When communicating with others, a significant portion of communication occurs nonverbally through posturing and gesturing. These two aspects, along with facial expressions and eye movements, make up our body language. Understanding the differences between posture and gesture can help individuals pick up cues during public speaking.
Key Takeaways
- Posture refers to the way a person sits or stands and conveys their attitude and emotions.
- Gesture involves movements of hands and other body parts to convey specific meanings.
- Postures are mostly unintentional, while gestures can be intentional or unintentional.
Posture
Posture refers to the way a person sits or stands. It can be relaxed, tense, or indicative of anger. The posture of an individual often communicates their emotions, attitude, and level of alertness. It can also reveal whether a person is confident or nervous and give insight into their social standing. Posture can convey submissiveness or confidence.
Gesture
Gestures involve using hands and other body parts to express words and sentences. For example, waving to say hello or goodbye is a universal gesture. Gestures can also include unique signs in different cultures, such as mudras in Hinduism and Buddhism. Gestures convey specific meanings, whereas postures mostly communicate attitude and emotions.
Differences Between Gesture and Posture
- Gesture involves bodily movements, while posture refers to the manner of standing or sitting.
- Gestures can be intentional or unintentional, while postures are mostly unintentional.
- Postures convey attitude and emotions, while gestures convey specific meanings.
- Hello and goodbye are easily identifiable gestures, while posture indicates whether a person is relaxed or tense.
- Individuals can adopt rude, timid, aggressive, or confident postures.
