The Book of Tells (Peter Collett)[unlocked]

2. Dominant Tells
When we meet people for the first time we rapidly judge
them in terms of whether they're dominant, friendly and
sexually attractive. 1 Although we sometimes think that
we're more interested in other issues, these three factors
play a major role in the impressions that we form of other
people. We share these concerns with our nearest
relatives, the chimpanzees, who spend a lot of time sorting
out their relative positions in the hierarchy.
In a chimpanzee troop the distribution of dominance
displays, submissive displays and grooming creates a
pecking order, which invisibly ranks individuals according
to their rights to territory, food and sex. Individuals assert
their dominance by adopting a posture which creates an
impression of size, and which signals a readiness to attack.
This may take the form of a facing orientation, fixed gaze,
and heightening of the body. When there's a confrontation
it may also involve stiffening of the limbs and erection of
the ears and the hair on the back. A submissive chimpanzee,
on the other hand, will turn away, avert its eyes, flatten
its ears and hair, and create an overall impression of
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