aggressive or over-bearing. Soft-spoken voices are perceived as timid or polite. Fillers- Words like umhh ahaaa are used to gather thoughts.

Aggressive People
Body language
Stiff and straight Points, bangs tables to emphasize points Folds arms across body

Verbal language
I want you to You must Do what I tell you! Youre stupid! Aggressive people are basically insecure.. Try to avoid them.

Submissive people
Body Language
Avoids eye contact Stooped posture Speaks quietly Fidgets

Verbal Language
Im sorry Its all my fault Oh dear

Submissive people have a great sense of inferiority

Assertive People
Body language
Stands straight Appears composed Smiles Maintains eye contact

Verbal language
Lets How shall we do this? I think What do you think? I would like

Personal Grooming and Body Language

Learning Goals
Why should we pay attention to our: Clothes, shoes, socks? Hair, face, hands, skin? Body odour and breath? Facial expressions, smile, eye contact? Head positions? Arms and legs positions? Postures? Personal space?

Personal Grooming

Good looks are not as important

As good presentation!

Who would you buy from?

Untidy hair Greasy hair Stubble on the chin

Tidy hair Clean hair No stubble on the chin

Personal Hygiene

How we smell How we look

Personal Hygiene: Maintaining Good Breath

Dental Care for stains and plaque

Mouth fresheners

Would you shake this hand?

Clip nails

Wash hands often

Clean nails with Nail File

Are we taking care of our clothes?

Wash

Press

Are we taking care of our socks?

Please

wash
me!

Are we taking care of our shoes?

Black Shoes: Formal

My Personal Grooming Checklist

My Outward Appearance My Personal Hygiene Essentials Daily showers

Hands

Body

Hair

Outer Wear

Shave

Body Odour

Good Breath

Inner Wear

Hair Care Hair Cuts

Accessories

Dental Care

Body Language

Why is Our Body Language Important?

Our eyes, eyebrows, and mouth send signals to customers Our body postures, arms and leg positions affect how customers feel about us

We speak with our palms, fingers and

hands

Our Body Language helps us

Open body language

Closed body language

Build Rapport with Others

Closed Body Language

Slumped spine and shoulders Closed palms

Fingers in a fist

Arms and legs crossed Head in a negative position Tight smile

Open Body Language

Straight spine and shoulders Open palms

Fingers spread wide

Arms and legs uncrossed Head in an interested position Pleasing smile

What Body Language Says

Reading Head Positions

Tilted Back

Straight Half Smile

Straight

Tilted to one side

Full Smile

No Smile
Negative

Full Smile
Positive Positive

Neutral

Reading Customers Head Positions

1. Head straight, half or full smile

Ans. Interested & positive

2. Head tilted back, half or no smile

Ans. Proud & negative

3. Head tilted down, half or no smile

Ans. Negative
4. Head tilted to one side, half or full smile

Ans. Very interested & positive

Reading Legs and Arms Positions

Closed

Closed Open Open

Closed

Open Open

Reading Customers Postures

1. Leaning back and arms and legs crossed

Ans. No interest; negative

2. Leaning back with arms and legs uncrossed

Ans. Thinking; neutral

3. Leaning forward and with arms and legs crossed

Ans. Little interest; negative

4. Leaning forward with arms and legs uncrossed

Ans. Definite interest; positive

The Power of Our Smile

Welcoming smile Interested eyes

Half smile Disinterest in eyes

The Pleasing Smile

Frequent eye contact

Friendly gaze

Slightly open mouth

Relaxed mouth

Eye Contact
Appropriate eye contact: Steady glance For 5 seconds at a time Look at all members of the group Smiling improves your gaze!

Dont:
Frown Roll your eyes

How firm is our handshake?

Personal Space

4 feet 6 feet

2 feet

The Inner Wall: 1 feet away from each other

2 feet

The Middle Wall: 2 Feet away

4 feet

The Outer Wall: At least 3 feet away

6 feet

My Body Language Checklist

Am I smiling properly?
Am I making frequent eye contact? Are my arms and legs uncrossed? Are my spine and shoulders straight? Are my palms open? Is my head in an interested position? Am I at least 4 feet away from the customer?

Thank You!

Thank You