THE SERIES OF BODY LANGUAGE AND GESTURES

THE SERIES OF BODY LANGUAGE AND GESTURES

A paper

Presented to fulfill the Requirement of the task of CCU

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

   A.    Background of Study

Specific gestures, such as the ‘manual rhetoric’ of Roman orators, as well as the general carriage and deportment of the whole body, have been objects of study since Classical times. In the fourth century bc in Greece, upper-class men cultivated an upright, ‘firm’ stance and an unhurried gait, taking long strides. This distinguished them as persons of leisure, setting them apart from artisans and slaves, who had to hurry to get work done; it also distinguished them from women, who moved in a mincing manner, taking very small steps, while courtesans swayed their hips from side to side while walking. In Classical Rome, strictly moderated and limited gestures were regarded as an indication of a temperate and self-controlled character —requirements of an exemplary Roman aristocrat and orator.

Writings on body language were quite prevalent in Renaissance Europe. Seventeenth-century physiognomists like Giovanni della Porta and Charles Lebrun codified the facial expressions of emotion and character; both these investigations, and those of their contemporaries Giovanni Bonifacio and John Bulwer on gestures, were conducted on the assumption of a universal, natural language of expression and gesture which could be assumed and understood by all nations and peoples. In the nineteenth century, the work of Charles Darwin on animal and human ‘emotions’ tended to support the view that physical expressions might be biologically inherited. In turn, the physical conditions under which people live, and the bodily deportment and habitual actions they perform, have consequences for the structures of their bodies, as discovered by palaeoarchaeologists, who have used the evidence of excavated skeletons to offer generalizations about the body habits of the past. And certain modern ethnologists and zoologists such as Desmond Morris stress the similarities between the bodily movements used by humans and those observed in animals to express hostility, fear, dominance, or territoriality.

   B.     Formulation of The Problem

1.      What is the meaning of body language?

2.      What is the way to understand body language?

3.      What is the meaning of gesture?

4.      What is the particular thing to study gesture?

5.      What is the example of gesture? 

   C.    Purpose of Writing

1.      To understand and comprehend the meaning of body language.

2.      To know the way to understand body language.

3.      To understand the meaning of gesture.

4.      To understand the particular thing to study gesture.

5.      To know the example of gesture.

CHAPTER II

DISCUSSION

   1.      The meaning of Body Language

Body language refers to various forms of nonverbal communication, wherein a person may reveal clues as to some unspoken intention or feeling through their physical behavior. These behaviors can include body posture, gestures, facial expressions, and eye movements. Body language also varies depending on the culture and most behaviors are not universally accepted. Although this article focuses on interpretations of human body language, also animals use body language as a communication mechanism. Body language is typically subconscious behavior, and is therefore considered distinct from sign language, which is a fully conscious and intentional act of communication.

Body language may provide clues as to the attitude or state of mind of a person. For example, it may indicate aggression, attentiveness, boredom, a relaxed state, pleasure, amusement, and intoxication.

Body language is significant to communication and relationships. It is relevant to management and leadership in business and also in places where it can be observed by many people. It can also be relevant to some outside of the workplace. It is commonly helpful in dating, mating, in family settings, and parenting. Although body language is non-verbal or non-spoken, it can reveal much about your feelings and meaning to others and how others reveal their feelings toward you. Body language signals happen on both a conscious and unconscious level.

   2.      Understanding Body Language

The technique of reading people is used frequently. For example, the idea of mirroring body language to put people at ease is commonly recommended for people that want to befriend someone new. For example, when they smile you can smile, when they lean back, you can lean back. You can also match someone over the phone. For example, you can call someone on the phone listen to the way they say, "Hello." and match the voice tone, volume, tempo and speaking rate in your immediate response to them. Just a brief moment of matching can build rapport as long as your motivation is positive and not manipulative. Body language can show someone's true feelings. If you mirror someone's body language it can indicate to them you understand them. It is important to note that some markers of emotion (e.g. smiling/laughing when happy, frowning/crying when sad) are largely universal, however in the 1990s Paul Ekman expanded his list of basic emotions, including a range of positive and negative emotions, not all of which are encoded in facial muscles.

Body language signals may have a goal other than communication. People would keep both these two in mind. Observers limit the weight they place on non-verbal cues. Signalers clarify their signals to indicate the biological origin of their actions. Verbal communication also requires body language to show that the person you are talking with that you are listening. These signals can consist of; eye contact and nodding your head to show you understand. More examples would include yawning (sleepiness), showing lack of interest (sexual interest/survival interest), attempts to change the topic (fight or flight drivers).

   3.      The Meaning of Gestures

A gesture is a form of non-verbal communication in which visible bodily actions are used to communicate particular messages, either in place of speech or together and in parallel with spoken words. Gestures include movement of the hands, face, or other parts of the body. Gestures differ from physical non-verbal communication that does not communicate specific messages, such as purely expressive displays, proxemics, or displays of joint attention. The language of gesture allows individuals to express a variety of feelings and thoughts, from contempt and hostility to approval and affection. Most people use gestures and body language in addition to words when they speak. The use of gesture as language by some ethnic groups is more common than in others, and the amount of such gesturing that is considered culturally acceptable varies from one location to the next.

   4.      Studies of gesture

Gestures have been studied throughout the centuries from different view points. Quintillian in the antiquity studied in his Institution Oratoria how gesture may be used in rhetorical discourse. Another broad study of gesture was published by John Bulwer in 1644. Bulwer analyzed dozens of gestures and provided a guide on how to use gestures to increase eloquence and clarity for public speaking. Andrea De Jorio published an extensive account of gestural expression in 1832. Today, one of the most prominent researchers in the field of gesture research is Adam Kendon. He has investigated many aspects of gestures, including their role in communication, conventionalization of gesture, integration of gesture and speech, and the evolution of language. Other prominent researchers in this field include Susan Goldin-Meadow and David McNeill. Susan Goldin-Meadow (2003) has investigated intensively the role of gesture in problem solving in children. David McNeill (1992, 2006) has developed a broad theory about how gesture and speech are part of a single thought process. Adam Kendon is a leading authority on the study of gesture, and has also published important studies in social interaction. He has published over a hundred articles and several books on the role of the body in social interaction.

   5.      The Example of Gesture

1.      Standing with Hands on Hips

A man standing with hands on hips indicates aggressiveness and a dominating attitude. However, women use this gesture to appear more attractive to the opposite sex.

2.      Standing with Legs Crossed

A man standing with crossed legs indicates a lack of confidence, but not a woman, because women are more used to crossing their legs, especially when they wear skirts.

3.      Sitting with Legs Uncrossed

This indicates an open attitude, both in females and males.

4.      Touching or Playing with Hair

It is a flirting gesture seen in women. It might also indicate a lack of self-confidence.

5.      Tilting the Head

This is seen in both men and women, and is usually accompanied by a smile. It indicates display of affection.

6.      The Cowboy Stance

It is a flirting gesture observed in men who're trying to attract the attention of the woman they are attracted to.

7.      Covering the Mouth

This gesture is used to hide an emotional reaction, such as a frown or a smile. It is also used to express surprise and amazement, as seen in the image above.

8.      Crossed Arms

You'll find many people posing with crossed arms in photographs. However, this is a negative body language gesture that indicates defensiveness or stress.

9.      Pinching the Bridge of Nose

This indicates that the person is contemplating or trying to evaluate something. It may also indicate disapproval or frustration.

10.  Rubbing the Eyes

This is a gesture that indicates that the person is tired and feeling sleepy. It also may indicate doubt or disbelief.

11.  Clasped Hands Behind Back

This indicates confidence and authoritative behavior.

12.  Stroking the Chin

This indicates that the person is trying to make a decision.

13.  Head Up or Chin Thrust

This is a posture commonly used by models to pose for photographs, and is an indication of confidence. 

14.  Biting the Nails

15.  While it can be a habit for some, more often than not, this gesture is a proof of insecurity and nervousness.

16.  Adjusting One's Tie or Cuff

This gesture is a sign of nervousness, and can take other forms, such as adjusting one's watchstrap or holding a file close to the chest. This is known as a "barrier signal".

17.  Biting the Lips

This is a female flirting gesture to attract attention to their lips. However, it also may indicate anxiety or stress, when accompanied by facial expressions that are indicative of stress.

18.  Sitting with Legs Intertwined

This can indicate insecurity, but is mostly a sexual posing observed in women.

19.  Sitting with Ankles Crossed

Commonly known as the "ankle lock", it is a defensive signal associated with insecurity.

CHAPTER III

CONCLUSION

Body language refers to various forms of nonverbal communication, wherein a person may reveal clues as to some unspoken intention or feeling through their physical behavior. These behaviors can include body posture, gestures, facial expressions, and eye movements. Body language also varies depending on the culture and most behaviors are not universally accepted. Although this article focuses on interpretations of human body language, also animals use body language as a communication mechanism. Body language is typically subconscious behavior, and is therefore considered distinct from sign language, which is a fully conscious and intentional act of communication.

A gesture is a form of non-verbal communication in which visible bodily actions are used to communicate particular messages, either in place of speech or together and in parallel with spoken words. Gestures include movement of the hands, face, or other parts of the body. Gestures differ from physical non-verbal communication that does not communicate specific messages, such as purely expressive displays, proxemics, or displays of joint attention. The language of gesture allows individuals to express a variety of feelings and thoughts, from contempt and hostility to approval and affection. Most people use gestures and body language in addition to words when they speak. The use of gesture as language by some ethnic groups is more common than in others, and the amount of such gesturing that is considered culturally acceptable varies from one location to the next.There are some examples of gesture, such as standing with hands on hips, Standing with Legs Crossed, Sitting with Legs Uncrossed, Touching or Playing with Hair, Tilting the Head, The Cowboy Stance, Covering the Mouth and the others.