Most Important Aspects of Body Language

Body language is a very important and often overlooked aspect of communication. Body language is a form of communication by means of the movements and/or attitudes of the body. We as humans are always speaking whether or not you are speaking verbally. From a smile, to crossing your arms, to fidgeting, we are always communicating. The most important aspects of body language are voice, gestures, and posture. The tone of voice is a key aspect to how what is being said is interpreted. The gestures we make say a lot about what we are feeling. Posture also provides clues to express how we are feeling.

Our voices can say a lot about what we say and what we are feeling. According to The Nonverbal Dictionary of Gestures, Signs and Body Language Cues “Tone of voice reflects psychological arousal, emotion, and mood. It may also carry social information, as in a sarcastic, superior, or submissive manner of speaking” (Givens) Tone of voice is a major factor in how what is said is interpreted. People who speak with high pitched voices leave the notion of deficient poise and anxiety. People who speak with low pitched voices leave the notion of self-assurance and composure.

The gestures we make when and when not speaking also say a lot about how we feel. Folding your arms is a common gesture people make quite often. As stated in an article in “Women in Business” “We've all heard explanations about what certain gestures mean - folding arms across your chest indicates a closed, defensive attitude.”(Booher 36-40) We also fold our arms to relieve nervousness and stress. Gestures are often misunderstood for their true meaning. Many people also regularly fold their arms simply because it creates a comforting position for relaxing their arms, not because they are nervous or defensive. Therefore, it is an easier task to construe people’s gestures when more is known about their personalities. “To interpret nonverbal language accurately, pay attention to individuals’ personalities and habits.” (Booher 36-40) The more that that is known about someone the better you can decipher their gestures.

Like it or not, posture says a lot about you too. Posture is another way we communicate how we feel and our mood. It can be easily assumed that those who sit slumped in their chair while resting their head on their hand is inattentive and most likely tired. According to The Nonverbal Dictionary of Gestures, Signs and Body Language Cues there are four kinds of postural categories each with their own meanings. “An early experimental