A new study from the University of Chicago
found that the more
gestures babies used at 14 months (shaking a head “no,” raising
arms to be picked up, pointing at an object of interest, etc.), the more
words
they had in their vocabulary at 31/2 years old.
Which is no surprise to those of us who study body language. Here' are a
few
facts I found while researching my book, “The Nonverbal Advantage:
Secrets and Science of Body
Language at Work.”
Gesture and speech are so tightly connected that we can't do one without
the
other. Brain imaging
has shown that a region called Broca's area, which is
important for speech production, is active not only when we're talking,
but
when we wave our hands. And as we grow into adulthood, gesturing becomes
more
complex, more nuanced, and more interesting.
Did you know . . .
·
A blind person
talking to another blind person will use gestures.
·
All of us use gestures when talking on the telephone.
·
When people are passionate about what they're saying, their gestures
become
more animated.
·
Studies have found that when you communicate through active gesturing,
you tend
to be evaluated as warm, agreeable, and energetic, while remaining still
makes
you be seen as logical, cold, and analytic.
·
On the other hand, over-gesturing with flailing arms (especially when
hands are
raised above the shoulders) can make you appear out of control, less
believable
and less powerful.
·
Some gestures have an agreed-upon meaning to a group and are consciously
used
instead of words. (The "thumbs up" gesture in North America is one
example). These gestures vary by culture - and what is acceptable in one
culture can be rude or insulting in another.
· Many deception cues
are subconscious
gestures - like the hand
to mouth or nose gestures which are typically use when
lying. (And, by the way, those same gestures are often displayed when
listening
to someone you don't believe.)
·
Pacifying gestures are used to help us deal with stress: Any self
touching can
be calming. You may rub your legs, pull at your collar, play with your
hair,
rub your neck, or even cross your arms in a kind of “self-hug.”
·
Open palm gestures indicate candor, while hidden hands (or hands in pockets)
signals that the person has something to hide or doesn't want to
participate in
a conversation.
· Low confidence is
often shown by
wringing hands and interlacing fingers.
·
High confidence can be displayed by a Steepling gesture (palms separated
and
fingers touching). You'll see this used most often by politicians,
executives
and professors.
So, remember, it's okay to talk with your hands - as long as you know
what
they're saying!
Executive Training Consultant
www.timdavisnetwork.com
There is no defense against Behavorial Communications.
