Body Language

In 1971, US Educational Psychologist Albert Mehrabian published his

famous 7%-38%-55% Rule on non-verbal communication.

He found that only 7 percent of communication comes from spoken words, 38 percent is from the tone of

the voice, and 55 percent comes from body language.

What Do We Mean By Body Language?•Communication without words – Non-

verbal communication (eyes, face, hands, arms, gestures)

•Often subconscious•Can be used for

▫Expressing emotion (smiling)▫Conveying attitudes (aggression)▫Demonstrating personality traits (open

palms)▫Supporting verbal communication

Emphasis in Body Language

Synchronize

Exaggerate

Big Emphasis = Big Movement

•Energy and Passion•Overpower with the force of your point•Words should match movement

Subtle Emphasis = Small Movement

•Think small and delicate•Turn of the head•Subtle facial expressions

Distance in Body Language

Public

Social Distances – Public Zone

•>12 feet•The closer

someone is in our public zone the more we notice them

Social Distances – Social Zone

•4 – 12 feet•Start to feel a

connection to other people

•Comfortable when talking in a group

•People sitting in chairs at a gathering

Social Distances – Personal Zone•1.5 – 4 feet•Conversation is

more direct•Good distance for

two people talking in earnest

Social Distances – Intimate Zone

•< 1.5 feet•Within arms reach•Touching•See more detail of

their body language and look them in the eye

•Blots out other people

Varying Rules

Rules

Watch people’s reactions

GeographyDifferent cultural norms

What Do You See?

Questions or

Comments?