a. Problem definition: (Ekman web; Ekman 43; Reevy 222; Pease 226; Pease 380).
b. Thesis statement: Knowledge of the complexity of micro-expressions and body language and their significance contributes to one’s ability to take more informed decisions in social interactions and promotes one’s interpersonal skills as it allows them to better understand an individual’s true emotional state.
2. Micro-expressions
a. Definition, function, characteristics, advantages, primary research findings and examples
i. Definition: involuntary, brief facial expression that last between 1/15 to 1/25 of a second. They are a sign of concealed emotions or rapidly processed. (PEG web; Yan 2) ii. Function + characteristics: identify any of the 6 …show more content…
Primary research findings: Among all 20 participants, reading a short informative web page* has increased their ability (their score on the second test**) to accurately associate an emotion to its corresponding micro-expressions by 9.2% on average. This increase proves that knowledge has an impact and that it can help render more informed decisions and understand individuals’ true emotional state (Hurley 1-12). iv. Example: The effects of motivation, reinforcement, training format and exposure on the detection of micro-expressions of emotion show that everyone can develop this ability and its benefits. …show more content…
Examples: When people are being interviewed and asked a question that they do not like, that they find negative or are simply not happy about, there is a high probability that there will be a shift form foot jiggling to foot kicking (leg-kick response is automatic) (Navarro 100; St-Yves). Adolf Hitler: the power of hand gestures that improve communication skills. Nail-biting as a sign of anxiousness and insecurity
4. Conclusion
a. Wrap-up
i. Return on thesis statement: The benefits of the knowledge of the complexity of micro-expressions and body language are far-reaching; they can help the “average person” with interpersonal relationships but also clinicians and security practitioners where the ability to understand others can result in more informed judgments regarding threats to oneself and others (Hurley 1). Undeniably, “there is a need to correctly recognize and interpret a person’s true feelings in any number of interpersonal, health, business, legal, and social contexts” (Hurley 10).
b. Opening ii. Not only do you feel healthier and happier when you adjust your body language, you become more attractive and influential.
Could your body language have something to do with your success