Erasmus+ outcome on body language

1. Language
VERBAL.
(Elements of communication)
Source
Encoding
Message
Decoding
Receiver
Feedback Response
NON VERBAL.
Kinesics:
• Facial movements
• Body movements.
Proxemics:
• Concept, structure and use of space and
distance bet. Participants of the
communication process.
Iconic:
Graphic representation of an object
Signals:
Representation through a social agreement
(dressed in black when mourning).
Graphic languages:
Written languages that use images to
represent reality (Hieroglyphics)
Musical:
Melodies do not necessarily have lyrics in order
to create an environment; Metal, Jazz, etc.

2. Body Language
• What is it?
– The language spoken by the body in terms of facial expressions, hand gestures, postures and other
body movements.
– The use of non verbal communication: B.L. expresses a persons inner thoughts and feelings; frowning
signals one is worried or displeased. Turning one’s back and moving away implies avoidance.
• Is it limited to the expressions or movements of specific parts of the body?
– Body Language covers a wide variation of gestures, body positions, even the distance that we consider
safe or acceptable when in the communicational process. Also; hand signals, finger signals, hand
positioning, making faces, etc.
• Is Body Language the result of a certain type of aesthetics, or is it a natural
phenomenon?
– We communicate primarily nonverbally, not verbally; our early ancestors communicated effectively
through the use of nonverbal forms of communication: Physiological changes (flushed face), gestures
(hand gestures), Noises, and facial or body reactions.

3. Non verbal communication
• We communicate to others
how we feel and what we
sense.
• It is a fact that we use
nonverbal communication
primarily; in our written
communication we use
emotional icons profusely.
• If we stopped to think for a
minute how to react to every
perilous encounter, we might
not actually be very
successful at surviving as
species.
• We learned to react and not
to think (The freeze, fight,
flight response)

4. Understanding Body
language
•Our Brain has created the channels to
perceive and responses to give to our
surroundings when we feel comfortable or
uncomfortable. This we communicate
primarily through our bodies.
•E.g.: Taste something gone bad, something
that is in the process of decay and
everyone around you will know instantly
from your expression, they do not need to
taste it.
•Body language is quick, authentic and
reliable.
• But it is not only about threats or
survival, or our time of reaction, our Brain
also telegraphs our intentions.
•Behind all this are our needs, intentions,
emotions, feelings, thoughts.
• All this is processed elegantly through
the ‘Limbic system’ of the Brain. It doesn’t
have to think it just reacts, in real time.

5. Understanding Body
Language
• When we receive bad news,
there is a series of physical
signals, reactions happening in
our bodies; our lips compress, we
clench our jaws, nervously rub
our necks, we squint and lower
our chins.
•This are discomfort displays
that the limbic Brain has
perfected over millions of years
whether we are in China or
Chile..

6. Understanding Body
language
• There are changes happening
in our bodies; when we see
somebody we like or love, the
body displays changes that are
communicating our emotions and
feelings.
• Our bodies do not have to do
that yet we have been reacting
like this for a long time. Why?
Because we are social animals
that communicate both verbally
and non verbally.
• Is this essential for us
humans? Think about children
who are born blind; having never
seen this behaviors will also
perform them.
• Luckily for us, this behaviors
are hard wired.

7. Understanding Body
Language
•Whether in business, at home or
in relationships, we can always be
sure that true sentiments will be
reflected in our Body Language
through displays of comfort and
discomfort.
• A binary system of
communicating how we feel, it
has stood the test of time, it
helps us also through its
simplicity.
• It can be very effective in
determining how other people
feel about us; when people sense
that something is wrong in a
relationship, what they are
sensing are changes in Body
language displays.

8. Limbic system functions.
•Emotions, Motivation,
memory and learning.
•Controls mood and attitude.
• Stores highly charged
emotional memories.
• Controls appetite and sleep
cycles.
•Makes us better to adapt
our behaviors flexibly in
response to our changing
environment.

9. Some myths revisited…
• Generally speaking people think they
know it all about Body language, they
think for example that to spot a liar is
easy; that is a myth (Ekman, P.).
• What are often mistaken as signs of
deception (Nose touching, mouth
covering, eye closing), are really
pacifiers that help us relieve stress.
• These pacifier behaviors are used
both by the guilty and the innocent to
relieve the stress of a meeting.
• A second myth is that eye aversion is
an indicator of deception.
• During interviews or conversations Eye
avoiding is wrongfully interpreted as an
intent to deceive. This is a myth.

10. Age, cultural bias, emotional
input.
Recent studies have shown
that age is negatively
associated with the accuracy
of decoding facial
expressions.
Facial expressions play a
central role in the quality of
interpersonal interactions
because they convey
important information on the
emotional states of our
interaction partners.
Erroneous interpretations of
facial expressions may lead
to misunderstandings and
impair the quality of
interactions.

11. Useful behaviors in
meetings
• Respond to questions immediately, without
hesitation, speech errors, throat clearing or
time fillers.
• Body position when interacting at an
interview; Head lightly tilted to the side.
• People want to see hands, make sure others
can see them (specially if you are talking)
Make sure your hand gestures are wide and
smooth.
• When making a point; emphasis palm down,
fingers spread on the table surface. This
registers confidence strongly.
• If it is something specific you want to
emphasize –a ‘precision grip’ (index finger
against the tip of your thumb) is good to make
your point.
• If you have to point to an object or to call
onto someone to speak, do so with the hand
(fingers extended palm up) Never point with a
finger, not even at a chair.
• Give ample space to others; do not crowd
them at the table or shared spaces. This can
potentially cause Psychological comfort or
discomfort
•CONTEXT
•CULTURE
•PURPOSE
•TOPIC.
Take into account:

12. References and Bibliography:
• Morris, Desmond. (1985). Body watching. New York: Crown Publishers.
• Morris, Desmond. (1969). The human zoo. New York: Dell Publishers.
• Morris, Desmond. 1994. Bodytalk: The Meaning of Human Gestures. New York:
Crown Trade Paperbacks.
• Navarro, J. (2008). What Every Body is Saying. New York: HarperCollins.
• Mara Fölster, Ursula Hess, Isabell Hühnel and Katja Werheid; Department of
Psychology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Rudower Chaussee 18, Berlin D-
12489, Germany

13. Body language presentation; General guidelines and suggestions.
• The intention of this work, is to present the students interested in acquiring knowledge about Body language with a brief
but reliable information on the topic, something that can give them orientation about the basics of: Body non – verbal
communication (Body Language) and at the same time will enable them to create their own strategies for a job interview or
any other type of interview , reassuring them in a way that will reflect positively, diminishing the pressure of stress or
controlling emotional expressions that can disrupt the flow in communication.
• An interview can sometimes seem like a very complex situation. It is then, of great importance to understand the basics
about the most common form of communication and be able –to some extent- ‘predict’ or better; anticipate the possible
scenarios they can meet at a job interview from a more general perspective.
• It is suggested that this material be managed in an interactive way with the students; building concepts from the
experiences they have already had, also, possible situations and anecdotes can be handy as long as they are related to the
material presented in the slide. As we all have been in situations from positive to awkward, there are always stories related
to our reactions, our communication and miscommunication events. From there, we can find common ground where to
start the presentation of this material.
• To create a context, The material presents the differences between verbal and non verbal communication, then goes to
explain what is body language and give examples of BL in common situations, facts about BL, and information related to
Physiology that explain why and how these things happen in our bodies. Where in our bodies this happens and how,
nowadays we understand it.
• A few myths are revised very briefly and explained why they no longer constitute reliable concepts. Also, the relation of the
good and bad within BL with our social performances is very briefly mentioned.
• The information comprised in this presentation is brief and to the point due to the fact that it is a very broad topic and it
can’t be presented in half an hour. It can be successfully shared within that time frame though.

14. Description:
• Slide # 1:
Parallel between verbal and non verbal communication. (Creating a context)
• Slide # 2:
What is Body Language? (BL) A few related questions. (examples from everyday situations, students might share their own)
• Slide # 3:
Nonverbal communication (Context for the development of the material)
• Slides # 4, 5, 6, & 7:
Understanding BL: What happens when… why, how and where; Informally sharing Physiological facts related to our bodily
responses .
• Slide # 8:
Where all happens, the place in the brain where all is controlled.
• Slide # 9:
Myths revisited: Important to emphasize the difference between ‘word of mouth science’ and facts being the result of
ongoing studies and research.
• Slide # 10:
Cultural bias and other facts. (Very recent study from the Humboldt University, Berlin.) Highlights the fact that many
reactions may have the bias of culturally acquired attitudes and traditions and the effect of age in our views and
interpretations.
• Slide # 11:
Final advice and recommendations made, points to take into consideration in order to clarify personal concepts related to
the main topic.
• Slide # 12:
Bibliography and references.