9/30/2014 Body Language: Workplace Violence & Harassment - - PDF document

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Workplace Violence & Harassment

Body Language:

Objectives

• Understand the definition of body

language and non-verbal communication

• Understand the role of the brain

function in non-verbal communication

• Guidelines for observing non-verbal

communication

• Apply non-verbal communication

principles

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Nonverbal Communication

• Nonverbal behaviors comprise

approximately 60 to 65 percent of all interpersonal communication (Burgoon, 1994)

• Process of communication using mostly

visual cues

• Facial expressions, gestures, touching

(haptics), physical movements, posture, body adornment (clothes, jewelry, hairstyle, tattoos)

WARNING: This movie contains graphic content that some participants may find disturbing

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The Limbic System

• Limbic system deals with

basic drives, emotions, and memory

• Hippocampus » Memory

processing

• Amygdala » Aggression

and fear

• Hypothalamus » Hunger,

thirst, body temperature, pleasure; pituitary gland, anti-predatory defensive behavior

Pituitary Gland Hippocampus Hypothalamus Amygdala

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The Human Brain

Limbic System

• reacts to the world around us reflexively

and instantaneously in real time

• hardwired into our nervous system,

making it difficult to disguise or eliminate

Neocortex

• responsible for higher-order functions e.g.

cognition and memory

• capable of complex thought therefore can

deceive

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Basic Limbic Response

Freeze → Flight → Fight

• Used to ensure the survival of our species
• Freeze – first line of defense against a

perceived danger, reduce movement, allows helps brain assess situation

• Flight - escape the threat or distance oneself
• Fight - final tactic for survival through

aggression

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Guideline Guidelines s for

• r Obser

Observing ving Nonverbal Communication

• 1. Competent observer of your environment
• 2. Observe in context
• 3. Decode universal nonverbal behaviors
• 4. Decode idiosyncratic nonverbal behaviors
• 5. Establish baseline behaviors

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Guideline Guidelines s for

• r Obser

Observing ving Nonverbal Communication

(Cont’d)

• 6. Multiple behaviors occurring in clusters
• 7. Changes in a person’s behavior as signals
• 8. Learning to detect false nonverbal signals
• 9. Distinguish comfort / discomfort
• 10. When observing others, be subtle

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Keep in Mind When Reading Nonverbal

• 1. Get a clear view
• 2. Expect pacifying or soothing behaviors
• 3. Expect initial nervousness
• 4. Get person to relax first
• 5. Look for increased use of pacifying behaviors

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Keep in Mind When Reading Nonverbal (cont’d)

• 6. Ask, pause, observe
• 7. Keep interviewee focused
• 8. Chatter is not the truth
• 9. Isolate the cause of the stress
• 10. Pacifying says so much

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Posi sitive

FACE Large pupils High eyebrows ARMS Gravity defying movements Arm gestures TORSO Ventral display Ventral action Mirroring Shoulder full shrug

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FEET AND LEGS Rocking up and down Walking with a bounce Toes upward Ankles crossed

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Negative

FACE Small pupils Low eyebrows Eye blocking Lip purse Sneer Furrowed forehead Nose Flair Blushing TORSO Ventral denial Torso shield / splays Chest puff / bare torso Deep Breathing Shoulder half / slow ARMS Arm withdrawal Lack of arm movement Blocking Spread Akimbo FEET AND LEGS Foot kicking Jiggling start / stop Toes inward / interlocking feet Lack of movement Rubbing hands on legs Move front to back of chair

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Nonverbals of the Feet and Legs

• Territorial displays – try to re-

establish control of situation and territory

• Leg Splay – create balance and

claim territory

• Starters position
• Walking style
• Never crossed
• Direction of the feet

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Nonverbals of the Torso, Hips, Chest, and Shoulders

• Houses vital organs, brain

will protect it when threatened

• Ventral denial
• Torso shield
• Torso splay
• Puffing up the chest

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Nonverbals of the Arm rms

• Dominate individuals

Spread materials Use elbows Arm around chair Arm movement

• Arms Akimbo
• Hooding
• Arm freeze

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Nonverbals in the Hands and Fingers

• Hidden hands
• Offending gestures
• Avoid preening
• Frozen hands
• Thumb display
• Grabbing
• Steepling
• Hand wringing
• Quivering

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Nonverbals of the Face

• Pupil dilation and constriction
• Eye blocking – squinting
• Eye-gaze
• Blink rate

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Nonverbals of the Face (CONT’D)

• Lip compression
• Sneer
• Furrowed forehead
• Nose Flair
• Blushing / Blanching

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9/30/2014 7 ACTIONS CAN SOMETIMES SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS

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Violence Exercise

• Identify the body

language that reflects mood

• Identify the stages
• f freeze, flight &

fight through body language

• Record your

findings on the worksheet

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Violence Behaviour Exhibited

Flared nostril Furrow Brow Red face Ventral denial Heavy Breathing Excessive arm movement Aggressive walk Physical grab Chest puff Eye narrow? Raised upper lip Lip disappearance

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Harassment Exercise

• Identify the body

language that reflects mood

• Identify the stages
• f freeze, flight and

fight through body language

• Record your

findings on the worksheet

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Harassment Behaviour Exhibited Exhibited

Nose crinkle Loss of eye contact Blanched face Excessive blinking Deep breathing Withdraw Eyes widen Ventral denial Pacifier

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Questions

Reference

Navarro, J. (2008). What Every BODY is Saying. New York; Harper Collins

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Sandra Excellent HBSc BASc MSc

Regional Consultant Public Services Health & Safety Association sandraexcellent@pshsa.ca