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The Study of Body Language - Kinesics
By Richard Jones
Each person gives off a countless numbers of indications about their emotions and frame of mind without even speaking. Non-verbal communication makes up a significant part of how we communicate with each other. The most noticeable form of non-verbal communication is body language. The study of body language is known as Kinesics. Many different types of people study Kinesics, for instance: scientists, politicians, business people, and many others. Often their goal is to learn more about how to communicate better. Non-verbal communication dates back to the very beginning of our species. The importance of non-verbal communication is thought to date back to early human history before our species developed speech. Prior to verbal communication the human race relied on body language and grunting as our main form of communication. “Some experts believe spoken language appeared on the scene only 160,000 to 350,000 years ago. Given that humans of some kind have walked the earth for about two million years, that’s a long time to depend upon gestures and grunts to get your point across. But clearly, it worked!” (Reiman 17) The importance of body language is equally important to our species now. Non-verbal communication and especially body language communicates our thoughts and emotions more then words. “According to a classic 1968 study by A. Mehrabian in Psychology Today, only 7 percent of an initial impression is based on what's said. 38 percent is based on style of speech and 55 percent on body language.” (http://www.speech-time.com/nonverbalcommunication.html) Throughout our social experience we are continually processing and giving off non-verbal cues. Since body language movements are done at a subconscious level, they can often reveal things to others before a conversation is even started. These non-verbal cues are picked up on by the observer and they interpret them based on their experience. This process is a two way street, at the same time the observer becomes the observed. The importance of body language has been noticed, not only by scientists, but also individuals who seek to gain from it. Individuals have begun to understand the power of body language and tried to use this knowledge for their own advancement. In the business world, effectually communicating with people is a must. There are now countless training course and seminars available specifically for those with careers in business. The importance lies in how they communicate more effetely, but also how they can read other peoples body language to draw more information from their meetings. One example of the importance is a CEO who is in several meetings to discuss merger options with a rival company. Learning more about body language can help him become more conscious of what he’s portraying to others, while at the same time, reach some conclusions about what others may be thinking or feeling. This CEO could gain the upper hand and improve his negotiation skills. “Sales people and other professional communicators are widely taught to mirror all sorts of more subtle signals, as a means of creating trust and rapport with the other person, and to influence attitudes.” (http://www.businessballs.com/body-language.htm) Sales people use body language to move people closer to buying products. I recall a knock on my door last summer. I opened the door to steak salesman who was quick to shake my hand firmly and then over animate himself as he went through his pitch. Business people are not the only ones who’ve understood and used the power of body language. Politicians and public speakers have always understood the importance of body language while communicating with other. One particular politician that mastered the art of body language was Adolph Hitler. Some believe that he was simply a great communicator and his body language naturally flowed as he spoke. However there is evidence to indicate that he was actually trained to use his body language more effetely. “There can be no doubt that Eckart - who had been alerted to Hitler by other Thulists - trained Hitler in techniques of self confidence, self projection, persuasive oratory, body language and discursive sophistry. With these tools, in a short period of time he was able to move the obscure workers party from the club and beer hall atmosphere to a mass movement. The emotion charged lay speaker became an expert orator, capable of mesmerizing a vast audience.” (http://greyfalcon.us/restored/Thule%20Gesellschaft.htm) Hitler’s many hand gestures and facial expressions helped him to articulate himself in a powerful way. Kinesics can be used for a variety of intentions, but body language remains a central part of how we communicate. Since the beginning of our species non-verbal communication has taken a role in how we communicate with each other. We started our journey with only grunts and hand gestures, and then moved a spoken language. Even with this transition, non-verbal communication remains just as important today. While individuals study body language to improve their own lives, others study it so we can understand who we are and where we’ve come from. The power of body language is undeniable and historic on every level.
Sources: The Power of Body Language by Tonya Reiman
http://www.speech-time.com/nonverbalcommunication.html
http://www.businessballs.com/body-language.htm
http://greyfalcon.us/restored/Thule%20Gesellschaft.htm
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