Body Language Gestures 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Open palm gestures, with palms facing upward or outward, typically signal:
- Aggression and dominance
- Honesty, openness, and non-threatening intent (Correct answer)
- Deception and concealment
- Authority and command
Correct answer: Honesty, openness, and non-threatening intent
Open palm gestures are universally associated with honesty, openness, and transparency — they show that the hands are empty and the speaker has nothing to hide.
Question 2: The 'steeple' gesture — fingertips touching to form a church steeple shape — most commonly signals:
- Submission and deference to authority
- Anxiety and self-soothing
- Confidence, authority, and careful deliberation (Correct answer)
- Deception and hiding of true feelings
Correct answer: Confidence, authority, and careful deliberation
The steeple gesture, where fingertips press together forming a point, signals confidence, authority, and measured deliberation — often used by leaders and experts.
Question 3: When someone wrings their hands (rubbing palms together nervously) during a conversation, this indicates:
- Dominance and confidence
- Excitement and positive anticipation
- Anxiety, stress, or nervousness (Correct answer)
- Agreement and enthusiasm
Correct answer: Anxiety, stress, or nervousness
Hand wringing is a self-soothing gesture that signals anxiety, stress, or nervousness — the physical motion helps calm the nervous system.
Question 4: Which hand gesture is often used to 'cut off' or dismiss what someone else is saying?
- Open palm facing upward
- Rubbing palms together
- A chopping or karate-chop motion (Correct answer)
- Clasping hands together above the head
Correct answer: A chopping or karate-chop motion
A chopping or cutting hand gesture directed at a person or their argument is a dismissive gesture signaling disagreement, rejection, or a desire to end that line of thinking.
Question 5: Touching the back of one's own neck during a conversation typically signals:
- Confidence and dominance
- Discomfort, doubt, or a need for self-soothing (Correct answer)
- Active agreement with the speaker
- Cultural deference in American workplaces
Correct answer: Discomfort, doubt, or a need for self-soothing
The neck touch or neck rub is a classic pacifying behavior — stimulating the vagus nerve in the neck helps calm the nervous system during discomfort or stress.
Question 6: When someone uses expansive, wide gestures while speaking, this generally projects:
- Nervousness and insecurity
- Submission and deference
- Confidence, enthusiasm, and high energy (Correct answer)
- Deception and dishonesty
Correct answer: Confidence, enthusiasm, and high energy
Large, expansive gestures that take up space project confidence, enthusiasm, and high energy — they signal comfort with occupying the environment.
Body Language Gestures 1
Open palm gestures, with palms facing upward or outward, typically signal: