Describes kinesis and what some body language means.

1. Pam Tabbutt, COM 263
September 1, 2012

2. Leonardo Da Vinci’s Body in Motion drawing circa 1492

3. What is Kinesics
• Kinesics, or body language, refers to the
subconscious gestures and body
movements we make. They indicate what
we are thinking and feeling, much of the
time without awareness of them.
– Body language can be manipulated to
persuade an audience, whether done
consciously or unconsciously
Kinesiology-the study of body movements

4. How we move says a lot about us. We
can persuade or dissuade friends,
enemies, associates, and prospective
employers with simple body language.
By learning to control the unconscious
consciously, we can make better use of
these natural tendencies………
or rid ourselves of them altogether.

5. Is it Love? Who Knows!

6. How do you know?
The previous picture brought your attention to
body language, or kinesics. But, what did you read
in these two bodies?
• The couple isn’t cuddling each other-they simply
have arms at each other’s back.
• They have erect posture- they aren’t leaning into
each other.
• The woman doesn’t have her head leaning on the
man’s shoulder
But, does that mean they aren’t in love. No!
Look again

7. Did you closely examine
the photo?
They are standing erect but:
• He is looking down at her because he is listening to
her
• She is speaking because her left hand, even though
he can’t see it, is gesturing as she is talking
• She is probably explaining some thought or
feeling, again, because of the type of hand gesture
• Their posture is erect because the conversation is
serious
By paying close attention it is possible to read a
person’s body language without hearing a word

8. Movement is language
Every movement has purpose whether-
• Walking across or around a room
• Wringing one’s hands
• Nail biting, chewing on one’s lips, crossing
and of uncrossing of legs
• Playing with hair, tapping fingers, nodding
excessively
• Physically backing away or putting an object
between oneself and the speaker or listener
All of these movements speak to the audience (one or more people).
Watch carefully and learn about people through their body movements.

9. Walking across or around a
room
• Makes audience pay attention
– Moving in wrong direction causes others to
become suspicious of one’s abilities (lecturers)
• Shows one is thinking
– Slow, pensive gait
• Shows one is impatient
– Rapid, shallow back and forth moves
• Shows purpose
– Long, purposeful strides

10. Wringing one’s Hands
• Can signify uneasiness or even fear and
trepidation
– This might be appropriate while waiting in the
dentist’s chair, but it is not during a job
interview or while giving a presentation
• Can also be a sign of devious intentions
or expectations of evil doings.
– Picture Stewie of Family Guy or the evil Dr.
Evil in Austin Powers

11. Hand wringing
• Hands being wrung from anxiety

12. Stewie wringing his hands in
mad glee and anticipation

13. Nail biting, chewing on one’s lips,
crossing and uncrossing of legs
• All of these might seemingly
innocuous behaviors to the casual
observer yet they are seen as
nervousness in a job interview or job
review.
– The same is true among peers. These behaviors
can signify discomfort in the presence of certain
people

14. Anxious Nail Biting

15. Twirling hair, tapping
fingers, nodding excessively
• Twirling hair-
– You might think it’s flirty-Others think it’s
immature, especially in a job interview
• Tapping fingers-
– A sure sign of impatience
• Nodding excessively-
– Way too much agreement to be
authentic, especially in a job interview

16. Hair Twirling

17. Physically backing away or putting
an object between oneself and the
speaker or listener
• Backing away can simply mean the speaker
has bad breath, or it can mean, “You are
invading my space” or “you are being a little
too effusive”.
• Placing an object, such as a pillow, between
yourself and the speaker can signal ill ease or
discomfort at the close proximity of the
speaker

18. More subconscious gestures:
• Slouching-indicates a lack of confidence
• Too little or no eye contact-too timid or not to be
trusted
• Hands constantly moving while talking-too
frenetic
• Head tilting to the side or leaning in while
talking-too submissive
• Shaking hands too delicately-Seen as passive
behavior
Can you think of any more?

19. References
Debenham, L (May, 2010). What do Nail Biting and Hair Twirling Really Mean?
Body Language Expert. http://www.bodylanguageexpert.co.uk/what-do-nail-
bitinghair-twirling-reveal.html
Goman, C (2010). Ten Body Language Mistakes Women Make. Officepro,
70(7), 4.
Movement and Meaning. (2001). Psychoanalytic Inquiry, 21(3), 368.
Naval Administration Training Manual, (ND). Integrated Publishing, 5, 40.
http://navyadministration.tpub.com/134t/css/134t_50.htm
Power, Mary R., "Chapter 11 : Non-verbal communication" (1998). Working
Through Communication. Paper 12.
http://epublications.bond.edu.au/working_through_communication/12