Body language

What does this body language indicate?

• Confidence

• Nervousness

• Shame

• Sadness

Answer explanation

Correct! The answer is nervousness. Nail biting is a common body language behavior that helps some people relieve tension and anxiety during stressful situations.

Which of the following eye movements indicates that a person is lying?

• Looking left

• Looking right

• Looking up

• None of the above

Answer explanation

Yes, you're correct! The correct answer is none of the above. Experts suggest that being able to tell if someone is lying based on their eye movements is a myth.

What does this body language cue indicate?

• Happiness

• Fear

• Confidence

• Excitement

Answer explanation

Nice job! The correct answer is confidence. This hand gesture is called steepling. Steepling occurs when someone is typically feeling confident and in charge.

Which of the following pictures best portrays the disgust emotion?

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Answer explanation

Correct! Disgust is one of the 7 basic emotions and is characterized by narrowed eyes, a raised upper lip, upper teeth being exposed, a wrinkled nose, and raised cheeks.

Disgust is the expression you make when you smell something bad or hear something nasty.

Is this a genuine smile?

• Yes

• No

Answer explanation

Nice! This is a fake smile.

If a person is smiling but lacks this indicator, they may be smiling just to be polite or even faking it.

Putting objects in the mouth (such as pens, eyeglasses, fingernails) can be a sign of anxiety.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Yes! Most people put objects in or near their mouth when they are anxious, tense, or stressed. This gesture mimics the same behavior of seeking comfort at our mother’s breast when we were infants.

Crossed arms always indicate someone who is closed-off.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Correct! Crossed arms is a body language cue for many different things— it can mean someone is angry, in deep concentration, feeling cold, or simply resting their arms. It does not necessarily mean someone is closed o

Which area of the body does someone typically touch to indicate sincerity?

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Answer explanation

The old cliche, “touching the heart” certainly rings true here. Touching the chest with both hands is a body language cue that shows sincerity, honesty, and sympathy.

Observe the following picture. What does their body language likely indicate?

• Frustration

• Fear

• Tiredness

• Shame

• all of the above