Body psychology: human gestures and their meaning, body language

It is not always worth believing what people say and do. Sometimes the psychology of the body can tell about a person and his true intentions much more than words. Knowing sign language will help you see through people.

Case Study History

They have been interested in body gestures in psychology for a long time (back in ancient Rome). This question was even singled out as a separate science, which is called kinesics (later it was divided into narrower areas of knowledge). The greatest contribution to the development of this direction was made by such researchers:

• J. Balver in 1644 wrote a book about body language and sign in psychology. The scientist paid special attention to the language of hands. He concluded that this is a natural language in contrast to the verbal way of communication, which was invented artificially.

• Pastor I. Caspar Lafater wrote an Essay on Physiognomy in 1792, which is considered to be the first systematic study of body movements. The work similarly describes the correspondence of a person’s personal properties to his facial expression and body configuration.

• The German scientist G.K. Lichtenberg in 1765 published a book in which he criticized the work of Lafater. He found his understanding of physiognomy too simplistic and far from real practical human activity.

• The artist, surgeon and neurophysiologist C. Bell was especially interested in the expressions of the human face, depending on different emotions. In 1844, as a result of long-term studies of the nervous system, he concluded that any emotional fluctuations are accompanied by a change in respiratory and muscular activity.

• C. Darwin and E. Kretschmer in 1920 studied the relationship between the character and physique of a person, as well as between the emotions and facial expressions of a person.

• D. Bonifacio, F. Bacon and D. Batista affairs Porta in 1616 published treatises in which they expressed the view that there is a universal body language that is understandable to absolutely all peoples of the world.

Among modern works on a given topic, the book by Alexander Lowen "Body Psychology. Bioenergetic analysis of the body" is popular. This work focuses on the study of psychosomatics and the solution of psychosomatic problems.

The similarities and differences between verbal and non-verbal communication

In psychology, body language and gestures have a number of similar characteristics. Here are the main ones:

• Any verbal and non-verbal element can acquire contextual significance depending on the culture of the area.

• In some cases, the meaning of what was conceived can be conveyed either only in words or only with gestures.

• Both gestures and verbal units are symbolic signs that form the basis of the lexicon.

• Like the language units of different countries, gestures can also be translated and interpreted under specific conditions.

• Like natural language, gestures can change in space and time, depending on economic and cultural conditions.

But there are fundamental differences. Namely:

• Natural languages ​​consist of relatively stable units, and body language tends to undergo changes.
• The linguistic means of communication has a much greater number of possibilities for describing ideas, phenomena, situations, objects.
• Gestures are demonstrative in nature and perceived by the visual apparatus. Language tools are more informative.

Key body segments

Wilhelm Reich, one of the founders of the psychology of body movements, conditionally divided the body into 7 segments, the contraction of muscles in which represents the corresponding problems:

• The eye segment - fears associated with human relationships (conflicts, grievances, assessments, and so on).
• Oral segment - difficulties with the expression of feelings and emotions in verbal form.
• Cervical segment - deterrence of anger and aggression.
• Thoracic segment - suppression of positive and negative emotions, feelings and desires, self-control, inability to express feelings.
• Diaphragmatic segment - suppression of anxiety or satisfaction, problems of willpower.
• The abdominal segment is the suppression of fear of danger and anger.
• Pelvic segment - suppression of feelings caused by the instinct of self-preservation, blocking intimate arousal.

Gestures of sincerity and openness

Knowing the psychology of the body will help you understand how a person is disposed towards you, whether he is disposed to talk. Here are the gestures that symbolize sincerity, openness and favor:

• A man is actively gesturing, holding his hands in front of him, palms up.
• A person tries to reduce the distance during a conversation (sits closer or tries to establish tactile contact).
• An unbuttoned jacket is a symbol of openness and trust in business negotiations. The slightly loosened tie knot has a similar meaning.
• Legs straightened and stretched forward (if the interlocutors communicate while sitting).
• Smile all over. If your eyes squint and your nostrils expand, it means that the person is sincerely glad to see you and is set up for productive communication.
• A deep sigh of relief. Having noticed such a gesture, you can be sure that your conversation with the interlocutor will be easy and confidential.

Closed gestures

Knowing the psychology of the body will help you understand that a person is tense and not configured to communicate. When a person is frightened, uncomfortable or disliked by the interlocutor, he, without realizing it, begins to “defend himself”. This is manifested through such gestures:

• Crossed arms. This is a demonstration of self-doubt or hostility towards the interlocutor.
• Crossed legs (or foot-to-foot pose). May indicate distrust, and in combination with arms crossed, the value doubles. It is worth noting that many find this pose comfortable. But in a business conversation, this pose is best avoided, as the interlocutor may interpret it incorrectly.
• Hands pressed to the body or lying on the knees are an incomplete barrier. The pose demonstrates distrust or negative attitude towards the interlocutor.
• Manipulating things. If a person constantly turns a pen in his hands, holds a notebook, clings to a bag, then he is trying to fence himself off from you.
• Shrinking. Hands tightly pressed to the body, closed legs, stooped shoulders - all these are signs that a person is trying to defend himself from you.
• Hands in pockets. This is a sign of detachment from the interlocutor.

Exposing a lie

Body psychology is a powerful tool for exposing lies. The fact that a person is dishonest with you can be understood by the following signs:

• Touching any part of the face (mouth, nose, eyelids, cheeks, chin and so on). When a person tells a lie, his hands unconsciously reach out to his face, as if trying to hide from shame.
• If a person scratches an eyelid, it means that he knows the truth, but tries to hide it from you.
• Stroking and scratching the neck may mean that the person does not agree with your statement. But for certain reasons (for example, social status), he is afraid to admit it.
• If a person touches the earlobe, this means that he absolutely does not believe what you are telling him. But, again, trying not to show.
• If, before answering your question, a person looks away or begins to look into the distance, this means that he is trying to come up with some kind of lie.
• Smile only lips. If all the other muscles of the face remain motionless, then the person is insincere with you.
• A sharp change in the pace of speech. If a person slows down or accelerates, then at that moment he tells you a lie.
• Asymmetry of facial expressions and gestures. If only one side works, or there is a discord between the parties, then the person is insincere. Although, at times, this may be due to the anatomical features.

Gestures of aggression

All human emotions are certainly reflected in human gestures - such is psychology. Body language demonstrates an aggressive attitude as follows:

• Rivers clenched into a fist. This happens involuntarily when a person tries to restrain himself from the open manifestation of aggression.
• Hands rest their fists on the sides. This is a more aggressive gesture, showing a willingness to attack the enemy.
• Sitting on a chair on horseback. Reflects hostility to the interlocutor, accompanied by a sense of superiority.
• Hands laid behind. This is an attempt to hide the negative mood.
• Gritted teeth and lips. A sign of irritability and anger.
• “Chopping” air or surface with the palm of your hand. This indicates a willingness to open confrontation.
• Stroking or scratching the back of the neck. A sense of threat and readiness for defense.

Gestures of boredom

Body gestures in psychology represent almost all emotions and moods. In particular, it is important for a person to know the signs by which it can be determined that a person is bored, that he is not interested in you, that it is time to end the conversation:

• If a person rests his chin or cheek on his hand, then he is tired of your chatter and, most likely, he has already lost the thread of the story.
• Tapping your foot on the floor or fingers on the table is a sign of boredom and impatience. Your interlocutor wants to end the conversation as soon as possible.
• Extraneous activities (for example, drawing curls on paper) are a sign that a person is immersed in his thoughts and does not happen to you at all.
• Looking at the door or watch is a subconscious demonstration that the conversation dragged on.
• Intense nods of the head - this is the desire of the interlocutor to speed up the conversation in order to come to a logical conclusion.

Handshake Types

In the business world (and just in everyday communication) knowledge of psychology really helps. Handshake plays a significant role in body language, as the first contact with which, in most cases, the contact begins. Here's how to decipher this gesture:

• A handshake with an elbow girth is a sign of friendliness, a desire for communication and establishing close contact.
• Stretching your hand palm down is a symbol that a person seeks to dominate you.
• Stretching your hand palm up - this means that the person gives the initiative in your hands and is ready to obey your decision.
• The second hand on the shoulder during a handshake is a demonstration of a good attitude to the interlocutor and the desire for close contact.
• Putting a second hand on top of a handshake is a demonstration of leadership.
• The vertical arrangement of the palms is a demonstration of equality and mutual respect.
• A handshake with a grip on the wrist is a demonstration of the joy of meeting and the desire for close friendship.

Gait Features

Studying the psychology of the body and physicality, researchers drew attention to the presence of a relationship between emotions and gait. Namely:

• Broad steps are enterprise and determination, zeal for vigorous activity, the presence of far-reaching plans.
• Frequent short steps are a tendency to caution, prudence, the ability to adapt, restraint in the manifestation of feelings, the speed of reaction.
• The slow walk was emphasized - the desire to be in the spotlight, the desire to live for show, a show of strength.
• Careless relaxed gait - disinterest and irresponsibility, immaturity of personality, lack of self-discipline, snobbery.
• Irregular steps - increased excitement, timidity.
• A swaying gait with pronounced hips movements - excessive self-esteem, excessive self-confidence.
• Shuffling gait - lack of will and desire, slowness, tendency to laziness.
• An unnaturally firm and angular gait - tightness, fear of communication, shyness, psychological tension.
• Bouncing gait - idealism, daydreaming, the need for a sense of superiority.

Posture Features

Studying the psychology of the human body, you should pay attention to posture:

• Equal, but laid-back posture is a sign of openness to the outside world and good receptivity of everything new, the ability to quickly accumulate internal energy, unconditional trust in others, faith in oneself, a sense of comfort and safety.
• Fixed tense posture - self-defense and detachment, a sense of awkwardness in a particular situation, shyness and closeness, avoiding contact with others, focus on internal problems, sensitivity and sensitivity, rejection of criticism.
• Stretched and rigid posture - sensitivity, hidden under the mask of self-confidence.
• Sluggish posture is a sign of mental and emotional decline.
• Slouching posture - humility, the desire to please and obey, humility.

Female erotic hints

Relations between opposite sexes are also reflected through body language and gestures. The psychology of women is designed so that body movements betray their attitude towards men. Ladies' erotic hints can be recognized by the following signs:

• Demonstration of the wrist. This can be stroking, carelessly raised sleeve or playing fingers with a bracelet.
• Manipulations with hair. If a woman feels sympathy for a particular man, then at the sight of him she begins to correct, wind on her finger or effectively curl backward.
• Open mouth or licking lips. This is perhaps the most seductive gesture, which, incidentally, women often demonstrate consciously.
• Demonstration of the ankles. As a rule, women cross them, slightly moving aside. Another seductive gesture is the wiggling of the ankle with the shoe half removed.
• Touching the feet. This can be stroking the hips, calves or ankles.

The meaning of kisses in different parts of the body in psychology

Relations between representatives of opposite sexes have always been the subject of close attention on the part of specialists. In the psychology of body language of women and men, a special place is given to a kiss. Or rather, its localization:

• In the neck - a hint of intimacy.
• On the cheek - a demonstration of a good attitude, as well as the joy of meeting.
• In the eye - demonstrates serious and reverent feelings, as well as fear of parting.
• In the forehead - a demonstration of care and support, the desire to patronize and protect the partner.
• In the hand - interest, increased attention or gratitude.
• In the nose - the desire to cheer, console, cheer up.
• In the ear - passion, a hint of intimacy.
• Into the hair - a demonstration of patronage, a desire to take care and protect.
• On the shoulder is a hidden desire, suppressed passion.
• On the lips - close relationships, passion, love, affection.
• In the knee - tenderness and care, bordering on the desire to rule over a partner.

Gestures around the world

The psychology of the human body can be considered in different ways, depending on the national culture. Here are some interesting facts:

• In some countries (in particular, Bulgaria, India and Greece), shaking his head from side to side means consent, and a nod indicates refusal.
• In countries practicing Buddhism, stroking a child on the head is perceived as aggression. In general, the reaction is negative to any touch, as this is a violation of personal space.
• The finger at the temple (a demonstration of dementia) in Holland is perceived as praise for mental abilities, and in the UK - as an advice to live your own mind.
• Touching the earlobe in the Spaniards is considered an indication of the presence in the company of a person of an unconventional sexual orientation.
• To show a palm with spread fingers to a Greek is an insult.
• While in Japan, present gifts with both hands. If you do this with one hand, a person can be offended.
• Fingers crossed for good luck are indecent gestures in Vietnam.
• In African countries, it is indecent for a long time to look into the interlocutor's eyes.

Body image in psychology

It is interesting that not only in terms of body movements, but also in terms of external parameters, some conclusions can be drawn about the character of a person and personality traits. The psychology of body types is described in the table.

Useful Tips

Studying the psychology of body and soul allows you to read people as an open book before they even managed to convey some kind of verbal information to you. But the process of learning is quite debt and complicated. If you are interested in this issue, follow these recommendations:

• Learn to feel and understand your own body, to compare feelings and desires with specific gestures. This will help you more easily “solve” other people.
• Do not rush to conclusions and do not take personal guesses and interpretations as a basis. Test your assumptions based on indirect evidence. Sometimes it will be useful to ask the interlocutor a delicate clarifying question.
• Having expressed your assumptions to the interlocutor, do not insist on your own rightness. Ask him to talk about his experiences and compare what he heard with previously made observations of body movements.
• Do not be afraid of errors and corrections. It only deepens and develops your knowledge and skills.
• When observing the interlocutor, be sensitive. Few people will like to feel a steady gaze on themselves. This can cause a person to close, after which you will definitely not receive any objective information.
• Develop your observation skills. Train your abilities in any place and situation, try to study both acquaintances and strangers.