Body Language Dictionary

Body Language Dictionary ::M::

Written by Christopher Philip

Topics: M

M – Non Verbal Body Language Dictionary:

Did we forget a nonverbal term? Suggest it in the comment box or e-mail it direct, and we’ll be ecstatic to add it! With well over 500 terms, the BLP dictionary is growing to be the largest free nonverbal dictionary in the world! Brought to you exclusively by The Body Language Project! Visit our homepage for more free learning.

Masking: This is a term used to describe a phenomenon by which people dehumanize themselves when in busy public places. It permits people to remove emotions and feelings, at least on the surface, to navigate an impersonal world full of strangers. In evolutionary terms, masking is like a “poker face” that hides insecurities and weakness which might have arisen on chance meetings with foreign tribes. Cussing, yelling and other carrying on is a way to mask sensitivity and to hide caring which is common in places like New York.

Masked body language: Gestures such as crossing the arms across the body to create comfort but that are disguised as necessary, such as to adjust a watch or cufflink, straighten a tie, or other grooming function. They are said to be masked because they appear to serve a true purpose, but in actual fact, do not.

Measurer (the): The hands are moved parallel to one another and juggled up and down as if measuring an object. This signals a desire to project thoughts onto others.

Mehrabian, Albert: Born in 1939 Albert Mehrabian is a professor of psychology at UCLA. His nonverbal research findings have been often quoted and his 7%-38%-55% rule has received worldwide attention (and misinterpretation). It is commonly misconstrued to imply that nonverbal messages are 55% of the message, while only 7% is what is actually said, with the remaining 38% due to how it is delivered. However, in actual fact, his studies showed that 7% of liking comes from verbal channels, 38% vocal liking and 55% facial liking. For further investigation on Mehribian see his 1967 studies “Decoding of Inconsistent Communications” and “Inference of Attitudes from Nonverbal Communication in Two Channels.”

Metronome or metronomic signals: Rhythmic movements such as tapping that indicate a readiness to speak, boredom, or though.

Microculture: A subset of a larger culture which can be as small as two people.

Microexpressions, microsignals or microgestures: Microexpressions are facial movements or expressions that flash across the face at such a fast rate that they are barely perceivable. Signals are normally used to decipher liars from those telling the truth because they are very small and difficult to control. These cues show up on high speed video cameras played back and persistence from 1/25 to 1/5 of a second. They appear as furrows, smirks, frowns, smiles and wrinkles and can offer an accurate window into emotions. The research are commonly expressed by muscles such as the fontalis, corregator and risorius and they are provoked by underlying emotions that are nearly impossible to control consciously.

Military man: A posture normally held by dominant individuals and leaders. It occurs by placing the hands, palm in palm behind the back. It can also be held by policemen or the military and can be accompanied by holding the chin up and head held back. Power is the main meaning it delivers, as it exposes the full front of the body to possible attack.

Mirroring or isopraxis: In the simplest form, mirroring is copying the gestures, movements, muscle tension, expressions, voice tonality, breathing, tempo and eye movements of someone else. Mirroring is one of the most important aspects of building empathy with people as it establishes common ground and is akin to a communication dance. Mirroring happens naturally between people we like and with whom have formed a connection.

Mirror neuron: The discovery of the mirror neuron happened by accident at the University of Parma in Italy by researchers Giacomo Rizzolatti and Vittorio Gallese. They mirror neuron might be responsible for our tendency to imitate others gestures such as yawning.

Moistening lips: When done by women in courtship indicates sexual interest. Lips are said to imitate the female labia and licking them draws attention by both making them shinny and also by movement – of the tongue.

Moral looking time: The appropriate eye contact that doesn’t violate someone’s privacy.

Morris, Desmond, J.: Born 1928, Morris is a British zoologist and ethologist who was made famous by his book “The naked ape” in 1967 which examined humans from an unbiased scientific perspective by discussing them in the same respect as other animals. His contention is that humans are no different than animals and carry with them many prehistoric hunter-gatherer features just as all animals do. His publications have attracted much attention. His focus on humans as animals has done a lot for the study of nonverbal behaviour because it enables researchers to boil down gestures and postures to root causes through evolution. He has also published books such as “Manwatching” later reprinted at “Peoplewatching”, “Gestures: Their origin and distribution”, and “Babywatching” among many others.

Mouth guard (the): A gesture done by raising the hand to the cheek, or side of the mouth, or by wrapping a finger around the upper lip. Sometimes the hand does a downward swipe with the mouth, the hand is made into a fist and rested against the mouth, or it seems as if the person is talking through their hand. It is an indication of timidity and sometimes linked to dishonesty and low self esteem.

Mutual gaze: Happens when two people look each other’s faces which often includes bouts of direct eye-to-eye-gaze.

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The Body Language Project is the result of a decade of personal research including a thorough review of over 60 primary scientific research journal articles. Learning body language forms the perfect foundation for success in ALL your communication.

If you are only picking up on what is being said, you are missing more than half of the message.

For more information on BodyLanguage be sure to check out: BodyLanguageProject.com and the Ebook – The Body Language Guide to Dating, Attraction and Sexual Body Language.