What makes people use body language in different ways? Is it just down to their personality, or does the situation they are in also make a difference?
In this nonverbal communication activity, we look at three things that can influence body language: the individual, whether the communication is intentional, and the social, cultural, and physical environment.
The activity starts with a question for participants, followed by a discussion using a PowerPoint slide.
Body Language PowerPoint Slide
PowerPoint slide from the Nonverbal Communication Training Course Materials
How Do You Run This Nonverbal Communication Activity?
First, show only the title of the slide (you can see the completed slide in the image above).
Then ask the following question to your participants.
(You may also wish to give participants three to five minutes to discuss this question in small groups and then ask each group their thoughts.)
What do you think can influence the way we communicate nonverbally?
Wait for answers.
The participants’ answers should elicit a discussion, which can then be built on through further activities within a structured nonverbal communication session.
After participants have answered, click on the slide to show the elements on the slide. Explain each element one by one and use the descriptions and explanations below to talk through the graphic on the PowerPoint slide.
As you explain, connect your explanations with the major points from the previous discussion.
How Do Individual Differences Influence Body Language?
Click to show the circular shape that says ‘Individual’.
The first thing we need to consider is that nonverbal communication can vary between individuals.
Click the PPT slide to show the text box that says ‘Body, personality, experiences’.
The individual’s nonverbal communication is influenced by their body.
Individuals have bodies with different shapes and characteristics that can communicate something, whether we have the power to change these characteristics or not.
Disabilities and sensory differences can also affect how people send or interpret nonverbal signals.
Think, for example, about people with visual or hearing limitations, who rely more on one sense over another to communicate.
Some people also have difficulty understanding certain nonverbal signals.
For example, they might stand too close to another person without realizing it, or they might not pick up on what a change in somebody’s tone of voice means.
This is something to bear in mind, as we cannot expect everybody to interpret body language in exactly the same way.
Other factors that affect an individual’s nonverbal communication are their personalities and their previous life experiences (personal history, upbringing, culture).
With regard to individuals, it is important to point out that we can all have nonverbal behaviors that are idiosyncratic.
This means that they are specific to us only as individuals, regardless of the culture we belong to.
For instance, in a culture where people tend to speak loudly and are not afraid to touch other people, some individuals can still be quieter and more defensive of their personal space.
Also, some gestures, generally speaking, have certain meanings, but this does not apply to everybody. For example, if a person twirls their hair, it can mean they are tense.
For some people, though, this can be a habit, so it may not necessarily mean that they are more stressed than normal when they twirl their hair, as they do it all the time.
It is important to try to understand what the normal behavior for an individual is before we try to guess what their nonverbal behavior means.
In practice, this is where structured approaches can help, as it is not always clear whether what we are observing is a communication issue or influenced by context, personality, or environment.
If we do not have time to get to know that person, we will need to refer to the context of the situation more generally.
How Do Intentions Influence Nonverbal Communication?
Click the PowerPoint slide to show the circular shape that says ‘Intentions’.
The next thing to consider is the intention of the person concerning their nonverbal communication.
Click the PowerPoint slide to show the text box that says, ‘Is communication intentional or not?’
Sometimes we are aware of the nonverbal messages we are sending, and we do it with a purpose.
Other times, we send messages without being aware that we are doing so or of their effects.
This can make it particularly difficult to interpret behavior accurately without stepping back and considering the wider context.
You might be unaware of cultural norms.
For example, a thumbs-up is a positive sign in some cultures, to signify that something is good. In other cultures, it is an insult.
So, somebody who comes from a culture in which a thumbs-up gesture is a positive sign may do this gesture in front of a person who comes from a culture in which it is an insult.
So, one might end up insulting people without the intention of doing so.
Another example is that of unintentional touch, when you bump into another person without meaning to touch them.
Other times, somebody may be trying to be polite, even though they are not particularly happy about what they have been asked to do.
For example, you ask someone for a favor, and they say yes, but as they do so you notice them touch the back of their neck, and we might interpret this as a sign that they are reluctantly agreeing to help.
However, we cannot know this for certain. The gesture might simply be a habit, or there may be another reason for it. So, we should not assume that we know what somebody is thinking just from their body language.
How Does the Environment Influence Nonverbal Communication?
Click the PowerPoint slide to show the circular shape that says ‘Environment’.
Finally, the environment can influence our nonverbal communication.
Click the PowerPoint slide to show the text box that says, ‘Social, cultural, physical’.
With regard to the environment, in respect to nonverbal communication and body language, there are three key areas:
a) The social environment, such as hierarchy and relationships
There are different ways to show a person’s status nonverbally; one example is through touch.
The appropriate type of touch depends on the setting and the level of intimacy.
You need to consider the context and people involved on a case-by-case basis. However, here are some suggestions.
As a general rule, avoid touching anyone unless you know them well or are offering assistance.
In any case, make sure they are comfortable with being touched.
For example, putting your hand on a colleague’s shoulder might seem harmless to you, but how do you know they are happy with it? Unless you know the person well, it is usually better to avoid touching them.
Avoid moving someone out of the way by pushing them, but instead, say something such as ‘Excuse me’.
Avoid aggressive touches or startling someone with touch when they are not aware of your presence.
Who is touching whom can also make a difference.
A manager, for instance, might think that putting a hand on an employee’s shoulder is just a friendly thing to do. But what if the employee does not like being touched? They may not want to say anything because it is their manager.
This is something to be aware of, especially at work. Being in charge of somebody does not mean that you can take liberties with their personal space.
Also, the way a manager communicates nonverbally to their direct reports is generally different from the way a direct report communicates with their manager.
b) The culture
Nonverbal communication is, for the most part, culturally dependent (both in terms of national cultures and of subcultures within the same society).
c) Physical environment
Physical features and barriers in the environment can have an impact on how we communicate nonverbally.
Also, we can set up an environment, such as by arranging furniture in an office, to elicit certain behaviors. For example, certain seating arrangements (such as sitting side by side as opposed to opposite each other) can encourage cooperation more than others.
Find More Body Language Activities for Educators
If you are an educator looking for more nonverbal communication training activities and body language games, there are more in the teaching materials; see below:
We also have 12 more interactive body language activities for educators here. For more activities and teaching resources, explore our Workplace Communication Guides for managers, HR professionals, and trainers.
