Verified Document

Body Language As Nonverbal Human Term Paper

Mirroring Behavior and the Importance of Postures and Body Position:

One of the most common and fascinating elements of human body language and nonverbal communication has to do with the phenomenon called mirroring. It is very evident during interactions within groups of people, whether in the corporate work environment or in social groups and families. In general, less dominant group members usually copy parts of the body language chosen by the more dominant person. For example, in a corporate boardroom, the most dominant individual is almost always located in a central position or at the head of a conference table. The leader often looks more relaxed and may clasp his hands behind his head with his elbows out while those in more subservient roles may have their hands clasped politely on the table in front of them. Often, others lean back or take sips from their water glasses only after he does first (Hogg & Reid 2006).

Mirroring is also apparent in human body language and nonverbal communication among both courting and established dating or married couples. Nonverbal cues are used to communicate potential romantic availability on the part of the female, possible interest on the part of the male, and then signals from the female indicating whether or not she is receptive to his attention. Where she is interested, she will maintain longer eye contact, smile, and she may fluff out her hair or stroke it with her hands. Behaviorists call these types of physical gestures preening and the male version is to adjust his belt or his tie, or fix his hair as well. All of this happens in many ways before a single word is actually spoken (Hogg & Reid 2006).

Once a verbal conversation is started, body language continues to send signals of increasing or decreasing interest: where the woman is losing interest, she may turn her...

Instead of sipping when the man sips his drink or shifting her weight after he does the way she might when she is more interested in the man, she will establish her own rhythm independent from what he does (Hogg & Reid 2006).
Because human body language and other forms of nonverbal communication are so universal, learning to read them is essential in many specific professions, such as sales, policing, and nursing. Good salesmen know how to read their customers and they learn very quickly how to identify the nonverbal signals that mean "just browsing" from those that mean "shopping." Police officers face situations daily where people lie to them and use body language as a tool for knowing when someone is being truthful. Similarly, police officers become expert at anticipating possible signs of aggression which helps them protect themselves. In nursing, practitioners learn how to read signs of discomfort that is not expressed verbally as well as to understand what patients need where a language barrier exists or where medical conditions interfere with spoken communication (Dutta 2007). REFERENCES

Dutta, M.J. (2007) 'Communicating About Culture and Health: Theorizing Culture-Centered and Cultural Sensitivity Approaches' Communication Theory, Vol. 17 No. 3, pp. 304-328

Gerrig, R, Zimbardo, P. (2005) Psychology and Life. 17th Edition.

New York: Allyn & Bacon.

Hogg, M.A., Reid, S.A. (2006) 'Social Identity, Self-Categorization, and the Communication of Group Norms.' Communication Theory, Vol 16, No. 1, pp. 7-30.

Poole, D., Warren, a., Nunez, N. (2007) the Story of Human Development.

Princeton, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Sources used in this document:
REFERENCES

Dutta, M.J. (2007) 'Communicating About Culture and Health: Theorizing Culture-Centered and Cultural Sensitivity Approaches' Communication Theory, Vol. 17 No. 3, pp. 304-328

Gerrig, R, Zimbardo, P. (2005) Psychology and Life. 17th Edition.

New York: Allyn & Bacon.

Hogg, M.A., Reid, S.A. (2006) 'Social Identity, Self-Categorization, and the Communication of Group Norms.' Communication Theory, Vol 16, No. 1, pp. 7-30.
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Body Language Nonverbal Signs Comprise the Bulk
Words: 618 Length: 2 Document Type: Essay

Body Language Nonverbal signs comprise the bulk of human communication: 93% according to the film Secrets of Body Language. This film shows how nonverbal communication speaks volumes more than words ever can. The way a person walks, shakes hands, uses eyes, or involuntarily twitches all provide valuable context to the verbal content of what someone is saying. It is impossible to watch Secrets of Body Language and not become concerned about self-presentation.

Body Language Is a Core Component of
Words: 1255 Length: 4 Document Type: Essay

Body language is a core component of communication. The hearing impaired rely almost exclusively on body language for communication, proving the importance of gestures, posture, eye contact, and other factors. In fact, recent research shows that deaf people adept at sign language "are quicker at recognizing and interpreting body language than hearing non-signers," ("Deaf Sign Language Users Pick Up Faster On Body Language," 2012). The implications for this and related

Body Language and Paramedics Among
Words: 1835 Length: 5 Document Type: Essay

I believe today I did everything right, because I had no gauze or bandages for the seriously injured person and had no medical training. When I was in high school, my parents were involved in an accident, and someone tried to pull my mom out of the driver's seat when the steering wheel was actually pressed against her chest. That was a mistake, because it caused more bleeding and deeper

Body Language Effects of Body Language Importance
Words: 1249 Length: 4 Document Type: Research Paper

Body Language Effects of Body Language Importance of Body language The Importance of Body Language for Effective Communication In this paper, we will focus at the importance of body language for the purpose of effective communication. We will discuss many points which will signify the importance of body language for the purpose of more efficient communication but first let's have a look at what it really means. Body language "It is the form of communication which

Body Language While Organizational Behaviour Is a
Words: 1036 Length: 3 Document Type: Essay

Body Language While organizational behaviour is a highly important component of human resource management, communication remains the backbone of effective organizational behaviour and human resource management at large. Knowledge management, workforce motivation and the overall implementation of corporate culture is ineffective and an inefficient without effective communication. In the past, there has been a lot of emphasis has been placed on communication skills and specially communication in a corporate environment. However,

Language and Literacy Every Workplace Without Exception
Words: 1463 Length: 5 Document Type: Term Paper

Language and Literacy Every workplace without exception relies on language as a primary means of communication. Therefore, all types of literacy are required in order for an organization to function properly. The different types of literacy range from multicultural awareness to written language to public speaking. For the purposes of this project, I examined and analyzed several different workplace environments for their usage of language and their different literacy demands. My

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now