Body Language - When Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Our body language often reveals information about us to others before we ever open our mouths. Through a series of non-verbal cues, some conscious, most not, we communicate our thoughts, feelings and emotions to the outside world. The Merriam-Webster Eleventh Edition Collegiate Dictionary defines body language as "the gestures, movements and mannerisms by which a person or animal communicates with others."

In the animal kingdom, the male of the species often assumes a threatening posture to warn other approaching males to steer clear of his mate. Many times your pet dog will express his desires in the form of body signals: rolling on his back in submission, baring his teeth to show aggression or wagging his tail to show his love and admiration of his owner.

In humans it is a little more complicated. Because humans understand the meaning behind various postures and expressions, body language is often more deliberate and premeditated. In many cases, much more meaning can be read into a person's bodily signals than into the words they speak to convey their messages.

OPEN BODY LANGUAGE

The meaning behind open forms of body language is one of friendship and a willingness to reach out to another person. People tend to respond positively to open body postures. Making eye contact, standing or sitting with arms unfolded and legs uncrossed, and keeping hands unfolded instead of clenched into fists are all inviting signs of a willingness to interact.

CLOSED BODY LANGUAGE

On the other hand, closed body language gives the instant impression that the other person wishes to remain aloof. Lack of eye contact, maintaining an unusually large distance away from people and crossing arms or legs are all signs of unwillingness to get any closer.

It's interesting that body language is actually a skill that can be taught. While all of us start out in life with a certain sense of self and display that early on through our mannerisms and postures, we can make a conscious effort to alter the impressions we give off through body signals, at least to a certain degree.

Role playing and activities designed to foster open motions can be taught in classrooms (often psychology classes or other forms of self-help groups). Knowing what to look for in others can go a long way in learning how to change the impression you give off with your own body.

Every body part plays a role in body language expressions. It has been determined that facial expressions can display one of six emotions: surprise, fear, happiness, disgust, sadness and anger. Most of us can recognize these emotions in others before a single word has been spoken. The hands are very expressive as well. A wide range of meaning can be found in something as simple as a handshake.

Knowing how to interpret the body language of others and how to control our own non-verbal expressions can prove essential in many forms of inter-personal relationships.

Argosy University offers a wide selection of bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs in a variety of psychology concentrations at 19 locations across the nation.

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