How To Read Body Language

Establish A Baseline:

This is done by observing a person when they are relaxed and acting normal. This helps you to understand what behaviors are the norm for things such as habits, gender differences, mental or physical disorders and similar issues.

Look For Clusters

What is a cluster? Clusters are actions that indicate the same emotion.

Cultural differences can affect a person's body language

For example, in the United States, eye contact shows honesty and interest, however, in Japan, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, avoiding eye contact is a way to show the other person respect.

Behavioral/mental/physical disorders can affect a person's body language

For example, someone with depression may avoid eye contact simply because they feel the are not worthy enough to look up, or make eye contact with someone.

A lot of people want to know how to read body language to help them know if someone is lying to them. Signs are deception are similar to signs of nervousness and anxiety because the person is nervous about being discovered in the lie. Signs of deception can include:

1) Avoiding eye contact or looking down.
2) Touching the face or head with their hand.
3) Faking a smile. A fake smile will involve only the lips and mouth.
4) Shuffling his/her feet.
5) Expressions do not match the person's statements.
6) Clenched jaw. This can also indicate anger.
7) Licking the lips.
8) Signs of nervousness or anxiety.

When a person is interested in a subject, he/she is more likely to give his/her full attentions. Some signs that this is happening:

1) Eye contact.
2) Dilated pupils.
3) Nodding.
4) Leaning forward.
5) Tilted or cocked head.

When a person is trying to make a decision or is judging a situation, his/her body will indicate it through various gestures, these gestures may include:

1) Stroking part of the face, such as the chin.
2) Scratching the back of the head or neck.
3) Wrinkling the nose.
4) Narrowing of the eyes. This is usually a sign that the person disagrees
5) Pursing of the lips.
6) Tilting or scratching the head.

When a person is bored, they will usually look for ways to distract themselves or show signs of wanting to get away from the situation. These actions may include:

1) Turning the body away from the subject or person.
2) Leaning away from the person.
3) Looking around.
4) Not making eye contact, especially looking down.
5) Looking at their watch.

The following actions are repetative:

6) Tapping fingers or foot.
7) Shifting weight from one foot to the other.

If the boredom continues long enough, a person might begin to show signs of fatigue:

8) Yawning.
9) Slouching.

Nervousness and anxiety are uncomfortable emotions, and people naturally look for ways to relieve this discomfort either by expending nervous energy or distracting themselves from the feeling. A nervous person may show some of the following signs:

1) Rapid blink rate. May also indicate an eye disorder.
2) Clearing throat.
3) Wringing hands together.
4) Fidgeting.
5) Adjusting the collar of his/her shirt.
6) Sweating, especially sweaty hands.
7) Muscle Tension. Clenched jaw, elbows drawn into the side, jerks or similar actions.
8) Defensive behaviors such as crossing arms across the body or darting eyes.
9) Massaging temples.

Our bodies are naturally flirtatious toward people that we find attractive. One of the most obvious things a person can do is smile. However, there are other signs which may include:

1) Blinking rapidly. Rapid blinking can indicate interest, attraction, nervousness or it could simply be an eye disorder.

2) Raising eyebrows. However, a quick raising of the eyebrows will last less than a second as this is usually subconscious. This gesture is done by every culture on Earth as a sign of attraction.

3) Pointing. A person will subconsciously point toward the person he or she is interested in either with the hands, fee, legs, fingers or toes.

4) Preening. This can be adjusting a tie, cleaning eye glasses, smoothing out clothing or similar actions.

5) Leaning forward. Leaning not only shows you would like to be closer to the other person, but it also tests to see if he or she leans closer or leans back, indicating if he or she also wants to get closer.

6) Display body parts. When attracted, a person will display parts of his or her body by thrusting them forward, wiggling or similar action. This can be the chest area, wrists, neck, bottom, legs or groin area.

7) Mirroring. When two people get along well, they will begin to mirror, or mimic, each others actions, such as arm and leg movement, breathing, speech pattern, emotions and gestures

Anger and aggression are easy to spot. When repressed, a person must look for more subtle signs of how the person is feeling. A few examples of these behaviors include.

1) Clenched fist.
2) Hands on hips with feet spread apart.
3) Narrowing the eyes. This can also occur when someone is thinking.
4) Frowning or barring teeth in a snarl.

When you try to dominate someone, you are trying to gain power. This is usually done by making the body appear larger and taking up more space. Examples include:

1) Striding briskly.
2) Hands on the hips, especially in conjunction with the feet being spread apart.
3) Narrowing the eyes. This could also be anger or when someone is thinking.
4) Raising the eyebrows.
5) Clasping hands behind the head

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