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

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

Kinesics is divided into five categories:

1. 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.
2. Illustrators: These are gestures that complement our words such as pointing when giving directions.
3. Regulators: These are nonverbal cues used to control the flow of communication, for example, looking at someone to start speaking.
4. Adaptors: These are behaviors that usually occur without consciousness and as a response to the environment, such as scratching an itch.
5. Affect Displays: These are facial expressions and body movements that show feelings and emotions.

Importance of Kinesics

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.

See Also

• Nonverbal communication
• Proxemics
• Haptics (touch)
• Chronemics
• Oculesics

References

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