Body Language

The proverb or the old saying “action speaks louder than words” holds true.

In a given situation, even if you do not communicate verbally, your body speaks volumes by revealing your feelings and emotions. Body language and non-verbal communication go hand in hand.

Have you noticed how all too common it seems to see the nightly news offer you stories of violence and criminal offence? Every day people from across this land become victims of muggings, assaults or worse. However, you may be able to spot the warning signs that can identify a predator, robber or mugger before you become a victim.

Pay attention to the clothing and the way they are dressed. Although sloppy, baggy clothes are not illegal, they are a good indication of criminal intent. Men in suits rarely attack women out for a walk or a jog. However, baggy clothing helps to conceal weapons, and hats, hoods or other headgear that hides a person’s face are common warning signs. Watch out for gang members sporting bandannas, sagging jeans and hiked pant legs.

Note your environment. Predators will usually stalk their prey, following them for some distance until the target reaches a secluded location with few exits. Predators already have a plan…they just need a victim. If you’ve noticed someone matching you turn for turn, head for a populated area and disappear in the crowd.

Be cautious of approaching strangers. Some predators dress respectably and confront their target with deception. These goons “test the waters” by pretending to need directions or asking for a handout. Ultimately, they will violate your boundaries and test your response. If you show weakness, they likely have already positioned themselves to attack. Be aware at all times.

Recognize dangerous nonverbal cues. Predators will reveal themselves through body language. Constant staring indicates intense and unnatural interest. Rigid posture, rapid breathing and squinted eyes are a sign that the predator is considering executing the crime and is growing tense or excited at the thought. Before striking, people tend to hunch their shoulders, knit their eyebrows and clench their jaws.

Always be prepared and be aware. Try to avoid the situation. Some situations are unavoidable. Should you notice a group surrounding you and blocking off your exits take some type of action! Predators seek out easy prey and prefer to avoid targets that fight back. Prepare Yourself.

Article – Body Language

Did They Lie?

Body language has gained so much attention over the last few years and with the popular TV shows The Mentalist and Lie to Me are growing more week by week.

I’ve studied body language and personal behavior for years now. I’ve always been amazed at the way we communicate without trying too.

Here are 6 clues to catch a liar.

1-Truthful people more likely to face her questioners head on. Liars, on the other hand, are “likely to lack frontal alignment and will often sit with both their arms and legs crossed as if frozen,” says Joseph Buckley, president of John E. Reid & Associates, which has provided interview and interrogation training to more than 500,000 law enforcement agents to date.

2- To psychologically distance themselves from the lie, people often add to their tales with second- and third-person pronouns like “you,” “we,” and “they.”

3-When telling the truth, people most of the time do hand gestures to the rhythm of their speech. Hands emphasize points or phrases–a natural and compelling technique when they actually believe the points they’re making. The less certain will keep gesticulations in check.

The Reid Technique

4-A registered trademark of John E. Reid & Associates, the Reid Technique is a nine-step interrogation process that many U.S. law enforcement agencies employ to ferret out lies. The goal of the process is to lead the liar down a path such that he or she eventually has no choice but to admit guilt. For more on the technique, check out reid.

5-Liars–amateur ones, anyway–may not have thought through all the details of their stories. If you suspect you’re being lied to, gently probe for details. (You don’t want the person to know you’re on to him.)

6-When a person is lying; the space or dead air between their words often increase, according to the 2002 study led by Robin Lickley, professor of speech and language at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, Scotland. While honest folks have the truth locked and loaded, liars tend to take more time between points–no doubt searching for which approach will be the most convincing.

I think we can all tell if we are being lied to naturally if we spend time with many people.

If you have some idea that you are being feed a lie, these 6 clues may help you out.

Resources: Forbes Magazine, Professor Lickley of Scotland and John E. Reid & Associates.

Lane Resources Inc.

Dr. Kevin Hogan’s Home Study Program.