The study of body language Kinesics: The study of body language Movement and meaning

Kinesics Kinesics is the non-verbal behavior related to movement, either of any part of the body, or the body as a whole. In short all communicative body movements are generally classified as kinesic. There are basically five different types of kinesics; emblems, regulators, illustrators, affective display and adaptors.

Emblems: Emblems are non-verbal cues that have a verbal counterpart…not always consistent cross-culturally! Insult gesture Middle ages in origin Ok symbol Zero Number 3 Obscene in Australia and Southern Europe Number 2 Victory Peace Insult in England Sign of the Devil 666 Horns Thumbs up Approval Hail taxi Obscene in middle east Sign language for I LOVE YOU

Regulators Regulators are non-verbal signs that regulate, modulate and maintain the flow of speech during a conversation. Head nod “Uh-huh” during conversation shows understanding and agreement

Illustrators “We’re late” “Call me” “What time is it?” Illustrators are used more consistently to illustrate what is being said. It reinforces what you are saying. “We’re late” “What time is it?” “Call me”

Affective Display: Affective Displays are body, or more frequently facial, movements that display a certain affective state, i.e. emotions.

Adaptors: Adaptors include postural changes and other movements at a low level of awareness, frequently made to feel more comfortable or to perform a specific physical function. Because adaptors are usually carried out a low level of awareness, they have been hailed as the secret to understanding what your conversation partner really thinks. Where are your feet pointing?? …toward a person, toward the door?? Sole of shoe pointing at someone is RUDE “Arms akimbo” Non-inviting Larger than actual Often times shows anger Anti-hug Eye contact Confidence Intimidation Rude Arms folded – defensive. protect your heart Legs crossed – closed. Protect your “privates”

Is this coach winning or losing? Adaptor – slouching posture Hands covering mouth, face, heart…protecting himself. Head positioned downward….submissiveness Not only is he losing….he has NO IDEA how to change things! Illustrator: Mic turned away…hand coverng mouth – he does not want to talk to anyone!

What about this coach? Winner Hand wave Emblem Smile Affective display Posture : Open Adaptor Winner

“Tells” Regular, unconscious body language

Symbolic battles Dog body language 1 Dog body language 2

Inherited gestures and signals… 1943 Karl von Frisch and honeybee communication Round Dance Waggle Dance

Gesticulation: The innate use of hands to communicate. Brain gets rest when hands do talking Precursor to human language (we gesture more with our right hand which is controlled by our left hemisphere…where the language centers reside)

THE THUMB UP MEANINGS: 1 O. K. 738 2 One 40 3 Sexual insult 36 4                                   THE THUMB UP MEANINGS: 1 O. K. 738  2 One  40 3 Sexual insult  36 4 Hitch-hike  30 5 Directional  14 6 others  24 7 not used  318 (Based on 1,200 informants at 40 locations)

Iranian equivalent of the middle finger Sri Lankan equivalent The jerking motion is usually an obscene gesture…think phallic symbol.

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Proxemics: The study of the space surrounding an individual (zones of territory)

Are you a territorial animal?

Public Social Personal Intimate Know your boundaries!

the individual’s body. This area is the most private and · Intimate space is that area immediately surrounding the individual’s body. This area is the most private and involves both physical and emotional interactions. (contact-18”) · Personal space is that area within which a person allows only select friends, or fellow workers with whom personal conversation is mandatory. (2-4’) · Social space is that area within which the individual expects to make purely social contacts on a temporary basis. (4-12’) · Public space is that area within which the individual does not expect to have direct contact with others. (12-25’)

The more intimate the spatial relationship, the more people resist intrusion by others.

Territoriality is a means of achieving a desired level of privacy. It involves the exclusive control of a space by an individual or group. This control implies privileges and may involve aggressive actions in its defense. For the individual, territorial control provides security and identity and is communicated through personalization and definition.

Status:

Greed is good…greed works…

Territorial limits vary by culture: In Saudi Arabia…you might find yourself almost nose to nose with a business associate because their social space equates to our intimate space. You would probably find yourself backing away trying to regain your social space while your associate pursues you across the floor trying to maintain his. Finally, you would come away from the encounter thinking he was "pushy", and he thinking you were "standoff-ish." In the Netherlands you would find the roles reversed, you would be doing the chasing because their personal space equates to our social space.

Crowding occurs when personal space and territoriality mechanisms function ineffectively, resulting in an excess of undesired external social contact.

Sociologically, people respond to crowding in different ways depending upon the situation. Sometimes humans tolerate crowding, though it may be unpleasant, because they know it is only temporary. In some situations crowding may be considered desirable; it may even be sought after if it is perceived as "part of the fun" or the expectation within a social setting.

In either situation, however, psychological discomfort may be experienced if the crowding is perceived as too confining.

Public transportation…We Americans tend to pull in our elbows and knees and try not to touch or even look at one another while riding the bus. In Japan, a country with a population half the size of the United States crammed into an area half the size of California, subway passengers are literally pushed into the cars until not even one more person will fit. You cannot help but be pressed against someone else's sweaty body Video

Crowd density 4 sq ft per person in a dense crowd 10 sq ft per person in a loose crowd

Interrogation by Law Enforcement Begin with a barrier (table) between the suspect and the interrogator. (comfortable setting, both seated) As questioning proceeds, invade personal space by standing, advancing, walking around, or even removing the barrier. (break down suspect’s feeling of security to make him/her less resistant to authority) http://klipd.com/watch/theres-something-about-mary/interrogation-scene

How do we handle someone “in our space”? Avoidance Behavior Move away Avoid eye contact; look down or straight ahead (do you ever stand facing the crowd in an elevator?)