How to Understand the Body language (Part 1)

Being able to read body language is a very important skill to have in today’s world. Not only will this ability help you with social ventures but also with business ones as well. Don’t pass up this great information. Read ahead and learn about micro-expressions.

Being able to read body language is a very important skill to have in today’s world. Not only will this ability help you with social ventures but also with business ones as well. Don’t pass up this great information. Read ahead and learn about micro-expressions. 


What are Micro Expressions?


Micro expression is defined as the brief and involuntary expression of the face shown by humans depending on the emotions experienced. It occurs in various high-stakes solutions wherein people have something to gain or lose.

Micro expressions also occur when a particular person tries to conceal all the signs of how he feels or when he is not aware of how he feels. These reactions are more difficult to hide, unlike the usual facial expressions. They are expressed in 7 universal emotions which are anger, happiness, contempt, surprise, disgust, sadness, and fear. 

A person’s face is the sign vehicle or medium which sends a message. When people read a facial expression, they look at separate data and draw conclusions from it. Some of this data is the muscle tone and basic structure. The wrinkles, scarring,or weathering of skin may also indicate that changes definitely took place.

On the other hand, artificial adornments like makeup, piercings, tattoos, or eyeglasses can make a personal judgment according to what a person added by his choice. But what provides more information are scowls, smiles, and frowns. These are the changes revealing obvious information regarding somebody else’s immediate intentions or mood. The expression represents the intended message of a person regarding what he wants to convey. 


Recognize The Emotions

Voices, faces, and entire body expressions are considered the most common emotional signals. But the emotions are expressed by the entire human body. There are several authors who investigated the recognition of the body expressions of emotions in 3 experiments. The first experiment suggested that fear is the hardest emotion to recognize. In the next experiment, the two alternatives of forced choice of facial expression categories of the compound face-body stimulus are greatly influenced by bodily expression. And for the third experiment, is about recognition of the voice's emotional tone that is influenced by the tasks' irrelevant emotional expressions of the body. When taken together, it indicates the essence of the emotional body expressions in communicating along with emotional voices and facial expressions.

It is also a kind of physical and mental ability of non-verbal communication by humans which is composed of facial expressions, eye movements, body postures, and gestures. Humans interpret and send signals almost subconsciously. 

There are several types of body expressions, and each of them expresses emotions. In the past years, more and more research from different disciplines revealed that body expressions are as powerful as facial expressions in terms of conveying emotions. Here are the most common body languages seen by a person conveying different emotions or messages.

  • Scrunching up the nose.
  • Twisting hands in the lap.
  • Flicking hair over the shoulder
  • Scratching hair or noise.
  • Looking toward the ground instead of maintaining eye contact.
  • Placing hands on hips (to portray power).
  • Getting into somebody’s face (or being in the personal space of another person) 
Aside from these habitual body languages, eyes can express a lot also. A person may smile with his lips but not at his eyes. When a person is genuinely happy, it is reflected in their eyes. If he has a false smile, the part which surrounds the eyes does not change at all. Today, researchers added more negative and positive emotions that can be discerned. These are: 
man crossed arms
  • Relief
  • Embarrassment.
  • Contentment.
  • Pride in achievement.
  • Amusement.
  • Excitement .
  • Guilt.
  • Sensory pleasure
  • Shame.
  • Satisfaction.
Physical expressions such as slouching, pointing, waving, and touching are forms of non-verbal communication. They usually reveal various things regarding the person who is using them. One basic yet powerful signal of body language is when a person crosses his arms across his chest. It may indicate that he puts up an unconscious wall between himself and other people around him. However, it may also emphasize that his arms are cold which can be clarified by huddling or rubbing his arms. In a confrontational or serious situation, it would mean that the person also expresses opposition. It can be supported when the person leaned away from the speaker.


The Basics Of Reading The Body Language.

After learning about body language and its types, the next step is to understand the basics of reading body language. Body language is considered a significant aspect of modern relationships and communication. It is relevant to leadership and management and to all business and work aspects wherein communications may be physically seen and observed among individuals.

  • Basic Understanding. Every little expression you make emphasizes an emotion even though you may deny saying them, it will not entirely hide what you really feel inside. From flipping your hair or putting your hands on the hips, you will always find contrasting emotions in it. 
  • Handshake. Handshaking says much more than a ‘hello, nice meeting you.’ A palm-to-palm contact is said to be the most significant part of a handshake. Palm-to-palm contact is expressing an honest intention and openness; your interaction is non-threatening and sincere.
  • Synchrony. This body language is the signal that two people are on the same page. Whenever a person sees that somebody else is copying his body movements or vice versa, it is a clue that they might be sharing the same mindset at that moment.
  • Eye contact. The rules on eye contact vary from one culture to another. The eyes are known as the most powerful of the body expression cues. They also express everything: from annoyance to pain and happiness, and even sexual interest. To a greater or lesser extent, people ‘read’ others’ eyes without knowing why and how. Eyes provide numerous signals and each of them tells something with regard to what they see and feel around them.
Direct contact with the eye is commonly regarded as a sign of thoughtfulness. But practiced liars are aware of this and may fake this signal. Widening the eyes indicates interest in someone or something and generally invites a positive response. The Rolling of the eyes upward signals exasperation or frustration which emphasizes looking to the heavens for help. 
  • Playing with the hair. If a girl cups her hand or tucks her hair behind her ear, it may express flirting which means interest and openness.
  • Shoulder shrug. A shoulder shrug is one of the universal gestures used to indicate that the person does not understand or know what is been said or talked about. It is usually multiple gestures comprised of three parts: hunched shoulders, raised brow, and exposed palms.
  • Thumb-up gesture. In some countries, this gesture has 3 meanings. It is typically used by the hitch-hikers who thumb a lift or an OK signal. When the thumb is sharply jerked upward, it is an insult signal which means ‘sit on this’ or ‘up yours’. However, in certain countries, it means ‘get stuffed.’ 
Body Language to Your Advantage

People who wish to manage their own body language better think about each aspect of their day and how they behave. The behavior during an everyday routine profoundly affects how the expressions are improved and shown. On the other side, you can use others’ body language to your advantage. Trusting your gut is the most important thing to consider.

Body language is a way to measure the sincerity of a person about what he is saying. However, you have to ensure you are taking the proper judgment based on what you see from another person. Even though, you try to manage or understand better body language, always consider the value of their words.

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