Kinesiology

The Study of Body Movement

Pam Tabbutt, COM 263September 1, 2012

Leonardo Da Vinci’s Body in Motion drawing circa 1492

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

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.

Is it Love? Who Knows!

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

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

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.

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

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

Hand wringing

• Hands being wrung from anxiety

Stewie wringing his hands in mad glee and anticipation

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

Anxious Nail Biting

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

Hair Twirling

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

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?

ReferencesDebenham, 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