Human beings have been observing and discussing body language in some manner for centuries, going back at least as far as ancient Greece and Rome. It even shows up in the study of such diverse subjects as sociology, psychiatry, and dance. Serious, scientific study first appeared in the 1950’s, and truly took off in the 1960’s. Since those early days, much has been learned about body language and the discipline has evolved into a significant area of science.
Researchers have developed many different definitions of body language over the years, most of which have continued to evolve and be revised as more scientific information is uncovered. In the earliest days of the science, there was widespread agreement that body language was nothing more than a series of individual, discrete actions, each with a different and specific meaning.
However, over time and through additional research we have come to understand body language as something far more complex and varied. Because of this, even defining the difference between non-verbal communication and verbal communication remains an area of disagreement among experts.
Regardless of this ongoing issue, though, one thing remains very clear: body language is a powerful and integral part of communication throughout all areas of our lives.
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Finally, keep in mind that understanding body language and applying this knowledge isn’t an exact science. You cannot make hard and fast rules for yourself about what kinds of actions, gestures, expressions, and the like are appropriate in every single situation. Body language inevitably involves give and take among people, the sending and receiving of messages followed by responses that evolved as the interaction continues. So by all means, learn all you can and become a student of effective body language; but never forget, even the most intuitive and observant people can misinterpret or misunderstand body language messages.
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Scientists have long wondered exactly what the link is between your body and your brain. For many centuries, most were convinced there was no such link, but that viewpoint has changed dramatically. Increasing evidence shows that your brain – including your emotions, your feelings, and your attitudes – can have a powerful effect on the health and well-being of your body.
But what about influence that goes the opposite direction? If your brain can influence the state of your body, can your body influence the state of your brain? Researchers have a hard time pinning this down exactly, but there is plenty of at least circumstantial evidence that indicates there is indeed something to this idea.
Some people believe very strongly in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), a concept that focuses on how the mind and body can influence beliefs and feelings. What we’re talking about in this article is somewhat similar, but not at all of the scope or breadth of NLP.
Body language is all about sending non-verbal messages to those around you and receiving non-verbal messages from them as well, right? Yes and no. While body language certainly does relate to these things, it also has a strong relationship to and influence upon your own attitude and sense of self. This might seem surprising, but it really is true. Your body language sends messages internally as well as externally, so it only makes sense that you can use your body language to influence yourself just as you would those around you.
Nearly all body language behaviors and non-verbal cues include one or more of eight primary elements. It is these elements alone or in combination, that communicate so powerfully to the people around you. Some might be quite familiar to you, while others might be a bit more surprising. Regardless, as you read through this article you are almost guaranteed to think of many examples of how each element appears in your own non-verbal communication patterns.
The Eight Primary Elements of Body Language
The eight primary elements of body language are commonly listed as follows:
Face – Your face is a major source of expression when communicating with others. It can smile, frown, remain neutral, show anger, show disgust, indicate you want to speak, and show interest.
Eyes – Your eyes are often the first piece of body language others see or notice. They can be used to make visual contact, avoid visual contact, express feelings based on intensity and length of eye contact, and the like.
Posture – Your posture includes how you hold your head, shoulders, legs, arms, and hips. Each of these parts of your body work separately as well as together to send non-verbal cues. Examples include tilting your head, slumping your shoulders, turning your hips sideways, and the like.
Gestures – Your gestures can be related to verbal communication or unrelated to verbal communication. For instance, you might wave at another person as a way of saying ‘hello’, but you do not have to actually say the word out loud for the message to be clear. Or, you might use hand gestures to emphasize a key point during a speech or presentation; in this case, your gesture is related to the verbal communication.
Voice – Your voice is used to verbalize language, but is an integral part of your non-verbal communication. For instance, your tone of voice, volume, emotion, pace, and the like, all influence the messages you send as part of your body language.
Movement – Your movement, whether using your entire body or just part of your body, is both flexible and commanding. For instance, moving toward another person may send a message of dominance or assertiveness, while moving away from another person may send a message of avoidance, submission, or simply bringing the interaction to a close.
Touch – This is one of the most powerful elements of body language. It is capable of communicating so many different messages, and can also be interpreted in so many different ways. Touch is usually divided into four main categories: friendship, professional, social, and intimacy.
Appearance – Your physical appearance includes clothing, neatness, body shape, and anything else that provides visual messages and cues to other people. For instance, you dress conservatively and formally for a funeral, but casually and informally for a backyard barbecue.
As you can see, there are a huge number of variations that can be created within each element of body language, and even more that occur when you combine two or more elements. All of these elements connect together into body language in ways that are both conscious and unconscious. Learning about the key elements of body language and increasing your awareness of them will help you in all aspects of communication in all aspects of your life.
There is an old adage that says the eyes are the windows to the soul and for some people this can be very true. As some people find it difficult to keep their bodies still during the process of telling a lie so some other people find it difficult to keep their eyes from looking in many different directions whilst they lie. Here we look at what the body and the eyes tell us.
Body Language
Body language is something that many psychologists use to study their patients in order to distinguish between certain types of behavior. An individual’s body language is as individual as their face and their personality - albeit tucked away inside their body - is mirrored on the outside by their movement.
An individual during periods of stress or telling lies can behave in a way that may be visible from how their body behaves. For example: a young child in the process of telling a lie might well bite their finger nails. This is a physical manifestation of the act of lying and something that most parents would be able to pick up on.
Likewise an older person may lie and seemingly not give away anything of a physical nature but this is not the case. They may swallow continually as their throat dries. The physical and psychological triggers combining when a lie is told can have the brain tell the individual telling the lie that his or her throat is dry which causes this almost mechanical action.
Others when stressed drum their fingers absentmindedly on their legs or on a desk and this is another physical and psychological combination that can signify that they are uneasy with their surroundings and what they are doing or saying.
The Eyes
If you have ever watched someone tell a lie or struggle to come up with an answer they do certain things with their eyes. For the most part an individual telling a lie will struggle for the lie and will manifest this gap in proceedings by looking in another direction. It is also instinctive that they try and avoid the gaze of the person they are lying to in case their gaze gives too much information.
If an individual looks to the left (their left your right) this means they are usually telling the truth and are struggling to put the words together. And if they are looking to the right (their right your left) some psychologists and counselors believe this means they are lying and are trying to bide time to think of a suitable lie to continue with.
Eye contact is an important part of any relationship be it personal or professional and many individuals place great emphasis on how a person looks at them or looks away from them during conversations where important information is required or questions are being asked.
It is of course not always the case that an individual exhibiting any of these signals is telling lies - they may simply be nervous. A job interviewee may often exhibit signs of nervousness such as constant fidgeting or looking away from their interviewer simply because they feel nervous about the whole interview process or because they feel an element of doubt as to whether or not they have any likelihood of getting the job.
This is why many people charged with the task of interviewing potential employees are often trained in the art of interview techniques before they begin interviewing prospective applicants.
It is important to note that as you may be able to spot an individual’s ‘tell’ - that special movement or gaze that signifies stress or a lie - that they if they are often in your presence will be able to do the same with you.
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We all know that a wool blazer says “responsible,” while a low-cut camisole screams “flirt with me.” But do you know what message your hair color is sending? Whether your locks are red, black, brown, or blond, “hair color is definitely a fashion statement,” says colorist Angela Berk of the Joseph Cozza salon at the Four Seasons Hotel in San Francisco. Read on to find out what your hue says about you. Plus: Foolproof color tips, whether you want a natural look or a bolder shade…
Red
The impression: Redheads are perceived as feisty, opinionated and seductive, much like Kate Winslet’s character in Titanic. “The word associated with red is hot: hot-headed and hot-tempered, but also sexy,” says master colorist Jon Patrick (JonPatrickColor.com), who has worked with Morgan Fairchild and Elizabeth Banks.
On the flip side, ladies in red can also be perceived as homely – with freckles, frizzy orange hair and pale lashes. “There’s the stereotype that redheads are either drop-dead gorgeous or unattractive,” Patrick says
Must have: A good colorist. “The right red can really pretty up your skin,” says Patrick. “But there’s a fine line between red and orange, and gold and brass.” (See related article: 7 Questions to Ask Your Hairstylist)
Another essential for this fiery hue is confidence. Only two to five percent of the population is born with red hair, and because of its rarity, “red is a great standout color,” says celebrity hair stylist David Ingham (UberStylist.com), who has worked with Christy Turlington and Cindy Crawford.
Play it up: Request a vibrant red shade, suggests Berk. “The prettiest bright red hair has highlights and lowlights,” she says. After adding these, she recommends a bright glaze. Don’t worry – your highlights and lowlights will still shine through. “If you put streaks on top of the glaze, they look faded,” she explains.
Au naturel: Red is the hardest color for your hair to absorb, and can look washed out as it fades. Patrick weaves gold tones in with the red to hold the color in place. “This will afford a nice burnt undertone, even when the red fades,” he explains.
Our favorite redhead: Marcia Cross. “The red flatters her porcelain skin, giving her an otherworldly beauty,” says Patrick. “It sets her apart from the other Housewives.”
Black
The impression: “Exotic, sultry, tough, and mysterious,” says Ingham. Think Lucy Liu in Kill Bill.
Must-have: Great skin. Consider this analogy: When you go to a diamond shop, the jeweler places the diamond against a black cloth, which showcases the stone’s assets…and flaws. “If a woman dyes her hair black, it will show every imperfection on her face,” says Patrick.
Because dark black hair can look dull, a shine-booster is essential. Berk recommends Kérastase Oleo Relax serum, a bestseller at the Joseph Cozza salon.
Play it up: “Try highlights in a strong contrast color, like red or blond,” suggests Ingham. Another way to grab attention? “Ask your stylist for a blue-black or violet-black shade,” suggests Berk.
Au naturel: For a softer look, “add medium brown color throughout your hair,” says Berk. Ingham recommends placing brown underneath the hair, rather than on the surface, à la Angie Harmon.
Our favorite black-haired celeb: Rose McGowan. “When a woman has dark hair and pale skin, the high contrast creates a Snow White effect,” says Patrick.
Brown
The impression: “Brunettes are perceived as responsible, as the good girl,” says Patrick. Think Anne Hathaway in The Devil Wears Prada.
Must-have: Different shades running through your locks. Brunettes can be ho-hum when their hair is monochromatic, says Patrick. “It’s not the brown color itself that’s boring, but the sameness of it.”
Play it up: “Sex up your hair with lowlights,” Patrick suggests. “They add a sexy quality and a whole new dimension of depth.”
To buck the boring stereotype, you can also try an extreme haircut, like long bangs or an edgy shag.
If you’re scissor-shy, play around with styling tools, like a curling iron or Velcro rollers, to make your look more interesting.
Au naturel: “The more colors that are in your hair, the more natural it will look,” says Berk. “The trick is to make sure that these colors complement, not clash with, your hair.”
Inspired by all the celebrities who have traded in their platinum locks for darker hues, a lot more women are asking for brown lately, says Ingham. Berk agrees.
“Brunettes are in right now,” she says.
Our favorite brunette: Kate Beckinsale. Berk is a fan of the subtle copper color running through her strands.
Blonde
The impression: “Blondes are often thought of as the sex bomb,” says Ingham. Think Jessica Simpson in The Dukes of Hazzard. Since this shade can be hard to maintain, golden gals can also be stereotyped as high-maintenance and vain. “Blondes are often not taken seriously in their profession,” says Ingham.
The stereotype of being party-loving and flirty has advantages in the dating world. One of Ingham’s clients, for example, asked for blond hair after a break-up because she wanted a sexier look now that she was back on the market.
Must have: Confidence. “Wearing blond hair is like wearing high heels,” says Patrick. “It’s a statement and an attitude.” He explains that the human eye is drawn to lighter shades. “You’ll certainly get more attention as a blonde,” he says. And do they really have more fun? According to Patrick, they have more opportunity to have fun because of the attention they get.
Play it up: Light shades like honey blond turn heads. Or go even lighter. “Platinum blond always stands out,” says Berk.
Au naturel: Add lowlights to tone down blond hair that’s gone too light, suggests Berk.
Our favorite blonde: Gwen Stefani. “Platinum blond is an extremely hard color to maintain, but her hair always looks beautiful and healthy,” says Berk.
Our smiles are the mirrors of our personality. Smiling expresses who we are, what we think and how we perceive the world. Have you ever wondered what other people think of your smile?
Now you can learn what your smile says about you by taking The Natural Dentist’s Smile Personality Analysis.
Babies are born with the natural ability to smile and start at about three weeks.
We know we smile when we’re happy, but did you know that smiling can actually make us feel happier by changing chemicals produced in our brain?
It takes over 80 different facial muscles to smile.
A smile changes the face so much that it can be detected and recognized after 3 seconds from 300 feet away. Almost the length of a football field!
Women smile more than men by an overwhelming 77% compared to men’s 35%