Body Language of Arm Crossing
Cue: Arm Crossing.
Synonym(s): Arm Barrier, Folding The Arms Over The Chest, Crossed Arms, Torso Sheild.
Description: The arms fold neatly over the chest.
In One Sentence: Arms are like shields which serve to create a barrier separating us from the outside world.
How To Use it: Use the arm cross posture to signal to others that one desires space. You can also use it to show that you are not impressed by someone else or that you are not feeling comfortable with them or their ideas. This can be effective during negotiations or heated arguments showing that you are unwilling to change your mind. Research has shown that crossing the arms helps motivate people to come up with more solutions to problems as it activates a persistence response. This may be due to the cues embodiment of being stubborn. Arm crossing can also work as a nonverbal signal that one is cold and wishes to move to a warmer location. Likewise, it may cue a date to offer a jacket.
Context: General.
Verbal Translation: “I’m crossing my arms over my chest because I don’t like what I’m seeing or hearing. I am uncomfortable, so I’m cutting myself off from everyone else with my shield.”
Variant: See Arms Crossed With Gripped Arm or Reinforced Arm Cross, Arm Cross With Clenched Fists, Arms Crossed With Thumbs Up.
Cue In Action: a) Upon hearing bad news, Mary folded her arms across her chest. b) She stood her ground when the principle reprimanded her for her overt attire. She grimaced and folded her arms over her chest blocking out his negative view.
Meaning and/or Motivation: The meaning and motivation of arm crossing is varied, complex and universal (see the various variants).
Arms as they relate to non-verbal meaning are like shields. They can block and shank ideas from entering just as well as they can protect against swords and arrows. In childhood, we use solid objects such as chairs, furniture, or hiding behind a parent. As we age, we learn to maintain our stance, but still protect ourselves from threats by using our own body.
Arm crossing usually shows defensiveness and protectiveness, but can also show aggression and anger depending on its variant. We rarely sit like this in our house unless something bothers us.
Arm crossing simultaneously holds our feelings inside and prevents other peoples’ feelings from entering. The arm cross shield is normally accompanied by head tilted backward, or forward facing head in a competitive orientation and a blank or angry facial expression. Alternatively, arms crossed indicates that a person is cold. To determine if someone is cold just watch for hands tucked under the armpits, shivering, with legs tightly pressed together.
Cue Cluster: Arm crossing is usually coupled with head up, down or turned away, shoulders oriented away or toward, legs crossed and various negative facial expressions. When arm crossing is combined with a tight-lipped smile or clenched teeth it signifies that a verbal or physical confrontation is immanent.
Body Language Category: Defensive, Hostility, Anger, Closed, Dislike (nonverbal), Indicators of disinterest (IOD), Protective reflexes, Stubborn or stubbornness, Body cross, Clenching and gripping.
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