Final+paper

The average human speaks about 6,000 to 8,000 words a day. Every day we write papers, read books and signs, and engage in conversations using this verbal form of communication. It is safe to say that other forms of communication are available; those who cannot hear or understand spoken words turn to alternate forms of communication, such as sign language, to get their message across. Just outside the bubble of spoken word is the realm of non-verbal communication, including sign language, and most importantly body language. Body language is a form of non-verbal communication that uses all parts of the body to convey unconscious messages and signals. Reading and understanding these signals is beneficial in many situations and can prove to be the true judge of a person’s interest, disinterest, or even intent. Since body language is an unconscious form of interaction, the understanding of body language and other methods of non-verbal communication can convey messages that the speaker is not intending to be displayed. As body language can convey hidden messages, the most minute movements and physical gestures are often the most telling of a person’s true intentions, and the analysis of human’s body language is a large part of separating truth from lie, as body language is entirely unconscious. Avoiding eye contact and holding “hand[s] or fingers in front of the mouth while speaking” are telltale signs of a liar. These nervous signals can be interpreted as dishonest and may be indicative of something that is being covered up. However, these signs of nervousness could be just that, and should not cause immediate assumptions. “Further clarification is always worthwhile when checking out your understanding of someone’s body language…” (MindTools). Being aware of common body language can further your understanding into a situation that may be otherwise ambiguous, and help to separate truth from lie. As stated before, common gestures of body language are mostly unconscious. However, those who study and understand the effects body language are often able to control their message to make it more appealing to their audience. For example, “Salespeople, professional speakers, and others may learn how to control their body language in order to improve their communication skills” (Gay 41). Public speakers, teachers, and politicians are able to understand the audience’s response to their speech by viewing their body position. “By observing this feedback, [the speaker] may be able to adjust the content or delivery of [their] message so that it will be better received” (Gay 48). A deep understanding of body language is vital to those aforementioned speakers, as they must be fully aware of the effects of body language to manipulate their message and ultimately gain a better response. This control of body language becomes very telling of a person’s intentions when analyzed during a speech or even a presidential debate. For example, Roger Axtell, author of //Gestures: The Do’s and Taboos of Body Language Around the World//, paid close attention to the body language conveyed by John McCain during the presidential debate on September 26th, 2008. Axtell “viewed McCain’s keeping his eyes focused on the audience as a deliberate gesture” (Green) as he was trying to “stay focused with his audience” (Green). These nonverbal messages were also conveyed by Barack Obama, who seemed relaxed and in control as “McCain jotted down notes, while Obama sat on his stool and did not take notes” (Green). However, another observer had a contrary view of the presidents’ nonverbal messages; Deborah Tannen, a professor of linguistics at Georgetown University, noticed McCain’s nervous and awkward body language, concluding that he did not seem in control of his body language. “McCain not looking at Obama during the first debate sent a message that was counter to McCain’s stated position that Democrats and Republicans need to work together on behalf of the American people” (Green). In the case of a presidential debate, whether we are aware or not, the body language and nonverbal messages conveyed by the speakers have a large impact on our opinion and perception of their message, and can be telling of their individual, and true, intentions. Another way to gauge the unconscious aspect of non-verbal body language is by acknowledging factors such as body position, posture, and space. How many times have you been in a conversation and wondered if the person, though nodding their head, was truly listening to what you had to say? By observing their body language, you can gauge their level of interest and involvement; “People appear to hold a position of ‘forwardness’ or ‘openness’ as they take in what is going on around them” (Gay 48). In addition to body posture, “the physical distance a person maintains from other people or things also conveys a silent message” (Gay 48). Intrinsic territorial tendencies are marked by defensive behavior and a “marking of territory” with personal belongings. Space is also indicative of one’s relationship with another person. Anthropologist Edward T. Hall categorized four “zones” of personal space; intimate, personal, social, and public. As their names would imply, each zone indicates a different level of closeness based on the amount of space between you and another person. In order to maintain a comfortable interaction, a deep understanding of personal space is necessary to ensure that the message is conveyed effectively. In the realm of interaction, though still unconsciously, our body language can act as a mirror. Research conducted by Professor Ulp Dimberg at Uppsala University in Sweden concluded that “the unconscious mind exerts direct control of your facial muscles” (Pease 71). This evidence relates to our human tendency to reciprocate a smile, fake or not. Participants in Ulp’s experiment “mirrored the expressions they were seeing, even when they were [consciously] trying not to” (Pease 71). This mirroring concept also comes into play when two people are in agreement. For example, while observing language between two people in conversation, if you notice a similar stance or mirrored appearance, “it is reasonable to assume that they are discussing a topic on which they have similar thoughts and feelings” (Pease 263). Body language as a mirror can be very telling into one’s understanding and accord with the discussion at hand. Just as mirroring can explain an unspoken agreement and acknowledgement,   eye signals are also a very interesting read into a person’s reactions and inner thoughts. A study of pupillometry by Eckhard Hess “found that pupil size is affected by one’s general state of arousal” (Pease 166). The pupils will increase in size and dilate upon viewing something visually pleasing. “Most women’s pupils gave the greatest dilation when looking at pictures of mothers and babies” (Pease168). Similarly, enlarged pupils increase attraction between genders; if a woman dilates her pupils during eye contact with a man, “he is likely to decode the signal without knowing it” (Pease 167). ** Another example of the subconscious use of eye signals is in relation to recalling senses, sensations, and memories ** **. **** "A person's eye movements can reveal what their mind is focusing on by telling you whether they are remembering something they have seen, heard, smelled, tasted, or touched" (Pease 186) ****. **** If a person is recalling a picture, their eyes will travel upward ****. **** If they are recalling something they heard, they will look to the side "and tilt their head as if they are listening" (Pease 187) ****. **** If they are recalling an emotion or how a certain situation made them feel, they will look downwards and to the right ****. **** An eye signal not necessarily related to sensations is seen when their eyes move down and to the left, indicative of mentally talking to oneself ****. **** These very eye signals were demonstrated during my research and interviews of fellow students; when prompted to recall the most recent movie or song they had heard, they distinctly displayed these specific eye movements in relation to the sensation they were recalling ****. **    Though facial expressions like smiles and frowns are universally recognized, other aspects of body language are not so well-accepted across cultures. “The biggest cultural differences exist mainly in relation to territorial space, eye contact, touch frequency, and insult gestures” (Pease 113). For example, the hand signal that to the American culture means “OK” can be extremely offensive to cultures in the Mediterranean region, Russia, Brazil, and Turkey, who take the signal as a sexual insult. In addition, touching amid conversation is a controversial subject; “The French and Italians love to continually touch as they talk, while the British prefer not to touch at any time…” (Pease 122). It is necessary to be aware of body language and gestures in travel to assure that something as common as a high five will not offend members of another culture. Some more universally understood nonverbal messages come in the form of barriers. When our body language acts as a barrier, we can be unconsciously communicating uncomfortable, uncertain, or hostile feelings. “Crossed-Arms-On-Chest is universal and is decoded with the same defensive or negative meaning almost everywhere” (Pease 93). Different positions of this crossed-arms position can be understood in varying ways; for example, clenched fists exude a hostile attitude, while holding an arm can signify a fearful stance. Aside from crossed arms, objects like coffee cups and purses can act as barriers, as one’s body language unconsciously protects from unwanted and uncomfortable situations. Think about this tip for the next time you are having a drink with a friend; “Someone who is feeling hesitant, unsure, or negative about what they are hearing will place their cup to the opposite side of their body to form a single-arm barrier” (Pease 103). Understanding and decoding these barring gestures can help to make a situation more comfortable for both people involved. ** Opposite of barriers, our body language can also unconsciously display conscious desires ** **. **** Just like body position is related to level of intimacy or interest, our body angles can demonstrate attraction or, similarly, disinterest ****. **** Open positions convey a sort of understanding between people, and "to avoid being seen as aggressive, we stand with our bodies angled at forty-five degrees to each other during friendly encounters to form an angle of ninety degrees" (Pease 281) ****. **** Closed positions can demonstrate a certain level of intimacy, as "they face each other **** ... **** to monopolize a person's attention" (Pease 282) ****. **** This intimacy can be mimicked by the feet; "Not only do the feet serve as pointers indicating the direction in which a person's mind is going, they also point at people who we find the most interesting or attractive" (Pease 285) ****. **** Reading the signals and stances that are displayed in a large gathering will save an awkward situation from occurring, and understanding the open and closed positions will encourage an approachable message to others. ** ** Exclusion signals work in a similar way; the "closed position" may be initiated if a third person is not welcome, while an open triangle signals acceptance and encourages the entrance of the third individual ****. **** Body and foot pointing during conversation can also demonstrate a person's understanding and acceptance, shown by crossing the knees toward another person ****. **** The understanding may also be displayed by mirroring the other's movements and gestures, as referenced in previous paragraphs ****. **** During conversation, it is easy to understand the nonverbal cue of interest simply based on body and foot positioning ****. **** Becoming aware of this placement in yourself and others can explain emotions that you may be struggling to understand or pick up ****. ** Though these are only some of the many ways to understand and decode body language, these methods are extremely important to communication in all of its forms. Forming a deeper understanding of body language is beneficial to the understanding and effectiveness of nonverbal messages. My project involved interviewing a few of my peers and asking them specific questions in order to analyze their response and body language accordingly. For example, when prompted to recall the last song she had heard, I videotaped the subject’s response, as her eyes traveled to the right side, as predicted. Another example of the telltale signs of body language was the reaction of a subject, prompted to tell a lie. Without even hearing her response, it is clear that the subject is lying, based on her nervous appearance and motions of covering the mouth. The study of body language has been a very interesting look into the effects of the unconscious mind on our nonverbal actions and gestures. Through extensive research, I have refined my understanding of body language and realized its vast importance in understanding nonverbal cues. Overall, understanding body language is completely necessary and useful in every day interaction, as well as in a professional setting. Reading body language and signals will enable you to break boundaries and become more comfortable with yourself and others. The signals shown by the eyes, the feet, the arms, and even one’s individual body position are telling of their true intentions, whether they are telling a lie or simply feigning interest in a dull topic. It is extremely important to read and understand the signals shown through body language, as they provide a deeper psychological read into the thoughts directed by the unconscious mind.