Category: Territorial displays

Arrogance or arrogant body language, Authoritative body language, Confident body language, Courtship display, Dominant body language, Expansive movements, High confidence body language, Leadership body language, Open body language, Territorial displays

Body Language of Splaying The Body or Taking Up Space

by Chris • October 28, 2014 • 0 Comments

Body Language of Splaying The Body or Taking Up Space

Cue: Splaying The Body or Taking Up More Space.

Synonym(s): Taking Up Space, Throwing The Arm Over The Chair, Expansive Body Language, Spreading The Body Out, Arm Spread Out Over The Chair.

Description: Splaying occurs when the arms or legs are spread apart. Usually the arm will find itself over the chair next to the one being sat in.

In One Sentence: Body splaying or expansive body language is one of the main and ubiquitous indicators of dominance.

How To Use it: Whenever you wish that others perceive you as dominant, use body expansion. This can be used in any context, but is particularly effective when leadership is requires such as in business and for men, in dating.

As you take on expansive postures, be conscious of how they make you feel. Should you feel awkward and over-exposed, it is likely that you are doing the posture correctly, but that you aren’t socially and psychologically prepared to deal with the emotions that come inherent with the posture. This will tell you that you’re faking dominance, but if you can stifle the emotion, you’re likely to gain the respect and leadership qualities you desire. In time, it has been said that you can fake nonverbal signals until you “make it.” Your results may vary, but certainly, taking on expansive postures, while working on the emotional repercussions is a proactive way of self-improvement. Be careful however, as dominance postures often invite dominance challenges. Be prepared.

Context: a) General b) Dating.

Verbal Translation: “I’m a dominant individual, be aware of my large presence and give me the space and respect I deserve.”

Variant: See Broadside Display or Chest Protrusion.

Cue In Action: a) The boss sat casually at the table with a figure four leg cross coupled with his arms over the back of the table next to him. b) He was a player and consciously sat splayed out with his legs open and his arm on the chair next to him. Presumably, he figured that it made him look more relaxed and in control.

Meaning and/or Motivation: Taking up space is part of dominant body language because it leaves the vital areas of the body open for attack. It also indicates high confidence. In the wrong context, it can show disrespect due to indifference. This is especially the case when around people who are even more dominant than the person doing the splaying.

Having the arms spread wide while on a sofa and the legs apart gives the impression that a person is relaxed and also larger than they actually are. A person might puff out the chest, place the hands on the hips and lean back. Many animals display similarly and nearly without exception; splaying or expansive movements are a signal to others to beware.

Cue Cluster: Usually, the leg is crossed in a figure four or European Leg Cross depending on the person and his status. Other times, the legs are spread wide open for a more dominant seated position. The head is usually held high, the face is relaxed and conversation is kept to that which is necessary.

Body Language Category: Arrogance or arrogant body language, Authoritative body language, Courtship display, Confident body language, Dominant body language, Expansive movements, High confidence body language, Leadership body language, Open body language, Territorial displays.

Resources:

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Arrogance or arrogant body language, Dominant body language, Ownership gesture, Territorial displays

Body Language of Ownership Gestures

by Chris • October 27, 2014 • 0 Comments

Body Language of Ownership Gestures

Cue: Ownership Gestures.

Synonym(s): Placing The Foot On An Object, Feet On The Desk, Placing A Bag or Jacket On A Chair, Propping The Feet Up, Leaning Against A Car or Other Object.

Description: Putting possessions or parts of the body on objects.

In One Sentence: Putting any part of the body on an object (or person) signals ownership and ability or desire to control it.

How To Use it: To reserve a seat, place your jacket or bag on it – that much is simple. However, tossing the arm over the chair next to you is a way to increase your territory through an expansive posture. This shows others that you have special rights to take up more space than normal. If a person is sitting in that chair, you own and control a part of them too.

To show your pride for a car, place your foot up on the bumper or lean against it. To show your desire to control someone else, do the same on their car.

At a friend’s house, show your relaxed attitude and high comfort by placing your feet on the coffee table. This gesture will be read as dominance and ownership.

Use ownership gestures when you want to show other people that you control things or people and that you are dominant enough to state your claim.

Context: General.

Verbal Translation: a) “I own this so I have the right to put parts of my body on them and control how they are used.”

Variant: See Touching or Increase In Touching for a similar gesture which claims ownership of people through touch rather than objects. Also See Leaning Against The Wall.

Cue In Action: a) He was proud of his new car and stood with his foot on the rear bumper showing off his new possession. b) The boss tossed his feet up on the desk, leaned back and interlocked his hands behind his head. c) While watching television after a long day, he propped his feet up on the coffee table. d) He reserved a seat for himself and his date at the cinema by leaving his jacket on one seat and his bag on another.

Meaning and/or Motivation: People often show that they own things by touching them.

Placing objects such as jackets and brief cases on a seat can hold it and delineate temporary ownership while in public. People will prop their foot up on a desk or the bumper of a car to show that they possess and control it.

Alternatively, people will use objects as a crutch when they feel exposed. Leaning against the podium while presenting, a shoulder against the wall in an unfamiliar room, or two hands on the chair in a crowded room are a few ways we convey uneasiness and discomfort. The objects help ground us and produce a strong wide base when our confidence fails us.

Cue Cluster: This is a stand alone cue and requires no additional cues to have meaning. Watch for the level of comfort one has while performing the ownership gesture to decide if a person is using touch to help improve his feelings of insecurity, or claim ownership, thus showing dominance.

Body Language Category: Arrogance or arrogant body language, Dominant body language, Ownership gesture, Territorial displays.

Resources:

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Aggressive body language, Anger body language, Arrogance or arrogant body language, Authoritative body language, Barriers, Dominant body language, Hostile body language, Ownership gesture, Power play, Space invasion, Territorial displays, Threat displays

Body Language of Cornering and Blocking

by Chris • October 20, 2014 • 0 Comments

Body Language of Cornering and Blocking

Cue: Cornering and Blocking

Synonym(s): Door Frame Proper (The), Doorway Intimidator (The), Blocking Someone In, Hand Against The Doorway, Blocking Someone In, Preventing Someone From Leaving, Cornering Someone.

Description: The act of eliminating exits by preventing people from leaving or moving about freely. Leaning against the doorway to prevent someone from exiting or cornering someone so they can’t leave are examples. Cornering can be done with the arms, legs, tables and so forth.

In One Sentence: Blocking the exits such that people can not escape is a signal that one wishes to control and dominant a person.

How To Use it: It is generally not advised to corner and block other people as it will usually cause others to feel controlled.

One exceptions exist. Here, men can use the cornering tactic on women in a dating context to arouse. However, this should only be done under conditions where trust has been built. When done properly, cornering, such as by moving a girl into a controlled situation including for example, the corner of a room, against a countertop, table, desk, and so forth, can create sexual excitement through dominance. One should be careful to heed any verbal or nonverbal signals of disapproval, as if done against another’s wishes, will result in sexual harassment charges.

Bullies often use cornering tactics to control other people. However, I can not advise such tactics. In the right context, though, as mentioned, cornering can produce desirable sexual excitement – in fact, sexual intercourse physically requires cornering.

Blocking, on the other hand, can be used to nonverbally demarcate territory. When unwanted solicitors arrive at my door, I usually prop myself against the door jam so they understand that I am not prepared to welcome them inside. Arms and legs can be used to create boundaries and private space for which you do not want others to enter.

Context: a) Dating b) Business c) General

Verbal Translation: “I’m going to stop you from exiting the situation with my body until I’m through with you.” “I’m trying to intimidate you by blocking you in.”

Variant: See Encroaching.

Cue In Action: a) She wasn’t happy and wanted to leave but he wrapped each arm around her and pinned her against the bar so she couldn’t leave. a) In effort to seduce her, he worked her into the corner and began to make out with her. His use of force turned her on.

b) Another door-to-door salesman had just solicited him at the house. To prevent this salesman from entering, he propped himself up against the jam of the front door.

c) She was set to confront her husband about his work around the house. She cornered him while he was sitting at his desk with her arms akimbo in the doorway. She used the posture to make it clear that she was prepared to barricade his exit.

Meaning and/or Motivation: The intention of the “doorway intimidator” is to control the situation through dominance. This person will habitually corner a subject and then subject them to confrontation and intimidation.

In some cases, those who corner have sexual interests. They wish to corner in effort to seduce, but the primary motive is to prevent escape and then subject them to a high level dominance.

a) A common mistake done especially by men in dating situations whereby they cut off exit points and block women. It signals aggression, dominance and a desire to control if it’s unwanted. If it is welcomed and she finds him attractive, blocking can excite her and build intimacy through closeness and dominance.

b) In business and other general context, blocking and cornering is an exercise in control and dominance. However, when people become cornered, they become nervous or aggressive due to the fight or flight response. While dominance is achieved in the short-term, the long-term results can be toxic and produce undesirable results. This person is trying to prevent escape while they espouse their thoughts upon others. It is a high confrontation posture because it traps people.

Cue Cluster: Cornering is accompanied by an invasion of space, head lowered in a judgment posture, arms pointing, physical touching, sometimes aggressive and loud or forceful voices, encroaching on space liberally, use of the index fingers to point while speaking, and holding the arms akimbo when not propped against the exit.

Body Language Category: Arrogance or arrogant body language, Aggressive body language, Anger, Authoritative body language, Barriers, Dominant body language, Hostile body language, Ownership gestures, Power play, Space invasion, Territorial displays, Threat displays.

Resources:

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