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Body language refers to thenonverbal signalsthat we use to communicate. These nonverbal signals make up a huge part of daily communication. In fact, body language may account for between 60% to 65% of all communication.
Examples of body language include facial expressions, eye gaze, gestures, posture, and body movements. In many cases, the things wedon’tsay can convey volumes of information.
So, why is body language important? Body language can help us understand others and ourselves. It provides us with information about how people may be feeling in a given situation. We can also use body language to express emotions or intentions.
Facial expressions, gestures, and eye gaze are often identified as the three major types of body language, but other aspects such as posture and personal distance can also be used to convey information. Understanding body language is important, but it is also essential to pay attention to other cues such as context. In many cases, you should look at signals as a group rather than focus on a single action.
2:09Click Play to Learn How To Read Body Language
2:09
Click Play to Learn How To Read Body Language
Facial Expressions© Verywell, 2017Think for a moment about how much a person is able to convey with just a facial expression. A smile can indicate approval orhappiness. A frown can signal disapproval or unhappiness.In some cases, our facial expressions may reveal our true feelings about a particular situation. While you say that you are feeling fine, the look on your face may tell people otherwise.Just a few examples ofemotionsthat can be expressed via facial expressions include:HappinessSadnessAngerSurpriseDisgustFearConfusionExcitementDesireContemptThe expression on a person’s face can even help determine if we trust or believe what the individual is saying.There are many interesting findings about body language in psychology research. One study found that the most trustworthy facial expression involved a slight raise of the eyebrows and a slight smile. This expression, the researchers suggested, conveys both friendliness andconfidence.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.Researcher Paul Ekman has found support for the universality of a variety of facial expressions tied to particular emotions including joy, anger, fear, surprise, and sadness.Research even suggests that we make judgments about people’sintelligencebased upon their faces and expressions.One study found that individuals who had narrower faces and more prominent noses were more likely to be perceived as intelligent. People with smiling, joyful expression were also judged as being more intelligent than those with angry expressions.
Facial Expressions
© Verywell, 2017
Think for a moment about how much a person is able to convey with just a facial expression. A smile can indicate approval orhappiness. A frown can signal disapproval or unhappiness.
In some cases, our facial expressions may reveal our true feelings about a particular situation. While you say that you are feeling fine, the look on your face may tell people otherwise.
Just a few examples ofemotionsthat can be expressed via facial expressions include:
The expression on a person’s face can even help determine if we trust or believe what the individual is saying.
There are many interesting findings about body language in psychology research. One study found that the most trustworthy facial expression involved a slight raise of the eyebrows and a slight smile. This expression, the researchers suggested, conveys both friendliness andconfidence.
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.
Researcher Paul Ekman has found support for the universality of a variety of facial expressions tied to particular emotions including joy, anger, fear, surprise, and sadness.
Research even suggests that we make judgments about people’sintelligencebased upon their faces and expressions.
One study found that individuals who had narrower faces and more prominent noses were more likely to be perceived as intelligent. People with smiling, joyful expression were also judged as being more intelligent than those with angry expressions.
The Eyes© Verywell, 2017The eyes are frequently referred to as the “windows to the soul” since they are capable of revealing a great deal about what a person is feeling or thinking.As you engage in conversation with another person, taking note of eye movements is a natural and important part of the communication process.Some common things you may notice include whether people are making direct eye contact or averting their gaze, how much they are blinking, or if their pupils are dilated.The best way to read someone’s body language is to pay attention. Look out for any of the following eye signals.Eye GazeWhen a personlooks directly into your eyeswhile having a conversation, it indicates that they are interested and payingattention. However, prolonged eye contact can feel threatening.On the other hand, breaking eye contact and frequently looking away might indicate that the person is distracted, uncomfortable, or trying to conceal his or her real feelings.BlinkingBlinking is natural, but you should also pay attention to whether a person is blinking too much or too little.People often blink more rapidly when they are feeling distressed or uncomfortable. Infrequent blinking may indicate that a person is intentionally trying to control his or her eye movements.For example, a poker player might blink less frequently because he is purposely trying to appear unexcited about the hand he was dealt.Pupil SizePupil size can be a very subtle nonverbal communication signal. While light levels in the environment control pupil dilation, sometimes emotions can also cause small changes in pupil size.For example, you may have heard the phrase “bedroom eyes” used to describe the look someone gives when they are attracted to another person. Highly dilated eyes, for example, can indicate that a person is interested or even aroused.
The Eyes
The eyes are frequently referred to as the “windows to the soul” since they are capable of revealing a great deal about what a person is feeling or thinking.
As you engage in conversation with another person, taking note of eye movements is a natural and important part of the communication process.
Some common things you may notice include whether people are making direct eye contact or averting their gaze, how much they are blinking, or if their pupils are dilated.
The best way to read someone’s body language is to pay attention. Look out for any of the following eye signals.
Eye Gaze
When a personlooks directly into your eyeswhile having a conversation, it indicates that they are interested and payingattention. However, prolonged eye contact can feel threatening.
On the other hand, breaking eye contact and frequently looking away might indicate that the person is distracted, uncomfortable, or trying to conceal his or her real feelings.
Blinking
Blinking is natural, but you should also pay attention to whether a person is blinking too much or too little.
People often blink more rapidly when they are feeling distressed or uncomfortable. Infrequent blinking may indicate that a person is intentionally trying to control his or her eye movements.
For example, a poker player might blink less frequently because he is purposely trying to appear unexcited about the hand he was dealt.
Pupil Size
Pupil size can be a very subtle nonverbal communication signal. While light levels in the environment control pupil dilation, sometimes emotions can also cause small changes in pupil size.
For example, you may have heard the phrase “bedroom eyes” used to describe the look someone gives when they are attracted to another person. Highly dilated eyes, for example, can indicate that a person is interested or even aroused.
The Mouth© Verywell, 2017Mouth expressions and movements can also be essential in reading body language. For example, chewing on the bottom lip may indicate that the individual is experiencing feelings of worry, fear, or insecurity.Covering the mouth may be an effort to be polite if the person is yawning or coughing, but it may also be an attempt to cover up a frown of disapproval.Smiling is perhaps one of the greatest body language signals, but smiles can also be interpreted in many ways.A smile may be genuine, or it may be used to express false happiness, sarcasm, or even cynicism.When evaluating body language, pay attention to the following mouth and lip signals:Pursed lips.Tightening the lips might be an indicator of distaste, disapproval, or distrust.Lip biting.People sometimes bite their lips when they are worried, anxious, or stressed.Covering the mouth.When people want to hide an emotional reaction, they might cover their mouths in order to avoid displaying smiles or smirks.Turned up or down.Slight changes in the mouth can also be subtle indicators of what a person is feeling. When the mouth is slightly turned up, it might mean that the person is feeling happy oroptimistic. On the other hand, a slightly down-turned mouth can be an indicator of sadness, disapproval, or even an outright grimace.
The Mouth
Mouth expressions and movements can also be essential in reading body language. For example, chewing on the bottom lip may indicate that the individual is experiencing feelings of worry, fear, or insecurity.
Covering the mouth may be an effort to be polite if the person is yawning or coughing, but it may also be an attempt to cover up a frown of disapproval.
Smiling is perhaps one of the greatest body language signals, but smiles can also be interpreted in many ways.
A smile may be genuine, or it may be used to express false happiness, sarcasm, or even cynicism.
When evaluating body language, pay attention to the following mouth and lip signals:
Gestures
Gestures can be some of the most direct and obvious body language signals. Waving, pointing, and using the fingers to indicate numerical amounts are all very common and easy to understand gestures.
Some gestures may becultural, however, so giving a thumbs-up or a peace sign in another country might have a completely different meaning than it does in the United States.
The following examples are just a few common gestures and their possible meanings:
The Arms and Legs© Verywell, 2017The arms and legs can also be useful in conveying nonverbal information. Crossing the arms can indicate defensiveness. Crossing legs away from another person may indicate dislike or discomfort with that individual.Other subtle signals such as expanding the arms widely may be an attempt to seem larger or more commanding, while keeping the arms close to the body may be an effort to minimize oneself or withdraw from attention.When you are evaluating body language, pay attention to some of the following signals that the arms and legs may convey:Crossed armsmight indicate that a person feels defensive, self-protective, or closed-off.Standing with hands placed on the hipscan be an indication that a person is ready and in control, or it can also possibly be a sign ofaggressiveness.Clasping the hands behind the backmight indicate that a person is feeling bored, anxious, or even angry.Rapidly tapping fingers or fidgetingcan be a sign that a person is bored, impatient, or frustrated.Crossed legscan indicate that a person is feeling closed-off or in need of privacy.
The Arms and Legs
The arms and legs can also be useful in conveying nonverbal information. Crossing the arms can indicate defensiveness. Crossing legs away from another person may indicate dislike or discomfort with that individual.
Other subtle signals such as expanding the arms widely may be an attempt to seem larger or more commanding, while keeping the arms close to the body may be an effort to minimize oneself or withdraw from attention.
When you are evaluating body language, pay attention to some of the following signals that the arms and legs may convey:
Posture
How we hold our bodies can also serve as an important part of body language.
The termposturerefers to how we hold our bodies as well as the overall physical form of an individual.
Posture can convey a wealth of information about how a person is feeling as well as hints about personality characteristics, such as whether a person is confident, open, or submissive.
Sitting up straight, for example, may indicate that a person is focused and paying attention to what’s going on. Sitting with the body hunched forward, on the other hand, can imply that the person is bored or indifferent.
When you are trying to read body language, try to notice some of the signals that a person’s posture can send.
Personal Space
Have you ever heard someone refer to their need for personal space? Have you ever started to feel uncomfortable when someone stands just a little too close to you?
Halldescribed four levelsof social distance that occur in different situations.
Intimate Distance: 6 to 18 inches
This level of physical distance often indicates a closer relationship or greater comfort between individuals. It usually occurs during intimate contact such as hugging, whispering, or touching.
Personal Distance: 1.5 to 4 feet
Physical distance at this level usually occurs between people who are family members or close friends. The closer the people can comfortably stand while interacting can be an indicator of the level of intimacy in their relationship.
Social Distance: 4 to 12 feet.
This level of physical distance is often used with individuals who are acquaintances.
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.
In cases where you do not know the other person well, such as a postal delivery driver you only see once a month, a distance of 10 to 12 feet may feel more comfortable.
Public Distance: 12 to 25 feet
Physical distance at this level is often used in public speaking situations. Talking in front of a class full of students or giving a presentation at work are good examples of such situations.
It is also important to note that the level of personal distance that individuals need to feel comfortable can vary from culture to culture.
One oft-cited example is the difference between people from Latin cultures and those from North America. People from Latin countries tend to feel more comfortable standing closer to one another as they interact, while those from North America need more personal distance.
Roles of Nonverbal Communication
Body language plays many roles in social interactions. It can help facilitate the following:
Remember, though, that your assumptions about what someone else’s body language means may not always be accurate.
What does body language tell you about a person?Body language can tell you when someone feels anxious, angry, excited, or any emotion. It may also suggest personality traits (i.e., whether someone is shy or outgoing). But, body language can be misleading. It is subject to a person’s mood, energy level, and circumstances.
What does body language tell you about a person?
Body language can tell you when someone feels anxious, angry, excited, or any emotion. It may also suggest personality traits (i.e., whether someone is shy or outgoing). But, body language can be misleading. It is subject to a person’s mood, energy level, and circumstances.
While in some cases, a lack of eye contact indicates untrustworthiness, for instance, it doesn’t mean you automatically can’t trust someone who isn’t looking at you in the eyes. It could be they are distracted and thinking about something else. Or, again, it could be a cultural difference at play.
How to Improve Your Nonverbal Communication
The first step in improving your nonverbal communication is to pay attention. Try to see if you can pick up on other people’s physical cues as well as your own.
Maybe when someone is telling you a story, you tend to look at the floor. In order to show them you’re paying attention, you might try making eye contact instead, and even showing a slight smile, to show you’re open and engaged.
What is good body language?Good body language, also known as positive body language, should convey interest and enthusiasm. Some ways to do this include maintaining an upright and open posture, keeping good eye contact, smiling, and nodding while listening.
What is good body language?
Good body language, also known as positive body language, should convey interest and enthusiasm. Some ways to do this include maintaining an upright and open posture, keeping good eye contact, smiling, and nodding while listening.
Using body language with intention is all about finding balance. For instance, when shaking someone’s hand before a job interview, holding it somewhat firmly can signal professionalism.But, gripping it too aggressively might cause the other person pain or discomfort. Be sure to consider how other people might feel.
In addition, continue to developemotional intelligence. The more in touch you are with how you feel, the easier it often is to sense how others are receiving you. You’ll be able to tell when someone is open and receptive, or, on the other hand, if they are closed-off and need some space.
If we want to feel a certain way, we can use our body language to our advantage. For example, research found that people who maintained an upright seated posture whiledealing with stresshadhigher levels of self-esteemand more positive moods compared to people who had slumped posture.
Of course, it’s verbal and nonverbal communication—as well as thecontextof a situation—that often paints a full picture.
10 Ways to Improve Nonverbal Communication
A Word From Verywell
You can also learn more about how to improve your nonverbal communication to become better at letting people know what you are feeling—without even saying a word.
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