KINESICS

T H E L A N G U A G E O F T H E B O DY
INTRODUCTION

• First used by anthropologist Ray Birdwhistell in 1952.

• Study of body language(Facial Expressions, posture,
gesture, etc)
• For an effective communication –
7% Verbal, 38% Vocal and 55% Facial, is necessary in a
message.
Therefore, Non Verbal Communication plays very
important role in communication process.
BODY MOVEMENTS

1. Emblems – Stand alone modes of communication, preferred at

long distances.
Eg. Signs -Thumbs up, down, Goodbye hand waving.
2. Illustrators – Accompany speech, clarifies and emphasizes the
speech.
Eg. Hand pointing direction along with speech.
3. Affective Displays – Facial gestures-convey emotions, culture
specific, Uses movements of lips, mouth, eyes, eyebrows, etc.
Eg. Joy, Anger, Disgust.
4. Regulators- Movements that control the flow of
conversation, gives immediate feedback, Culture
specific, clarifies listening.
Eg. Head Nodding, Eye Movements, etc.

5. Adaptors- Movements occurring with little or no

awareness, Strong indicator of emotions, attitude,
or relieving physical discomfort.
Eg. Rubbing, Scratching, Shifting in one’s seat.
 UNMASKING THE FACE

WE HAVE LITTLE OR NO CONTROL ON OUR FACIAL EXPRESSIONS,

THEY ARE PRECISE INDICATORS OF OUR EMOTION AND MOODS.
STUDYING THE
FACE

WO R D S C A N L I E B U T T H E FAC E
E X P R E S S I O N S C A N N OT .
POKER FACE

• An impassive expression that hides one’s true

feelings.
FACE-ISM AND
STEREOTYPING
• According to research media seems to focus
more on men’s face and women’s body, which
eventually leads to stereotyping.
MOVING A(HEAD)

H E A D N O D A N D H E A D T I LT
TYPES OF HEAD NODS

• Encouraging Nod- Used as form of encouragement to support or

cheer the speaker.
Eg. Used when speaker of any presentation is friend and is
encouraged.
• Acknowledgment Nod-Signals listening of the speaker.
Eg. Talk between husband and wife(Wife is talking).
• Understanding Nod- Listener understands and responds in speech or
non verbally to the speaker along with nod.
Eg. Friend is upset and understanding his problem.
• Factual Nod- Displays agreeing of a point of speaker,
many times involuntarily.
Eg. During group discussion or debate, anybody makes
a point which you agree.
• Agreement Nod- Symbolizes “YES” or “NO”.
HEAD TILT
• Non Threatening gesture also a Submissive gesture.
• Shows intent, interest, empathy, cuteness, sympathy.
• Meaning changes with change in other body movements.
EYE(S) SEE
THE EYES

• Richard Bandler and John Grinder-

Relationship between way people thought and the
eye movements.
• Eyes provide insights, makes communication more
effective.
• We can subconsciously perceive people looking at us.
• Expresses variety of emotions ranging from-
Hatred and Hurt to Seduction and Love.
THE PUPILS

• Black portion in the centre of the eyeball.

• Pupillary changes indicates :
Mental processing, perception, attitudes, excitement
or arousal.
• Dilation and contraction of our pupils are involuntary
and cannot be controlled.
Eg. Pupils dilate- Interest, Excitement, etc, when we
meet someone.
GAZING
LENGTH OF GAZE
• Average and ideal gaze: 30% to 60% eye contact during an interaction.

• More than average: Implies

– Extremely Interested in other person.
– Extremely hostile to other person.

• Less than average: Implies

– Lack of Self confidence.
– Distrust.
TYPES OF GAZE

• MUTUAL GAZE- Two persons looking into each other

eyes. Eg. Close relationships.
• BUSINESS GAZE- Imaginary triangle with eyes as base
and mid forehead as apex. Used in business meetings.
• SOCIAL GAZE- Imaginary triangle with eyes as base and
lips as apex. Indicates- Interest and liking.
• INTIMATE GAZE- Imaginary triangle with eyes as base to
chest or beyond. Indicates- Sexual interest or Care.
DARTING OR AVERTED EYES

• Can’t look into other person’s eye constantly.

• Synonymous to deceit.
• Also indicates anxiety, dishonesty, deceitfulness or
nervousness
Eg. Person thinking deeply inside something and
trying to solve a problem.
GAZING AND EMOTIONS

• There is a very strong connection between emotions

and individual’s gaze behavior.
• Various theories have various explanation:
– Gaze also varies with the intensity of the emotion.
– Gazing is more seen during positive emotions.
– Gazing also increases with positive feedback and
cooperation.
NLP AND EYE ACCESSING
CUES
Various Eye cues:
• Looking Up- While answering, look up and usually
indicates visualizing.
• Looking Up and to Left- Remembering past image or a
memory.
• Looking Up and to Right- Constructing a picture or future
possibility.
• Looking straight ahead and defocused- Visualizing as if
watching a video.
• Across to the Left- Remembering sound from
past.
• Across to the Right- Constructing what
something should sound like.
LIP READING
TIGHT LIPS
• Pressed or tight lips are often associated with
anxiety or tension. That usually means the person
Is hiding some emotion.
• Another variant, compressed lips, is the classic
indication of the angry mouth.
LOOSE LIPS
• Loose lips are often associated with giving up or
letting go as in the case of relaxation, feeling
defeated, or experiencing sadness.
STIFF UPPER LIP
• Stiff upper lip is used as a mechanism to control.
It can sometimes be perceived as cold, unfriendly,
and unemotional.
POUTING
• Pouting refers to extending the lower lip slightly
over the upper lip. It can be used to mean
displeasure, frustration, sadness, etc.
PURSING
• Pursing Lip refers to the compressing of the lips, but in a
more rounded shape than a thin tight line. Lip pursing can
be imagined as an angry pucker and is used to denote
anger or confusion.
SMILING
SIMPLE SMILE
• In a Simple, the lips are together but not compressed and the corners of
the mouth are drawn upward. We generally wear the simple smile when
we are happy or passively experiencing something pleasant.
 UPPER SMILE
• In an upper smile, the lips part to reveal some of the upper
set of teeth with the corners of the mouth are drawn
upward. We generally wear the simple smile when we are
happy or passively experiencing something pleasant.
BROAD SMILE
• In a broad smile, the lips part to reveal both sets of teeth
with the corners of the mouth up and out. A broad smile
is usually accompanied by laughter and no eye contact.
WRY SMILE
• A wry smile is an asymmetrical smile, with the
corners of the mouth downwards on one side and
a grin or a simple smile on the other side.
OBLONG SMILE
• In an oblong smile, the lips are fully back to reveal both
sets of teeth and the mouth is turned oblong. However,
this smile has no depth and is usually a sign of fake
politeness.
 LIP-IN-SMILE
• A lip-in-smile is similar to an upper smile with the
lower lip drawn between the teeth but not bitten.
This smile is generally worn to appear coy.
PLAY FACE
• A play face is a smile with a wide open mouth,
though the teeth mainly remain hidden by the lips.
Children often wear the play face when displaying
exuberance and joy.
GRIN
• A grin is similar to a simple smile but involves only
one side of the mouth. The grin is generally worn in
pleasure, amusement, or embarrassment.
LAUGHTER
TYPES OF LAUGHTER

• HUMOROUS LAUGHTER- Used as rebellious expression

against social norms or in frustruation.
• SOCIAL LAUGHTER- Helps building relationships, Helps
in gaining social acceptance.
Eg. Laughing at non funny joke for consideration.
• IGNORANCE LAUGHTER- Helps conceal our own
ignorance.
Eg. Laughing at a joke, not understood, so that people
don’t feel you as stupid.
• EVASION LAUGHTER- Used for escaping a
situation.
Eg. Senior in your group criticizes you, then you
have to mask your feelings and laugh to show you
are also a part of the group.
• EMBARRASSMENT LAUGHTER- Aims to mask
our feelings, gives time to prepare for response
for the situation.
Eg. Laughter given in situation of falling down of
stairs.
• APOLOGETIC LAUGHTER- Laughter given when apology is asked for.
Eg. Husband forgets to bring groceries.
• ANXIETY LAUGHTER- Used to release tention.
Eg. Student finish homework, before teacher enters the class.
• DERISION LAUGHTER- Used as sinister, sarcastic or mocking.
Eg. A village person, who dresses and speak in that way, may encounter this
laughter.
• JOYOUS LAUGHTER- Spontaneous and indicates excitement. Eg. Children
playtime laughter.
THE HANDS
HAND SIGNALS

• OPEN HANDS- Symbol of trust and openness,

willingly accepting other person’s views and
opinions.
• LIMP HAND- Indicates weakness or irresoluteness, boredom and
tiredness.
• RAISED HANDS- Acknowledgement signal, to catch someone’s
attention.
• CLENCHED HANDS- Signal
for negative emotions.
Signifies tension and
frustration.
• CLINGING HANDS- Symbolizes need for security.
• CLAPPING- Used when applauding, to catch someone’s attention.
• SLAPPING THE HEAD- Denote forgetfulness.
HOW TH E H AND -
SHAKES !
T YPES:

DOMINANT
HANDSHAKE
Submissive
handshake

Palm down thrust

 Dead fish handshake

Stiff arm thrust Arm pull handshake

Knuckle grinder Glove/Politicians
handshake

Fingertip grab
Perfect handshake
FINGER MOVEMENTS:

1. Slightly raised finger

2. Crossed fingers 3. Pointing index finger

4. Steeping- Act of fingertips together. Indicates
positiveness and confidence.
5. Tuggling- Twisting ring. Indicates tension, impatience.
6. O shape ring- Usually shows okay gesture.
7. V sign- Outward facing palm, indicates victory.
8. Thumbs up- Indicates “good”, “ok”, “good luck”.
9. Rubbing Thumb and index finger together- Asking
for money.
10. Self pinching- Gesture symbolizes discomfort or
reassurance.
SHAKE A LEG

• STANDARD LEG CROSS- Crossing one leg neatly over

the other. Indicates nervous, close stance.

• DISPLEASURED LEG CROSS- Crossing of legs along with

arms. Indicates defensive stance.

• EXHIBIT 4 LEG CROSS- Crossed leg is horizontal to

floor, other foot resting over other knee. Indicates
competitive or argumentative attitude.
• ARMS LOCKED LEG CROSS- One or both hands
between crossed legs. Shows stubbornness, tough
mindedness.

• STANDING LEG CROSS- Defensive and seen in many

social gatherings while talking to strangers.

• ANKLE LOCK- Closed or defensive attitude.

• FOOT LOCK- Indicates defensive or closed stance.

A WALK (IN THE
PARK)
1 Gaint strides
2. Looking down
3. Gazing at the sky.
4 . Swaying from Side to
side.
5. The Strut.
6. Dragging the feet.
7. Swinging Arms Around.
SITTING (DUCK)
1. Lincolnshire position
2. Straddling a chair
3. leg over arm of chair
4. Edge of the seat.
5. Rocking your chair.
SHRUG IT OFF

• Shrug – Raised shoulders, Open palms, Raised

eyebrows.
• Indicates no knowledge, indifference, ignorance or
embarrassment.
THANK YOU