Kinesics

Kinesics is the study and interpretation of human body movements that can be taken as symbolic or significant in communication. It is a field of study within the broader field of nonverbal communication. Kinesics encompasses facial expressions, body posture, gestures, eye movement, touch and the use of space.

History[edit | edit source]

The term "kinesics" was first used in 1952 by anthropologist Ray Birdwhistell, who considered it a part of the larger study of semiotics. Birdwhistell estimated that no more than 30 to 35 percent of the social meaning of a conversation is carried by the words themselves; the rest is conveyed through body movements, physical context, and tone of voice.

Types of Kinesics[edit | edit source]

Kinesics is divided into five categories:

Emblems: These are nonverbal cues that have a specific verbal counterpart and meaning. For example, a nod of the head often means "yes" in many cultures.
Illustrators: These are gestures that complement our words such as pointing when giving directions.
Regulators: These are nonverbal cues used to control the flow of communication, for example, looking at someone to start speaking.
Adaptors: These are behaviors that usually occur without consciousness and as a response to the environment, such as scratching an itch.
Affect Displays: These are facial expressions and body movements that show feelings and emotions.

Importance of Kinesics[edit | edit source]

Kinesics plays a crucial role in understanding nonverbal communication. It helps in interpreting the message as it complements the verbal communication. It also helps in expressing the emotions and feelings of a person. Kinesics is used in many areas such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, marketing, communication studies and forensic science.