MemoryMentor’s Blog

Overview

Peoples emotions can be detected without needed to hear what they have to say. Their body language can give you an insight into how they are feeling.

Anger or frustration

Anger would normally occur when a task or achieving goals gets frustrating. When people are angry they may demonstrate some of these signs:

• Showing of the teeth
• Clenching of fists, particularly if arms are folded
• They may lean forward into your space as a form of invasion
• Their neck or face becomes red or flushed

Sadness

Sadness indicates the person may be in a depressive state.

• They may have a trembling lip
• Flat/monotone speech
• Tears
• Drooping of the body

Fear

When someone’s basic needs are threatened fear sets in. There are various levels of fear, from a mild anxiety to full blown terror. The range of body changes caused by fear are easy to spot

• Trembling lip
• Voice tremors
• Speech errors
• Avoiding eye contact
• Pale face
• A ‘cold sweat’
• Gasping
• Crossing of arms and legs

Embarrassment

Transgression of values or guilt causes embarrassment.

• Looking down and away from others
• Avoiding eye contact
• Face or neck becomes red or flushed
• False smile or changing topic by trying to cover the embarrassment

Surprise

This occurs when things happen that were not expected

• Widening of the eyes

• Mouth open wide

• Maybe a backward step

• Raised eye brows