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Gait A person's manner of walking. A person’s walking style reflects their mood, attitude and personality, and alters to reflect changing emotions, so it’s worth looking at changes in gait. Expect a livelier gait when in the presence of a sexually attractive person. When feeling confident and assertive strides have more purpose with a firm but relaxed gait. Swinging arms, especially that rotate across the body, shows youth, vigour and masculinity. Rolling hips show female sexuality. If a person is sad or worried you can almost see the weight on their shoulders. Even when speaking on the phone whilst walking, people tend to base their gait upon the tone and rhythm of the conversation.
Gaze behaviour High status people engage in more eye contact. In conversation, most people make more eye contact whilst listening (70% of the time) and less when talking (30%). We generally like eye contact, a show of attention, but making eye contact can be stressful so when taxed we tend to avert our gaze. Interested people scan another’s eyes until contact is made at which point it’s generally broken before being re-established. Super-gazes (held contact) can signify a strong interest which may be positive (attraction, captivated) or negative (angry, fearful).
Gender normative A term that describes attitudes, behaviours, and beliefs that are within their current cultural norms around gender. In other words, something that is "gender normative" means something that is appropriately feminine or masculine within a person's culture.
Gender signals These can be anatomical, such as the greater distance between a women’s brows and eyes, a signal that’s often enhanced with plucking or tattoos; or cultural, such as the jacket buttoning (males left over right, females right over left). This originates from males (typically right-handed) tucking a hand inti their jacket, perhaps for a weapon. Whereas females tend to hold babies to their left breast, wrapping the jacket over the baby’s body (80% do this and 70% of left-handed mothers). Female apes also hold their baby over their left/heart.
Gene expression The process by which the instructions in our DNA are converted into a functional product, such as a protein. Gene expression is a tightly regulated process that allows a cell to respond to its changing environment. It acts as both an on/off switch to control when proteins are created, and also a volume control that increases or decreases the amount of proteins.
Genetic Relating to genes or heredity.
Genetic inheritance One way in which people acquire their actions. Many modern human behaviours were previously genetically hardwired in our distant ancestors by natural selection. People look for the best genetic inheritance for her offspring to give them a greater chance of survival.
Genetic suggestion Genes don’t cause behaviour directly, but genes do build our muscles and bones etc and they facilitate behaviour. So it makes sense that how we move and behave is influenced by our anatomy. Linked to this is Morris’ argument that ‘genetic suggestion’ occurred via anatomy, through discovered actions.
Genital framing Typically a male action, it involves the hands framing the genitals. For example, the thumbs tucking in a belt, letting the hands point towards genitals. This usually occurs with a front on orientation with elbows out, making the body appear larger.
Gesture A movement of part of the body, especially a hand or the head, to express an idea or meaning.
Givens, David B
Glabella The smooth part of the forehead above and between the eyebrows.
Glimpse effect When a person is seen for a fraction of a second their threat level or sexual rating will be exaggerated. Men tend to overestimate the attractiveness of a women if seeing her from behind for a second. These are evolved reactions.
Goffman, Erving
Goodall, Jane
Goosebumps (goose pimples) A relic from when a person’s hair being on end would make them look larger (more of a threat or more attractive). Now naked apes, the tiny erector pillae muscles on humans, such as those on the neck, cause goosebumps which may lead to rubbing. Goosebumps can be caused by cold, fear, or excitement.
Goulard, Eric
Grasping With both hands, perhaps at a handbag or cushion, can be a sign of anxiety. The comfort and protection of the prop easing the stress.
Gratitude The strong feeling of appreciation for something. In addition to the cultural actions of clapping (or waving in sign language), when expressing gratitude people may put a palm on their (own) clavicle/heart, touch another’s arm or hug them, give more eye contact, orientate towards the person/thing they are grateful for.
Gravity defying Behaviours which show a person’s mood has lifted through their ‘lifted’ action(s). Positivity, celebration, excitement, happiness can all see a rise in centre of gravity. Punching the air, smiling, jumping (for joy), thumbs up, dancing are all gravity defying behaviours.
Greenspoon effect Modification of the content of conversational speech, without the speaker's awareness, through reinforcement given by the listener in the form of backchannel feedback, gestures, nods, etc.
Greeting gestures Performed when people meet, these include handshaking, kissing and the fist bump.
Grief A multifaceted response to loss, deep sorrow, particularly to the loss of someone or something that has died, to which a strong bond or affection existed. In grief, a person may shake or become unsteady. A reassuring palm (self-touching) may go to the stomach or back of the head, there may be crying or affected breathing, and a loss of energy may result in a sagging body or dragged feet.
Grief muscle Identified by Darwin ‘the grief muscle’ is the mark/wrinkle in the forehead that resembles a horseshoe and expresses grief.
Grin A type of smile that may show sexual interest or embarrassment if flashed, or fear if held with exposed teeth.
Grinder, John, T Bests known for his work in neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) with Richard Bandler, Grinder graduated from the University of San Francisco in the early 1960s. Grinder is an American linguist, author, management consultant, trainer and speaker.
Grooming displays An expression of comfort, solidarity or appeasement, grooming can be auto or allo. When a person comes from a family or culture that places a strong emphasis on neatness of appearance then grooming displays are more common. From smoothing one’s tie to taking another’s coat there are a range of grooming displays. Grooming can release endorphins and produces serotonin.
Group dynamics A system of behaviours and psychological processes occurring within a social group (intragroup dynamics), or between social groups (intergroup dynamics). So much of human behaviour is influenced by others, proxemics being one of the important considerations.
Groupthink A psychological phenomenon that occurs within a group of people in which the desire for harmony or conformity in the group results in an irrational or dysfunctional decision-making outcome.
Guide signals or guiding Pointing is an obvious example, using directional assistance markers, perhaps with a finger, chin, nod, or eye gaze. Guiding could also be the removal of oneself, freeing the space for (invited) travel.
Guiding body language Showing someone the way, nonverbally, such as with a light hand on the back.
Guilt A social emotion, guilt may be seen in a cowed body or dipped head, behaviours dogs also do when feeling ‘guilty’. Hidden hands are another associated behaviour, as are most of those that express fear making guilt a tough spot.
Gut reaction A gut feeling is an important cognitive process. People have evolved to quickly get from A to Opinion and these are often accurate and lasting, although humans wrongly look to confirm their initial impression.
Guthrie, Russell Dale