Body Language
Definition
Body language is the language
transmitted by gestures and postures
Some notions of body language
Body language:
Is an important and decisive factor when
transmitting a message
Provides information about an individual’s
character, emotions, and reactions
Movement is the
original and most intense
means of expression
and of will
Movement is
the starting point
par excellence of
human behavior
A person can stop
speaking, but he cannot
stop communicating
with his body
NON-VERBAL symbols
are four times more
effective
than VERBAL ones
All individuals have
some knowledge of
the vocabulary of
body symbols
Non-verbal signs
are grasped
instinctively and
directly
Signals emitted
unconsciously
always tell the truth
Gestures are the direct
and unrepeatable
expression of the
personality
Each gesture synthesizes
multiple contents,
both conscious and
unconscious
Everyone moves
the way he or she is
and is the way
he or she moves
Body language is a
sensorial process from the
point of view of perception
and emission
The more signals we consciously
attempt to perceive and understand,
the more accurate will be our
interpretation of a person’s conduct
Only those persons who live
in awareness of their body will be
able to maintain sensitive
contact with their surrroundings
Three senses are used to
interpret the outside world:
• Sight (visual person, 55%)
• Hearing (auditory person, 15%)
• Touch (kinetic person, 30%)
Each person has a predominant
sense
The 7 most important words:
I admit I have made a mistake
The 6 most important words :
You have done a good job
The 5 most important words :
Tell me what you think
The 4 most important words :
Do me a favor
The 3 most important words :
Thanks a lot
The most important word : We
The least important word : I
Territorial needs
Everyone has a defined body area, a
territory, and a personal space, which is
called a body buffer zone
Masking
Method by which we
control our body so that it
will not send out
messages that our mind
wants to hide
Posture
Posture is not only a way of punctuating a
conversation, but it is also the way
individuals relate with each other when
they are in a group.
Types of posture
Inclusive or non-inclusive
Face-to-face or parallel
Congruent or incongruent
Inclusive or non-inclusive
These terms describe
the way in which the
members of a group
include (or exclude)
other people
Face-to-face
Posture when two
individuals relate
facing each other
Congruent - incongruent
This refers to the
ability of the
members of a
group to imitate
each other
Parts of the body and
body language
Body movements include:
Facial
expression
Eye
movement
Body movements include :
Hands
Feet
Whole body
The meaning of gestures. Examples
Doubt:
we raise an eyebrow
Scratching one’s nose:
puzzled
Holding eye contact Interest/curiosity
Showing the palms
Inviting trust
of one’s hands
Covering one’s Insecurity
mouth when talking
Not wanting to show
Avoiding eye-contact
feelings; or lying
when talking
Recommendations
The greeting: a good starting point (show
openness)
Don’t blink constantly
Try to keep a direct look and establish
eye contact with the people you are talking
to
Don’t bite your lips or moisten them with
your tongue
Recommendations (Continued)
Always keep your mouth shut while you
are listening
Maintain an appropriate position and avoid
constant abrupt movements
Control the movements of your hands and
keep them visible
Do not allow any object to come between
you and your audience
Recommendations (Continued)
Try to integrate with your audience and
adapt your clothing to their social,
economic, and other characteristics
Do not cross your arms over your chest
Do not cover your mouth with your hand
while you are speaking
Maintain a relaxed posture
He who does not understand a look will not
understand a long explanation either
Arab proverb