Body Language: Cultural Variations in Smiles & Head Nods PDF

Body Language Week 3.2, Cultural Differences in Smiles, and Head Nods Prof. Rashmi Gaur Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Roorkee 1  The Tight-Lipped Smile Lips are stretched tight...

Body Language Week 3.2, Cultural Differences in Smiles, and Head Nods Prof. Rashmi Gaur Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Roorkee 1  The Tight-Lipped Smile Lips are stretched tight across the face to form a straight line and the teeth are concealed It sends the message that the smiler has a secret or a withheld opinion or attitude that they will not be sharing with you (Images: Source: https://www.google.co.in/url?sa=i&source Concealment of thought and restraining of attitudes =images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUK EwjmspG0m-bgAhVOXisKHX4wBiwQjRx6BAgBEAU &url=http%3A%2F%2Fwe https://bodylanguagenoob.wordpress. Often seen in pictures of successful leaders/businessmen com/2012/11/29/body-language-the-tight-lipped- smile/) who talk about principles of success, yet never revealing exact details of how they succeeded! Also a polite signal to others that they are not liked or included in the group 2  The Twisted/Lop-sided Smile It shows opposite emotions on each side of the face The right brain raises the left side eyebrow, the left zygomatic muscles and left cheek to produce one type of smile on the left side of the face While the left brain pulls the same muscles downwards on Image: https://www.google.com/search?q=The+Twisted+Smile% the right side to produce an angry frown 2Bimage&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi_ qMaqzobhAhUN148KHbhmDQUQ7Al6BAgDEA0&biw=938 &bih=909#imgrc=a6FnI63dUmLyPM: Expresses mixed emotions: downward slant suggesting negative emotions and the upward tilt suggesting that the person is not angry The Twisted Smile can also be done deliberately and sends messages of sarcasm, embarrassment 3  The Drop-Jaw Smile Exaggeration This is a practiced smile where the lower jaw is simply dropped down to give the impression that the person is laughing or playful This is a favorite of public figures while interacting with large audience https://www.google.com/search?q=The+Drop- Jaw+Smile%2Bimage&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ved= 2ahUKEwjWlaT9zobhAhWLpo8KHZNHCCUQ7Al6BAgDEA8 To give impression of amusement and playfulness &biw=938&bih=909#imgrc=0zm3HTx_askzkM: Helps them to lower hostility or rancor in others 4  Sideways-Looking-Up/Turned Away Smile Encapsulates both openness and shyness, signals welcome as well as avoidance With the head turned down and away while looking up with a tight-lipped smile, the smiler looks juvenile, playful and secretive Engenders parental feelings in the viewer, making us (Image: http://westsidetoastmasters.com/resources/ want to protect and care for such a person book_of_body_language/chap3.html) Men's favorite everywhere This is one of the smiles Princess Diana used to captivate the hearts of people everywhere (Pease p. 78) 5  Miserable Smile : A slight asymmetric smile with an expression of deep sadness discernible in other features It's a socially acceptable way of showing that you’re sad or in pain (Zaria 2017) Dampened smile: ( Image Courtesy: http://onlinestatbook.com/ an attempt to control an case_studies_rvls/smiles/ examples.html) automatic, happy one “The cheeks will be raised but we pull the corners of the mouth downwards or press the lips together, like “I shouldn’t be (Image Courtesy: smiling”,’ says Zara Ambadar, University of https://myaccount.news.com.au/sites/heraldsun/ Pittsburgh (Zaria) subscribe.html?sourceCode=) 6  Qualifier smile: Eases off communication of bad news, tries to take the edge off It begins abruptly, raising the lower lip slightly, and is occasionally accompanied by a slightly downwards and sideways tilt of the head Can be irritating as it often traps the recipient into smiling back (Image Curtsey: http://www.mashupcorner.com/did-you-know-there-are-19-types- Contempt smile: indicates a mixture of of-smile/ ) disgust and resentment, disconcertingly similar to a smile of true delight, except for the corners of lips which appear tightened. In cultures, which are less centered around the needs of the individual (eg., East Asian culture), negative emotions – anger etc.- are http://www.mashupcorner.com/ did-you-know-there-are-19-types-of-smile/ often concealed with a smile to maintain social harmony 7  Angry-enjoyment smile Schadenfreude: Translating roughly as ‘malicious joy’ or delighting in others’ misfortune. It is the thrill/self- satisfaction of discovering another’s hardships, humiliations, failures etc. – Complex emotion: aggression, rivalry and justice are its driving forces Not always easy to conceal from others. (Image Courtesy: https://tvtropes.org/ – “If individuals are alone and feel unobserved, they usually express pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ Slashersmile) feelings of schadenfreude by so-called ‘Duchenne smiles’ and ‘Duchenne laughs’,” says Jennifer Hofmann, a psychologist at the University of Zurich. – When we know someone’s watching, the best we can do is plaster an expression of anger over the top, resulting in the fixed, creepy grin which has become a staple of horror movie villains – Often used in films and similar media 8  Polite Smile: Politeness by definition is voluntary and deliberate but nonetheless crucial to social life – For sociolinguists, conversations are rife with possibilities for insult/discord – A system of actions aimed at smoothing over inevitable moments of discord or disagreement so each is respected and social connection is maintained Far from being hypocritical, a polite smile conveys that the other http://bodylanguageproject.com/n (Image Courtesy: person’s feelings matter onverbal-dictionary/body- language-of-polite-smile-the/ Embarrassed Smile: Several studies have found that subjects like and forgive people more who show genuine embarrassment Allow people to excuse social faux pas and smooth over uncomfortable incidents: Image Curtsey: Spill a drink, forget a person’s name, get caught in a fib https://www.everydayknow.com/different-types-of- smiles/ 9  Smile & Cultural Variations Culturally, a smile is practiced differently: governed by display rules, though members of all cultures exhibit both Duchenne and social smiles It is noted that the common American behavior is to pass smile, often a ‘Duchenne smile’, on whosoever you look at which is not the case with many other cultures For example, Dacher Keltner has speculated that the British are more likely to use the ‘social smile’ (a smile adopted to convey politeness or to provide reassurance to interlocutors rather than to express the happiness of the agent, leaves the upper part of the face motionless ) than are their American counterparts – The British smiling behavior arises from a greater emphasis in British culture on the display of social politeness and deference 10  Jeanne Tsai, a Stanford Professor opines that how one’s culture views smiling, influences how people in that culture may smile, “Often people think that when they are viewing a candidate’s official photo, they are learning about the candidate’s unique traits. But our findings suggest that they are also learning about the candidate’s culture and the emotions it values.”* She compares the emotional expressions of leaders across different nations and concludes that the more a particular nation values excitement (as in the United States), the more their leaders show excited smiles. On the other hand, the more a particular nation values calm (as in East Asian countries), the more those leaders show calm smiles “Ideal Affect of a nation”, defined as culturally valued emotions and how people want or learn to feel *https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/culture_shapes_how_leaders_smile 11  Carmen Judith Nine-Curt, Nonverbal Communication, writes that the Anglo Culture uses the smile in friendly circles but rarely in serious situations – Smiles are few and far between in places of worship, in the classroom, and in learning and work environments In the Latin American countries, smiles takes place of many verbal expressions: – A person may smile instead of saying, “Hi, how are you?” A clerk may smile at a customer rather than say, “Thank you” – Expressing gratitude verbally may seem formal and impersonal. Friends who express thanks verbally may be perceived as rejecting others or distancing themselves Cross-cultural difference in the use of the smile may result in confusion about intentions and emotions – A British person may misperceive that the Latin American friend smiles too much or that they smile when it is inappropriate to do so (quoted in Brown p. 52) (Source: Brown, Parker Kim. Mentors & Role Models: Are They Important? Diversity: Special (Issue of Leadership and Management in Engineering),edited by Jeffrey S. Russell ASCE Publications, 2001, pp. 51-53.) 12  Although numerous studies confirm that positive perceptions of smiling individuals seem to be universal, anecdotal evidence suggests that in some cultures the opposite may be true. Darwin wrote about “the large class of idiots who are … constantly smiling.” A Russian proverb says that smiling with no reason is a sign of stupidity How we use our smile, and how we decode it in others is a culturally coded habit Cultural differences may create misunderstandings – British authors of a popular guidebook about Poland warn tourists that smiling at strangers is perceived by Poles as a sign of stupidity (Bedford et al. 2008) – The Norwegian government humorously explains nuances of Norwegian culture by indicating that when a stranger on the street smiles at Norwegians, they may assume that the stranger is insane (Source: Krys, Kuba. “Be Careful Where You Smile: Culture Shapes Judgments of Intelligence and Honesty of Smiling Individuals.” Journal of Nonverbal Behavior, vol. 40, 2016, pp. 101–116. doi: 10.1007/s10919-015-0226-4) 13  In German culture smiling is reserved for friends and family and my not occur during introductions. In setting (e.g., work) and situations that are considered to be serious, (e.g., dealing with illness), the most appropriate response is one that is reserved with no smiling (Battle p. 247) In traditional Chinese families smiling is used extensively among family and friends; but may be limited in formal situations Several Asian cultures may use smile as an expression of apology for: – Minor offenses, deference to authority figures, to mask difficult feelings and emotions (e.g. pain, distress, discomfort, anger, disapproval, disappointment) and to avoid conflict when insulted, threatened or otherwise provoked In the Vietnamese community, silence or the use of a ‘reluctant smile’ can be used as an expression of negative emotions (Source: Battle, E. Dolores. SD - Communication Disorders in Multicultural and International Populations E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences, 2012. 14  Cultural Variations in Smiles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojbJrdkPhGg 15  Head Nods A number of head gestures fall into clear categories with accepted meanings. Nodding/shaking of head, along with smile, is also a prominent nonverbal way of communication – Nod’ – a positive gesture to signify affirmation or yes – Headshake – which usually means ‘no’ Both are presumed to be inborn gestures. In most cultures, Source: https://www.slideshare.net/SantoshMot nodding up and down signals agreement: e1/bodylanguage1 – A vertical, up and down movement of the head is used to show agreement, approval, continued attention or comprehension, depicting what is happening to us emotionally while listening – This rhythmical cue for affirmation may as well be accompanied by smiling and other signs of approval 16  A double nod: tells the speaker to increase the speed and tempo of the speech Multiple head nods or a single slow nod: tend to cause a disruption in the speaker’s rhythm Excessive and Rapid head nodding: can rush a response on the part of the speaker. It is a nonverbal cue for the speaker to hurry his or her response Inappropriate or too Rapid head nodding: is perceived as rude behavior, attempt to dominate the conversation, taking the focus off the speaker, turning the spotlight onto the listener Related with good listening skills: -- One of the ways in which we signal to a speaker or a conversant that we are engaged with them and that they should continue – Used correctly, head nodding allows the speaker to fully express his or her thoughts in a satisfying manner (Source: Schafer Jack and Marvin Karlins. “Getting Noticed before a Word is Spoken.” The Like Switch: An Ex-FBI Agent's Guide to Influencing, Attracting, and Winning People Over. Simon and Schuster, 2015, pp. 23-73.) 17  Apart from likeability or its absence, head-nodding and head-shaking respectively, is also associated with judgements of interpersonal competency Matarazzo and Wiens (1972), examining the interactive processes inherent in interviews, found that use of head-nodding by the interviewer increased average duration of utterance by interviewee It is highly rated in a study by Clore et al. , of college students; conducted to rate more than one hundred nonverbal behaviours in terms of how much liking or disliking they communicated Dickson (1981), in a study of career officers undergoing a micro counselling training course, found that interviewers’ use of head-nods was a significant predictor of their interviewing competence as rated by experienced judges 18  Head Nod More recently, Scofield noted that head-nodding by the listener increased the total verbal output of speakers Head-nodding plays a prominent role in leave-taking where the function is to convey accessibility and supportiveness in the relationship(Dickson et al. pp. 86-87) Head-nodding is a signal to others that you wish them to continue talking and it is widely used by professionals to encourage and motivate their clients to self- disclose at length The reinforcing effects of the head-nodding gesture have been well documented and its frequent use can be seen during almost all social and professional encounters as an indicator of listening, attentiveness and agreement 19  The Nod and the Shake https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Kwd3XC4094 20  Head Tilts and Inclines Body language represents a very significant proportion of the meaning that is conveyed and interpreted between people in any face-to-face communication – off or on line, specially if it involves an emotional or attitudinal element The head is very significant in body language: due to a very flexible neck structure: it can turn, jut forward, withdraw, and tilt sideway, forward, backward – All of these movements have meanings. The way people tilt their heads reveal a lot about them - their anxiety, social discomfort, embarrassment, sense of fear, and submission etc. It’s common for people to tilt their heads to one side when watching/listening to something of interest, a sign of mild, polite interest A prolonged or deeper tilt creates empathy Is your head tilted to the right or the left in a dialogue? 21  Types of Head Tilts 1. Head Up Allen Pease has defined three basic head positions that always leave a lasting impression with interactants: up, tilt and down The first is with Head Up and it is the position taken by the person who has a neutral attitude about what is being (Image: https://pngtree.com/freepng/head- up-to-the-gesture-material- said above_3313201.html The head remains still and the conversation may be punctuated by occasional small nods Hand-to cheek evaluation gestures are often used with this gesture, adding different shades to this basic meaning 22  When the head is lifted high with the chin jutting forward it signals strong self-confidence, superiority, fearlessness or arrogance Persons adopting this posture, in a subconscious manner expose their throat and thus they gain additional height which allows them to 'look down their nose' at you (Image: http://westsidetoastmasters.com/resources/book Large chins are the result of high testosterone levels _of_body_language/chap11.html) which is why chin-jutting is associated with power and aggression 23  2. Head Tilt Tilting the head to the side is a submission signal because it exposes the throat and neck and makes the person look smaller and less threatening Charles Darwin was one of the first to note that humans, as well as animals - especially dogs – tilt their heads to one side when they become interested in something (Image: http://westsidetoastmasters.com/ resources/book_of_body_language/chap11.html) Studies of paintings show that women are depicted three times as often as men using the head-tilt. Women are often shown in advertisements tilting their heads: three times as often as men: in women it is commonly perceived as a gesture of interest 24  This shows how most people understand, on an intuitive level, that displaying the neck shows submission In a business negotiations with men, however, a woman should particularly keep her head up at all times If you are giving a presentation or delivering a speech, make a point of looking for this gesture among your audience When you see an audience tilting their heads and leaning forward using hand-to- chin evaluation gestures, you're getting the point across When you listen to others, use the head-tilt and head nods and the listener will begin to feel trusting towards you because you appear non-threatening Is your head tilted to the right or the left in a dialogue? 25  Head Tilts (Left & Right) If it’s tilted to the right, you’ll feel more open, as you’re accessing the creative part of the brain If your head tilts to the left, you’re likely to be intellectually analyzing what’s being said A 2006 study found that tilting your head to the right makes you appear honest and dependable, and tilting your head to the left makes you appear more attractive 26  Tilting the head can be a sign of trust. It exposes more of the neck, and can make a person appear vulnerable and in need of protection Because a head tilt is a sign of empathy, and is a non- threatening gesture, it can be a useful tool for men to use in the workplace It may also be considered a submissive gesture, or a Image Curtsey: https://www.today.com/health/nod-if-you- agree-your-head-reveals-your-emotions- sign of flirtation or light-heartedness t53101 Princess Diana was famous for the demure, slightly down-tilted angle of her face. It's a flattering, photogenic pose, but some experts also read it as a projection of a sense of melancholy 27  3. Head Down Head and chin down: signals that a negative, judgmental or aggressive attitude exists. Critical evaluation clusters are normally made with the head down and until the person’s head lifts or tilts, it is taken as an absence of response – Professional presenters and trainers are often confronted by audiences who are seated with their heads down and arms folded on their chests Experienced conference speakers and presenters will take (Image: http://westsidetoastmasters.com/ resources/book_of_body_language/chap11.html) action to involve their audience and get participation before they begin their presentation – This is intended to get the audience's heads up and to get involvement. If the speaker's tactic is successful, the audience's next head position will be the head tilt 28  Head Tilt and its Meanings https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Kwd3XC4094 29  Interpretation of a head tilt by a Retired FBI agent Joe Navarro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ULeFUjS0CU 30  The Various Head Movements & Their Meanings (Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7S6Q4Nmvx9Q 31  References Administrator, HomeTimes. “Here's What Those Puckered Lips Mean.” HomeTimes, 19 Dec. 2017, hometimes.co.za/2017/12/heres-what-those-puckered-lips-mean/. Battle, E. Dolores. SD - Communication Disorders in Multicultural and International Populations E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences, 2012. Beattie, Geoff. Get The Edge. Hachette UK, 2011. Gorvett, Zaria. “Future - There Are 19 Types of Smile but Only Six Are for Happiness.” BBC News, BBC, 10 Apr. 2017, www.bbc.com/future/story/20170407-why-all-smiles-are-not-the-same. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/culture_shapes_how_leaders_smile LaFrance, Marianne. Why Smile: The Science Behind Facial Expressions. W. W. Norton & Company, 2011. Payr, Sabine & Robert Trappl. Creating Embodies Agents with Cultural Context. Agent Culture: Human- agent interaction in A Multicultural World. CRC Press, 2004, pp 107-126. Pease, Allan et al. The Definitive Book of Body Language. Pease International, 2004. 33  Parker, Clifton B., and Clifton B. Parker. “Culture Shapes How Leaders Smile, Stanford Research Shows.” Stanford University, 16 Feb. 2016, news.stanford.edu/news/2016/february/smiles-jeanne-tsai- 021516.html. Pease, Allan et al. The Definitive Book of Body Language. Pease International, 2004. Schafer, Jack, and Marvin Karlins. “Getting Noticed before a Word is Spoken.” The Like Switch: An Ex-FBI Agent's Guide to Influencing, Attracting, and Winning People Over. Simon and Schuster, 2015, pp. 23-73. Smith, Murray. “Who’s Afraid of Charles Darwin.” Film, Art, and the Third Culture: A Naturalized Aesthetics of Film. Oxford University Press, 2017, pp. 127-144. Webster, Richard. Body Language Quick & Easy. Llewellyn Worldwide, 2014. 34