This is a term given to those
gestures and
movements, that a
person makes with their
body, which
convey information about that person's
mood,
feelings or
attitude.
Body language can range from changes in facial expression to the position in which a person will stand or sit or how they move their hands while they are talking. It can be seen either on its own or as an accompaniment to speech and may be deliberate or subconscious.
Observation of a person's body language has become a popular method of assessing their response to stimulus or their surroundings. A simple example is that a person may be feeling defensive if they are sitting with their legs crossed and arms folded.
As people are aware of each others body language it is wise to consider two points:
- A person may deliberately manipulate their body language to mislead you.
- People may misinterpret each others body language and make incorrect assumptions as to the other's intent.