http://www.indiabix.com/body-language/hand-to-face-gestures/
The Mouth Guard (Saw jurors 5, 6, 7, 8, 14, & 18 do this)
The mouth guard is one of the few adult gestures that is as obvious as a child's. The hand covers the mouth and the thumb is pressed against the cheek as the brain sub-consciously instructs it to try and suppress the deceitful words that are being said. Sometimes this gesture may only be several fingers over the mouth or even a closed fist, but its meaning remains the same.
Many people try to disguise the mouth guard gesture by giving a fake cough.If the person who is speaking uses this gesture, it indicates that he is telling a lie.
If, however, he covers his mouth while you are speaking, it indicates that he feels you are lying!
The Nose Touch (Saw jurors 7, 8, & 18 do this)
In essence, the nose touch gesture is a sophisticated, disguised version of the mouth guard gesture. It may consist of several light rubs below the nose or it may be one quick, almost imperceptible touch. Like the mouth guard gesture, it can be used both by the speaker to disguise his own deceit and
by the listener who doubts the speakers words.
The Eye Rub (14 did this a lot. I also saw 18 do it)
'See no evil' says the wise monkey, and this gesture is the brain's attempt to block out the deceit, doubt or lie that it sees or to avoid having to look at the face of the person to whom he is telling the lie.
Men usually rub their eyes vigorously and if the lie is a big one they will often look away, normally towards the floor. Women use a small, gentle rubbing motion just below the eye, either because they have been brought up to avoid making robust gestures, or to avoid smudging make-up. They also avoid a listeners gaze by looking at the ceiling.
Boredom Gesture (Saw jurors 2, 7, 11, 14, & 18 do this)
When the listener begins to use his hand to support his head, it is a signal that boredom has set in and his supporting hand is an attempt to hold his head up to stop himself from falling asleep. Extreme boredom and lack of interest are shown when the head is fully supported by the hand.
Chin Stroking Gestures (Saw jurors 7, 14, & 18 do this)
When the index finger points vertically up the cheek and the thumb supports the chin, the listener is having negative or critical thoughts about the speaker or his subject. Often the index finger may rub or pull at the eye as the negative thoughts continue.
The next time you have the opportunity to present an idea to a group of people, watch them carefully as you give your idea and you will notice something fascinating. Most, if not all the members of your audience will bring one hand up to their faces and begin to use evaluation gestures. As you come to the conclusion of your presentation and ask for the group to give opinions or suggestions about the idea, the evaluation gestures will cease. One hand will move to the chin and begin a chin-stroking gesture.
This chin-stroking gesture is the signal that the listener is making a decision. When you have asked the listeners for a decision and their gestures have changed from evaluation to decision-making.
I wish I would've taken more notes regarding what was being said at the times I saw each of these, but it's hard to pay attention and scribble everything down. I was interested by Anita's question to JD about JA rubbing her neck though, so things started to stick out to me. Turns out all the gestures I noted are signs of doubt, etc. Interesting!! :great:
