The Definitive Book of Body Language: How to read others' attitudes by their gestures

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Handshakes also aren’t universal—some cultures commonly bow as a greeting, as they do in Japan, and people in other cultures give a kiss on the cheek, as they do in Italy or Spain. Gives you a better understanding why people do what they do because you can guess more accurately how they feel and think. By exhibiting these approachable signs, you can make a great impression in any situation. Negative body language You want something that covers relationships and understanding of day-to-day interaction. Instead, get The Definitive Book of Body Language. If you want something that covers social interaction from an Aspergers perspective, I’d recommend Improve Your Social Skills. To Increase Engagement: If you want someone to listen to something you are about to say, raise your eyebrows right before you deliver.

Pacifying behaviors consist of a wide range of self-soothing behaviors that serve to calm us down after experiencing something unpleasant. This can be seen with fidgeting, bouncing feet, and arm rubbing. As a general rule of thumb, any repetitive behavior is likely pacifying. Haptics What Every Body is saying is written by former FBI agent Joe Navarro. Navarro is an expert in non-verbal cues; he uses cues to determine if people are lying or withholding information. His book attempts to teach civilians how to recognize the same non-verbal signals he relied upon to do his job as a counterintelligence agent.

Facial expressions are also among the most universal forms of body language. The expressions used to convey fear, anger, sadness, and happiness are similar throughout the world. With someone you know fairly well, such as a co-worker you see several times a week, you might feel more comfortable interacting at a closer distance. How to Use it: Make sure to mirror subtly. If someone nods their head vigorously in agreement, and you do the same, you may come off as too obvious—this can lead to suspicion or decreased rapport. Ekman P. Emotions Revealed: Recognizing Faces and Feelings to Improve Communication and Emotional Life. 2nd ed. New York: Holt; 2007. Rapidly tapping fingers or fidgetingcan be a sign that a person is bored, impatient, or frustrated.

It may seem like common sense, but raising eyebrows can signal surprise or demonstrate active listening, while furrowing them can indicate anger or frustration. The key to understanding body language is to be a contextualist, not an absolutist. Learning about body language cues without knowing how to apply them may skew your opinions about others for the worse, rather than improving them for the better. Body Language Mini FAQ Also note that a lot of people with Aspergers also like The Definitive Book of Body Language, because it’s so comprehensive.

One of the most fascinating aspects of psychology is the impact of body language on human behavior. If you found this list useful, do not forget to share it on your social networks. Remember that “Sharing is Caring”.

Research even suggests that we make judgments about people's intelligence based upon their faces and expressions. Nair S, Sagar M, Sollers J 3rd, Consedine N, Broadbent E. Do slumped and upright postures affect stress responses? A randomized trial. Health Psychol. 2015;34(6):632-641. doi:10.1037/hea0000146If you see someone with interlaced fingers and want to open them up, try humor. Once they start laughing, you’ll see their body language start opening up! Blading

If there was ever anyone who put body language on the map, it would have to be Joe Navarro. What Every Body Is Saying is a must-read for anyone who wants to study body language. One reason why polygraph examiners ask you questions like: “what is your name?”, is to get your baseline level of stress and other factors, answering a question you aren’t lying about. Crossing your arms could be comfortable, or it could be a sign of discomfort. Body language is a silent orchestra, as people constantly give clues to what they’re thinking and feeling. Non-verbal messages including body movements, facial expressions, vocal tone and volume, and other signals are collectively known as body language. In addition to providing helpful tips on how to interpret others’ body language, the book also offers advice on how to use nonverbal cues to your advantage in both personal and professional interactions.

D'agostino TA, Bylund CL. Nonverbal accommodation in health care communication. Health Commun. 2014;29(6):563-73. doi:10.1080/10410236.2013.783773