KINESICS: the study of body motion or body behavior.
Emblems: gestures that have a direct verbal translation and can stand alone such as the “ok” sign.
Illustrators: gestures that complement our words such as pointing when giving directions.
Regulators: gestures that may prolong or terminate the conversation such as looking at your watch, walking
away from or nodding and leaning forward.
Adaptors: gestures that make you feel more comfortable in a communication situation such as twirling your hair
or tapping your fingers.
Affect Displays: facial expressions motivated by emotion such as a smile or frown.
In this lesson, you will venture out and observe the people around you. Tune out what they are saying and then
sit back and watch. Take notes on what type of gestures (emblems, regulators, illustrators, adaptors and affect
displays) are they using? How often do they use each one? Are they aware of these gestures? You will then
use your notes to write a typed two-page essay describing what you witnessed. Please let us know where you
were, the mall, Starbucks, work, etc.. and who was involved, two men sitting at a table…
Describe at least ten separate gestures.
What type of gesture?
What are they conveying? How many repetitions?
What are the circumstances?
Sample Solution