What is Body Language | Importance of Body Language | Types of Body Language | Applications of Body Language

What is Body Language?

Body Language refers to a type of non-verbal communication using signals such as gestures and facial expressions, to express one’s feelings and intentions [1]. 

Importance of Body Language

An estimated 70% of our communication is nonverbal [3][4], emphasising its importance. It can help people to better understand a situation and make the appropriate adjustment in an interaction.

With the world becoming more connected, it grows increasingly important to learn culture-specific gestures. For instance, the American peace sign may be considered as flipping someone off in England [4]. Greetings also differ from culture to culture. For example, when greeting, those in Western cultures prefer a handshake while for some Spanish or Latin cultures, they may prefer to kiss.

Types of Body Language

Body language can be split into 2 major categories – positive or open, or negative or closed [1].

Positive or Open Body Language

Eyebrow Flash

When you do an Eyebrow Flash, you raise your eyebrows slightly for less than ⅕ of a second and bringing attention to your face. It shows interest professionally, romantically or socially [1]. However in some cultures, like the Japanese, it can be considered disrespectful.

Mirroring

Mirroring means to use similar body language as the person you are interacting with in a social situation [1], for example, copying their speech patterns or attitudes [2]. It shows your desire to connect with the interactant, creating a sense of familiarity and likeness.

The Equal Handshake

The Equal Handshake represents mutual respect, confidence, openness and power [1]. These 7 elements makes an Equal Handshake:

  • Good eye contact
  • Genuine smile
  • Arm extended with slightly bent elbow
  • Fingers pointing downwards when initiating handshake
  • Equal pressure on hand clasp
  • Lean slightly forwards towards other party
  • Release slowly after 1-2 seconds
Head Tilt

When tilting your head to the side, the neck, which is the most vulnerable part of the body, is exposed. Women often do a head tilt when they are attracted to someone [1]. It can also indicate platonic interest or curiosity [1]. 

Negative or Closed Body Language

Crossed Arms and Ankles

When someone is closed off and uncomfortable, they might cross their arms or ankles. To cross your ankle is to cross your feet with one ankle lying on top of the other while crossed arms simply means to have your arms folded across your chest. The tighter their limbs are interlocked, the more anxious a person is feeling [1]. The crossed arms often represents a “self-hug” as it projects feelings of anger, anxiety or stress [1].

Fidgeting with Objects

Fidgeting means to play with objects near to you, for example, a pen, keys or a ring, usually out of boredom. If you fidget subconsciously, it serves a form of sensory reassurance [1].

Blading

Blading is similar to a fencing pose where the individual has their torso turned away from the other party to defend themselves from violence and to minimise damage in vital parts of the body [1]. It occurs when someone is defensive or threatened [1].

Hand Clasping

Hand clasping means to interlock our fingers in front of our torso. It can be described as another form of “self-hug” as it is used as a form of self-comfort [1].

Microexpressions

Microexpressions are automatic facial expressions humans make when experiencing emotions [5]. They occur naturally as a form of reaction and usually last for a few seconds [5].

Paralanguage

Paralanguage is a type of non-verbal nuances in the way we speak. Through our pitch and tone, we can express certain emotions, such as happiness, anger, or sadness [6]. For example, a cracking voice usually indicates high levels of emotion [6].

Applications of Body Language

We utilise different parts of the body to communicate, for example, our face, arms and mouth. Understanding the concept of body language is only the first step. To improve in reading and using our non-verbals, we have to practice it frequently such as maintaining eye contact during a conversation. Eye contact is the most common application as it is often applied in therapy, for instance, to develop a strong rapport with clients. For body language to be effective, it is essential that we consider other’s culture or medical history.

References:

[1] Edwards, V. V. 16 Essential Body Language Examples and Their Meanings. Science of People. https://www.scienceofpeople.com/body-language-examples/ 

[2] Psychology Today Staff, (2022). Body Language. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/body-language 

[3] Christensen, T., (2022). What is Body Language? languagehumanities.org https://www.languagehumanities.org/what-is-body-language.htm 

[4] Devlin, T. M., (2019). Is Body Language A Language, And Is It Universal?. Babbel. (https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/body-language#:~:text=Oh%2C%20and%20then%20Ray%20Birdwhistell%20said%20that%20body,in%20the%20%E2%80%9860s%20and%20%E2%80%9870s%20by%20Albert%20Mehrabian. 

[5] Edwards, V. V. The Definitive Guide to Reading Microexpressions (Facial Expressions). Science of People. https://www.scienceofpeople.com/microexpressions/ 

[6] Farrer A., (2022). What is Paralanguage? languagehumanities.org. https://www.languagehumanities.org/what-is-paralanguage.htm