Top 5 Functionalities of Non-verbal Body Language

Best Functionalities of Non-verbal Body Language.

here are some body language functionalities which makes you to understand about body language more clearly.

1. Affirms

This is where somebody’s body language confirms or emphasizes what they are saying. For example, if someone says they are bored, adding in a ‘sigh’ really shows or confirms that they are bored. More examples might be when someone talks about something exciting happening and they jump up and down or when they talk about something really funny and they grin or laugh out loud. Affirming non-verbals validates what they are saying as real. 

2. Contradict

Opposite of reinforcing or confirming a non-verbal is when somebody’s verbal statements and behaviors are in contradiction. For example, when someone says they are fine, but they are frowning or crying. More examples are when someone says they are happy, but they say it with a neutral face or when someone tease another person but smiles.

3. Substitution

Sometimes, someone may not say anything and communicate a lot through non-verbals. For example, they may be silent when you ask them how their day went. The silence is the non-verbal meaning to tell you that their day didn’t go so well, that they don’t really want to talk about it, or that something else is going on for them. Other examples are like non-verbal signs such as the thumps up, thumps down, or hand waving where you don’t really need to say anything and the message is clear.

4.  Complementing

This is sort of similar to ‘affirming non-verbals,’ but the difference is that they not only validate what someone says, but add another message on top of that. For example, when someone says they are upset about something and punches or slaps the table, they are saying that they are also really angry.

5. Accenting

This is sort of similar to ‘affirming non-verbals’ as well except it’s really used to reinforce or increase the intensity of an expressed emotion. For example, when little kids cry louder and louder to show that they are really upset or in pain.

Image source: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/484010

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