Quiz: body language

What is Body Language?

• Body language is is a mental health condition in which you can't stop thinking about one or more perceived defects or flaws in your appearance.

• Body language is a range of nonverbal signals that you can use to communicate your feelings and intentions.

• Body language is is any activity that uses your energy to move the large muscles in your body.

• Body language is is the percentage of a body's weight that is fat tissue.

Is this a genuine smile?

• yes

• no

Answer explanation

Over 150 years ago, researcher Duchenne de Boulogne used some electrical probes to stimulate the facial muscles of one of his patients. Duchenne discovered that when he engaged muscles around the mouth of his patient, the patient would produce the smile lips, but did not appear to look happy.  Intrigued, Duchenne told his patient a joke to trigger a genuine joy response. Duchenne noticed that when his patient experienced true happiness, it wasn’t only the muscles of his mouth that were utilised, but also those of the eyes. It’s only by seeing the muscles around the eyes (the Orbicularis Oculi) contract and create the crows feet that we can distinguish the two smiles.

What does this body language indicate?

• Nervousness

• Confidence

• Shame

• Sadness

Answer explanation

When someone is biting their nails, this is typically a sign of nervousness. Nail biting is a common body language behavior that helps some people to relieve tension and anxiety during stressful situations.

When talking to someone, feet pointed towards you is a sign of mutual interest

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Feet pointing towards someone is generally a good sign of mutual attraction or interest. In large group settings, the most charismatic person will usually have the most feet pointing towards them.

However, if a person feels uncomfortable or disinterested and wants to leave, the feet may be pointing away towards the exit.

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

• Looking left

• Looking right

• Looking up

• None of the above

Answer explanation

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. Currently, there is no modern scientific evidence to back up this claim.

What does this body language cue indicate?

• Happiness

• Fear

• Confidence

• Excitement

Answer explanation

This hand gesture is called steepling. Steepling occurs when someone is typically feeling confident and in charge. The higher someone holds the steeple, the more confident they feel. You will rarely see steepling from a subordinate in front of his boss, or someone who is unconfident in what they are saying. If someone is steepling in a sales negotiation, they might feel like they have the upper hand.

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

• True

• False

Leaders tend to use their tone of voice and expansive body movements to create a sense of authority. What should they do with their hands to emphasise this effect?

• Keep their palms facing down

• Make wild, expansive hand gestures while speaking

• Keep their hands in their pockets

What is a good practice for making eye contact with your audience?

• Focus on an audience member for a few seconds at a time and make eye contact with them.

• Stare at a fixed point above their heads.

• Focus on making eye contact with the whole audience.

• Don't know

Crossed arms always indicate someone who is closed-off.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Crossed arms are 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 off.