Communication

The message send by puckering the lips is “I disagree”. It is a look of disagreement, scheming, or calculated thought. She thinks her client is lying.

• The prisoner just told this attorney “I didn’t do it”. Look at her lips. Is she thinking “I believe you” OR “I think you’re lying”.

• Neither. A sudden lip-compression may signal the onset of anger, disliking, grief, sadness, or uncertainty.
• Barely noticeable lip-clenching may signal unvoiced opposition or disagreement

• While speaking or listening to another's remarks, palm-down gestures show confidence, assertiveness, and dominance. Accompanied by aggressive, palm-down "beating" signs, our ideas, opinions, and remarks appear stronger and more convincing.

• Uplifted palms suggest a vulnerable or nonaggressive pose which appeals to listeners as allies, rather than as rivals or foes. Throughout the world, palm-up cues reflect moods of congeniality, humility, and uncertainty. Palms up and held out to an opponent is a gesture of peace or compromise.

• Former President Richard Nixon used this hand gesture while giving a speech. What was the more likely topic of his speech? Was he apologizing OR was he being very confident in his position?

• Your child’s teacher looks like this as she is discussing your child’s attitude in class. Is she saying “Look, this is your problem; I’m just his teacher” OR is she saying “Listen, I think we can work on this together”?

• The tongue-show is a universal mood sign of unspoken disagreement, disbelief, disliking, displeasure, or uncertainty.

• Involuntary eye movements to the right or left signal information processing, reflection, and thought. This student may simply be thinking over the question and trying to remember the answer.

• Little Suzy sticks her tongue out while playing with this toy. What is most likely going through her mind? Is she thinking “I can make my train go very fast…see?” OR “I’m not sure what sound the train makes”.

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