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MODULE 12: POSTURES, GESTURES AND EYE CONTACT

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Explain the role of Postures, Gestures and Eye Contact in nonverbal communication.
To understand the significance of gait in communication

To know the difference between positive body language and negative body language

OVERVIEW

When you speak, you not only speak with your words, but also with your body language.
From your facial expressions, to your posture and eye contact, they all add up to the ‗truth‘
behind what you are saying. The postures, gestures and eye contact can be used to reinforce or

emphasize what a person is saying. They also offer information about the emotions and
attitudes of a person.

3.4. POSTURES, GESTURES AND EYE CONTACT

Kinesics is the broad field of nonverbal communication solely concerned with the interpretation
of nonverbal behaviours that are associated with body movement, gestures, posture and facial
expression and eye contact. Kinesics, is in fact, a scientific study of body language.

Body language is the use of physical behaviour, expressions, and mannerisms to communicate
nonverbally, often done instinctively rather than consciously. Whether you are aware of it or not,

when you interact with others, you‘re continuously giving and receiving wordless signals.

3.4.1. BODY MOVEMENTS AND POSTURES

One type of nonverbal behavior related to postures is body movement. Body

Movement is the voluntary or involuntary movement of parts of the body such as hands, feet,
legs, and shoulders, which may either reinforce or contradicts what is communicated verbally.
Body movements are strong indicators of how you feel—they indicate feelings such as

nervousness, excitement and anxiety. An understanding of the complexity and

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