BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES - Universitatea de Medicină şi Farmacie

or a decrease in a backwards lean also signify positive sentiment during
communication. Posture is understood through such indicators as direction
of lean, body orientation, arm position, and body openness. For example,
when someone faces us, sitting quietly with hands loosely folded in the
lap, a feeling of anticipation and interest is created. A posture of arms
crossed on the chest portrays a feeling of inflexibility. The action of
gathering up one's materials and reaching for a purse signals a desire to
end the conversation.
The position of the body gives us the information about the
subject’s attitude and emotions. The dominating person will keep the head
up, but the inferior will keep the head down. The inclination of the body
means the interest, anxiety.
Consider the following actions and note cultural differences:
o Bowing (not done, criticized, or affected in US; shows rank in
Japan)
o Slouching (rude in most Northern European areas)
o Hands in pocket (disrespectful in Turkey)
o Sitting with legs crossed (offensive in Ghana, Turkey)
o Showing soles of feet. (Offensive in Thailand, Saudi Arabia
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