Pro Exploit

To be a successful manipulator, you will need to read people’s body language quickly and accurately. Albert Mehrabian, a former education psychologist, published a ratio after research that said 55% of communication comes from body language, while only 7% comes from actual words said (the other 38% is tone of voice). This means that body language tells you 5 times as much on average as the actual words someone says. You can see why it’s important to know what to look for. When a person is feeling threatened, they will often assume defensive posture. Here is a list of specific things you can look for. When you see defensive body language, you will know that the other person views you as an aggressor. You have control of the situation.

Defending from attack:

Basic defensive body language has a primitive basis. People will subconsciously assume that the other person will physically attack, even when this is highly unlikely.

Covering vital organs and points of vulnerability:

In physical defense, the defensive person will automatically tend to cover those parts of the body that could damaged by an attack. The chin is held down, covering the neck. The groin is protected with knees together, crossed legs or covering with hands. The arms may be held across the chest or face.

Fending off:

Arms may be held out to fend off attacker, possibly straight out or curved to deflect incoming attacks

Using a barrier:

Any physical object may be placed or held in front of the person to act as a literal or figurative barrier. This can be a small as a pen or as large as a table. Straddling a reversed chair makes some people comfortable in conversation as they look relaxed whilst feeling defensive. You can also use a barrier to conceal your aggressive nature. If you hold a book across your chest, you will be perceived more defensively than aggressively, and put other people more at ease.

Becoming small:

One way of defending against attack is to reduce the size of the target. People may thus huddle into a smaller position, keeping their arms and legs in.

Rigidity:

Another primitive response is to tense up, making the muscles harder in order to withstand a physical attack. Rigidity also freezes the body, possibly avoiding movements being noticed or being interpreted as preparing for attack.

Seeking escape:

Flicking the eyes from side to side shows that the person is looking for a way out.

Preempting attack by giving in:

Preempting the attack, the defensive person may generally use submissive body language, avoid looking at the other person, keep the head down and possibly crouch into a lower body position.

Preempting attack by attacking first:

Aggressive body language may also appear, as the person uses ‘attack as the best form of defense’. The body may thus be erect and thrust forward. Sometimes, people will display both aggressive and submissive body language when they’re feeling corned. For example, the upper body may exhibit aggression while the legs are twisted together.

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