GCSE 15/4/13
Body language and dress codes.
Body language is an important aspect of any performance.
An actor's body language plays a crucial part in
telling the audience about the character they are playing.
Albert Mehnarabian
In personal communication, the words of a speaker are just a part of his efforts to communicate. The pitch and tone of his voice, the speed and rhythm of the spoken word and the pauses between his words may express more than what is being communicated by words alone. Further, his gestures, posture, pose and expressions usually convey a variety of subtle signals. These non-verbal elements can present a listener with important clues to the speaker’s thoughts and feelings, thus substantiating or contradicting the speaker’s words.
For example, if a person states, “I do not have a problem with you!” while avoiding eye-contact, looking anxious and maintaining a closed body language, it is likely that the listener will trust the predominant form of communication, which to Prof. Mehrabian’s findings is non-verbal (38% + 55%), rather than the literal meaning of the words (7%).
What is body language?
Body language is the way in which our bodies communicate
our own or a character's attitudes. An audience or viewer can watch it to pick
up on someone's age, emotions, status, or health.
For example, a student being told off by a
teacher in a tv drama can easily tell the audience that she's not feeling sorry
for what she's done by:
curling her lip
showing a bored look in her eyes
having her head slightly lowered
putting a hand on her hip
having her hip stuck out, with her weight on one
leg.
Still_01
In this still from the comedy series 'Little
Britain', the schoolgirl character's body language suggests defiance - she has
her hand on her hip, and is not making eye contact with the teacher. Notice the
teacher character's body language too - his face is stern, and he is looking
down directly onto the schoolgirl character.
Body language can say a great deal more than the
words we use. There are three main types of body language that you need to
think about as part of your speaking and listening skills - eye contact, body
position and gesture and movement.
Different types of body language
Body language is the most important aspect of
face-to-face communication. Anything you say can be enhanced or undermined by
how you sit or stand or how you move your eyes. If you look bored then the
audience will be.
The purpose of any face-to-face communication is
to engage the people you are talking to. They will then listen to what you have
to say. If your body language is right, they will already be persuaded that you
are worth listening to.
There are three main types of body language:
eye contact
body position
gesture and movement
Eye contact
02, 03 eyes
Eye contact is vital. If you want someone to
listen then you need to look at them - not for too long, of course, but enough
to show you are addressing them and that they might want to listen. If you are
in a one-to-one situation, such as a job interview, you need to look away every
now and again (for example, looking thoughtfully into the distance when you are
asked to question, before looking back at the interviewer as you give your
answer).
If you are presenting, then you should aim to
make eye contact with as many people as possible. Don't stare at anyone in
particular, just keep moving to each individual and try to hold their gaze for
a moment. If you are in a role-play then you need to look at the people who are
talking and make sure that people (such as your teacher) can see you looking at
them.
Finally, it is really important that you look at
people when they ask you questions and you should give a direct reply when you
answer.
Body position
You can tell by looking at someone whether they
are excited, bored, relaxed or stressed. If their shoulders are slumped, their
head hanging down or their arms and legs are tightly crossed it sends a message
about how they are feeling.
To get someone interested in what you're saying
you need to look interested yourself. So if you're sitting down, you be should
lean forward with your arms open and not crossed. Crossing your arms looks
defensive (as if you are worried or scared about something).
If you're relaxed, then you can sit back and
cross your legs as long as it is appropriate to the situation. In a job
interview that could seem too casual. If you are role-playing a confident boss
it may be right. If you're standing up you will need to hold your head up and
have your arms open - that way you can get the final aspects of body language
right.
04_hands behind
head
One of the most common body language gestures,
when someone holds their hands locked behind their head so as to support
the head with the palms of their hands, they are showing superiority, cockiness
and arrogance. You’ll find some of the guys in the corporate executive offices
show this gesture, though not for long as executive leadership courses will
strike this sign of arrogance out of them.
05_chair straddling
When someone straddles a chair, they are showing
an aggressive body language gesture while protecting themselves symbolically
with the chair. This gesture shows a desire to dominate the conversation.
06_Legs apart
The most popular body language gesture in the body
language of legs. Standing or sitting with the legs spread is the most
common superiority / dominance position of men because it clearly puts the
crown jewels on display. Often when one man assumes this position, other men in
the group will do so too.
07_Body Language
The man on the left is straddling his
chair in an attempt to take control of the discussion or to dominate the man on
the right. He is also using the direct body point at the man on the right. He
has clenched fingers and his feet are locked together under his chair, showing
a frustrated attitude, which means that he is probably having difficulty in
getting his point across. The man in the centre feels superior to the other two
because of the hands-behind-head gesture he has taken. He also has the figure 4
leg lock position, meaning that he will compete or be argumentative. He has a
high-status chair that swivels, leans back and has wheels and arm rests. The
man on the right is seated on a low-status chair that has fixed legs and no
accessories. His arms and legs are tightly crossed (defensive) and his head is
down (hostile), indicating that he does not buy what he hears.
08_Pen in mouth
Putting a pen or other object in the mouth is
a clear sign of insecurity.
09_head duck
Raising the shoulders and pulling the head down
between them lets a person protect the vulnerable neck and throat from injury.
It's the action used when a person hears a loud bang behind them or if they
think something will fall on them. When it's used in a personal or business
context it implies a submissive apology, which detracts from any encounter
where you are trying to appear confident.
When someone walks past others who are talking,
admiring a view or listening to a speaker, they pull their head down, turn
their shoulders in and try to appear smaller and less significant. This is
known as the Head Duck. It is also used by subordinates approaching superiors,
and reveals the status and Power play between individuals
10_11_Lean forward
When you’re talking to someone and they lean
their head forwards, you can feel assured that they are interested in what you
are saying.
12_Head up
When the head is lifted high with the chin jutting
forward it signals superiority, fearlessness or arrogance. The person intentionally
exposes their throat and they gain additional height which allows them to 'look
down their nose' at you. Large chins are the result of high testosterone levels
which is why chin-jutting is associated with power and aggression.
13_Head down
When the chin is down, it signals that a negative,
judgemental or aggressive attitude exists. Critical evaluations are normally
made with the head down and until the person's head lifts or tilts, you can
have a problem, professional presenters and trainers are often confronted by
audiences who are seated with their heads down and arms folded on their chests
Gesture and movement
Look at a television conversation with the sound
off, and you will notice people's gestures as they talk. How people sit or stand
is noticeable, but what really emphasises face-to-face conversation is how
people use their expressions, heads, hands and shoulders to make a point or
emphasise words. Gestures bring life to a conversation.
Spread
arms can express the size of an idea or object.
A
closed fist can express strength or anger.
An
open palm can ask for calm (if the hand is raised) or appeal to reason (with
fingers pointing down).
Moving
the whole body can express energy or urgency.
Walking around a room can also engage more people
because you can close in on them to give a more personal edge to a
presentation. Moving too much can be hectic, though. It can distract from what
you are saying. So think about what is appropriate - and make sure that when
you move you know where you are going and why.
Online test:
Task:
Analyse the Kidulthood opening scene with
consideration given to body language.
Use the list of keywords provided.
