Kinesics
By Tan Wei Heng, Toh Wei Chuan,
Khor Yuk Liang, Ch'ng Liyang William
The degree to which we move our arms is a significant and accurate indicator of our attitudes and sentiments. These movements can range from subdued restrained and constricted to exuberant (unrestrained and expansive).
When we are happy and content, our arms move freely, even joyfully. Watch children at play, their arms move effortlessly while they interact. You will see them pointing, gesticulating, holding, lifting, hugging, and waving. These gravity-related behaviours communicate emotions.
Significant Nonverbal Behaviours Involving The Arms
Gravity-Related Arm Movements
Arm Withdrawal
When we are upset or fearful, we withdraw our arms. In fact, when we are injured, threatened, abused, or worried, our arms come straight to our sides or they close across our chests.
Take for instance, the mother who is worried about her son while he is playing with rougher children. She will often cross her arms and fold them across her abdomen. She wants to intervene but stands aside and restrains herself by holding her arms, hoping the play proceeds without injury.
Restriction of Arm Movement
A customs inspector in Yuma, Arizona, told me that one of the things he noticed at the border was how people carried their handbags and purses when they came into the country. A person who was worried about the contents of her handbag—whether because of their value or their illegality—tended to hold on to the bag tighter, especially as she neared the customs desk. Not only do important items tend to be better protected with the arms, but also those things we do not want noticed.
Arm Cues that Isolate
Certain arm behaviours relay the message, “Don’t come close to me; don’t touch!” For instance, watch some university professors, doctors, or lawyers as they walk down a hallway, or for that matter, look at the Queen of England or her husband, Prince Philip. When people place their arms behind their backs, first they are saying, “I am of higher status.” Second, they are transmitting, “Please don’t come near me; I am not to be touched.”
This behaviour is often misunderstood as merely a pensive or thinking pose, but unless seen in someone studying a painting at a museum, for example, it is not.
Hooding Effect
Another territorial display can often be seen during business meetings and other seated social encounters when a person leans back and interlaces his hands behind his head.
This behaviour is reminiscent of the way in which a cobra “hoods” to alert other animals of his dominance and power.
This hooding effect makes us larger than life and tells others, “I am in charge here.”
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
