Abstract
Body language is the language the body speaks even when a person is done speaking. There are many different types of actions and behaviors that make up a person’s body language. Their meaning depends on the person performing the behavior’s intent and how the other person interprets the behaviors.

Body Language Being able to read a person’s mind is something that psychic’s claim to be able to do, however, what they are actually able to do is read a person’s body language. As a non-verbal form of communication, body language is expressed through facial expressions, body movements, gestures, and posture. James Borg states that human communication consists of 93 percent body language and paralinguistic cues, while only 7 percent of communication consists of words themselves (Wikipedia). Most people are guilty of trying to read a person’s mind by interpreting their body language through the many interactions we have on a daily basis. Although research may indicate that certain body language might be a sign of a certain thought or behavior, reading a person’s body language is not an exact science and can often be misinterpreted. Depending on how a person was raised or where they live will determine if eye contact is acceptable or not. In many countries it is considered rude to make eye contact. In most of the United States, however, it is consider rude not to make eye contact with a person. One might believe that the person is not listening, not paying attention, or distracted. While things like eye contact and even posture may depend on so many things, other instances such as a smile can almost always be interpreted as just what it is.
There are two sides to every bit of body language. There is the person who is conducting the body language and the person interpreting it. While a person may be intending their action as one thing, the other person may be interpreting it as another. For example while discussing something a girl may cross her arms only because she is cold, but her friend may think she is upset or angry. This is often where misunderstanding comes in. When there is a conflict between what a person is saying and what they are doing “a creeping sense of confusion and skepticism can overtake the listener, preventing a presenter's true message from connecting (Zielinski).”
Often times a person may not even realize that their bodies are indicating something different than what they are saying or doing. In the world of professional poker, player’s often look for these signs, called “tells,” in order try to read their opponents hands. A player may always rub their chin when they are bluffing and immediately look around the table when they have a great hand. Additionally, it is believed that a player with a great hand will be more likely to engage in a normal, rational conversation while a player who is bluffing may try “but the action is cut short because the player can't maintain the act under pressure (Zielinski).”
Unintentional body language is not just used by professional poker players but by all people. A person who is lying is usually uneasy and offers unintentional body language. It is believed that police officers and FBI agents use these types of behaviors to read a suspect and get more information. On the television show “The Mentalist” the main character often solves crimes based on a suspect’s behaviors rather than actual clues or evidence.
Body language is also interpreted on a more personal basis. “Touching, for example, is a gesture understood on more than one level. Touching or not touching-along with body orientation and proximity-is a mode of interaction (Kalapacs).” If a woman on a first date has positioned themselves a foot away at all times, they are more than likely not interested. However, a woman who stands close to a man and often touches him, usually on the arm, is generally interested. Touching is often discussed throughout a relationship and a lack of physical contact is usually interpreted as a negative thing. On a less intimate level when there is no physical contact it isn’t considered to be a negative thing. Many people do not like to be touched or to be in close proximity to others regardless of their relationship. Often, people refer to the area around them as their personal space, a box or a bubble. It is their area in which they do not intruders. While it might be interpreted that this person is stand offish or impersonal, to that individual it is only a personal preference.
Body language can be reliable guide to how people feel, what they think or what they want. We often use body language to understand babies and children. It is common knowledge that a child pulling on her ear usually means that she is in pain typically from an ear infection. This type of body language in an adult would not mean the same thing. A child chewing or sucking on her fingers could mean that “she’s teething or trying to soothe herself (Durocher).” Or it could mean something more serious such as “distress, but usually only in babies older than a year (Durocher).” Parents learn the behaviors of their babies and children like it is their own personal behavior. However, as their children get older, parents are often not able to read their child’s body language as well. Children become their own person and fully develop their own personality making it difficult to know exactly what they are thinking or feeling.
As with any stereotype, certain behaviors may indicate certain thinking, but it is not always the rule. Body language is different for all people regardless of whether it is intentional or otherwise. It can depend on many factors such as the environment or emotions. The person interpreting the body language can have different conclusions based on cultural backgrounds and relationship to the person. The language the body speaks can be a fascinating thing but not always an exact thing.
References
Body language. (2011, October 31). Retrieved October 31, 2011, from Wikipedia database.
Durocher, H. (2005, November). Decoding baby body language. Parenting, 19(10), 208.
Kalapacs, I. (1997). Body language. Frontiers, 18(1), 132.
Zielinski, D. (2001, April). Body Language Myths. Presentations, 15(4), 36-42.