Kinesics
By Tan Wei Heng, Toh Wei Chuan,
Khor Yuk Liang, Ch'ng Liyang William
Introduction
As suggested by Mae West, our facial expressions and body gestures combine to form a language, while our words form another. People are constantly sending off tons of signals. These signals may convey non-verbal messages through the sender's body language.
As suggested by Mae West, our facial expressions and body gestures combine to form a language, while our words form another. People are constantly sending off tons of signals. These signals may convey non-verbal messages through the sender's body language
Neurological Aspect
In 1996, Italian researchers
Giacomo Rizzolatti and Vittorio Gallese
identified a previously undiscovered brain cell caled "mirror neurons".
It was a type of motor neuron, a nerve cell that controlls muscles. Interestingly, the mirror neuron actually controls a lot of interpersonal functions.
Sometimes, it is also called the "monkey see, monkey do" neuron
These neurons not only activitates when we are performing an action, it also fires when we hear or see someone performing an action. It literally makes you "feel" that action.
For example, you sometimes flinch when you see someone get hit. This is your mirror neurons at work.
This neuron may be the key mechanism behind empathy.
We experience the effects of mirror neurons in our everyday life. When someone yawn, for some reason you will be "infected" and yawn. Just by hearing or seeing the word "yawn", it might cause you to yawn. This is probably caused by mirror neurons.
Researchers think that through the use of imitation and mimicry, it ca help increase the activity in the mirror system and strengthen the neural connections associated with empathy.
With practice, you can be a master the art of understanding body language.