H
Habitual behaviour Many behaviours have become habits. They may become part of a neutral baseline, a trait behaviour, or be the person’s ‘go to’ adaptor. Brains have many habitual pathways some of which result in damaging thinking. It’s easier to maintain habits (and pathways) than carve new ones, and our minds limit choices – for efficiency - making habitual behaviours and thoughts easily performed.
Hair play This can be a self-comforter (pacifier), especially when raking nails through hair or pulling at it, but it may also signal flirting, as if to show the receiver ‘you could be doing this’ whilst also directing attention to the sender’s hair. Removed hair from a face, such as a hair flick, lets onlookers admire the face, another preliminary courtship signal, as too may be preening. Ruffling another’s hair is a teasing act often done by an older sibling. When ruffling their own hair, as Boris Johnson often does, the performed is saying ‘I’m your pal’ whilst it’s also a self-comforter.
Hall, Edward Twitchell
Halo effect Sometimes called the halo error, this is the tendency for positive impressions of a person in one area, perhaps gained from a first impression, to positively influence opinion or feelings about that person in other areas. It is a type of cognitive bias. If a judgee is attractive or looks like the judger then they are often seen in a positive light.
Hand baton These are signals performed with the hands which emphasise the accompanying words. When natural, they beat in time to the rhythm of spoken words, like a conductor. Batons carry cadence marking points of importance in speech. They are performed consciously and unconsciously such as when speaking on the phone.
Hand holding When holding another’s hand it signals attachment such as a show of romance, kinship or friendship. It can also send a message of ownership aimed at onlookers, warning potential suiters to look elsewhere. People often hold hands with themselves as an adaptor, especially if in a self-stimulating way, such as stroking, as it dampens the psychological strain. Hand holding also provides a barrier and helps resist the urge to act or communicate, people literally holding themselves back.
Hand purse Used when emphasising a statement, the hand purse is performed with the thumb and tips of fingers coming together and pointing upwards. The key message varies culturally, it could be an emblem, with plentiful, good or exact all among its positive meanings.
Hand rubbing Can be an adaptor but hand rubbing also signals expectation, excitement or readiness for action. If the rubbing is fast it’s likely to be excited anticipation, if it’s performed more slowly, hand rubbing often signals doubt or concern. The more tightly the hands are clasped, the more mental stress is involved.
Hand steepling First noticed by Birthwhistle, steepling suggests confidence. It involves the fingers being extended in front of the body with the tip of each digit touching its opposite number only. The steepled hand is often rested in a table when the performed is listening or in a cooperative mood. Steepling is a powerful display, expected of experts in their field, with greater confidence attached to higher steepling (in relation to the body). A lowered steeple or removal of the position can signal a lowering of confidence. Chancellor Merkel steeples when she’s feeling comfortable.
Hand in support of the chin When the weight of the head is supported by a hand, either on the chin or cheek, it may be a sign that the performer is losing interest or is bored. It’s a sign that their energy levels have dropped.
Hand in waistcoat Napoleon Bonaparte was painted with a hand in his waistcoat and this display is linked with status however the thumb must remain out of the pocket or the receiver may have trust issues. Churchill and Boris Johnson often tuck a hand in a waistcoat pocket.
Handshakes This action normally takes place directly between two people, their hands at equal distance from them both. A change in this dynamic can be revealing, ask who is at arms’ length and why? The intensity of the grip is usually roughly reciprocated with the release also coordinated unconsciously, one person releasing their grip when the other does (if not, ask why?). Men are more likely to compete with another’s handshake than women do with grip strength the main method. Look for micro facial expressions that accompany the grip and eye contact. Another consideration is who has the upper hand. By shaking ‘palm up’ it’s possible to allow the receiver a feeling of superiority. Handshakes may have originated in Roman times as a lower arm grasp, an act of checking to see if a dagger is being concealed in the other’s sleeve. They may also be a way of checking the health and genetic state of another, the palms being smelt post shake. If you shake hands with a wet palm and weak grip you are likely to be distrusted (and possibly considered ill).
Hand-wringing Often preformed in response to a comment or witnessed behaviour, it’s indicative of doubt, stress or low confidence. Wringing is the antithesis of steepling.
Hands in pockets This can be an indication that feelings or impulses are trying to be restrained, often uncertainty. It’s a habitual behaviour too, and context must be considered as cold hands are often pocketed. Are thumbs on display protruding from the pockets? If so, the person may be feeling superior, in control attitude or sexually available. Boris Johnson likes to put his hands in his pockets with his thumbs sticking out, as did J Paul Getty. How deep are the hands inside the pockets? If just the fingertips are tucked away then the person may be ready and waiting to act.
Happiness An antithesis of the long/downturned sad face, a happy face may be a smiling one, with the cheeks pulled up and mouth upturned at the sides. The crow’s feet around the eyes may become visible as the eyes engage and eyelids draw closer together. Genuine or Duchenne smiles are usually symmetrical (allowing for stroke sufferers) unlike faked ones. Happiness is expressed through bodily movements too, with light, bouncing feet, aloft arms or swinging movements associated behaviours. Most happiness behaviours can be classes as gravity-defying.
Haptics Touch can signal many emotions and messages including ownership, parental status, intimidation, attraction and comfort. Where and how someone is touched is key and women are more often touched than men. Touch is linked with manipulation, status and power. Most touching is performed as self-touching. The self can be acting as a surrogate: you do what you’d like others to be doing (ie a comforting motherly palm at the back of the head) or it could signal where thoughts are preoccupied. People touch parts of the body that are painful, they touch their faces when stresses, they put a palm over their heart when something is being heartfelt etc.
Hard swallow This dry mouthed attempt at swallowing may be done as a result of a tightening throat. Anxiety or distress may be being indicator when a person tries to clear their throat.
Harmonise/Harmony People usually want to create and retain harmony in their environment or social group. They may unconsciously try to achieve this through matching or mirroring positive body language. People (especially women) are prepared to lie to keep their relationships harmonised.
Hat tip By lowering, dipping or doffing the hat, people are showing respect by lowering their status in another’s presence.
Hatred The feeling of intense dislike or animosity can have many cues including a shaking head, body or fist; a rigid/stiff body perhaps with an uncontrollable shaking, a clenched fist, gritted teeth, sweating red face or nostril flare.
Head adornment Headwear can indicate status or group identity. They may be worn for religious reasons and are commonly worn for practical ones. Consider context.
Head back A head tilted backwards often occurs together with the eyebrow flash, signalling recognition. If the eyebrows aren’t active, the action may accompany laughter or thinking/recalling. If eye contact is locked on an individual it could be an aggressive gesture. Like the eyebrow flash it could also signal recognition.
Head bob Usually submissive and suggestive of agreement or acceptance.
Head cant/tilt A submissive gesture exposing the neck and therefore showing vulnerability. It may signal flirting, curiosity, appeasement or innocence. The head tilt may form part of a shrug. On occasion, it can be done to release a stiff neck, in which case it’s often performed in one direction than the other. It may even be a sign of aggression or intimidation, as if to say, ‘I don’t need to protect myself as I’m tougher than you.’
Head drop A lowered head may signal guilt, shame or submissiveness. A form of hiding in plain sight it’s linked to a lack of confidence. Both men and women use the head drop when flirting but there are differences to how they use it.
Head nods Associated with the affirmation, a nod for yes begins with the forward phase. Its origin may stem from moving towards objects of interest, notably a baby moving its head towards a teat/food. Nodding when listening can encourage the speaker to carry on talking. It indicates passive listening. Look for conflicting gestures as a nod doesn’t always mean agreement or affirmation.
Head pat/cup When needing self-comfort, people may pacify themselves by palming the back of their head. The tactile sensation calms, perhaps stemming from the feeling of a mother’s caring palm during infancy.
Head scratch May signal doubt.
Head shake Not a universal sign for ‘no’ but most countries adopt this meaning. It’s origin for ‘no’ may stem from babies moving their mouths away from food they find distasteful. The meaning varies depending upon the speed of the shake. A fast head shake often signals disagreement, slow = incredulity.
Head support When the effects of gravity can be seen on the head, such as when the head is being supported with a palm or fist, the performer may be feeling a loss of energy, perhaps through boredom or disappointment. Usually combined with a head tilt, look at how much weight is being taken by the hand (often linked to the amount of hand to face skin contact) as a sign of the intensity of the feeling. A light touch may be a sign of curiosity.
Head toss Tossing or flicking the head back can be flirtatious – if hair is not short – a ‘notice me’ cue. It can also be done alongside the eyebrow flash, specifically when drawing someone’s attention to something. The message could be about someone else, a ‘get him’ signal.
Height Associated with status, height is an important consideration when gaging mood and social stature.
Heredity Biological inheritance, the passing on of traits from parents to their offspring, can affect body language. The study of heredity in biology is genetics.
Hesitant Movements that are hesitant can suggest a lack of conviction, that the performer is unsure.
Hess, Eckhard H
Hidden mouth People covering their mouths can indicate restraint, an attempt to prevent the speaking of an opinion they shouldn’t express, or it could be done to cover a lie. This can occur after the lie, as a sign of regret/guilt, as if to push the words back inside the mouth.
High confidence An erect posture, a vertical thumb display, limbs akimbo (taking up space) and eye contact can all be signs of confidence.
High-five A gravity-defying action and sign of elation/joy, achievement or celebration.
Hip/thigh rubbing Often a pacifier, rubbing the thighs is often an attempt to wipe sweaty hands, a sign that stress is being experienced. Hand become cold and clammy as blood diverts away from cells below outer layers of skin on the hands (dermis) to prepare the body for flight/fight. When palms lose temperature they begin to sweat. If done lightly, such as stroking, this act may be a flirtatious performance.
Hip-to-waist-ratio Women with a waist-to-hip ratio of .7 women and men of .9 have been shown to have the most attractive hip-to-waist ratio (when a waist measurement is divided by the hip measurement). It’s an indicator of health, fitness and fertility.
Hippocampus This seahorse-shaped piece of brain (people have 2 hippocampi) plays an important role in the consolidation of information from short-term memory to long-term memory, and in spatial memory that enables navigation. The hippocampus is essential for our appreciation of context. When depressed, memory and recognition of context are affected and the hippocampus can shrink. The frontal lobes (home to the amygdala and the hippocampus) are shaped by experience.
Hominid A the great apes: chimps, bonobos and humans, are hominids.
Hominoid A hominoid is a primate from the group that includes humans, their fossil ancestors, and the anthropoid apes.
Honest feet People are often unaware how their feet are positioned and they don’t act with their feet the way they do with their hands. This makes the feet a good, honest body part when it comes to reading body language. Feet (especially the front foot) point towards the object of interest (could be a person, a stage or even an exit). The feet freeze when concern is felt, they withdraw when feeling threatened, and bounce when energy is being released.
Hooding effect Also known as the catapult, hands behind the head with legs splayed can be a show of disgust, aggression, intimidation or dominance. If done consciously it is a display only expected of a leader or a person with assumed dominance.
Hopefulness When feeling hopeful (feeling optimistic expectance) people may be seen holding: holding their breath, keeping their eyebrows rigid, locking their stare por a stiff pose. Repetitive, habitual behaviours may be seen, as might praying, leaning in or biting a lip/nails. A hand may be placed over the suprasternal notch (especially women).
Horizontal horn sign This is a schematic gesture that mimics a bull or the devil’s horns. It’s cultural, signalling the devil or cockold depending on the location.
Horror During an intense feeling of fear, shock, or disgust, a person may freeze and hold their breath. Any sudden movements are likely to include a covering of the face (eyes and/or mouth), turning away from the horrific image, a loud exhale or shape inhale. The startle position (turtle neck) may be adopted, whilst thumbs might be hidden. Faces often become tense.
Hostility Much like threatening behaviours but more reserved. Expect tight lips/mouth and squinting.
Hot reading This technique can be used by ‘psychics’ or ‘magic’ performers. The reader uses information about somebody that they were previously aware of.
Hugger (the) This is when speaking to an audience, the speaker makes their arms form a circle in front of their body with the palms facing inward. It’s done to bring the audience members in to the speaker’s viewpoint.
Humiliated A sudden feeling that one’s status has been lowered, humiliation can result in feelings of embarrassment or shame resulting in the taking up of less space, eyes being lowered, shoulders raised and feet withdrawn. Look for faces being hidden and general covering behaviours. Slower movements, hiding in plain sight and palms placed on stomachs can all be signs.
Hunter-gatherer Pre-agriculture humans lived in societies which obtained most or all of their food by foraging (collecting wild plants) and hunting (pursuing and killing wild animals).
Hushing Covering one’s mouth, usually with the hand or a finger, can be a hushing gesture. These are usually preformed unconsciously, often when having to say something that makes them feel uncomfortable. Throat-clearing, covering a dry deliberate cough, may signal a hushing gesture. The hand is trying to silence to mouth, hide words or push them back inside.
Hygiene When forming impressions, a person’s hygiene is an important consideration. Not only does hygiene communicate something about a person’s state of mind, it may send a warning message that this person could have an contagious illness, so keep away.
Hyperhydrosis This is a medical condition in which a person sweats profusely and unpredictably. It’s a consideration when reading body language. People with hyperhidrosis may sweat when feeling cool (physically and mentally).
Hyperventilating When the rate or tidal volume of breathing eliminates more carbon dioxide than the body can produce humans hyperventilate.
Hypothalamus The hypothalamus regulates body temperature, circadian rhythm, hunger and thirst. It also controls several important functions, including sleep and growth and is one of the central circuit of overactivity’s three parts, along with the amygdala and hippocampus. The hypothalamus (and nucleus accumbens) lights up when people anticipate a positive outcome.
Hysteria An exaggerated or uncontrollable emotion, hysteria manifests with a loss of control seen and often heard (shouting, sobbing). Raised and shaking hands with frantic gesturing are possible cues but there’s a clear change in behaviour and raise in energy (from the baseline).