The Kinesics Library

Small self-touching movements such as rubbing the hands or stroking the arm that help to soothe nerves.

The tendency of people who agree or feel close to gather physically together.

Stable points of contact such as feet on the floor or hands on a table that reveal grounding or unease.

The signals sent by clothing, grooming and self presentation.

The normal, relaxed manner of a person when they are calm and unpressured.

Sudden departures from a known baseline that mark a moment of significance.

A reddening of the face caused by a rush of blood, usually beyond conscious control.

The direction in which the torso and shoulders face, revealing where attention and interest are drawn.

The speed and depth of breathing, which shifts with calm and with arousal.

The principle that meaning lies in change from a normal state rather than in fixed signs.

A protective stance with crossed arms or legs and the torso turned slightly away from others.

Movements that mark the end of a topic, such as a slap of the knees or a firm exhale.

Interpreting several cues together rather than resting a conclusion on a single gesture.

Signals that a person is thinking hard, such as pauses, gaze aversion and slowed gestures.

Body signals that escalate or de-escalate as a disagreement intensifies.

The degree to which words, tone and body all carry the same message.

The principle that the setting often matters more than the gesture itself.

Cues of attraction such as preening, prolonged gaze and increased mirroring.

Groups of cues that may accompany dishonesty, such as inconsistency and pacifying behaviour.

Small shifts that appear at the moment a person settles on a choice.

Cues that a person is ready to leave, such as gathering belongings or angling the feet outward.

A slow turning away of body and attention as a person mentally leaves the exchange.

A flash of pleasure that can appear when a person believes a deception is succeeding.

Gestures with a fixed meaning that can stand in for words, such as a thumbs up or a beckoning hand.

The influence of the surrounding setting on how a behaviour should be understood.

Subtle turning away or closing of a circle that leaves a person outside the group.

The differing expectations across cultures about how much eye contact is respectful.

Small repeated movements such as tapping, clicking a pen or shifting objects without clear purpose.

The way the feet point, often revealing where a person truly wishes to go or to direct attention.

The manner of walking, including pace, length of stride and the carriage of the body.

Behaviour by which one person controls who speaks, joins or is heard in a group.

The direction, duration and movement of the eyes as a person looks toward or away from another.

The handshake, bow, embrace or wave that opens an encounter and sets its tone.

Adjusting hair, clothing or appearance, which can signal self consciousness or interest.

The unconscious matching of posture and movement among members of a cohesive group.

Where the hands rest, with higher and more visible hands tending to signal confidence.

Resting the hands on the hips with the elbows out, a stance that widens the body.

Differences in how head movements such as nodding and shaking convey yes and no.

The practice of weighing face, body, voice and setting together as one picture.

Hand movements that accompany speech and paint the shape, size or rhythm of what is being said.

The reminder that what a person feels and what we believe they feel can differ.

Clusters of nervous behaviour that commonly appear under the pressure of being assessed.

A tightening of the muscles along the jaw, visible as a ridge near the cheek.

The escape of true feeling through small signals despite efforts to conceal it.

A rapid up and down motion of the leg while seated, discharging restless energy through the foot.

Quick honest reactions in the feet and legs that often precede a conscious response.

Drawing the lip between the teeth, a self soothing act linked to worry or restraint.

Pressing the lips together into a thin line, often as the mouth disappears from view.

Drawing the lips into a tight pucker, often signalling disagreement that is being held back.

Very small nods that signal active listening and encouragement to continue.

A short delay before one person matches the posture of another, revealing the depth of rapport.

Red patches that appear on the neck and chest under stress or strong emotion.

Small reactions that leak satisfaction or discomfort during bargaining.

A vertical movement of the head that signals agreement, encouragement or understanding.

A widening of the nostrils as breathing deepens, often preparing the body for exertion or confrontation.

Placing an object such as a bag, cup or phone between oneself and another person.

A relaxed stance with uncrossed arms and legs and the torso turned toward others, signalling receptiveness.

Soothing actions such as stroking the neck or rubbing the legs that calm the nervous system.

Walking back and forth in a confined area, releasing nervous or restless energy through motion.

The vocal qualities around words, including tone, pitch, pace and volume.

Cultural differences in the comfortable distance people keep during conversation.

Extending a finger or hand to direct attention toward a person, object or direction.

Two people unconsciously adopting matching postures, as though reflecting each other.

The principle that body language reveals likelihoods rather than definite truths.

The use and management of personal space, including how close people stand or sit.

Visible signs of anxiety that appear when a person addresses an audience.

A widening of the pupils that can accompany interest, attraction or heightened arousal.

A clearing action such as a deep breath or straightening up that marks a fresh start.

An upright settled stance that signals a matter has been resolved and tension has eased.

Gentle touching of the self, such as rubbing the arms or hugging the torso, to ease distress.

Signs that a person has grown comfortable and intends to remain, such as easing back into a seat.

The way a single gesture can carry opposite meanings in different parts of the world.

The meaningful use of quiet within speech, which can carry weight, doubt or emphasis.

The varied meaning of pauses and silence in conversation across cultures.

A collapsed stance with rounded shoulders and a lowered head that reduces the apparent size of the body.

Differing cultural rules about when and how much it is appropriate to smile.

The way the most influential person in a group tends to claim central or commanding space.

Signals of rank such as relaxed expansive posture or the freedom to interrupt.

Pressing the fingertips of both hands together to form a shape like the roof of a building.

A glassy film of moisture across the eyes as emotion rises toward the surface.

Placing belongings to claim space, such as spreading items across a shared table.

A drawing together of the eyebrows that creases the forehead, often during effort or concern.

A wide, space-claiming posture in which the body spreads out to occupy more room.

A rapid raising and lowering of both eyebrows used to signal recognition, interest or greeting.

Tilting the upper body toward another person or toward the centre of a conversation.

A sudden stillness in which all movement stops, an ancient reaction to perceived threat.

A true smile that engages both the mouth and the muscles around the eyes, creating crinkles at the outer corners.

Tilting the head to one side, exposing the neck and softening the appearance.

The view that the most honest signals come from ancient survival responses below conscious control.

A very brief flash of true emotion that crosses the face in a fraction of a second before composure returns.

Bringing a hand to the throat, neck or collar, often when feeling exposed or uncertain.

Showing the palms toward another person, exposing a vulnerable surface of the hand.

A marked change in seated or standing position that often coincides with a shift in mood or topic.

A lift of the shoulders that signals uncertainty, with partial shrugs suggesting weak conviction.

A polite smile produced mainly by the mouth, often held to meet social expectation rather than to express joy.

The principle that a sound reading rests on at least three cues pointing the same way.

The delay between a question or event and the response that follows it.

How acceptable physical contact is in conversation and greeting across cultures.

The signals that manage who speaks next, such as an indrawn breath or a raised hand.

Turning the soft front of the body toward those we trust and like.