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Week 8 [02.12 – 08.12.2019] What our body language can say about us



Social interactions have always been interesting for me. Since childhood I was wondering how others see me as a person. Does everybody else think that I am shy or confident? Can anybody sense when I am lying or when I truly believe what I am saying? It is truly amazing how much  we can tell about others’ state of mind just by observing their body language. In this video Amy Cuddy explains the secrets of body language


https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_may_shape_who_you_are?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare
Questions:
1. Have you been aware that so much depends on our body language?
2.Do you agree that our body language can shape who we are?
3. Do you pay attention to other people’s body language?

Comments

Karol Michalak said…
1. Have you been aware that so much depends on our body language?
Yes, few months prior to this ted talk as I recieved as a gift a book about it. Though I haven't finished it yet it really made me more carefull about what I do during conversation.

2.Do you agree that our body language can shape who we are?
Yes, it has potential to show what we really are inside and what message we truly want to send to the other person or a group. If we use it incorrectly we can be percived as rude, immature or dumb person.

3. Do you pay attention to other people’s body language?
Yes, I try it everyday and it slowly makes a difference in everyday dialog with other people.
Maciej Szczypek said…
1. Have you been aware that so much depends on our body language?

Yes, I have. Actually I have been told this many times in my life in very different circumstances and yet I do not pay that much attention to my own body language. I prefer to stay natural, not focusing on forcing some behaviour of mine.

2. Do you agree that our body language can shape who we are?
Body language (if natural) definitely gives quite detailed information on who we are and what can be expected from us. It just homes with the flow of the speech. However it is one-way connection. We can't even force some body language behaviours to come naturally.

3. Do you pay attention to other people’s body language?

Certainly I do, but rather uncounciously than conciously. My conciousness focuses on whay other person tells me, but unconciousness focuses on the body part. I feel that those inputs aggregate somehow and I get a full image of a person.
1. Have you been aware that so much depends on our body language?
Yes, of course. Our body can sometimes express more than what we would like to convey to another person in words. More often, however, this is a problem than a help, because usually the body reveals a lot about our intentions and the truthfulness of our statements. We can say one thing, but the interlocutor will know that we are lying because he will read it from our gestures or inappropriate behavior. Sometimes, however, body language also helps, allows us to be more convincing, gives dynamics to our statements and helps to focus the interlocutor's attention.

2.Do you agree that our body language can shape who we are?
Definitely. Gesticulation often describes us as the people we are, our intentions, whether we are more optimistic or pessimistic, whether we are more energetic or calm. We can build our character and image on body language that we want to describe us. We often have to combine the way we speak with the right gestures to interest other people and convince them that we are honest with them and we don't pretend to be anyone.

3. Do you pay attention to other people’s body language?
Not always, but often it's hard to just ignore it, after all, when I'm talking to someone, I look at the interlocutor and see what he does. Body language often tells me when someone is stressed or has a problem communicating clearly, is ashamed of something or doesn't quite tell the truth. It's also often the case that I can tell by the body language itself that the interlocutor has something important to convey to me and that it's credible. I usually try not to ignore body language, but sometimes some people are unable to properly adapt it to the manner or subject of the speech.
1. Yes, I am aware of how body language affects the reception of other people. In general, it seems to me that you can naturally realize this as you grow up. If anyone has had the opportunity to interact with various environments of people certainly knows that the same story, for example, we will tell in a different way and I mean just such things as body language or tone of voice and not words in themselves
2. It's hard to disagree, it's just the way it is. It's good to control your body language or gestures. It seems to me that then our statements will be received in the way we wish. After all, you can see what's going on right now. If someone goes tired stooped, they are unlikely to attract interest from a group of people. A straightened and smiling person will be better received. And now you can use it to your advantage.
3. With certainty, but it seems to me that others like me do it rather subconsciously. If this body language is extremely visible and even annoying then I do it consciously.
1. Have you been aware that so much depends on our body language?
Yes, I realize how much depends on our body language. I also think that the language of our clothing also has an impact on this. So I don't agree with people who say that what we look like doesn't matter. Sometimes we can deduce from the leg and arm system whether someone is open to new suggestions or not. Is anyone upset or even cheating.

2. Do you agree that our body language can shape who we are?
I think I agree with this statement. Body language can shape our character, our personality and how others perceive us.

3. Do you pay attention to other people’s body language?
Yes, I often pay attention to body language. It shows me, for example, how people have an attitude to detail. In addition, I see how they deal with stress and whether they are accurate in what they do. I look at whether people are gesturing heavily or looking in their eyes when they speak. I also try to pay attention to voice intonation.
1. Yes, I know that body language is very important. This is one of the first things I pay attention to when I meet new people. It helps to learn a lot about a person, even being familiar with him/her for a few minutes.

2. Honestly, I thought body language only helps us shape ourselves. But I changed my mind after watching this video. It turns out that it affects us much more. I could not even think body language can change the amount of testosterone and cortisol in our body.

3. Yes, as I wrote above, I often pay attention to it. I think it's an almost infallible way to know what type of person is in front of you. Thanks to the body language, you can see if a person is worried, maybe he/she is experiencing stress, or feels discomfort.
Jakub Kisiała said…
1. I really like social psychologies and have read several books on body language. This is a fascinating topic because you can learn the real intentions of the interlocutor or his opinion.

2. Usually, body language says a lot about us and our disposition to others.

3. Yes, sometimes I try but usually I don't pay attention to it during every conversation.
S20108
1. Have you been aware that so much depends on our body language?
In junior high school I was very interested in our consciousness and subconsciousness. For this of course influencing people and body language. I am a very emotional person, my life is one big emotion, which means that it is very easy to read me through my body language. Some told me that even from my face, you can read like a book.

2.Do you agree that our body language can shape who we are?
It may not shape but certainly show. When you meet someone or when someone is lying, it is often very easy to assess whether the person is honest with the right knowledge? Is he telling the truth? Does he like us?

3. Do you pay attention to other people’s body language?
Once, at the beginning, when I was interested, I applied it. Now I only do it from time to time.
Kyrylo said…
1. Have you been aware that so much depends on our body language?
Yes, I have. This is one of the everyday's aspects that elude from obvious field of view, although one shall not negate the importance of the body's language, as it was once the primal method of communication for the people, and for a reason.
2.Do you agree that our body language can shape who we are?
Not really, though it certainly is a big brick in this wall.
3. Do you pay attention to other people’s body language?
Everybody does. Subconsciously. It is, in fact, hard coded into human by Nature itself, and it has been done long time ago, long before progress and society started to alter it.
1. Have you been aware that so much depends on our body language?
Yes, I knew about it. It’s interesting that when a message is inconsistent, we tend to rely more on the body language of the person who is talking to us, rather than the words they are saying.

2.Do you agree that our body language can shape who we are?
I think that our body language can influence how other people see us and what they think of us. It can also have an impact on the intensity of the emotions we convey.

3. Do you pay attention to other people’s body language?
Usually that process is subconscious and we don’t realise that we take into consideration other people’s body language without even realising it. It’s a fun activity to have a conversation with someone and pay attention to their body language to realise how it works. It’s also a good technique to see how other people perceive us and what their intentions are.
1. Yes, I’ve stumbled across videos and articles considering this before. It’s a normal animal behavior, there’s little we can do about it.
2. Haven’t experienced it myself or as an observer but people who investigated this phenomenon say it works – I’m going to consider this as “may be potentially possible” by now – not that I’m too interested in it to dig deeper.
3. Sometimes, when it’s too obvious and easy to notice – usually during some presentation you can clearly see how the presenter tries to focus or calm their nervousness down.
Kgajewska said…
Thanks for your comment! So glad to hear that people still gives books as gifts. I do hope that being aware of body language power makes conversations easier for you.
Kgajewska said…
Thanks for sharing your opinion. Definetely we can't 'force' body language, but I think we can train some behaviours and if we do, our speeches can be seen as more professional. For example all nervous ticks - thay can distract audience and change focus from our words and message to this action - and that isn't what we want to happen.
Kgajewska said…
Thank you for such a long comment! It's nice to see respons longer than one sentence. Help or problem - well it depends on the intention behind our words and situation,I guess. Surely it's often a problem for shy people with low self-eteem, because it's clearly visible when they are under a big pressure and a perspective of being judged as incomeptent just because they are nervous doesn't help, but when you know how to tame your body language you can adapt yourself properly. As you said, paying attention to body language can often tell you about interlocutor's intention and warn you if you feel like somebody's lying to you.
Kgajewska said…
Thanks for your comment, Good to see so many people being aware of body language power. I do agree with you - when somebody is trying too hard to change their nautural flow and body language it's just plain annoying. We have to remember that being natural with who we really are is crucial in social interactions and life itself.
Kgajewska said…
Thanks a lot for your comment especially when the topic isn't something intersting for you - but maybe someday you will be willing to pay more attention to your body during an official speech or a presentation? These little things we subconsciously do can have enormous impact on our life. Presentations, official meetings, job interviewes - they are all situations in which our success depends on other's opinion about us and if we can do something to show how proffesional, energetic or intelligent we are, I'd highly reccomend to take this effort.
Kgajewska said…
Thanks for your opinion. Yes, it's very subconscious and when body language doesn't match with the feelings or general vibe it looks fake and artifical. In this scenario I'm wondering what's this person is hiding from me and it keeps me alerted for the rest of the conversation. I do agree with you - sometimes watching other's natural body language can be funny thing to do, especially when your interlocutor is showing strong emotions about conversation subject.
Kuba Berliński said…

1. Yes I have. I sometimes even pay attention myself to what I am doing as well as to what other people are doing. It can say quite a lot about people in general or their current mood.

2. In a way it can, but it is not everything. One may show some dominance through body language, but yet say something stupid that will discourage people from him.

3. Sometimes I do. I try to be aware of what I am doing as well as other people, just as I mentioned in first answer.
1. Have you been aware that so much depends on our body language?
Yes, I have watched few videos about the importance of body language. What's more, I think that we are not educated enough in terms of body language. I believe that non-verbal language is a great part of communication, that is often underestimated.

2. Do you agree that our body language can shape who we are?
Yes, up to some point. I don't think that out body language completely shapes who we are, but it definitely have impact on how we are perceived and how we perceive others.

3. Do you pay attention to other people's body language?
Yes definitely. I pay attention to the body language of people that I talk with. I believe that I have learnt how to recognize if a person, for example, feels a bit anxious or what are the intentions of that person.
Zygmunt Z said…
1. Have you been aware that so much depends on our body language?

Yes, I have and to be honest, it is really conspicuous how we can be perceived by others by only looking at our body language and vice versa. I am not an expert but I can quickly notice how people might behave by looking at their body language.
2.Do you agree that our body language can shape who we are?

Yes, I think so, especially how are we perceived by others. We are very much visuals and body language can help us create a model of a person. I am not saying that it is correct because everyone has a right to have a better or worse day but in the end I think many people do that as it is the easiest way.

3. Do you pay attention to other people’s body language?
Yes, definitely as I can read a lot from that.
1. Yes, I did know about it. It's a common fact and most notable example I can think of right now is Gordon Ramsay. He's so full of energy and you can see it just by his body language, because he always waves his hands and he's holding them high.

2. Yes, I do agree with that. You can learn about someone's personality just by his posture and his body language in general (if he's brave or shy etc.)

3. Usually i don't pay attention too much, maybe if someone has some specific body language that stands out from the crowd, then i pay attention to the person.
Yurii Gevtsi said…
1. Have you been aware that so much depends on our body language?
Yes, of course, I watched a few documentaries about body language. One of them was about how during a conversation it is possible, by facial expressions and gestures, to understand whether a person is lying or not.

2.Do you agree that our body language can shape who we are?
Based on facial expressions and gestures, much can be said about the psychological state of a person and about his character as a whole.

3. Do you pay attention to other people’s body language?
I don't pay much attention to gesturing other people, and I'm of those people who gesticulate very little. But I really don't like it when my interlocutor shows excessive gesticulation.
1. Yes, I read many articles about body language and I'm aware about how much that depends. I try to use it every time I can and remembering about it when I have a stressfull situation.
2. Of course, first thing when we see someone new is his body language, we start thinking and rate of someone before he start talking only by his body language.
3. Yes, everybody is doing that. Just thing about this we see a person who is hiding his eye contact and look at different way we start analysing such things.
1. Have you been aware that so much depends on our body language?

Yes, I have. I myself get a lot of information from other people without having to talk to them. The way they behave can be much more honest source of information than what they say. Detecting a lie can also be a trivial thing for someone who's more advanced in reading body language. I would love to learn more about that.

2.Do you agree that our body language can shape who we are?

Definietely. At least who we are in the eyes of other people. Two people might say the same thing but behave differently. The way they will be received will vary. So the opinion about them. People's reaction to us also shapes our portrayal so definietely changes who we are.

3. Do you pay attention to other people’s body language?

As I have earlier said - yes, very often. This gives us much more information than people would like to give us.
1. Although I did know, that nonverbal communication has an essential role in peoples' everyday interactions, I've never realized how much of an influence body language has on the way we perceive ourselves.

2. Definitely, modifying your body language can help you achieve your goals and improve your general image, which can impact your personality.

3. I think I do subconsciously, probably to a surprisingly big extent, like most people do.
s15740 said…
1.Yes, playing poker.
2.I believe it can say what we feel.
3.Only if it has sense for me.
Anna Koca said…
1. Have you been aware that so much depends on our body language?
I am very aware of psychology and our body language. I love to read books and watch movies about that topic. I like to be aware of my body and behaviors.

2.Do you agree that our body language can shape who we are?

Yes, I totally agree. I checked it on myself. When I was shy and feel uncomfortable I made myself to use confident pose and body language and it very often helped.

3. Do you pay attention to other people’s body language?
Yes I do, I have huge empathy and can read between the lines and out of body language very well. That is why I prefer to understand it very well to for example talk to someone when he feels uncomfortable or react quickly when someone adopts an offensive attitude
Mehmet KONUK said…
1. Yes, to be honest, by looking at people's body language, you can understand how they are and how they feel. I'm not an expert, but I can understand how people can behave by looking at their body language.
2. Yes, I think so, especially how we are perceived by others. Too much visuals and body language can help us build a human model.
3. Yes, mostly I pay attention. sometimes even behave according to your state and actions.
Vitalii Ohol said…
1. I watched this TED talk quadruple times since last year and even tried this poses in my life. So yes, I'm aware of the high influence of our body postures on our perceptions and thoughts about us as a person.

2. As I said above, I tried some poses described in the video and even new ones that were not so typical for me. I can say that I feel more energetic, optimistic, confident, and unencumbered in everything that I do now. Our body gestures can also influence other people's feelings and thoughts about us. Gestures can describe us as an optimistic, energetic, calm person, or can show our interest and our intentions. Gestures in speech or talk can say enough about your honesty and you as a person.

3. I do it every time, but mostly subconsciously. For most situations, that's enough to be a good conversationalist. But, in some situations, the conversation turns into a real-time strategy where you forced to wisely and painstakingly choose every action to get even minimal good results.
dominik.samsel said…
1. Have you been aware that so much depends on our body language?
2.Do you agree that our body language can shape who we are?
3. Do you pay attention to other people’s body language?

1. It's subject that I know it's important but there are times I forget how much. It can totally change the way you're seen by others. Showing your confidence is a key, whenever you are giving a presentation for example. It's two different stories when someone's doing it sitting on chair with crossed legs and lowered voice, in comparison to person with great posture, who is gesturing.

2. I can not agree more with that. It depends only on you how you're gonna be perceived by the others. What is more, you can easily change it, if you want.

3. I'm not specialist, but sometimes I can notice when someone is not confident or strongly believe what they represent. However, it's hard for me to feel it when someone is body language is very subtle.
Paweł Hadacz said…
1. Have you been aware that so much depends on our body language?
Yes I have been aware that so much depends on our body language. I have heard about it during my training at work.
2.Do you agree that our body language can shape who we are?
Yes I agree Body language shows our personality, whether we feel comfortable in a given situation or when we lie, etc.
3. Do you pay attention to other people’s body language?
I usually don't pay attention unless one's body language is very unusual.
Denys Pogurskyi said…
1. Have you been aware that so much depends on our body language?
Well, in general, if you take it like this, then people with disabilities talk in movements.
2.Do you agree that our body language can shape who we are?
Well, I'm prone to the fact that most likely yes.
3. Do you pay attention to other people’s body language?
Yes, sometimes I notice how at work someone waves their hands saying "Come here" or "And he went to the left" :D
1. Of course, I realize that body language is more important. Some time ago I watched such a long report about it. How we behave when talking to other people says a lot about us. Thanks to this, the interlocutor can already form an opinion about us without really knowing us.

2. Body language reflects our character and personality, so of course it shapes who we are. You must learn to use it skillfully to use it in the right way to make a good first impression.

3. I pay attention to how others behave when talking to me. It teaches me a lot and shows me what type of human I am dealing with.
Mateusz Hefner said…
1. Have you been aware that so much depends on our body language?
It's my first time watching about it and I would never say it depends on that much. Now I know that I need to look more into it.

2.Do you agree that our body language can shape who we are?
Well as I said it's my first time with the topic but after this video, I would say it's kind of possible to more or less show who we are.

3. Do you pay attention to other people’s body language?
Well, I think all of us pay attention to body language but most people don't even know about it.

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