Understanding Human Body Language: Facial Expressions, Emotions, Defense, and Secrecy

There are about 6,000 languages spoken on Earth, each complex and unique in its own way. However, there is one language that everyone understands: body language. This article is useful for anyone who wants to learn how to read and interpret body language, facial expressions, and human postures, or for those who want to know more about their conversation partner than what is said aloud.

Body Language and Gestures

Psychologists believe that verbal communication (speech) conveys only 7% of information, while body language and facial expressions account for 59%. Human development is impossible without communication among people of all races and nationalities, but entire nations speak their own native languages. Of course, people learn new languages and create dictionaries, and some languages borrow words from each other.

But what happens when people who speak different languages, or who cannot speak at all, meet unexpectedly? This is where the universal language of the world-body language and gestures, or nonverbal communication-comes in. The ability to communicate through gestures is innate, allowing people to express themselves with signs even without prior training. While such a dialogue may not be deep, with certain hand, head, facial, and body gestures, people can communicate quite clearly without words. For example, the most common head gesture across cultures-shaking or nodding-means “no” or “yes.”

Nonverbal Body Language and Gestures

Worldwide, the main gestures used for communication-let’s call them communicative gestures-are similar. When someone is happy, they smile; when sick, they look sad or frown; when dissatisfied, they glare. A gesture is a movement of the body or its parts to give meaning or significance to speech, thoughts, or desires through signs and symbols. This is different from the other meaning of “gesture,” such as a “gesture of goodwill.”

Interest in nonverbal communication is driven by compelling statistics. According to anthropologists and ethologists, words convey only 7% of the information a person receives. Nonverbal methods account for 93%: 38% is paralinguistic (tone, volume, pauses, dialect), and 55% is kinetic (gestures, facial expressions, touch, posture). In about 10-12 minutes of daily communication, verbal content makes up 35%, while nonverbal content is 65%. While specific information is conveyed with words, many cultures use gestures instead. The science of body language is called kinesics, a term proposed in 1952 by American anthropologist Ray Birdwhistell. He developed this idea while living with the Ktunaxa tribe in Canada, noticing that tribe members’ behavior and movements differed depending on whether they spoke English or their native language.

The History of Body Language and Gestures

Almost all living beings communicate, but only humans have perfected communication through conscious speech. Nature designed emotional signals to help establish contact between living beings, and humans transmit information in the same way.

Gestures and Emotions of Early Humans

The roots of body language go back to primitive society. For example, baring teeth is a remnant from when humans attacked enemies, likely imitating predators. Today, people use this gesture when smirking or showing hostility. Originally, a smile was a threat, but over time, combined with friendly gestures, it came to mean pleasure and goodwill.

One influential work on this topic is Charles Darwin’s 1872 book, “The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals.” This work laid the foundation for modern research, and many of its ideas about body language are still recognized today. Scientists have identified and described over 1,000 nonverbal signals. Think of the famous actor Charlie Chaplin-a master of silent communication-demonstrating the power of body language in silent films.

Common Facial Expressions and Gestures

Basic gestures are similar everywhere. For example, shrugging means not understanding or not knowing what’s being discussed. This common gesture involves three movements: open palms, raised shoulders, and raised eyebrows. Most gestures are a combination of body movements. For example, scratching the head can mean many things-sweat, dandruff, an allergic reaction-but when combined with a facial expression, it clearly shows someone is thinking.

Just as language consists of words, sentences, and punctuation, body language is like words, each with multiple meanings. Gestures form “sentences” that reveal a person’s mood and state. When words and gestures match, this is called congruence. For example, scratching the back of the head while saying, “Let me think,” is a congruent signal. Since nonverbal cues carry five times more information, when there’s incongruence, people rely on nonverbal information over words.

Nonverbal communication can be divided into facial, olfactory (smell), gestural, and tactile (touch) communication. Smells are important in communication. For example, in 1995, Kuwaiti authorities bought wolf urine from Sweden to repel mammals from roads, using its pheromones to prevent camel-related accidents.

The famous writer H.G. Wells was very popular with women, and when one admirer was asked what she liked about him, she replied, “He smells like honey.” People can recognize each other by scent. At close range, facial expressions play a leading role in communication, and there is a striking similarity between human and ape facial expressions.

There are spontaneous and controlled facial expressions. Spontaneous expressions reflect emotions and are similar for everyone, regardless of nationality. Controlled expressions are learned through socialization and personal experience.

Demonstrating “Basic” Emotions

Darwin’s idea that pantomime (facial expressions) is universal became popular in the 1970s thanks to American psychologist Paul Ekman. He stated that facial expressions created by muscle movements and emotions are universal. Basic emotions are innate, and everyone feels them the same way, differing only in intensity. There are seven basic emotions:

• Joy: Associated with happiness, satisfaction, and pleasure. Outward signs include a faster heartbeat, elevated mood, active gestures, smiling, and increased interest in communication. Cheeks are raised, muscles around the eyes are engaged, and there are small wrinkles around the eyes.
• Surprise: Linked to unexpected situations, good or bad. Surprise can quickly turn into joy, anger, fear, or interest. It’s a very brief emotion. The more we are surprised, the more a certain hormone is produced, which helps us develop and look younger. If a person stops being surprised, they start to age. Outward signs: raised or drawn-together eyebrows, parted lips, wide-open eyes.
• Sadness: Caused by upsetting circumstances, it lies between gloom, sorrow, and longing. Outward signs: desire to be alone, possible tears, passive mood and behavior. Depression is a mix of four emotions: anger, sadness, fear, and disgust. For example, fear is worry about the future, anger is being mad at oneself, then sadness about the future, and finally self-disgust. Outward signs: slightly downturned mouth corners, unfocused gaze, slightly lowered upper eyelids.
• Anger: Usually triggered by perceived injustice and has a strong negative valence and a desire to get rid of it quickly. Anger can be useful, as the hormone it produces gives positive feelings related to achieving something. Anger can be directed outward (leading to action and goal achievement) or inward (which is destructive). Outward signs: motivation for aggressive actions, bulging or narrowed eyes, furrowed brows, pressed lips, tense chin and neck, tense eyelids.
• Disgust: Can be short- or long-term, arising when encountering something unpleasant. Outward signs: nausea, desire to turn away or leave, raised upper lip, raised cheeks, narrowed eyes, nose wrinkles, slightly lowered eyebrows.
• Contempt: Expresses disrespect or disdain, often linked to disgust and can turn into anger or hatred. Outward signs: desire to point out someone’s wrongness, tense mouth corners and/or one raised mouth corner, lips pressed together.
• Fear: A negative emotion expressing tension in anticipation of possible threats. Fear is the oldest program in the human brain, and today 95% of our fears are unfounded. Outward signs: slightly pursed lips, tense lower eyelids, raised and drawn-out eyebrows, raised upper eyelids.

Hand Gestures

Some of the first gestures humans use from birth are hand gestures. Pointing and requesting gestures come from primates and arise spontaneously in children. A finger pointing at an object means “do something with it,” while an outstretched hand with the palm up means “give it to me.” Early use of pointing gestures helps children learn more words by 20 months. Girls start using it at 325 days old, boys a month later; girls know 3-4 words, boys only one. These two hand gestures are understood worldwide, regardless of nationality.

Some gestures are considered emblems in all cultures. The most famous is the raised index finger, meaning a threat or to get attention. Waving a raised finger is seen as a threat, often used with children, but can also be playful (“watch out!”). The meaning depends on the movement and accompanying vocal cues. Even children have “pointing duels” to show aggression.

An outstretched hand with fingers together is a greeting in many cultures. Here are some common gestures:

• “Pulling down the lower eyelid with the index finger”: In the UK, it means “you can’t fool me”; in France and Turkey, “be alert”; in Italy, “a beautiful girl just passed by”; in Austria, it means boredom.
• “Brushing imaginary dust off clothes”: In some countries, it shows disdain; among Roma, it means “get lost.”
• “OK” or “ring” gesture: In most countries, it means “everything’s fine,” but in France, it means “nothing” or “zero,” in Turkey it’s an insult, and in Japan it means “money.”
• “Thumbs up”: In Russia, it means “all good, no problem,” and is used for hitchhiking; in Turkey, it means “shut up”; in America, it means the number “5.” We all know “give a thumbs up” when we like a video.
• “V” sign: Invented by Victor de Laveleye during WWII, it means victory, success, and unity against fascism.

When traveling abroad, remember these and other gestures to avoid awkward situations, as locals may not understand and could respond with a “finger to the throat” or “middle finger.”

Postures and Gestures: Sitting and Standing

Changing your posture during conversation can draw attention or reveal your attitude, and can even change how others perceive you. Here are some common postures:

• Dominance: The person tries to take up as much space as possible. If standing in a doorway, they may block it with an arm on the frame and the other hand on their hip.
• Openness: Feet shoulder-width apart, arms spread, palms open toward the other person-shows nothing to hide, a preparatory pose before a hug.
• Inviting posture: Similar to openness, but with feet together and a welcoming facial expression-means “welcome, make yourself at home, but remember you’re a guest.”
• Self-confidence: Hands behind the back, chest and stomach pushed forward. In stressful situations, this posture brings relief and confidence. However, the person may be under control and not entirely truthful.
• Aggression: Hands in pockets, head slightly tilted. The person is ready to attack, showing superiority, authority, and anger.

Some gestures are repeated while sitting, but there are also unique sitting postures:

• Sitting with legs crossed: Subconsciously trying to protect oneself from external factors.
• Sitting “cross-legged” (on the floor): Indicates relaxation and calmness.
• Arms crossed on the chest: Creates a barrier to the other person. Psychologists say this means the person feels threatened or uncomfortable.
• Sitting with legs wide apart: Indicates a friendly, open person who feels comfortable and ready to talk.

Defensive Gestures

Defensive gestures have a key feature in both sitting and standing postures. A defensive gesture shows a person feels threatened during communication. This is seen in crossed arms, sometimes with clenched fists or hands gripping the shoulders, indicating a closed-off attitude. Another common position is sitting backward on a chair, using the backrest as a shield.

Gestures of Openness and Secrecy

Open hands with palms facing you almost always mean the person is open to communication and wants to connect. For example, children show open hands when boasting about achievements, but hide them in their pockets when feeling guilty.

Unbuttoning a jacket or taking it off during negotiations is a sign of friendliness. Noticing such details can help you identify turning points in a conversation and take steps to achieve your goals.

If your conversation partner covers their mouth with their hands, it’s a clear sign of secrecy or suspicion. Even looking away can indicate secrecy. Turning the body or feet toward the exit means the person wants to end the conversation. Frequent yawning shows loss of interest, and touching the tip of the nose signals doubt.

Body language tells us a lot. Humans have been interested in this for a long time. Many gestures are borrowed from animals, some are universal and independent of subculture, skin color, nationality, or environment. Knowing the main gestures, facial expressions, movements, and postures helps people communicate and make decisions.