Body Language is a significant aspect of modern communications and relationships. It is very relevant to management and leadership, and to all aspects of work and business where communications can be seen and physically observed among people. It is also relevant in families and parenting.
Communication includes listening. In terms of observable body language, non-verbal (non-spoken) signals are being exchanged whether these signals are accompanied by spoken words or not.
Body language goes both ways:
The sending and receiving of body language signals happens on conscious and unconscious levels.
Body language, and more technically the study of body language, is also known as kinesics (pronounced ‘kineesicks’), which is derived from the Greek word kinesis, meaning motion.
Which are the six universal expressions?
It is now generally accepted that certain basic facial expressions of human emotion are recognized around the world – and that the use and recognition of these expressions is genetically inherited rather than socially conditioned or learned.
These emotional face expressions are:
