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S K P INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH COMMUNICATION SKILL LABORATORY BODY LANGUAGE Introduction Body language refers to any kind of bodily movement or posture, including facial expression, which transmits a message to the observer. Every part of the human body, either in motion or stillness, conveys a meaning which depends upon the physical, social, and cultural context of the action. The message may be deliberately intended, expressed in some sort of accepted code or they may be involuntary gestures of response, as when someone cries aloud in pain. Body language is a term for communication using body movements or gestures instead of words. Studies show that the words account for only 7% of the message you convey. The remaining 93% is non-verbal. Of the 93%, 55% of communication is based on what people see and the other 38% is transmitted through tone of voice. Body language is the meaning behind the unspoken words. It is understood as the process of communication through sending and receiving wordless messages. Body language is the communication of personal feelings, emotions, attitudes, thoughts through body movements either consciously or unconsciously, voluntarily or involuntarily. Body talk Body talk can contradict the spoken word. This is because the body is more articulate than words in communicating emotion. The tricky thing about body language is that we are often unaware of how we are reaching to it. We may, for example, form a negative judgment about someone because she slouches, won’t look us in the eye, or talks with her hands. Forms of body language Aggressive body language: Showing physical threat. Attentive body language: Showing real interest Bored body language: Just not being interested Closed body language: Many reasons are closed Deceptive body language: Seeking to cover up lying or other deception. Defensive body language: Protecting self from attack Dominant body language: Dominating others. Power body language: Demonstrating one’s power. Submissive body language: Showing you are prepared to give in. Parts of Body Language You can send signals with individual parts of the body as well as together. Here are details of the contributions of each part of the body. 1. Facial expression Facial expressions are responsible for a huge proportion of nonverbal communication. Consider how much information can be conveyed with a smile or a frown. While nonverbal communication and behaviour can vary dramatically between cultures, the facial expressions for happiness, sadness, anger, and fear are similar throughout the world. 2. Gestures Deliberate movements and signals are an important way to communicate meaning without words. Common gestures include waving, pointing, and using fingers to indicate number. Other gestures are arbitrary and related to culture. 3. Paralinguistic Paralinguistic refers to vocal communication that is separate from actual language. This includes factors such as tone of voice, loudness, inflection, and pitch consider the powerful effect that tone of voice can have on the meaning of a sentence. When said in a strong tone of voice, listeners might interpret approval and enthusiasm. The same words said in a hesitant tone of voice might convey disapproval and lack of interest. 4. Body language and posture Posture and movement can also convey a great deal on information. Research on body language has grown significantly since the 1970’s. While these nonverbal behaviors can indicate feelings and attitudes, research suggests that body language is far more subtle and less definitive than previously believed. 5. Proxemics People often refer to their need for “personal space”, which is also an important type of nonverbal communication. The amount of distance we need and the amount of space we perceive as belonging to us is influenced by a number of factors including social norms, situational factors, personality characteristics, and level of familiarity. 6. Eye gaze Looking, staring, and blinking can also be important nonverbal behaviours. When people encounter people or things that they like, the rate of blinking increases and pupils dilate. Looking at another person can indicate a range of emotions, including hostility, interest, and attraction. 7. Appearance Our choice of colour, clothing, hairstyles, and other factors affecting appearance are also considered a means of nonverbal communication. Research on colour psychology has demonstrated that different colours can invoke different moods. Appearance can also alter physiological reactions, judgment, and interpretations. 8. Eye contact Eye contact is an important aspect of social interaction, and it is something that many shy and socially anxious people have difficulty with. Often people with social anxiety describe looking at someone in the eyes as anxiety-provoking and uncomfortable. Origin of Body Language Body language is a product of both genetic and environmental influences. More refined gestures are learned or modified through learning usually by unconscious observation of the environment. Uses of body language Body language is particularly important in group communication because it dominates the spoken word. It is a factor in human courtship as a subconscious or subtle method or communication between persons. Body language is also used in the field of selling, insurance companies, directly selling companies and international car showrooms. Body language is used to express feelings. At times one may find it difficult to express his/her feelings though words. Body language comes in handy there for example if someone wants to express anger, more than the words, the body language speaks louder and clearer. Experts believe that more than the words, the people read the body language to form an impression. Body language is also useful in investigations. One may try to give false information but the body language will reveal if the words uttered are true or false. Body language in building interpersonal relations Body language plays a significant role in maintaining interpersonal relationship, particularly between the management and employees. The body languages that will be of use in interpersonal relationships are: Increased eye contact – Help people to like each other Friendly facial expression and smiles – Helps people to get motivated Forward lean in posture – Helps in making situation less formal Body language in building industrial relations Body language has a greater role to play in building industrial relations. It helps in Motivating others Team building Negotiating styles Developing networking Improving your body language Keep your arms and legs open Develop eye contact, but don’t stare Relax your shoulders Nod when they are talking Sit up straight Lean but not too much Smile and laugh Keep your head up Use your hands confidently Keep a positive attitude Increasing the effectiveness of eye contact 1. While you are speaking to another person, keep listening to what the other person is saying, and show your interest in them by looking at their face the majority of time. 2. Don’t keep glancing around the room too much, or look at other people too often. Keep looking at the person you are with. 3. If you look around too much means you are bored with them and can’t wait to get away. 4. Smile more often, and keep nodding at the other person. Let your facial muscles be relaxed so that you are not smiling nervously, and let your facial expression change as the conversation changes. 5. Look for what you find genuinely interesting about the other person and their opinions. 6. Making good eye contact while you are making conversation is a very important way you can show other people that you value them and enjoy their company. Use of eye contact There are different purposes of eye contact. They are: Showing attention Showing interest Inviting interaction Providing feedback Revealing attitudes Gestures and body movement Gestures communicate as effectively as words – maybe, even more effectively. We use gestures everyday, almost instinctively. But no two people will use similar gestures. Gesture can be used as a vehicle to send a variety of messages. Real mastery over body language can be developed only when we learn to use gestures appropriately. Understanding different interpretations of common gestures It is important for people to understand how the gestures they use unconsciously may be misunderstood. This activity allows participants to look a little closer at how body language might be interpreted by others. Demonstrate the gestures below and ask people to write down what they think each gesture means. Beckon with index finger. Point at something in the room using index finger. Make a “V” sign. Smile. Sit with sole of feet or shoe showing. Form a circle with fingers to indicate “O.K.”. Pat a student on the head. Nod head up and down to say “Yes”. Gestures having universal meaning Clapping as a sign of approval Raising one’s hand to gain attention Shaking the fists to show anger Yawning out of boredom Gestures and personality Gestures can help us make an assessment about the kind of personality an individual has. Authoritarian personalities tent to use less bodily movement than democratic type personality. Posture and stance: Posture refers to a position or way in which a person stands, walks etc. Stance refers to the manner in which a person stands, walks etc. Stance refers to the manner in which a person stands, walks etc. Postures are just as important as your grandmother always said it was. Sit or stand erect if you want to be seen as alert and enthusiastic. When you slump in your char or lean on the wall, you look tired. No one wants to interact with some one who has no energy. How to improve your posture? Individual tend to develop narrow range of some postures which reveal a person’s past. The choice of postures today depends on the experience the person underwent. Sitting: 1. Sit in an office chair 2. Align your back with the back of the office chair. Avoid slouching or leaning forward, especially when tired from sitting in the office chair for long periods. Keep your shoulders straight. 3. Flex your arms at a 75 to 90 degree angle at the elbows. You may have to adjust the office chair 4. Make sure your neck, back and heels are all aligned. 5. Keep both feet reaching the floor comfortably, a footrest can be used along with the office chair. Standing 1. Stand with weight mostly on the balls of the feet, not with weight on the heels. Avoid locking your knees. 2. Keep feet slightly apart, about shoulders width. 3. Let arms hang naturally down the sides of the body. 4. Tuck the chin in a little to keep the head level. Be sure the head is square on top of the neck and spine, not pushed out forward. 5. Stand straight and tall, with shoulders upright. 6. Stand against a wall with shoulders and bottom touching wall. Different handshake styles Sweat Palms – When a person is nervous their sympathetic nervous system often becomes overactive, sometimes resulting in sweaty palms. Do what you can to put this individual at ease. Dead Fish – Indifferent handshakes that feel like the person has no bones in their hand often indicate a passive or reserved personality. This handshake ranks as the number tow least favoured. Individuals with this type of clasp are generally not people-focused Brush off – This handshake type is a quick grasp and then a release that feels like your hand being shoved aside. This handshake is a statement of “it’s my turf and my agenda that matters, yours doesn’t”. Controller – You feel your hand being pulled toward the person or strongly guided in a different direction, perhaps controllers. This means they want to dominate any inanimate or animate object in the room (and that would include you). If your goals are different than theirs there may be challenges ahead. If your body language does not match your words you are wasting your time. Therefore you should improvise your body language, attractiveness, emotions, communication skills which will give you better first impressions.