The head can be used in conveying an array of messages to anyone that cares to decode them. Tutorials Point, an eLearning platform, begins its explanation of the head body language thus: “Most of the clues that you would get about a person’s thought and acceptance would be from observing the way he uses his head, palms, finger, legs and eyes. Let’s understand the general meanings of the movements that are associated with these parts of the body and the message they pass.” So, this is emphasizing the need to be attentive when in a conversation with a person. In fact, Study Body Language, states that “The position of the head is one of the quickest giveaways to mood or attitude in body language.” The reason being that there is direct nexus between how a person feels and how they hold their head. That is why you see happy and confident people keeping their head high while depressed ones will easily succumb without putting any effort in holding their head.
With the position of the head, we can discern the attitudes of people. Through its use, we can establish the following:
- The general morale – happy vs sad, assured vs shaky.
- Who or what is the center of attention of the person you observe?
- How involved and engaged someone feels in a given scenario?
- Who’s the superior and who’s the subordinate in the social power struggle? (SBL, 2018).
However, let me note at this point that there are no accurate or absolute predictions. For instance, it will be out of point for me to note that that someone is happy based upon a single fact that he holds his head high. But the head in body language is a very good barometer of mental state in a glance. Meaning – if you had only a moment to identify mood, the head position is one of the things you want to look at (SBL, 2018).
The head can be touched in many places. Touching the face is a common sign of anxiety and people tend to have preferred places they touch or stroke when they are concerned. This is a classic pattern that poker players look for in other players as signs of having good or bad hands.Touching the face is just to mean that you are afraid of a situation and wouldn’t like to have a direct access to it. The way this is done differs from people to people and culture to culture.
Furthermore, covering eyes, ears or mouth may say we do not want to see, hear or say something. Of all the coverings, that of the mouth is obvious. Criminals at the point of interrogation are always forced to voice out. They understand that their words are laced with deceits and since they are not convinced of their excuses themselves, they find it difficult to speak them out boldly. Imagine showing a suspect some incriminating documents about their criminal activities, they will try their possible best not to look at it by covering their eyes. This means they are ashamed and feel like “disappearing” from that scene immediately (Changing Minds, 2018).
In the same vein, people may touch the side of the nose or stroke the chin when they are thinking, making decisions and judging others. This can happen anywhere—whether under criminal context or not. People are forced to make evaluations and judgments at all times. If you say something and your co-interlocutor gives you a curious look after the side of their nose, it is an indication of being critical of your submission—they are not convinced enough. If a criminal suspect does that, it means they are thinking hard and trying to arrive at decision that will sound solid.
Also, tapping the head can be self-punishment and hence signal regret, for example tapping the forehead with the heel of the hand (‘I’m stupid!’). Note that, depending on context, this can also be a signal that somebody else is considered stupid. So, you have to analyze the context in order to understand if the person is referring to you or themselves. A criminal suspect who does not present a convincing argument and immediately something tells him that he could have done better than that, so the feeling of regret descends on them immediately.
The head is heavy and when tired we may prop it up, either under the chin or at the side. Boredom makes us tired so propping the head may indicate this. Propping up the head also happens when a person is thinking or evaluating. Let me implore you to always consider the context of the action before arriving at a conclusion. Before being critical of a person’s actions, look at what might serve as the possible causes of the action. This will put you on the right track of not misinterpreting signs of boredom for critical evaluation (Changing Minds, 2018).
Finally on this, in some cultures, the head is considered the part of the body that is most spiritual. Touching the head can be considered wrong in such contexts. This also validates the need to have background knowledge of the people you are dealing with before taking an abrupt action. In Japan and other related cultures, you cannot just touch people arbitrarily. So, understanding of these nuances puts you on the safe side at all times. Instead of touching people on the head, you may just consider some less offensive parts of the body.
Apart from head touching, there are some other signals of the head that connote unimaginably deep messages. For instance, rotation of the head; rotation of the head in a circle is a relatively rare gesture and may just be the person exercising a stiff neck (if they should be paying attention, this may thus indicate boredom). Turning the head slightly to the side points the ear at the other person, perhaps better to hear them. This is usually accompanied by continued eye contact and the hand may be cupped behind the ear (Changing Minds, 2018).
References
Changing Minds (2018). Head Body Language. Retrieved from http://changingminds.org/techniques/body/parts_body_language/head_body_language.htm
SBL (2018). The Head Body Language—Positions and Tilts. Retrieved from http://www.study-body-language.com/head-body-language.html
Tutorials Point (2018).Body Language—Head Positions. Retrieved from https://www.tutorialspoint.com/body_language/body_language_head_positions.htm
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