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The Book of Tells (Peter Collett)[unlocked]

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THE BOOK OF TELLS<br />

reduces the threat to others because it's linked to the 'fear<br />

response'. When individuals are in danger they frequently<br />

'freeze'. 4 This reduces their chances <strong>of</strong> being seen, but it<br />

also sends a very clear message that the individual is not<br />

preparing to attack - especially when it's combined with<br />

postural adjustments that are designed to make the person<br />

appear smaller. <strong>The</strong>re are several ways that people try to<br />

look smaller than they actually are. One is by slouching;<br />

another is by squatting or sitting down. Wearing dull<br />

colours and avoiding padded shoulders and hats also<br />

helps.<br />

<strong>The</strong> most potent messages <strong>of</strong> submission are those<br />

associated with vulnerability, especially in the way that<br />

people arrange their arms and legs. Standing and sitting<br />

postures are full <strong>of</strong> tells because dominant people tend to<br />

adopt 'open' postures, while submissive people tend<br />

to adopt 'closed' postures. <strong>The</strong>re are several submissive<br />

standing postures. One is the 'parallel stance', where the<br />

legs are straight and parallel. Schoolchildren adopt this<br />

posture when they're talking to their teacher; soldiers use<br />

it when they're addressing a superior <strong>of</strong>ficer, and<br />

employees assume it when they're talking to their boss. In<br />

less formal settings, subordinate people sometimes stand<br />

with their legs crossed, adopting a 'scissors stance', where<br />

the legs are straight and one is crossed over the other,<br />

or the 'bent blade stance', where all the weight is on one<br />

leg and the other is bent, with the foot positioned either in<br />

front or behind, with just the toes touching the ground.<br />

People who are shy or lacking in confidence also adopt<br />

these postures.<br />

Submission is revealed in two aspects <strong>of</strong> sitting posture.<br />

One involves drawing back the feet and even concealing<br />

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