Body Language of Eye Rolling or Eye Shrug
Cue: Eye Rolling or Eye Shrug
Synonym(s): Eye Shrug, Shrugging The Eyes, Rolling The Eyes.
Description: This cue is done by rolling the eyes around in a semi-circle from bottom to top, or looking straight up.
In One Sentence: Rolling the eyes says disbelief, contempt, sarcasm and lack of respect.
How To Use it: Use eye rolling when you want to show others that you think that they are fools. When someone says something ridiculous, you can tell them your think their idea is weak or unconstructive or not very funny simply by rolling your eyes. When done between friends, eye rolling can be a shared joke, but when done when someone is trying to make a serious point, can be used to show contempt.
Often, eye rolling is directional, meaning that you can use it to offend someone in particular. When done out of their sight, others can pick up on the insult and you can build a case against them without using words. As such, use eye rolling to ridicule and make fun of others.
As a micro-expression, the gesture can be used to signal to others that you simply do not agree with what is being said and therefore, nonverbally express your disapproval.
Context: General.
Verbal Translation: “I can’t believe you just said that, you are a fool.”
Variant: See other Eye Language (category) for ways the eyes convey meaning.
Cue In Action: Dave suggested that instead of taking a romantic vacation in the sun, they hire a lodge and take a 5-day fishing expedition. Mary rolled her eyes.
Meaning and/or Motivation: It says disbelief, contempt, sarcasm, and a lack of respect. Sometimes eye rolls appear as micromessages and are barely visible. They exist, however, and are cues to underlying contempt, especially in a business or dating context.
Cue Cluster: Can be coupled with an audible sigh, followed by a look of contempt or eye avoidance. Eyes might also wander to the eyes of others seeking approval and verifying their views on what was suggested.
Body Language Category: Closed facial gestures, Dislike (nonverbal), Disinterest, Doubt or disbelief body language, Escape movements, Eye Language, Indicators of disinterest (IOD), Micromessaging, Negative body language, Rejection body language, Stubborn or stubbornness.
Resources:
Bjorkqvist, K., Osterrnan, K. and Lagerspetz, K.M.I. (1994) ‘Sex Differences in Covert
Aggression among Adults’, Aggressive Behaviour 20: 27–33.
Goodwin, Marjorie Harness ; Alim, H. Samy. “Whatever (Neck Roll, Eye Roll, Teeth Suck)”: The Situated Coproduction of Social Categories and Identities through Stancetaking and Transmodal Stylization. Journal of Linguistic Anthropology. 2010. 20(1): 179-194.
Hines, N.J. and Fry, D.P. (1994) ‘Indirect Modes of Aggression among Women of Buenos Aires, Argentina’, Sex Roles 30: 213–24.
LaFrance, M. (2002) ‘Smile Boycotts and other Body Politics’, Feminism & Psychology
12: 319–23.
Latvala, Charlotte. Stopping the back talk: if your child is dishing out the eye rolling and “what-evers,” here’s how to respond–for both your sakes.(good family: FROM KIDS TO MONEY, WHAT TO KNOW NOW). Good Housekeeping. 2009. 248(4): 99(3).
Lagerspetz, K.M.J., Bjorkqvist, K. and Peltonen, T. (1988) ‘Is Indirect Aggression Typical of Females? Gender Differences in Aggressiveness in 11- to 12-year-old Children’, Aggressive Behavior 14: 403–14.
Merten, D. E. (1997) ‘The Meaning of Meanness: Popularity, Competition, and Conflict
among Junior High School Girls’, Sociology of Education 40: 175–91.
Underwood, M. K.. Glares of Contempt, Eye Rolls of Disgust and Turning Away to Exclude: Non-Verbal Forms of Social Aggression among Girls. Feminism & Psychology. 2004 14(3): 371-375.
Navarro, Joe. 2008. What Every BODY is Saying: An Ex-FBI Agent’s Guide to Speed-Reading People. William Morrow Paperbacks.
Underwood, M. K.. Glares of Contempt, Eye Rolls of Disgust and Turning Away to Exclude: Non-Verbal Forms of Social Aggression among Girls. Feminism & Psychology. 2004 14(3): 371-375.