Kinesics: The Study of Body
Language in Communication
Understanding Nonverbal Cues and Their Impact on
Interaction
Presented by : Keshav (2K22/SE/91)
Introduction to Kinesics
01
02
What is Kinesics?
• kinesics comes from the root word
kinesis, which means “movement,”
and refers to the study of hand,
arm, body, and face movements
• It explores how body movements
can communicate emotions,
attitudes, and intentions without
words.
Why Kinesics Matters:
• Nonverbal cues account for a large
part of communication and
influence how messages are
perceived.
• Effective use and interpretation of
kinesics can improve personal
interactions, business
communication, and cross-cultural
understanding.
Kinesics
It involves the usage of :
• Gestures
⚬ Adaptors
⚬ Emblems
⚬ Illustrators
• Head Movements
• Posture
• Eye Contact
• Facial Expressions
Kinesics can reinforce, contradict, or
substitute for verbal messages in
interactions. It forms a major part of
our daily conversations
Types of Gestures in Kinesics
01
• Definition: Adaptors are
subconscious movements, often
performed to relieve tension or
stress.
• Examples: Pen clicking, foot
tapping, and adjusting clothing.
Adaptors 02
03
• Definition: Emblems are gestures
with clear, understood meanings
that can replace words.
• Examples: Thumbs-up for “good
job,” a wave for “hello” or
“goodbye.”
Emblems
• Definition: Illustrators are
gestures that accompany speech
to clarify or emphasize the
spoken message.
• Examples: Hand gestures
showing size, nodding while
explaining, or mimicking an
action being described.
Illustrators
Head Movements
Head Movements:
• Nodding: Often shows agreement,
understanding, or encouragement.
• Head Shaking: Indicates
disagreement, confusion, or
disapproval.
• Tilting the Head: Shows curiosity or
attentiveness, often indicating
interest in the conversation.
Posture:
• Open Posture: Indicates confidence
and willingness to engage, often
seen in relaxed shoulders and an
upright stance.
• Closed Posture: Crossing arms or
turning slightly away can indicate
defensiveness or discomfort.
• Leaning: Leaning forward can show
interest or eagerness, while leaning
back might signal relaxation or, in
some cases, disinterest.
Posture
Eye Contact
Eye contact is crucial in conveying focus,
attention, and interest, as well as
establishing connection.
Eye contact norms vary across cultures—
prolonged eye contact may be respectful
in some cultures, while in others it can be
seen as impolite.
Types and Meanings of Eye Contact:
• Direct Eye Contact: Shows
engagement and attentiveness; also
implies confidence.
• Breaking Eye Contact: May indicate
discomfort, submission, or distraction.
• Gaze Patterns: Shifts in gaze can
signal readiness to listen or respond,
reflecting an individual’s role in the
interaction.
Facial Expressions
Universal Facial Expressions:
• Happiness: Smiling, relaxed eyes;
universally signals friendliness or positivity.
• Sadness: Downturned mouth, slightly
closed eyes; suggests disappointment or
empathy.
• Anger: Furrowed brows, tightened mouth;
communicates frustration or displeasure.
• Surprise: Raised eyebrows, wide eyes, open
mouth; reflects shock or amazement.
Why Facial Expressions Matter:
• Facial expressions add emotional depth to
interactions and are powerful indicators of
sincerity or empathy.
• Recognizing subtle facial changes can help
in decoding emotions and responding
appropriately.
Conclusion
• Other than words, nonverbal communication involves
body language, gestures, appearance, and silence.
• Kinesics refers to the use of body parts, such as hands,
arms, body, and face movements, in communicating
ideas or emotions.
• Improving relationships by understanding the unspoken
messages in everyday interactions.
• Valuable in professional settings for effective
presentations, negotiation, and leadership.
Applications
Bibliography
• “Nonverbal Communication”, chapter 4 from the book A
Primer on Communication Studies (index.html (v. 1.0).
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinesics
• https://www.zellalife.com/blog/kinesics-the-art-of-body-
language/
• https://open.lib.umn.edu/communication/chapter/4-2-types-
of-nonverbal-communication/
Thank

Kinesics.pptx non verbal communication presentation

  • 1.
    Kinesics: The Studyof Body Language in Communication Understanding Nonverbal Cues and Their Impact on Interaction Presented by : Keshav (2K22/SE/91)
  • 2.
    Introduction to Kinesics 01 02 Whatis Kinesics? • kinesics comes from the root word kinesis, which means “movement,” and refers to the study of hand, arm, body, and face movements • It explores how body movements can communicate emotions, attitudes, and intentions without words. Why Kinesics Matters: • Nonverbal cues account for a large part of communication and influence how messages are perceived. • Effective use and interpretation of kinesics can improve personal interactions, business communication, and cross-cultural understanding.
  • 3.
    Kinesics It involves theusage of : • Gestures ⚬ Adaptors ⚬ Emblems ⚬ Illustrators • Head Movements • Posture • Eye Contact • Facial Expressions Kinesics can reinforce, contradict, or substitute for verbal messages in interactions. It forms a major part of our daily conversations
  • 4.
    Types of Gesturesin Kinesics 01 • Definition: Adaptors are subconscious movements, often performed to relieve tension or stress. • Examples: Pen clicking, foot tapping, and adjusting clothing. Adaptors 02 03 • Definition: Emblems are gestures with clear, understood meanings that can replace words. • Examples: Thumbs-up for “good job,” a wave for “hello” or “goodbye.” Emblems • Definition: Illustrators are gestures that accompany speech to clarify or emphasize the spoken message. • Examples: Hand gestures showing size, nodding while explaining, or mimicking an action being described. Illustrators
  • 5.
    Head Movements Head Movements: •Nodding: Often shows agreement, understanding, or encouragement. • Head Shaking: Indicates disagreement, confusion, or disapproval. • Tilting the Head: Shows curiosity or attentiveness, often indicating interest in the conversation.
  • 6.
    Posture: • Open Posture:Indicates confidence and willingness to engage, often seen in relaxed shoulders and an upright stance. • Closed Posture: Crossing arms or turning slightly away can indicate defensiveness or discomfort. • Leaning: Leaning forward can show interest or eagerness, while leaning back might signal relaxation or, in some cases, disinterest. Posture
  • 7.
    Eye Contact Eye contactis crucial in conveying focus, attention, and interest, as well as establishing connection. Eye contact norms vary across cultures— prolonged eye contact may be respectful in some cultures, while in others it can be seen as impolite. Types and Meanings of Eye Contact: • Direct Eye Contact: Shows engagement and attentiveness; also implies confidence. • Breaking Eye Contact: May indicate discomfort, submission, or distraction. • Gaze Patterns: Shifts in gaze can signal readiness to listen or respond, reflecting an individual’s role in the interaction.
  • 8.
    Facial Expressions Universal FacialExpressions: • Happiness: Smiling, relaxed eyes; universally signals friendliness or positivity. • Sadness: Downturned mouth, slightly closed eyes; suggests disappointment or empathy. • Anger: Furrowed brows, tightened mouth; communicates frustration or displeasure. • Surprise: Raised eyebrows, wide eyes, open mouth; reflects shock or amazement. Why Facial Expressions Matter: • Facial expressions add emotional depth to interactions and are powerful indicators of sincerity or empathy. • Recognizing subtle facial changes can help in decoding emotions and responding appropriately.
  • 9.
    Conclusion • Other thanwords, nonverbal communication involves body language, gestures, appearance, and silence. • Kinesics refers to the use of body parts, such as hands, arms, body, and face movements, in communicating ideas or emotions. • Improving relationships by understanding the unspoken messages in everyday interactions. • Valuable in professional settings for effective presentations, negotiation, and leadership. Applications
  • 10.
    Bibliography • “Nonverbal Communication”,chapter 4 from the book A Primer on Communication Studies (index.html (v. 1.0). • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinesics • https://www.zellalife.com/blog/kinesics-the-art-of-body- language/ • https://open.lib.umn.edu/communication/chapter/4-2-types- of-nonverbal-communication/
  • 11.