Category: Elective nonverbal traits

Amplifier, Courtship display, Elective nonverbal traits, Hostile body language

Body Language of Hair Length Language

by Chris • October 22, 2014 • 0 Comments

Body Language of Hair Length Language

Cue: Hair Length Language

Synonym(s): Long Hair, Short Hair, Shaved Head.

Description: The hidden meaning associated with the relative length of the hair.

In One Sentence: The length of a person’s hair indicates underlying emotions and beliefs.

How To Use it: Use the length of the hair to signal to others your underlying emotions and beliefs. For example, long hair signals youthfulness and is therefore often useful to women whom are trying to portray an image that includes sexual appeal. In young girls, it is useful in signaling femininity generally and helps to separate them from young boys whom are generally restricted to shorter more masculine hair.

All women, but particularly older ones can use hair extensions to create the illusion of youth and sexuality. A high quality weave or hair extensions produces thickness and usually comes from youthful sources so gives the impression of good health.

Men can also use hair length to demonstrate various attitudes. Long hair signals a carefree and easy going attitude, generally, and in highly attractive dominant looking men, long hair, signals a feminine beauty. Men do best with shorter hair which has historically been the default for men since it presents less of a functional hindrance and commands less grooming overall.

Men should drop long hairstyles when they suffer from male pattern baldness and avoid come-overs as they are universally seen in a negative light. A clean shaven head in men can be particularly attractive to women as it is a demonstration of confidence.

Whatever hair style you choose, know that it will help define who you are.

Context: General.

Verbal Translation: See Meaning and/or Motivation.

Variant: N/A

Cue In Action: a) She broke up with her long-term boyfriend and immediately cut off all her hair. She let her emotions dictate her hair length. She told the world that she was no longer in a dating mood and to prove that, she cut off her sexuality at the root. b) In his youth, he rocked it hard with long hair. It was just part of fitting into the band. As he got a job, a house and kids, his hair style evolved to be much shorter. He grew out of his carefree youth with more conventional hair length.

Meaning and/or Motivation: Men with short hair are often conservative whereas those with long hair are usually carefree, artistic, or radical. A shaved head can mean that he has succumb to male-pattern baldness and has chosen to shave it off or desires to appear tough and masculine.

Women with short hair are seen as artistic, business minded and sometimes harsh, hardheaded, emotional or radical. Long hair on women is associated with youth, sex appeal and good health, but aging women with extremely long hair can harbour insecurities or are trying to maintain their youthful appearance.

Short hair or a shaved head can also be an indicator disease such as cancer.

Cue Cluster: Hair length is only one cue to the hidden meaning of hair length. Be sure to couple this cue with adjoining cues in cluster to determine its true intent. A long-haired woman in her 20’s is probably using her hair to embellish her sex appeal, whereas another with short hair who is an activist is likely telling a story of strength over passivity.

Body Language Category: Amplifier, Courtship display, Elective nonverbal traits, Hostile body language.

Resources:

Fink, Bernhard ; Neuser, Frauke ; Deloux, Gwenelle ; Röder, Susanne ; Matts, Paul J.
Visual attention to and perception of undamaged and damaged versions of natural and colored female hair. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2013. 12(1): 78-84.

Grammer, Karl; Fink, Bernhard; Mller, Anders P.; Thornhill, Randy. Darwinian aesthetics: sexual selection and the biology of beauty. Biological Reviews. 2003. 78(3): 385-407.

Hinsz, V. B., D. C. Matz, and R. A. Patience 2001 Does Women’s Hair Signal Reproductive Potential? Journal of Experimental Social Psychology 37:166-172.

Patton, Tracey Owens. Hey Girl, Am I More than My Hair?: African American Women and Their Struggles with Beauty, Body Image, and Hair. NWSA Journal. 2006. 18(2): 24-51.

Mesko, Norbert ; Bereczkei, Tamas. Hairstyle as an adaptive means of displaying phenotypic quality. Human Nature. 2004. 15(3): 251-270.

Moore, M. M. and D. L. Butler. 1989. Predictive aspects of nonverbal courtship behavior in women. Semiotica 76(3/4): 205-215.

Moore, M. M. 2001. Flirting. In C. G. Waugh (Ed.) Let’s talk: A cognitive skills approach to interpersonal communication. Newark, Kendall-Hunt.

Moore, M. M. 1985. Nonverbal courtship patterns in women: context and consequences. Ethology and Sociobiology 64: 237-247.

Moore, Monica. Courtship Signaling and Adolescents: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. Journal of Sex Research. 1995. 32(4): 319-328.
http://bodylanguageproject.com/articles/girls-just-want-to-have-fun-the-origins-of-courtship-cues-in-girls-and-women/

Rosette, Ashleigh Shelby ; Dumas, Tracy L. The hair dilemma: conform to mainstream expectations or emphasize racial identity. Duke Journal of Gender Law & Policy. 2007. 14(1): 407(15).

Swami, Viren ; Barrett, Seishin. British men’s hair color preferences: An assessment of courtship solicitation and stimulus ratings. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology. 2011. 52(6): 595-600.

Singh, Devendra. Mating strategies of young women: Role of physical attractiveness. Journal of Sex Research. 2004. 41(1): 43-54.

Sorokowski, Piotr. Attractiveness of blonde women in evolutionary perspective: studies with two Polish samples. Perceptual and motor skills. 2008. 106(3): 737-44.

Thompson, Cheryl. Black Women, Beauty, and Hair as a Matter of Being. Women’s Studies. 2009. 38(8): 831-856.

Rich, Melissa ; Cash, Thomas The American image of beauty: Media representations of hair color for four decades. Sex Roles. 1993. 29(1): 113-124.

Roberts – Grey, Gina. The root of health.(natural hair color offers surprising insights into your mental and physical well-being)(Report). Women’s Health. 2010. 080.

McAlexander, James, H. and John W. Schouten. 1989. Hair style changes as transition markers. Sociology and Social Research. 74: 58-62.

Synott, Anthony. 1987. Shame and glory: A sociology of hair. British Journal of Sociology. 38: 381-413.

Weitz, Rose. Women and Their Hair: Seeking Power through Resistance and Accommodation. Gender and Society. 2001 15(5): 667-686.

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

*No Photo, Adornments, Amplifier, Courtship display, Elective nonverbal traits, Masked body language, Power play, Relaxed body language

Body Language of Clothing

by Chris • October 20, 2014 • 0 Comments

Body Language of Clothing

Cue: Clothing.

Synonym(s): Dress, Fashion, Overdressing, Underdressing, Practical Dressing, Casual Dress, Dressing Casually, Dressing Practically, Attire, Uniform.

Description: The body language associated with ones attire.

In One Sentence: Clothing represents an elective form of nonverbal expression which indicate how a person wishes to be perceived by others.

How To Use it: Using clothing to create a desired impression. When you apply clothing, remember that regardless of your desire, certain character traits will be ascribed to you regardless of your desires. These will be either correct or incorrect. If one wishes to be viewed in one way or another, one should be conscious of how one presents oneself. For example, revealing clothing will result in others believing that you are sexually easy or promiscuous. Wearing heavy clothing during hot weather will lead others to assume that you are prudish. Use clothing to create the impression you wish is complicated and person specific, but one simply needs to understand that one has a high degree of control over the perceptions of others and these can be manipulated with nonverbal displays including fashion. Some experimentation may be required to produce the results you desire.

Context: General.

Verbal Translation: “My clothing is a reflection of my inner thoughts, feelings and values.”

Variant: See Unkept or Dowdiness, Dressing Sexy.

Cue In Action: a) The teenager usually let his underwear show above his loose pants. He didn’t care what the adults thought about him. b) The teacher sent the girls to the principle if their skirts were too short. c) She was always well put together with expensive gowns and jewelry. d) He didn’t care what people thought of him, he felt that jogging pants were the most comfortable daily attire. e) She made waves with her low cut blouse and ample cleavage.

Meaning and/or Motivation: Clothing is a very potent nonverbal cue as it gives off all sorts of vital information about its wearer. It is a nonverbal language all onto itself. Before we even speak with one another, our clothing creates an image about us, it also tells of our sex, age, occupation, origins, social class, personality and beliefs. Clothing can also tell others where we are going as well as what we are about to do. A business suit for example, indicates that one is conducting business or a summer dress indicates that one is on vacation. In other words, clothing provides context.

As a language, clothing can be conventional or eccentric, clothing can give off signals about whom one wants to be or become. Teenagers place importance on designer clothing so they can impress their friends and fit in, but as we grow older, our shift takes on a more specific role as we tailor our attire to the functions we attend and to the status we want to hold.

Clothing also sets us apart from others in terms of values. The eccentric often have flamboyant clothing to differentiate themselves from others showing that their ideas about life are different than the rest of those around them.

How one ‘wears’ what they wear also gives off indicators of their disposition. For example, the uptight employee that does his collar up to the top, or the laid back employee who fails to properly tighten his neck tie or avoids wearing one at all. Having buttons done up tight as opposed to having an open suite jacket also has meaning. Having un-pressed pants, dirty shoes or even no shoes, at all, provide details of other people’s disposition. Using inappropriately loose or tight clothing can also give us clues as to the nature of the person. Removing a tie midday under a strict dress code indicates that the person is rebellious and defiant. Unbuttoning a blouse to show more cleavage could lead to being labeled easy or a seductress.

Dress plays a big part in first and daily impressions and also provides excellent cues to be read in others.

Over dressing: Someone who is low in confidence but and tries to make up for it by using fashion as a crutch. These people may also be striving for extra attention from others to make up for their insecurities.

Under dressing: A person who feels that outward appearances are of no value or who lacks the desire to conform to social norms.

Practical dresser or practical fashion: A style that is more focused on functionality and utility instead of extravagance. People who wear practical attire are at ease with themselves. Typically they are not self-centered, are willing to go against the grain so as to feel comfortable in their clothing, or are frugal.

Dressing sexy: Someone who wishes to gain attention and power through sex appeal.

Cue Cluster: Watch for congruence between how one dresses and the body language they carry. While someone might overdress, you might find other clues to insecurity. If someone dresses sexy, they may also give off flirtatious cues. Some women might act catty toward, or challenge other women if they are looking for sexual attention from men. Someone who under-dresses, might have a lax attitude or lack the desire to conform. Watch for awkward body language and speech patterns as well as blushing or a desire to exit social gatherings. The practical dresser might have a more casual approach and seem at ease in every situation. When the attire doesn’t match the body language, you have likely spotted a rouse. This person may be trying to fake others through dress.

Body Language Category: Adornments, Amplifier, Courtship display, Elective nonverbal traits, Masked body language, Relaxed body language, Power play.

Resources:

Angela Book, Kimberly Costello and Joseph A. Camilleri Psychopathy and Victim Selection: The Use of Gait as a Cue to Vulnerability. Journal of Interpersonal Violence. 2013. 28(11): 2368-2383. DOI: 10.1177/0886260512475315jiv.sagepub.com
http://bodylanguageproject.com/articles/dont-walk-like-youre-watched-avoid-victimization-nonverbal-behavior/

Anat Rafaeli; Jane Dutton; Celia V Harquail; Stephanie Mackie-Lewis. Navigating by attire: The use of dress by female administrative employees. Academy of management journal. 1997. 40 (1): 9-45.

Abbey, A., Cozzarelli, K., McLaughlin, K., & Harnish, R. (1987). The effects of clothing and dyad sex composition on perceptions of sexual intent: Do women and men evaluate these cues differently? Journal of Applied Social Psychology. 17: 108-126.

Beiner, Theresa M. Sexy dressing revisited: does target dress play a part in sexual harassment cases? Duke Journal of Gender Law & Policy. 2007 14(1): 125(28).

Buckley, Hilda Mayer ; Roach, Mary Ellen. Clothing as a Nonverbal Communicator of Social and Political Attitudes. Home Economics Research Journal. 1974 3(2): 94-102.

Back, Mitja D. ; Schmukle, Stefan C. ; Egloff, Boris King, Laura (editor). Why Are Narcissists so Charming at First Sight? Decoding the Narcissism–Popularity Link at Zero Acquaintance. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 2010. 98(1): 132-145.

Cassidy, Linda ; Hurrell, Rose Marie. The influence of victim’s attire on adolescents’ judgments of date rape. Adolescence. 1995 30(118): 319(5).

Chowdhary, U. 1988. Instructor’s attire as a biasing factor in students’ ratings of an instructor. Clothing & Textiles Research Journal 6 (2): 17-22.

Cahoon, DD; Edmonds, EM 1989. Male-Female Estimates Of Opposite-Sex 1st Impressions Concerning Females Clothing Styles Bulletin of the psychonomic society. 27(3): 280-281.

Cari D. Goetz; Judith A. Easton; David M.G. Lewis; David M. Buss. Sexual Exploitability: Observable Cues And Their Link To Sexual Attraction. Evolution and Human Behavior. 2012; 33: 417-426.
http://bodylanguageproject.com/articles/victim-blaming-or-useful-information-in-preventing-rape-and-sexual-exploitation/

Chowdhary, U. 1988. Instructor’s attire as a biasing factor in students’ ratings of an instructor. Clothing & Textiles Research Journal 6 (2): 17-22.

Cahoon, DD; Edmonds, EM 1989. Male-Female Estimates Of Opposite-Sex 1st Impressions Concerning Females Clothing Styles Bulletin of the psychonomic society. 27(3): 280-281.

Durante, Kristina M ; Li, Norman P ; Haselton, Martie G. Changes in women’s choice of dress across the ovulatory cycle: naturalistic and laboratory task-based evidence. Personality & social psychology bulletin. 2008 34(11): 1451-60.

Edmonds, Ed M.; Cahoon, Delwin D.; Hudson, Elizabeth 1992. Male-female estimates of feminine assertiveness related to females’ clothing styles. Bulletin of the Psychonomic Society. 30(2): 43-144.

Farris, Coreen ; Viken, Richard J. ; Treat, Teresa A. Perceived association between diagnostic and non-diagnostic cues of women’s sexual interest: General Recognition Theory predictors of risk for sexual coercion. Journal of Mathematical Psychology. 2010. 54(1): 137-149.

Forsythe, S. M. 1990. Effect of applicant’s clothing on interviewer’s decision to hire.
Journal of Applied Social Psychology 20 (19, 1): 1579-1595.

Forsythe, S., M. F. Drake, and C. E. Cox. 1985. Influence of applicant’s dress on interviewer’s selection decisions. Journal of Applied Psychology 70 (2): 374-378

Forsythe, S. M., M. F. Drake, and C. A. Cox Jr. 1984. Dress as an influence on the perceptions of management characteristics in women. Home Economics Research Journal 13 (2): 112-121.

Forsythe, S., M. F. Drake, and C. E. Cox. 1985. Influence of applicant’s dress on interviewer’s selection decisions. Journal of Applied Psychology 70 (2): 374-378.

Garot, Robert ; Katz, Jack. Provocative Looks: Gang Appearance and Dress Codes in an Inner-City Alternative School. Ethnography, 2003, Vol.4(3), pp.421-454

Gurung, R. A. R. and C. J. Chrouser. 2007. Predicting objectification: do provocative clothing and observer characteristics matter? Sex Roles: A Journal of Research 57 (1-2): 91-99.

Greenless, Iain ; Buscombe, Richard ; Thelwell, Richard ; Holder, Tim ; Rimmer, Matthew. Impact of opponents’ clothing and body language on impression formation and outcome expectations. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology. 2005 27(1): 39-52.

Greenlees, Iain ; Bradley, Andrew ; Holder, Tim ; Thelwell, Richard. The impact of opponents’ non-verbal behaviour on the first impressions and outcome expectations of table-tennis players. Psychology of Sport & Exercise. 2005 6(1): 103-115

Guéguen, Nicholas. High Heels Increase Women’s Attractiveness. Archives of Sexual Behavior. 2014. DOI 10.1007/s10508-014-0422-z
http://bodylanguageproject.com/articles/high-heels-exact-power-men-study-women-wear-heels/

Guéguen, Nicolas. Color and Women Attractiveness: When Red Clothed Women Are Perceived to Have More Intense Sexual Intent. The Journal of Social Psychology, 2012; 152(3): 261–265.
http://bodylanguageproject.com/articles/men-prefer-women-who-dress-in-red-and-wear-red-lipstick-how-to-earn-more-tips-or-favours-from-men/

Guéguen, Nicolas. The Effect Of Women’s Suggestive Clothing On Men’s Behavior And Judgment: A Field Study. Psychological Reports. 2011. 109; 2: 635-638.
http://bodylanguageproject.com/articles/sexy-clothing-source-power-women/

Guéguen, Nicolas. Color and Women Hitchhikers’ Attractiveness: Gentlemen Drivers Prefer Red. Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 2012; 37 (1): 76-78.

Glick, Peter; Sadie Larsen, Cathryn Johnson, and Heather Branstiter. Evaluations Of Sexy Women In Low – And High-Status Jobs. Psychology of Women Quarterly. 2005. 29: 389–395.
http://bodylanguageproject.com/articles/women-should-avoid-sexy-dress-for-high-status-jobs-says-research/

Grammer, Karl, LeeAnn Renninger and Bettina Fischer. Disco Clothing, Female Sexual Motivation, and Relationship Status: Is She Dressed to Impress? The Journal of Sex Research. 2004. 41(1): 66-74.
http://bodylanguageproject.com/articles/is-she-dressed-for-success-how-women-adorn-during-courtship/

Gillath, Omri; Angela J. Bahns; Fiona Ge and Christian S. Crandall. Shoes as a source of first impressions. Journal of Research in Personality. 2012; 46: 423-430.
http://bodylanguageproject.com/articles/shoes-as-a-reliable-cue-to-personality-study/

Graff, Kaitlin ; Murnen, Sarah ; Smolak, Linda. Too Sexualized to be Taken Seriously? Perceptions of a Girl in Childlike vs. Sexualizing Clothing. Sex Roles. 2012. 66(11): 764-775.

Hajo, Adam, and Adam D. Galinsky. Enclothed Cognition. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. 2012. 48 (4): 918–925. DOI: 10.1016/j.jesp.2012.02.008 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022103112000200
http://bodylanguageproject.com/articles/wearing-white-coat-boosts-performance-enclothed-cognition/

Haselton, M. G., M. Mortezaie, E. G. Pillsworth, A. Bleske-rechek, and D. A. Frederick. 2007. Ovulatory shifts in human female ornamentation: near ovulation, women dress to impress. Hormones and Behavior. 51(1): 40-45.

Hernandez, Jillian. “Miss, you look like a Bratz Doll”: on chonga girls and sexual-aesthetic excess.(Report). NWSA Journal. 2009 21(3): 63(28).

Karagiorgakis, Aris and Danielle Malone. The Effect of Clothing and Method of Payment on Tipping in a Bar Setting. North American Journal of Psychology. 2014. 16(3): 441-452.
http://bodylanguageproject.com/articles/skimpy-clothing-lead-larger-tips-boost-tips-using-nonverbal-communication/

Karl, Katherine A. ; Hall, Leda Mcintyre ; Peluchette, Joy V. City employee perceptions of the impact of dress and appearance: you are what you wear. Public Personnel Management. 2013 42(3): 452(19).

Koukounas, Eric ; Letch, Nicolem. Psychological Correlates of Perception of Sexual Intent in Women. The Journal of Social Psychology. 2001. 141(4): 443-456.

Lynch, A. Expanding the Definition of Provocative Dress: An Examination of Female Flashing Behavior on a College Campus. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal. 2007. 25(2): 184-201.

Morris, T. L., J. Gorham, S. H. Cohen, and D. Huffman. 1996. Fashion in the classroom: effects of attire on student perceptions of instructors in college classes. Communication Education 45(2): 135.

Mahmuda, Yusr and Viren Swami. The Influence of the Hijab (Islamic Head-Cover) on Perceptions of Women’s Attractiveness and Intelligence. Body Image. 2010. 7: 90-93.
http://bodylanguageproject.com/articles/hijabs-hot-nonverbal-effect-hijab-attractiveness-intelligence-ratings/

Mcginley, Ann C. Babes and beefcake: exclusive hiring arrangements and sexy dress codes. Duke Journal of Gender Law & Policy. 2007 14(1): 257(27).

Markey, Patrick ; Markey, Charlotte. Changes in women’s interpersonal styles across the menstrual cycle. Journal of Research in Personality. 2011. 45(5): 493-499.

Paul H. Morris, Jenny White, Edward R. Morrison and Kayleigh Fisher. High Heels As Supernormal Stimuli: How Wearing High Heels Affects Judgements of Female Attractiveness. Evolution and Human Behavior. 2013. 34: 176-181.
http://bodylanguageproject.com/articles/high-heels-supernormal-body-language-signal

Peluchette, J. V., K. Karl, and K. Rust. 2006. Dressing to impress: beliefs and attitudes regarding workplace attire. Journal of Business and Psychology 21(1): 45-63.

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Parks, Kathleen ; Scheidt, Douglas. Male Bar Drinkers’ Perspective on Female Bar Drinkers. Sex Roles, 2000, Vol.43(11), pp.927-941.

Richards, Lynne ; Mcalister, Laurie. Female Submissiveness, Nonverbal Behavior, and Body Boundary Definition. The Journal of Psychology. 1994 128(4): 419-424.

Rehman, Shakaib U. ; Nietert, Paul J. ; Cope, Dennis W. ; Kilpatrick, Anne Osborne. What to wear today? Effect of doctor’s attire on the trust and confidence of patients
The American Journal of Medicine. 2005 118(11): 1279-1286.

Regan A. R. Gurung and Carly J. Chrouser. Predicting Objectification: Do Provocative Clothing and Observer Characteristics Matter? Sex Roles, 2007; 57: 91–99.
http://bodylanguageproject.com/articles/dont-want-to-be-objectified-then-dont-wear-sexy-clothing-says-research/

Starr, Christine ; Ferguson, Gail. Sexy Dolls, Sexy Grade-Schoolers? Media & Maternal Influences on Young Girls’ Self-Sexualization. Sex Roles. 2012. 67(7): 463-476.

Synovitz, Lindab. ; Byrne, T. Jean. Antecedents of Sexual Victimization: Factors Discriminating Victims From Nonvictims. Journal of American College Health. 1998. 46(4): 151-158.

Sandlund, Chris. Put Some Clothes On! (employee dress rules). Entrepreneur. 2001 29(8): 70.

Vazire, Simine; Laura P. Naumann; Peter J. Rentfrow and Samuel D. Gosling. Portrait of a Narcissist: Manifestations of Narcissism in Physical Appearance. Journal of Research in Personality. 2008. 42: 1439-1447.
http://bodylanguageproject.com/articles/narcissist-written-read-body-language-narcissist/?preview=true

Adornments, Elective nonverbal traits

The Body Language Of Adornments and Bodifications

by Chris • October 16, 2014 • 0 Comments

The Body Language Of Adornments and Bodifications

Cue: Adornments

Synonym(s): Tattoos, Piercings, Body Piercing, Fashion, Jewelry,

Description: Elective nonverbal traits. Some adornments can be particularly intrusive such as piercings. These can be found in the ear, bellybutton, eyelid, mouth, tongue, nipple, and so forth. Other adornment include tattoos. Adornments also include fashion, jewelry, severely plucked eyebrows, false nails. More severe bodifications are the forms that are permanent such as breast implants, facelifts, liposuction, collagen insertion and so forth.

In One Sentence: Adornments include body piercing, fashion, jewelry, tattoos and so forth that a person uses to decorate their body in order to create a desired impression.

How To Use it: Use adornments in the method you feel best fits your personality. When using adornments be sure to understand that while you may seek to create an individualized personal impression, you will be ascribed traits common to the group you will subsequently fall into. For example, studies show that those with tattoos tend to be risk takers and use drugs and alcohol more often. These traits will be ascribed to you by the attire and decoration of the group you become part of. Therefore, be conscious of how your individual expressions may be linked to you so they work in your favour, rather than against you.

Context: General.

Verbal Translation: “I’m expressing myself in a way that reflects my own personal feelings and beliefs.”

Variant: Any adornment that is not genetic is an expression of a person’s individual personality. See Clothing.

Cue In Action: a) She was mild-mannered after you got to know her, but most of her body was covered in tattoos, giving others a bad first impression. b) The lower back tattoo was something she grew to regret. She got it on her 16th birthday and at 30 years of age, it no longer suited her disposition. c) The skinhead with the facial tattoo meant he had to do very little to put the fear into his opponents. d) He was careful to only be seen in expensive suites and polished leather shoes so he would garner respect from others. e) He mostly dressed in sweats and t-shirts. He didn’t much care what other people thought of him.

Meaning and/or Motivation: Adornments are a form of chosen adornment. Therefore, where and how they are worn is a conscious reflection of the wearer’s personality and style.

At times, the accuracy of the message is lost on others to the detriment of the wearer making adornments something we should all be careful to use properly. Ignoring nonverbal signal emitted by clothing, piercings, tattoos, chains, baggy pants and dirty worn clothing is a surefire way to alienate and turn people off.

Particular bodifications can reveal a need to be different, rebellious, nonconformist, have an artistic nature, or conversely, a desire to fit in on a lower or higher socioeconomic status. Some might choose ill fitting clothing from a thrift store elucidating to their free spirit, while another might choose expensive name brand attire and pricey watches to appear wealthy.

Cue Cluster: Watch for congruency between someone’s bodifications and their nonverbal body language to discover if someone is using them to fake their way into a particular demographic. For example, does the person with the expensive suit walk with confidence? Does the girl with the lower back tattoo really appear trampy?

Body Language Category: Elective nonverbal traits, Adornments

Resources:

Armstrong ML, Owen DC, Roberts AE, Koch JR (2002) College students and tattoos: the influence of image, identity, family and friends. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing Mental Health Services. 40:20–29.

Armstrong ML, Owen DC, Roberts AE, Koch JR (2004a) Contemporary college students and body piercing. J Adolesc Health 35:58–61.

Armstrong ML, Roberts AE, Owen DC, Koch JR (2004b) Toward building a composite of college student influences with body art. Issues Compr Pediatr Nurs 27:277–295.

Carroll ST, Riffenburgh RH, Roberts TA, Myhre EB (2002) Tattoos and body piercings as indicators of adolescent risk-taking behaviors. Pediatrics 109:1021–1027.

Friederike Funk and Alexander Todorov. Criminal Stereotypes in the Courtroom: Facial Tattoos Affect Guilt and Punishment Differently. American Psychological Association. 2013. 19(4): 466-478. DOI: 10.1037/a0034736.
http://bodylanguageproject.com/articles/face-tattoos-make-others-look-guilty-consequences-elective-nonverbal-signals/

Guéguen, Nicolas. Tattoos, Piercings, and Alcohol Consumption. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research. 2012. 36(7): 1253-1256. DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2011.01711.x
http://bodylanguageproject.com/articles/think-before-you-ink-or-pierce-what-tattoos-and-piercings-tell-about-alcohol-consumption/

Guéguen, Nicolas. Tattoos, Peircings, and Sexual Activity. Social Behavior and Personality. 2012. 40(9): 1543-1548. http://dx.doi.org/10.2224/sbp.2012.40.9.1543
http://bodylanguageproject.com/articles/the-hidden-body-language-of-tattoos-and-piercings-sex-drugs-and-risky-behaviour/

Guéguen Nicholas. Effects of a Tattoo on Men’s Behavior and Attitudes Towards Women: An Experimental Field Study. Arch Sex Behav. 2013. 42 (8):1517-1524. doi: 10.1007/s10508-013-0104-2. Epub 2013 May 9. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23657810
http://bodylanguageproject.com/articles/power-tramp-stamp-womans-tattoo-double-chances-approached/

Guéguen, Nicholas. Tattoos, piercings, and sexual activity. Social Behavior and Personality. 2012. 40: 1543-1547.

Koziel, Slawomir and Arkadiusz Sitek. Self-Assessment of Attractiveness of Persons with Body Decoration. Journal of Comparative Human Biology. 2013.
http://bodylanguageproject.com/articles/people-tattoos-piercings-think-youll-find-attractive/

Koch JR, Roberts AE, Armstrong ML, Owen DC (2005) College students, tattoos, and sexual activity. Psychological Rep 97:887–890.

Koch JR, Roberts AE, Armstrong ML, Owen DC (2007) Frequencies and relations of body piercing and sexual activity in college students. Psychological Rep 101:159–162.

Koch JR, Roberts AE, ArmstrongML, Owen DC (2010) Body art, deviance, and American college students. Social Sci J 47:151–161.

Koziel S, Krestchmer W, Pawlowski B (2010) Tattoo and piercing as signals of biological quality. Evolutionary Human Behavior. 31:187–192.

MermetG (2010) Francoscopie. Larousse, Paris. Pitts V (2003) In the Flesh—The Cultural Politics of Body Modification.

PalgraveMacmillan, New York. Roberts TA, Auinger P, Ryan SA (2004) Body piercing and high-risk behavior in adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health 34:224–229.

Roberts TA, Ryan SA (2002) Tattooing and high-risk behavior in adolescent. Pediatrics 110:1058–1063.

Suris JC, Jeannin A, Chossis I, Michaud P-A (2007) Piercing among adolescents: body art as a risk marker. Journal of Family Practice 56:126–130.

Swami V, Furnham A (2007) Unattractive, promiscuous, and heavy drinkers: perceptions of women with tattoos. Body Image 4:343–352.

Wohlrab S, Stahl J, Kappeler PM (2007) Modifying the body: motivations for getting tattooed and pierced. Body Image 4:87–95.

Morris, T. L., J. Gorham, S. H. Cohen, and D. Huffman. 1996. Fashion in the classroom: effects of attire on student perceptions of instructors in college classes. Communication Education 45(2): 135.