Universal Body Language Features

Body language is something each and every one of us uses every day of our lives; sometimes without even knowing it.

Body language helps us determine how other people are feeling and thinking and it does for them when they observe our behaviours. But what are the universal features of body language and how can we spot them?

Universal Body Language

Before looking at the features of Universal Body Language it is important to understand what it is. There are reputedly seven expressions of Universal Body Language which include:

• Sadness
• Fear
• Boredom
• Anger
• Disgust
• Happiness
• Surprise

All of these expressions and emotions are things that we might feel once a day but we will certainly experience them a great many times during the course of our lives. So much so that reading the body language that goes along with these emotions is something that can prove very useful in a variety of circumstances.

Body Language in Communication

When we meet people for the first time we are often aware of little things that they do when they talk to us that we might not notice after speaking to them for any length of time. For example if an individual is happy they will smile, perhaps lean back in their chair or laugh a lot during the course of a conversation.

Sadness brings with it its own set of body language features such as limp shoulders, wet or glazed eyes and a sullen look to their face.

These may not sound like important features but when trying to gauge someone’s mood or temperament they are of great significance.

The Seven Expressions

As we have already touched upon there are generally seven expressions of body language that can be expressed given an individual’s mood. Each of these expressions carries with them their own set of movements and in doing so can tell much more about a person’s demeanour than if they actually told you through verbal communication.

One of the most important uses of reading body language is when it comes to job interviews. A lot can be gleaned about a personality from how they sit, how they gesture with their hands, how much eye contact they maintain and whether or not during the course of an interview they smile or frown.

Indeed many employers now recommend that their human resources personnel charged with interviewing prospective employees attend courses which give more detail on how body language can reveal more about an individual’s personality.

Understanding Your Own Body Language

Body language in communication can, as we have said, tell more than the spoken word. If you feel you are giving too much away about your own personality through body language why not ask friend or family members to run through a mock interview with you in order to judge the sort of movements you make.

These might include fiddling with your ear lobe, crossing and uncrossing your legs, folding or unfolding your arms; there is no limit to the movements your body will make without you even knowing it. But if you can become self aware of how you react in certain situations you may be able to control these movements as and when you feel you have to.

In conclusion body language and how it is used as a tool to communicate is something that is both fascinating and intriguing; many of us have what are known as ‘tells’ – small movements that accompany a mood or a phrase or the inability to tell a lie. Body language truly is one area of psychology where there is a lot to be learned both about yourself and those around you.