body language
... A human’s body language and mind are closely linked. “The facial feedback effect is a theory that our expressions reinforce the emotion that caused them because the position of our facial muscles feeds information back to the brain.” (Cox, Tracey, Superflirt.) Smile, and your brain will release a hormonal response that usually accompanies a real smile and a happy feeling. It also works backwards as well, that is why we smile when we are happy. Body language is expressed through four main gestures. From winks to lowered eyelashes we communicate most frequently with our eyes than any other part of our body. Our eyes reveal our emotions. A direct stare implies intensity and may also imply romantic interest, aggression, or fear. On the other hand, a direct stare can also be conveyed as being rude. Making very little eye contact can either convey shyness or submissiveness. Facial expressions can be very powerful, and are often the most dominant indication of how we see, think and feel about others. The face also provides insight in regards to age and gender, which are major influences on social interaction and perception. Our hands are also very expressive parts of our body. The hands offer endless clues in connection with our feelings. By pointing your finger, or moving your hands closer together, one will draw emphasis to what you are saying. Hand gestures can make you seem enthusiastic and committed to your topic. The last key illustrator of body language is posture. Posture is an indicator of personality and mood. The way you hold yourself, your posture, contributes to communication through body language and conveys a persons level of self-confidence. For example, a student giving a presentation in class would stand proud and poised with a firm posture if he is confident. On the other hand, a student who exudes insecurity would stand slouched over in front of the class without making eye contact. Your posture can signify ones interests, your openness for communication, and attentiveness. Historically, we have experienced many influential public speakers. These various public figures have used body language while communicating. For example, “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a human rights activist whose tactics of protest involved non-violent passive resistance to racial injustice.” (WWW.LIU.edu/cwis/cwp/library/mlking.htm) Martin Luther King Jr. delivered many speeches during the movement for black equality. He used body language heavily to convey his intensity. His posture exhibited confidence as he stood straight and tall with aggressive intensions of leadership. Through his eyes we felt his emotions, and through his hands to expressed his strong feelings for racial equality as he spoke. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke with volume and his emotions were shown through his facial expressions. Martin Luther King expressed many emotions verbally as a public speaker, he communicated many of his thoughts nonverbally through his body language. Over the past three weeks during my study of body language I have closely observed students communication patterns on campus. Students clearly expressed body language as often as they communicated verbally. These feelings were shown exclusively through the face, the eyes, the hands, and through posture. I selected the gym, cafeteria, and library as the sights for my observation because they are the most heavily populated places on campus. In the gym the most expressed body language was exhaustion and pain. These feelings were shown through the face and eyes as people began to express a desperation to stop running. Students began to lose their poise and slouch as they completed running their final lap. In the cafeteria there were many different accounts of communication through body language. From peoples conversations, to the like or dislike of the food served in the cafeteria, body language was expressed. In observing socia...