Category: Authoritative body language

Authoritative body language, Confident body language, Elective nonverbal traits, Eye Language

Eye Glasses Body Language

by Chris • October 21, 2014 • 0 Comments

Eye Glasses Body Language

Cue: Eye Glasses Language

Synonym(s): Glasses Body Language.

Description: When eye glasses are worn people perceive them based on pre-conceived notions.

In One Sentence: Wearing eye glasses signals intelligence generally, however, depending on eye glass style can signal other traits including high fashion, nerdiness, sex appeal and so forth.

How To Use it: Use eye glasses when it’s important to be taken seriously. Teachers, students trying to impress teachers, and any other person trying to appear smart, can benefit by the stereotype that eyeglass wearing entails.

Eye glasses make welcome additions on job interviews for desk jobs, but might be seen as a hindrance where free thinking is less valuable. In the wrong circles, for example, nerdiness can result in shame and embarrassment.

One might therefore choose eye glasses on occasions when they are most appropriate based on the context.

Research has shown that thicker eye frames tend to boost intelligence perceptions the most. Thinner and fashionable glasses can, however, boost attractiveness.

Context: General.

Verbal Translation: “I’m wearing glasses because I need them (or don’t) and you think they make me look intelligent.”

Variant: See Peering Over Glasses and Sunglasses Body Language.

Cue In Action: a) To appear more studious, he put on his glasses as he presented to the audience. b) To appear more intelligent and studious and less of a seductress, Jodi Arias wore glasses during her murder trial.

Meaning and/or Motivation: Eyeglasses carry many stereotypic nonverbal messages, most of which are positive. Researchers have found that subject’s rate wearers of glasses are more intelligent, knowledgeable and studious. In fact, glasses are attributed with an increase in IQ.

Interestingly, however, is that eyeglasses can also decrease ratings of social quotients. This is especially the case when people’s other nonverbal communication doesn’t back up their perceived intelligence. Thus, glasses alone, with nothing to back them up, results in a negative image and impression – “nerdiness.”

The heavier the frame, the more people reported intelligent descriptors to the wearer. Thin frames make people appear less authoritative but more accessible. Frames that are decorative are associated with artistic or creative types.

In contrast, when women wear glasses with provocative attire they conjure images of naughty librarians. Thus, glasses can carry multiple meanings. However when such external cues are absent, women also benefit from the intelligence stereotype as well as being perceived as self-assured and outgoing.

Cue Cluster: Eye glass language can be accompanied by many cues and they will help define its meaning.

Body Language Category: Authoritative body language, Confident body language, Elective nonverbal traits, Eye Language.

Resources:

Baron-Cohen, S., Wheelwright, S., & Jolliffe, T. (1997). Is there a ‘‘language of the eyes’’? Evidence from normal adults, and adults with autism or Asperger syndrome. Visual Cognition, 4, 311–331.

Botz-bornstein, Thorsten.. Veils and sunglasses. Journal of Aesthetics & Culture. 2013. Vol.5(0).

Borkenau, P. (1991). Evidence of a correlation between wearing glasses and personality. Personality and Individual Differences, 12, 1125-1128. doi:10.1016/0191-8869(91)90074-L

Cheng-Hung Lo; Chao-Yang Yang; Po-Tsang Lin; Kuo-Jung Hsieh: Ying-Chieh Liu and Wen-Ko Chiou. Are Human Faces More Attractive With Glasses?, Journal of the Chinese Institute of Industrial Engineers. 2012. 29(2): 125-135, DOI:10.1080/10170669.2012.662917
http://bodylanguageproject.com/articles/body-language-glasses-faces-attractive-glasses-glasses-say

Edwards, K. (1987). Effects of sex and glasses on attitudes toward intelligence and attractiveness. Psychological Reports, 60, 590.

Harris, M. B., Harris, R. J., & Bochner, S. (1982). Fat, four-eyed, and female: Stereotypes of obesity, glasses, and gender. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 12, 503-516. doi:10.1111/j.1559-1816.1982. tb00882.x

Harris, M.B. (1991). Sex differences in stereotypes of spectacles. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 21, 1659–1680. doi 10.1111/j.1559-1816.1991.tb00497.x

Hasart, J. K.,&Hutchinson, K. L. (1993). The effects of eyeglasses on perceptions of interpersonal-attraction. Journal of Social Behavior and Personality, 8, 521–528.

Hellström, A., & Tekle, J. (1994). Person perception through facial photographs: Effects of glasses, hair, and beard on judgments of occupation and personal qualities. European Journal of Social Psychology, 24, 693–705. doi 10.1002/ejsp.2420240606

Haith, M. M., Bergman, T., & Moore, M. J. (1979). Eye contact and face scanning in early infancy. Science, 198, 853–855.

Hockley, William ; Hemsworth, David ; Consoli, Angela. Shades of the mirror effect: Recognition of faces with and without sunglasses. Memory & Cognition. 1999. 27(1): 128-138.

Keiierman, Joan M. and James D. Laird. The Effect of Appearance on Self Perception. Journal of Personality. 1982; 50: 3.
http://bodylanguageproject.com/articles/eye-glasses-body-language-brief-summary/

Lundberg, J. K., & Sheehan, E. P. (1994). The effects of glasses and weight on perceptions of attractiveness and intelligence. Journal of Social Behavior and Personality, 9, 753–760.

Leder, Helmut ; Forster, Michael ; Gerger, Gernot. The Glasses Stereotype Revisited: Effects of Eyeglasses on Perception, Recognition, and Impression of Faces. Swiss Journal of Psychology. 2011. 70(4): 211-222.

McKelvie, S. J. (1995). Emotional expression in upside-down faces: Evidence for configurational and componential processing. The British Journal of Social Psychology, 34, 325–334.

Marzoli, Daniele ; Custodero, Mariagrazia ; Pagliara, Alessandra ; Tommasi, Luca. Sun-induced frowning fosters aggressive feelings. Cognition & Emotion. 2013. 27(8): 1513-1521.

Rhodes, G., Brake, S., & Atkinson, A. P. (1993). What’s lost in inverted faces? Cognition, 47, 25–57.

Roberson, Debi ; Kikutani, Mariko ; Doge, Paula ; Whitaker, Lydia ; Majid, Asifa. Shades of Emotion: What the Addition of Sunglasses or Masks to Faces Reveals about the Development of Facial Expression Processing. Cognition. 2012. 125(2): 195-206.

Senju, A., & Johnson, M. H. (2009). The eye contact effect: Mechanisms and development. Trends in Cognitive Science, 13, 127–134.

Schwarzer, G. (2000). Development of face processing: The effect of face inversion. Child Development, 71, 391–401.

Terry, R. L. (1993). How wearing eyeglasses affects facial recognition. Current Psychology, 12, 151–162. doi 10.1007/ BF02686820

Tanaka, J. W., & Farah, M. J. (1993). Parts and wholes in face. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 46, 969–993.

Tanaka, J. W., Kay, J. B., Grinnell, E., Stansfield, B., & Szechter, L. (1998). Face recognition in young children: When the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Visual Cognition, 5, 479–496.

Terry,R. L.,&Hall, C. A. (1989). Affective responses to eyeglasses: Evidence of a sex difference. Journal of American Optometrist Association, 60, 609–611.

Terry, R. L., & Kroger, D.L. (1976). Effects of eye correctives on ratings of attractiveness. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 42, 562. doi 10.2466/PMS.42.2.562

Appease, Arrogance or arrogant body language, Authoritative body language, Body size reduction, Closed body language, Courtship display, Defensive body language, Disengagement body language, Dislike (nonverbal), Distancing or moving away, Embarrassment (nonverbal), Escape movements, Eye Language, Fearful body language, Indicator Of Sexual Interest (IOsI), Negative body language, Nervous Body Language, Nonthreatening body language, Power play, Readiness to submit postures, Rejection body language, Shy nonverbal, Submissive body language

Body Language of Eye Aversion, Gaze Avoidance and Wandering Eyes

by Chris • October 21, 2014 • 0 Comments

Body Language of Eye Aversion, Gaze Avoidance and Wandering Eyes

Cue: Eye Aversion and Wandering Eyes

Synonym(s): Eye Avoidance, Eye Withdrawal, Gaze Avoidance, Averting Eyes, Roving Eyes.

Description: When eyes avoid making contact with other eyes on purpose.

In One Sentence: Avoiding eye contact signals that a person wants to avoid being called upon or that they want to create an air of superiority.

How To Use it: Eye contact can be powerful especially when it is avoided. You can show your disdain for someone by simply ignoring their presence on purpose. Likewise, avoiding eye contact can have the effect of making you disappear as well. For example, if you want to avoid being called upon by the teacher or your boss, simply avert your eyes. This tells them that you’re not prepared to interact with them and nonverbally suggests that they move along and pick on someone else.

In a dating context, women should avoid eye contact with potential suitors they do not find agreeable. Even a small amount of eye contact can be seen to be an invitation to solicit especially when combined with a smile. Thus, if possible, keep eyes only for the types of men you wish would approach. This isn’t to say, however, that women should be unfriendly, but women should realize that with friendliness, comes the responsibility of having to acknowledge and interact. If you (accidentally) make eye contact, follow through with a polite verbal decline. Here is an example: “Hi, I’m sorry, I have to leave, I’m supposed to meet with someone.”

Context: General.

Verbal Translation: a) “I don’t want to cause any more problems for myself so I’m going to avoid making eye contact with other more dominant people so I don’t draw attention and provoke people into attacking.” b) “I’m superior to you and so I’m withdrawing my eye contact and affection, and pretending you are an object not worthy of my attention or acknowledgment.”

Variant: Many other variants in eye language exist. See Eye Language category.

Cue In Action: a) The pupil didn’t want to draw any more attention to himself after throwing the paper air plane so he ducked his head down and averted his eyes in shame. His teacher knew that he was embarrassed for what he had done so she went easier on him. b) They went to bed angry at each other and instead of talking it out the next morning; they avoided each other – pretending that they didn’t exist. c) The seducer had eyes for her, but she wasn’t game. Instead of acknowledging him, she chose to avert her eyes by looking at the ground instead.

Meaning and/or Motivation: The general meaning of eyes avoiding is to show submission or discomfort. Averting the eyes has two primary purposes. One is to avoid conflict and other to power play. Eye avoidance might mean defensiveness, submission, defeat, or negative feelings. It may be done to tease and allure.

People who avert their eyes might also do so because of uncomfortable feelings such as sadness, shame or embarrassment.

Eye aversion is used to prevent others from resorting to an attack response and prevents others from seeing us as a threat. Subordinates commonly avoid eye contact with dominant individuals to indicate submission and respect. Eyes might wander to avoid being reprimanded. Eyes that avoid can serve to “flee” from an encounter, a protective response, as a person subconsciously tries to make distance between himself and his aggressor.

This is the case even if an argument is minor – the eyes will withdraw first showing that a person does not wish to pursue the debate. Eyes can also avoid eye contact thus demonstrating submission. For example, a pupil will look away from his teacher to avoid reprimand. As such, avoidant eyes can be used to reduce conflict, and at the same time, search for possible escape routes to vacate the threat.

Alternatively, eyes can show other people that they aren’t worthy of being acknowledged. We see this when people act passive aggressive. They will avoid eye contact with another person at all costs. When women walk down the street, they will purposely avoid eye contact with men so as to avoid initiating conversation, and their nonverbal message says “I don’t see you as a person worthy of my gaze, so don’t bother me.”

Other times eye contact withdrawal is a way to tease and play such as the peek-a-boo game where the absence of eye contact is part of the allure and so is a signal of interest.

Cue Cluster: When eye aversion is linked to negative thoughts it will be coupled with head dropping, shoulders turned inward and down, cowering, slouching, arm withdrawal and other protective and shrinking body language

During a power play we will see signs of both dominance and apathy. For example, a person might ignore personal space by brushing up against the other person or bumping into them, orient their bodies away, talk over or around them. Likewise, they may purposely show affection to someone else thereby creating discomfort in another.

Body Language Category: Appease, Arrogance or arrogant body language, Anger, Authoritative body language, Body size reduction, Courtship displays, Closed body language, Defensive, Disengagement, Dislike (nonverbal), Distancing or moving away, Embarrassment (nonverbal), Escape movements, Eye Language, Fearful body language, Indicators of sexual interest (IOsI), Nervous body language, Negative body language, Nonthreatening body language, Power play, Rejection body language, Readiness to submit postures, Shy nonverbal, Submissive body language.

Resources:

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Ellsworth, Phoebe; Carlsmith, J Merrill. 1973. Eye contact and gaze aversion in an aggressive encounter. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 28(2): 280-292.

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Gregersen, Tammy S. Nonverbal Cues: Clues to the Detection of Foreign Language Anxiety. Foreign Language Annals. 2005. 38(3): 388-400
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Arrogance or arrogant body language, Authoritative body language, Closed body language, Comfort body language, Confident body language, Dominant body language, Nonthreatening body language

Body Language of The European Leg Cross

by Chris • October 21, 2014 • 0 Comments

Body Language of The European Leg Cross

Cue: European Leg Cross

Synonym(s): Knee-Knee Leg Cross.

Description: A sitting position where the leg is crossed neatly over the other in a longitudinal fashion.

In One Sentence: The European leg cross is a sign that a person is in control of themselves and wishes for others to see him or her as sophisticated and proper.

How To Use it: Men should use the European leg cross when they wish to show others that they are well mannered. It falls in direct contrast to spreading the legs which is overt and dominant. Keeping the legs together shows others that you wish to be careful about being offensive. Therefore, use the leg cross during business context, in academic circles, and amongst friends and relatives. The leg cross shows others that you do not wish to be offensive or vie for power and dominance.

Women are best advised to use this sitting posture most of the time, especially when wearing dresses or skirts as it produces an element of chasteness. This posture falls in direct contrast to having the legs wide open. In recent times, women have been permitted to carry more masculine postures including legs spread, however, women of sexual maturity should cross their legs one over the other to appear more feminine, in control, and to create and protect their social sexual value by keeping it out of the public view.

Weddings, which is becoming one rare time when women dress up, is proving to be particularly troublesome for women as it related to the leg cross posture. Not being accustomed to crossing the legs and being in feminine attire including dresses and skirts, often leads to undergarment flashing. Women should be mindful of their attire with respect to their posture and how they will be perceived by others. While not all women seek to be treated lady-like, if they do, they should use lady-like comportment.

Context: General.

Verbal Translation: “By crossing my legs neatly together I’m showing everyone that I’m proper, controlled and cerebral.”

Variant: See Leg Crossing and Leg Crossing Direction, Loving Circle Leg Cross.

Cue In Action: At the meeting of scholars, the professor neatly crossed his legs while addressing a large crowd.

Meaning and/or Motivation: The European leg cross is the most common seating position in European, Asian and British cultures. It signifies dignity, intelligence, and desire to be proper. This is the case for both men and women. It contrasts directly with legs spread or the Figure-Four Leg Cross which is more dominant and overt since it puts the crotch on display.

Women will often be seen in the European leg cross as the absence of a penis makes it more comfortable, but men who wish to show superiority will also sit in this fashion to be more proper. Women in skirts are almost forced to sit in the European leg cross to prevent others from seeing up their skirts but will also reveal additional thigh creating a degree of sexual appeal. Men residing in the West commonly sit in the figure four postures where the ankle rests on the opposite knee. This is a more dominant and authoritative due to the crotch display.

Cue Cluster: The European leg cross is often coupled with leaning back and being slightly more detached, rather than wanting and leaning forward. This is usually controlled gesticulation, a calm demeanor, stern and less animated facial expressions.

Body Language Category: Arrogance or arrogant body language, Authoritative body language, Comfort body language, Confident, Dominant body language, Nonthreatening body language, Closed body language.

Resources:

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Allen, Jill; Sarah J. Gervais and Jessi L. Smith. Sit Big to Eat Big: The Interaction of Body Posture and Body Concern on Restrained Eating. Psychology of Women Quarterly 2013. 37(3): 325-336. DOI: 10.1177/0361684313476477pwq.sagepub.com
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Lee, E. H., & Schnall, S. (2014). The influence of social power on weight perception. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 143, 1719–1725.

Mehrabian, A., Friar, J., 1969. Encoding of attitude by a seated communicator via posture and position cues. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 33: 330–336.

Mehrabian, Albert Deese, James (editor). Significance of posture and position in the communication of attitude and status relationships. Psychological Bulletin. 1969. 71(5): 359-372

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Authoritative body language, Confident body language, Dominant body language, Expansive movements, Gravity defying body language, High confidence body language, Leadership body language, Up nonverbals

Body Language of Erect Posture or Good Posture

by Chris • October 21, 2014 • 0 Comments

Body Language of Erect Posture or Good Posture

Cue: Erect Posture or Good Posture.

Synonym(s): Postural Tonus, Good Posture, High Stand Display.

Description: Good posture happens when the joints are not bent, the spine is aligned and not twisted and the person is able to optimally balance the mass of the body over its framework without stress.

In One Sentence: Good posture signifies health, confidence, pride, dominance and a body that is in control of itself.

How To Use it: Use good posture to tell others that life is treating you well and that you have conquered past hardships without letting it weigh you down. Good posture should be a default body position as it works to your advantage in nearly every situation. However, in some cases, you may wish to use bad posture such as when trying to convince others to provide you with sympathy. In this case, being slumped over is likely to best provide that kind of support.

Therefore, use good posture when trying to appear authoritative such as when trying to rise in the ranks in employment, in view of a dating partner to show virility, and amongst friends to show them you are in good spirits.

Context: General.

Verbal Translation: “Because life has treated me well I hold an erect posture full of confidence and pride.”

Variant: See Cocooning, Shoulder Shrugs or Shoulder Rise, Asymmetry, Bad Posture.

Cue In Action: Mark carried his body with pride. His shoulders were back and chest held high. You just knew looking at him that he would never let life dictate how he felt about himself and he would overcome any obstacle in his way on his way to success.

Meaning and/or Motivation: A gravity defying body posture where the head is raised, legs locked and back stiffened in order to appear taller with high vigor.

It signifies a desire to appear more dominant, authoritative, and in control.

Posture is a term derived from the Latin verb “ponere” meaning “to put in place” and refers to the way the body is held including the arms, legs and spine. Posture refers not only to the erectness of our bodies, but also to our body orientation, direction of lean, and the degree to which our bodies are open and inviting.

Posture tells us a lot about a person and their history and feelings about themselves and how they feel about others. For example, shoulders hunched carries negative sentiments whereas shoulders back mean confidence. Posture can give way to feelings of like or dislike, interest or disinterest as well as many other sentiments.

Postural tonus is a term referring to the relative rigidity and erectness of the body and its overall posture. A “slopper” holds his shoulders rounded and head hanging downward proving to be depressed, drowsy or ill. Whereas “the scout” carries himself fully erect with shoulders back and head held high depicting confidence and good spirit. Having an erect posture is a sign of high confidence, strength and vigor. People with erect postures are seen as leaders, content and positive. Erect posture contrasts a slouched or limp posture.

Cue Cluster: Other positive cues are associated with an erect posture such as strong eye contact, good gesticulation, open body language such as arms uncrossed and legs open, as well as relaxed facial expressions.

Body Language Category: Authoritative body language, Confident body language, Dominant body language, Expansive movements, Gravity defying body language, High confidence body language, Leadership body language, Up nonverbals.

Resources:

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Riskind, J. H. (1984). They stoop to conquer: Guiding and selfregulatory functions of physical posture after success and failure. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 47, 479–493.

Riskind, J. H., & Gotay, C. C. (1982). Physical posture: Could it have regulatory or feedback effects on motivation and emotion? Motivation and Emotion, 6, 273–298.

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Strelan, P., Weick, M., & Vasiljevic, M. (2013). Power and revenge. British Journal of Social Psychology, 53, 521–540.

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Schubert, T. W. (2005). Your highness: Vertical positions as perceptual symbols of power. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 89, 1–21.

Schwartz, B., Tesser, A., & Powell, E. (1982). Dominance cues in nonverbal behavior. Social Psychology Quarterly, 45, 114–120.

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*No Photo, Aggressive body language, Arrogance or arrogant body language, Authoritative body language, Confident body language, Dominant body language, Enthusiasm (nonverbal), High confidence hand displays, Intimate touching, Leadership body language, Palm power, Power play, Social touching

Body Language of Double Gripper Politician Handshake

by Chris • October 20, 2014 • 0 Comments

Body Language of Double Gripper Politician Handshake

Cue: Double Gripper Politician Handshake

Synonym(s): Double Hander Handshake, Two Handed Handshake.

Description: A regular handshake except both hands are used to sandwich the other person’s hand.

In One Sentence: The double gripper handshake tells others that you wish to form an intimate business relationship.

How To Use it: Use the double gripper handshake to build and maintain a strong business or political relationship. The handshake is best used between two high ranking officials, or between one high ranking official and a person he wishes to form a partnership with. When done correctly, the handshake can create warm feelings in the lower ranking person.

Context: Business, General.

Verbal Translation: “I like you a lot, let me wrap your hands up with mine in a hand embrace and show you how much I think we should do business together.”

Variant: See Country Handshake (The), Cold Dead Wet Fish Handshake, Double Gripper Politician Handshake or Double Hander (The), Short Grabber/Finger Grabber Handshake, Oddball Handshake, Palm Up, Palm Down and Palm Even Handshakes, Stiff Arm And Thrust Forward Handshake, Death Grip Handshake, Wrench Forward Handshake, Undershaker Handshake, Wrist Hold Handshake, Wrist Hold Handshake and Upper Arm Grip Handshake, Limp Fish Handshake, Teacup Handshake, Arm Twister Handshake (The), Firm handshake, Fist Bumping.

Cue In Action: a) When the politician met the business man, he used the double gripper politician handshake to show him how much support he was prepared to offer his business venture if he was elected. b) The junior associate shook hands with the boss, whom he felt close with, but the feeling, he discovered, was not mutual. When the junior worker enveloped the hands of the boss in a double handshake, his boss pulled away and grimaced. The junior member felt they had developed a connection through their golf outing.

Meaning and/or Motivation: It is an intimate handshake but in the wrong company can be taken as insincere and create negative feelings. The person doing the double hander is the top-dog and is acting superior to the single hander so this handshake should be reserved for people who are of equal or lower status.

Cue Cluster: Someone who is willing to perform the double gripper politician handshake is likely one that is boisterous and outgoing, they may use touch a lot to dominate others, they might come in closer than usual, and invite people into their personal space, they might strive for attention through dramatics stories, loud laughter, and plenty of gesticulation.

Body Language Category: Arrogance or arrogant body language, Aggressive body language, Authoritative body language, Confident body language, Dominant body language, Enthusiasm (nonverbal), High confidence hand displays, Intimate touching, Leadership body language, Palm power, Power play, Social touching.

Resources:

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Chaplin William F.; Phillips Jeffrey B; Brown Jonathan D.; Clanton Nancy R.; Stein Jennifer L.; 2000. Handshaking, gender, personality, and first impressions Journal of personality and social psychology. 79(1): 110-117.

Dolcos, Sanda ; Sung, Keen ; Argo, Jennifer J ; Flor-Henry, Sophie ; Dolcos, Florin. The power of a handshake: neural correlates of evaluative judgments in observed social interactions. Journal of cognitive neuroscience. 2012 24(12): 2292-305.

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Authoritative body language, Crotch display, Dominant body language, Leadership body language, Relaxed body language

Body Language of The Dominant Stance

by Chris • October 20, 2014 • 0 Comments

Body Language of The Dominant Stance

Cue: Dominant Stance (The)

Synonym(s): N/A

Description: A stance where the feet lie flat on the ground, weight is across both feet, the arms are placed to the side rather than in pockets and hands do not prop up against a wall or table. The hips are forced forward slight, with the legs just wider than shoulder width.

In One Sentence: Standing with the feet even and stable shows others that one is in control of one’s body and prepared to stand one’s ground.

How To Use it: Use the dominant stance to show other that you are ready for action and also ready to stand your ground. A wide base shows others that you are confident. The cue is useful in many situations so as when pitching ideas in business, or for men, in dating, when trying to seduce. Those in charge of groups of people including various leaders should use a dominant stance nearly all of the time. This will help them gain and hold authority.

Context: General

Verbal Translation: “I’m right here, proud and confident. I don’t need to lean against anything and I can stand alone. I’ve got my feet firmly planted on the ground and my legs are wide enough to ‘show off my junk’ (genitals) and form a wide base.”

Variant: Related to Arms Akimbo, Cowboy Pose Stance, Broadside Display or Chest Protrusion.

Cue In Action: While presenting to the audience, Dave commanded respect by taking up lots of room and using his arms freely. When he wasn’t on the stage, he often stood at ease with his legs apart, flat and even across his feet. He appeared to be confident and in control.

Meaning and/or Motivation: The dominant stance is one that depicts confidence and authority.

Cue Cluster: The dominant stance can be coupled with expansive movements such as arms gesticulating, arms over the back of a chair, or out and relaxed, shoulders up and back, head held high, arms out and relaxed, legs apart. The greater the area the body takes up, the more dominant the body language.

Body Language Category: Authoritative body language, Crotch display, Dominant body language, Leadership body language, Relaxed body language.

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