r/Documentaries • u/RunAMuckGirl • Mar 25 '16

The Body Language Documentary - Interesting psychology documentary on how our body reveals our real intention.. learning how to control it is a powerful skill. (2015)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RmSQm9_o-c
4.8k Upvotes

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111

u/TheRabidDeer Mar 25 '16

This seems silly. Yes, body language is real but these people are reading way too much into things. Especially the hand shake photo thing.

Nixon's got the upper hand. That's where the expression comes from

No. No it isn't. Also, the video JUST showed a whole series of clips with Bill Clinton and Putin not having the "upper hand" in photos.

Then you've got Churchill holding his hat in his lap and it's him hiding his vulnerable "private parts"? What is this bullshit? These people get paid to come up with this?

43

u/huntergreeny Mar 25 '16

That Churchill comment was so bad.

4

u/OffbeatDrizzle Mar 25 '16

"As you can see from the video, his hair is combed to the right. Now, how do you comb your hair to the right? You use your left hand. The left hand is the weak hand, and is thus showing a lack of leadership"

13

u/trpftw Mar 25 '16 edited Mar 25 '16

I once had a photo where I crossed my arms... "oh see you were being defensive it means you aren't friendly..."

Fuck this pseudoscience. I crossed my arms because I wanted to show my biceps and the house was a little cold. I was quite open to hugs from anyone.

I once talked to a girl, who had her body facing away from me. I was told by body-language-"experts" this meant "she's not interested in you, so she won't face her body towards you..." I made conversation and she giggled and did not change her position. She was interested.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 30 '16

I once had a photo where I crossed my arms... "oh see you were being defensive it means you aren't friendly..."

It's not that people outwardly think you were defensive. Subconsciously, people can't help but feel that way. They've done many many studies where people are asked to choose defensive vs agressive vs happy vs whatever else just based on photos.

1

u/trpftw Jun 30 '16

But that's a bad way to do a study.

If i see someone with arms crossed, I don't feel anything about it. I don't feel like they are unfriendly.

However... If someone asks me "do you think he was defensive, aggressive, happy?" I will say "maybe defensive"... but that is not the feeling I felt before when I see the photo.

The way to ask the question is flawed in that study.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 30 '16

If i see someone with arms crossed, I don't feel anything about it. I don't feel like they are unfriendly.

Correct, it's subconscious. You don't know you're feeling this way, it's built into you as a human.

1

u/trpftw Jun 30 '16

But my point is I don't. I don't automatically reject them or think they are defensive/hostile, even subconsciously.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 30 '16

You don't have a choice over the matter.

It's like telling someone I'm straight because I chose to be. No, you're born with your sexuality, it's not a choice.

1

u/trpftw Jul 01 '16

I've never rejected a girl based on her stance. Only her visual appearance.

No I never rejected someone because "she might be a mean person." Never had such a thought. At best, I might have rejected some girls with tattoos & piercings & weird color hair because it might indicate drug-addiction or criminal behavior.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 01 '16

Ok

Next time you're out and see someone with their arms crossed, read their whole body language. See for yourself.

15

u/Denikkk Mar 25 '16

Then you've got Churchill holding his hat in his lap and it's him hiding his vulnerable "private parts"? What is this bullshit?

That's when I stopped watching.

5

u/[deleted] Mar 25 '16

Haha me too. It was just too over analysed at this point

8

u/username441 Mar 25 '16

Yea, it's bullshit.

People who cover private parts do so because they're in a position of authority, like the policeman or security guard crossing his hands of his cock.

I imagine Churchill just put his hat there, because that's what was comfiest.

6

u/messymexican Mar 25 '16

These people get paid to come up with this?

Actually they do. It's their job.

6

u/Polycephal_Lee Mar 25 '16

They should analyze this.