Psychology: How body language determines who we like
Whether we like a person or not depends on countless factors. Some are conscious, such as what someone says. Others are more subtle—especially in the area of body language. These subtle behaviors make others immediately like you.
If someone crosses their arms in front of their chest or constantly looks down at the floor, it's difficult to have an open and respectful conversation. Most of us probably realize that much. But there are some much more subtle body language behaviors that strongly influence how likeable we find someone and how we perceive them.
And we can use these things to our advantage. By regularly using such gestures in our interactions with others, we subtly nudge them toward liking us. On the other hand, knowing this can help us be more aware of whether our counterpart might be trying to manipulate us with overly positive body language.
These 5 body language habits make others like you 1. Open gesturesThe reason we find it uncomfortable when someone crosses their arms during a conversation is because we perceive open gestures as positive. Standing upright, holding your arms loosely at your sides, and facing the person directly appears open and friendly. Adjusting your posture during a conversation like this is guaranteed to be more positive than shrinking back and appearing as if you'd rather be somewhere else.
2. Mirror your counterpart’s movementsAnother subtle gesture that can have a big impact is mirroring the movements of the person you're talking to. Have you ever noticed that friends or other people who are close to each other often sit in a similar way or share other body language cues? This is because we feel flattered when someone behaves in a similar way to us. If your friend does this, it's probably happening subconsciously because you like each other. But we can also use this little trick to our advantage and subtly employ it in conversation when we want to put the other person in a positive mood.
3. Touch your counterpart – in moderationTouching someone can strengthen our connection. We know this in relationships—hugs, for example, can release oxytocin, bringing us closer to the other person. But research shows that a gentle touch on the hand or shoulder can also lead to waitresses getting more tips. Of course, we should use touch sparingly with people we're not close to, and only when appropriate for the situation.
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Smiling makes us happy. Both ourselves and the person who sees us smile. This is scientifically proven . We can take advantage of this effect. By smiling at the person we're smiling at, we subtly lift their mood and can ensure that they feel good toward us. This can help in many situations—and, above all, improve the mood of everyone involved.
5. Keep an eye on itImagine you're talking to someone, and they keep looking past you, at your body, or at the floor. You probably don't find that particularly pleasant, do you? Studies show that eye contact is an important means of communication. When we look into the eyes of our counterpart during a conversation, it signals that our full attention is on that person and the conversation. And who wouldn't want that feeling?
mbl Brigitte
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