The document discusses different types of body postures and what they communicate. Closed postures obscure vulnerable body parts and can indicate detachment, disinterest, or hostility. Open postures expose vulnerable parts and often communicate friendliness. Hand positions are also important - showing palms signals openness while fists or hands behind the back indicate closedness. Body orientation and inclination during conversations also carry meaning, with angling toward someone expressing acceptance and angling away expressing dislike. Posture can also reveal social status, mood, stress levels, and confidence.

1. - Mayank Bhardwaj
Assistant Professor - Communication Skills
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2. 
What does the posture
reflect?
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3. 
Postures?
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4. 
 Closed posture is a posture in which parts of the
body most susceptible to trauma are obscured.
 These body parts are: throat, abdomen and genitals.
Damage to either prevents the transfer of their genes
to future generations and is sometimes seen as being
synonymous with death.
Closed Posture
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5. 
 Arms crossed on the chest or abdomen,
 Hands clasped in front of the genitals, and crossing
legs.
 Clothing may also signal closed posture: a buttoned
suit, or a handbag or briefcase held in front of the
person.
 Closed posture often gives the impression of
detachment, disinterest, and hostility. Research has
also shown that these behaviors usually convey
unpleasant feelings.
Contd.
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6. 
 Open posture is a posture in which the vulnerable
parts of the body are exposed. The head is raised.
 The shirt may be unbuttoned at the neck, a bag is
held on the shoulder or at the side.
 Open posture is often perceived as communicating a
friendly and positive attitude.
 The feet are spread. The palms are up and the hands
and fingers are spread.
Open Posture
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7. 
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8. 
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9. 
 Showing the palms of the hands or leaning forward can
be a signal of open posture, especially if the hand is
relaxed.
 The back of the hand or clenching hands into fists may
represent a closed posture.
 Hands clasped behind the back may also signal closed
posture even though the front is exposed because it can
give the impression of hiding something or resistance to
closer contact.
 Closed and open posture also apply when seated.
Crossed legs and arms can signal closed posture.
Hands – A Critical
Indicator
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10. 
Inclination of the body. During conversation, a
person may lean slightly toward another person or
tilt slightly away from him/her. This behavior is
usually unconscious.
 An inclination towards can be an expression of
sympathy and acceptance.
 Inclining away can signal dislike, disapproval, or a
desire to end the conversation. Different inclinations
of the head may carry similar meanings.
Interpersonal Attitudes
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11. 
Similarity. During the conversation, people have
an unconscious tendency to imitate others' behavior.
 This happens when the conversation runs
seamlessly and is enjoyable for both parties.
 This approximation of attitudes, gestures, and body
movements can indicate the emergence of a bond
and sympathy and is known as stereotyped behavior
as defined by Edwin Ray Guthrie.
 Lack of synchronous behavior may lead to a sense
that the contact is artificial, forced, or unpleasant.
Contd.
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12. 
Orientation of the body. Usually people talk
directed toward each other, but not squarely face to
face, which can be indicative of a confrontational
stance.
 In conversation, the participants' bodies are usually
turned toward each other at an angle.
 When a person ignores someone else, they tend to
ignore or avoid contact by showing the other person
their side or back.
Contd.
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13. 
 If two people of different social standings talk to each
other, the person with a higher position usually takes a
more relaxed attitude. Their posture may be unbalanced,
relaxed, and may appear to be nonchalant.
 A person with a lower position often maintains
symmetrical posture by placing both hands on their lap
or at their sides.
 Typically, a person with higher status sits down and talks
while sitting.
 A person of lower status may stand or they may remain
standing until they are asked to sit.
Social Standing
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14. 
Mood influences muscle tone, energy level, and one's
internal sense of well-being. Thus, body posture can
reveal a person's current state of mind.
 Anger, sadness, and disgust are by far the most
recognized body postures that are indicative of
emotions.
Influencer - Mood
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15. 
Stress can affect posture subconsciously; a person
under stress will often have a greater amount of
muscle tension, and may also have shallow
breathing.
Well-being affects posture by giving it a sense of
energy and balance. A person's spine will be straight
and the head raised.
Influencer - Wellbeing
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16. 
Malaise affects posture with a sense of tiredness. A
person's shoulders may droop, and the head may be
bowed down or tilted to the left or right.
Confidence affects posture by the uprightness (or
not) of one's body.
Contd.
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17. 
Thank You.
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