Communication

While this student takes a test, his eyes move to the right or left, but they don’t seem to be focusing on anything. Is he trying to disguise cheating?

• We unconsciously touch our bodies when emotions run high to comfort, relieve, or release stress. Lips are favorite places for fingertips to land and deliver reassuring body contact. Holding your arm, massaging a hand, scratching, rubbing, or pinching the skin signal an increase in anxiety and possibly deception, disagreement, fear, or uncertainty.

• Squaring the torso is a preparation for battle; angling away is in preparation for flight. The boy on the left will probably take off running.

• You’ve been watching this state senator during the legislative debate. Several times he has brought his hands up to his face, and rubs his lips with his fingertips. Is he stressed out? OR Is he bored?

• The boy on the left has grabbed the shirt of his friend in anger. Look at his angled position, and decide what will probably happen next. Is he more likely to hit his friend or run away?

• Clenched fists signal an aroused emotional state, as in anger, excitement (e.g., to cheer on a team), or fear. In a business meeting, unconscious fisting is a visible sign of anxiety or unvoiced disagreement.

• You are presenting your ideas about the city park at a town meeting. One of the people in the crowd holds their hand up like this one to the left. If you call on them to speak, will they most likely agree or disagree with your ideas?

• There are many involuntary nonverbal signs after having eaten a satisfying meal, such as constricted pupils, moistened eyes, slowed breathing rate, and mouth-watering secretions accompanied by increased swallowing. Other signs of relaxation are leaning forward or leaning backward… a rest and digest pose.

• This couple at the restaurant seem to be having a deep discussion. Her eyes appear moist. He is swallowing quite often. Do you believe he is telling her why they should no longer be married? OR Are they just relaxing after a good meal?

• We show agreement, liking, and loyalty by aligning our upper body with that of the person we respect the most. It is often possible to identify the most powerful person (i.e., the highest status or the boss) seated at a conference table by the greater number of torsos aimed in his or her direction. While the less influential may glance freely about and turn heads toward colleagues as they speak, their torsos remain loyally oriented to the individual they most admire. Study the picture below carefully. Who’s the boss?

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