Nonverbal Cues

R. Bruce McNellie, Ph.D.,LCSW,LPC, LMFT,DCSW

• Cue 1. Withdrawal of chin into chest.

2. 'Dogface' Expression

• 3. Nodding affirmatively

• Interpretation 1. 'Go away. You are

intruding.

2. The Prisoner's expression: wearing a masking expression that is apathetic, characterless. Says: Don't notice me

3. Agreement (Does it match verbal output?)

1. Nodding negatively

2. One eyebrow lifted

3. Rub nose (or chin)

4. Wink

5. Head signal toward another

6. Head and eyelid up at the end of statement

1. Disagreement (Does it match verbal output)

2. Skepticism, disbelief

3. Puzzlement

4. Intimacy

5. 'It's your turn to talk.'

6. A question

1. Head and eyelid down at the end of statement

2. Biting or chewing lip

3. Gritting teeth

4. Taking off glasses, looking away

5. Direct eye contact

6. Avoidance of direct eye contact

1. A statement

2. Anxiety, nervousness

3. Exasperation

4. 'I don't want to see or know.'

5. Openness

6. Closedness

• The eyes are one of the most potent communicators that the body has. Use the checklist below to describe the eyes of the person you are observing:

• Steely • Knowing • Piercing • Glowing • Sleepy

• Mocking • Burning • Staring • Awkward • Bedroom eyes

• Owlish • Invading • Angry • Coquettish • Friendly

• II. GESTURES AND HAND AND FOOT MOVEMENTS • Cue Interpretation • Playing with a ring or jewelry -Nervousness,

anxiety, embarrassment

• Covering mouth with hands -Feelings of inadequacy of distaste for subject

• Covering eyes with hands -Withdrawal or shame

• Touching others:

A. Firmly on arm -To make point, emphasize

B. Friendly, arm around - Friendliness, shoulder warmth

C. Invasion of territory -Touch for control

1. Touching, fondling inanimate ob jects

2. Shoulder shrug

3. Hunching of shoulders

1. 'I am lonely' 'I am starved for companionship‘

2. Indifference

3. Withdrawal

1. Tapping fingers

2. Slapping forehead

3. Stroking thighs

4. Rotating feet Toes or feet turned upward

1. Impatience

2. Forgetfulness

3. Sexual invitation

4. Sensual come-hither movement

• Toes or feet turned upward

• Other Sexual Gestures:

Flirting glance, fluttering eyelashes, putting head to one side, rolling hips, putting hand on hip, exposing wrist or palm

• Sexual invitation

• Sexual invitation

1. Tightly clasped hands

2. Open hands with fingers spread wide

3. Tapping or stirring feet

1. Need for self-reassurance

2. Acceptance, openness

3. Annoyance, impatience desire to end conversation

• Cue Interpretation • Arms crossed over chest -Defensive

position • Bodily invasion of another's -Attempt

territory (sitting too close, to control

moving aggressively toward

another • Moving back physically -Feeling

threatened • Shrinking body movements -Depression

• Bracing arms on chair -Anxiety

• Leaning against wall or -Need for

on table emotional support

• Holding body stiff and rigid -Not flexible,

defensive

Height: a. making oneself tallest in Dominance group b. 'bowing and scraping' Submission body positions c. Bowed shoulders Carrying a

heavy weight or burden

• Leaning forward in chair -Interest,

involvement

• Slumped in chair -Disinterest

• Tightly crossed legs -Defensiveness

• Listless posture, almost no movement -Passivity, depression

• James Bond posture, stolid, un- -'Cool', loving unemotional

• Moving back, turning back on person or group --Disagreement

or disconnecting

• Spread hand across chest -'I feel pain or stress.'

• Leaning back, hands behind head elbows extended like wings

-High status, set apart from others

• Imitative body language -'I support you, I am with you

• Female: legs slanted, parallel, slightly crossed at ankles

-Ordered mind, or 'charm-school training'

• Excessively jerky movements -Frustration

• Snapping forward of head and whole body including arms and shoulders

-Forcefulness

• Head rested at angle, fingers agitated or drumming

-Boredom

• Intense gaze, wrinkled forehead, downcast look

-Reflection

• Sitting on edge of chair -Ambivalence,

tension, desire to end conversation