Kinesics and Body Postures
Kinesics between Males and Females
In communication, it is important to consider not only the verbal context of the interaction between two people or among a group. It is very important that non-verbal forms of communication be taken into account when talking to someone since these non-verbal cues may become barriers to effective communication. Potential physical barriers to communication include kinesics. Kinesics is a general term used to define human movements, gestures and posture. Kinesics may substitute, accompany or modify language. Kinesics may be directive, informative or empathic in nature. One of the most used components in kinesics is body posture. There are many different types of postures, but there are four basic kinds: approach, withdrawal, expansion, and contraction (Beebe, Beebe & Ivy, 2010, p. 95). Posture is a substantial marker of feminine and masculine behavior. Different males and females go through these four basic kinds of postures everyday of their lives. In this essay I’ll discuss the different kinds of postures in relation to males and females.
Male postures can be slightly different than those of females. Despite universally high perceptions of beauty in both sexes, males tend to place significantly higher value on physical appearance in a partner than women (Beebe, Beebe & Ivy, 2010, p. 95). When observing males, one usually tends to observe how that particular person is representing himself. By this I mean what posture he uses when talking to someone. When someone goes to a public place like a cafeteria, library, restaurants etc, different male body postures can be observed. Some examples are leaning back in a chair with the arms clasped behind the head and the elbows out signaling a state of relaxation or a territorial sign saying “I own this place” and straddling a backwards facing chair which allows the man to dominate and control the situation. In stressful situations some men will hold both hands and rub them together.
In communication, it is important to consider not only the verbal context of the interaction between two people or among a group. It is very important that non-verbal forms of communication be taken into account when talking to someone since these non-verbal cues may become barriers to effective communication. Potential physical barriers to communication include kinesics. Kinesics is a general term used to define human movements, gestures and posture. Kinesics may substitute, accompany or modify language. Kinesics may be directive, informative or empathic in nature. One of the most used components in kinesics is body posture. There are many different types of postures, but there are four basic kinds: approach, withdrawal, expansion, and contraction (Beebe, Beebe & Ivy, 2010, p. 95). Posture is a substantial marker of feminine and masculine behavior. Different males and females go through these four basic kinds of postures everyday of their lives. In this essay I’ll discuss the different kinds of postures in relation to males and females.
Male postures can be slightly different than those of females. Despite universally high perceptions of beauty in both sexes, males tend to place significantly higher value on physical appearance in a partner than women (Beebe, Beebe & Ivy, 2010, p. 95). When observing males, one usually tends to observe how that particular person is representing himself. By this I mean what posture he uses when talking to someone. When someone goes to a public place like a cafeteria, library, restaurants etc, different male body postures can be observed. Some examples are leaning back in a chair with the arms clasped behind the head and the elbows out signaling a state of relaxation or a territorial sign saying “I own this place” and straddling a backwards facing chair which allows the man to dominate and control the situation. In stressful situations some men will hold both hands and rub them together.
Cited: Steven Beebe, S. B. (1950). communication: principles for a lifetime. boston: lifland bookmakers.