Communicating Through Body Language Type of action or body part Likely to increase tension Likely to defuse tension Body movement Sudden movements suggest you
Communicating Through Body Language Type of action or body part
Likely to increase tension
Likely to defuse tension
Body movement
Sudden movements suggest you might take physical action.
Moving slowly, nodding head in understanding conveys calmness.
Eye contact
A fixed stare is intimidating.
Eye contact shifts to speaker
Hands/arms
Hands in pockets or behind back
Hands open and at chest level, or relaxed at sides: open gestures soften what you are saying.
Arms held across chest Clenched fists Pointing finger, jabbing motion Touching
Calming hand on shoulder may be perceived as threatening if you don’t know the person.
Calming hand on shoulder can have a calming effect if you know the person.
Facial expression
Frowning
Neutral face expression, relaxed, open, and attentive.
Clenched teeth Tensed lips, flared nostrils Brows are lowered Smiling (if someone is angry)
Stance
“Squared-off” stance (e.g., faceto-face or in someone’s personal space) is intimidating.
Positioning feet so your body is slightly angled is less confrontational.
Posture
Standing over the person if they are seated; leaning away from the other person while they are talking to you.
Leaning slightly forward or towards the person who is talking, head tilted to one side conveys active listening.
Adapted from Middlebrook, P.N. (1980). Social psychology and modern life (2nd. Ed.). New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf.
