Body processes

Body Language – Function, Task & Diseases

Body language

A gesture says more than 1000 words, as the saying goes. Body language is the language of gestures , facial expressions and posture. It mostly happens unconsciously and says a lot about us. Anyone who can correctly interpret non-verbal communication learns essentials about the character traits and feelings of their counterpart.

What is body language?

Body language is any conscious or unconscious movement of a body part or the whole body that we use to communicate with the outside world. Body language is the oldest form of interpersonal understanding and immediately clarifies whether we like each other or can trust each other. There are environmental and cultural differences in body language.

From the beginning of the 19th century Charles Darwin’s body language was scientifically researched and popularized with the silent film. Many gestures are instinctive, some are even controlled subconsciously, such as blushing, or muscle twitching when caught lying. Non-verbal communication reveals intentions, motives, wishes, thoughts and feelings, even if the person expresses something completely different.

Almost 60% of the information we gather from conversations comes from body language and 33% from the tone of the voice. The content information accounts for only about 7%.

function & task

Non-verbal communication is extremely powerful and without body language relationships would be unthinkable, because with the body we reveal what we want and who we are. The body is constantly sending out messages. Certain primal feelings such as fear , happiness, sadness , disgust and surprise evoke fixed, non-verbal forms of expression in everyone. 

Frowning is a clear sign of anger in almost every culture around the world. A smile is also seen as a positive signal everywhere. There are also body signals that have developed within a culture but can be interpreted in different ways. For example, the thumbs up is a sign of a positive rating, but it can also mean the opposite. While crossing one’s legs offends an Arab, it’s completely normal in Europe.

Many gestures are unambiguous and facial expressions often leave no room for doubt. Minor changes in sitting posture, open or closed palms, the type of movement and how space is involved are also elements of non-verbal communication, as are clothing and perfume.

The facial expression reveals above all mental processes. With a fixed facial expression you want to hide your feelings. Typical gestures are expressed by hands. Clasping your hands behind your head and possibly leaning back in your chair is a sign of dominance. This person will probably not go back on his decision. On the other hand, those who like to fold their hands affirm that they have made a decision and will not go back.

Smiling with crossed arms actually shows two faces. The arms are a defensive posture, the interlocutor is pushed on the defensive. If you touch the tip of your nose with your index finger, you have doubts. Those who feel cornered instinctively grab their necks. People who wipe imaginary dirt off their sleeve prepare themselves for contradiction. If you show your opponent the pistol with your hand, you are clearly not to be trifled with. The shooting symbolism leaves no room for ambiguity. Man is aggressive.

Diseases & Ailments

If a sensory function is impaired, such as speech, body language can be used specifically for communication. Body language is also of considerable importance in the integrative learning of people with and without disabilities. In this context, touch , sight , hearing , smell and taste play a superordinate role. 

When dealing with people with disabilities, body language is often the only means of communication. It is therefore increasingly important to know the mechanisms of body language and to correctly decode its information content.

The better the messages are interpreted, the easier it is to communicate. Being able to interpret the symbolism is a form of hearing with the eyes. Therapists and relatives can reflect the posture of the person concerned, but they can also awaken and recognize needs themselves.

Paying attention to body language is particularly important when dealing with people with dementia. Sooner or later, communication also changes in the course of the disease. Familiar dialogues can no longer take place and relatives encounter major barriers. Since the patient no longer reacts to everyday requests as usual, relatives have to pay more attention to non-verbal signals.

It is not the speechlessness of the person with dementia that creates the difficulties, but a problem between the sender and receiver. Since the person with dementia cannot send clear messages, the caregiver also has more and more problems understanding what is being said. Communication needs to be adjusted accordingly.

While the ability to communicate in the verbal area decreases in the course of dementia , the ability to express and perceive body language is retained for a long time. Other people can learn something about the state of mind through facial expressions, posture, movement and gestures. Nevertheless, people with dementia still have to be spoken to because language gives them warmth.

Body language also has great therapeutic importance, for example in dance therapy. This is often used, for example, with people with mental illnesses who also suffer from a weakening of their verbal ability to express themselves but are able to express a great deal through movement.

Lisa Newlon
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Hello! I am Lisa Newlon, and I am a medical writer and researcher with over 10 years of experience in the healthcare industry. I have a Master’s degree in Medicine, and my deep understanding of medical terminology, practices, and procedures has made me a trusted source of information in the medical world.