Resources

Body Language

Facial Expressions
The adage, “A picture is worth a thousand words,” describes the meaning of facial expressions. Facial expressions are momentary expressions that signal our emotions. Some facial expressions are readily visible, while other are so fleeting they go unnoticed. Both types can positively or negatively reinforce the spoken word and convey cues concerning emotions.

Eyes
Eyes are the most dominant and reliable features of the face which provide a constant channel of communication. They can be shifty and evasive; convey hate, fear, and guilt; or express confidence, love, and support.

Vocal Intonation
The adage, “It is not what we say that counts, but how we say it,” reflects the meaning of vocal intonation. Vocal intonation is probably the most understood and valid area of nonverbal communication. Vocal variations are fundamental components of expressive oral communication. If vocal information contradicts verbal, vocal will dominate.

Touching
Touching is an important aspect of American culture. Even a handshake tells much about an individual character. The human skin has hundreds of thousands of submicroscopic nerve endings serving as tactual receptors and detecting pressure, temperature, texture pain and tickling. In a job interview, a handshake that barely clasps the tips of the fingers could indicate a person too timid for a sales position. On the other hand, a “death grip” squeeze handshake could indicate you are overbearing and insensitive.

Body Movements and Postures
Kinesics refers to body movements, and movements communicate meaning. Bodies elucidate true messages about feelings that cannot be masked. People communicate by the way they walk, stand, and sit.

Use of Space
The use of space (proxemics) is a subtle component of nonverbal communication that indicates territory to which access is allowed or denied to other people or objects.

Dress
Often dictated by societal norms, clothing indicates a great amount of information. It identifies gender, age, socioeconomic class, status, role, group membership, personality or mood, physical climate, and time in history. Colors and fabrics are coordinated to send messages just as words are put together to form sentences.

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