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The researchers say that 'According to these results, the best 'poker face' for bluffing may not be a neutral face, but rather a face that contains emotional correlates of trustworthiness — Moreover, it suggests that rapid impressions of an opponent play an important role in competitive games, especially when people have little or no experience with an opponent.'. Body language, in the form of poker tells,is a great way to get information on an opponent's strength/weakness. Find out how to use it to your benefit.
The Mouth Guard. The mouth guard is one of the few adult gestures that is as obvious as a child's. The hand covers the mouth and the thumb is pressed against the cheek as the brain sub-consciously instructs it to try and suppress the deceitful words that are being said.
His face flushes. When a man or woman is aroused or excited, their cheeks will naturally go slightly red. It's a classic body language sign. In some men, this is very noticeable, whilst it is more difficult to spot in others. And, of course, the lighting you're in will determine whether you'll be able to see it. In short, a poker table is much like real world scenarios like class room, office, college, etc. When a player at a poker table gives away body language information, it is called a tell. So reading a player for tells is crucial for poker player's game. Below is the order in which I read people at a poker table: 1. Feet and Legs (Most reliable) 2.
Macroexpressions: A term that compliments microexpressions. It defines nonverbal signals that are easily seen and persist in time such as arm crosses, leg crosses, shoulder shrugs, and facial expressions so forth.
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Man hug or macho hug: Usually a single armed hug flung over the back with the other hand clasped thumb over fist sandwiched in between the chests of each hugger. Usually the fist of the free hand is clenched closed rather than open palmed, but other times it is vigorously slapped over the upper back. The shoulders are also sometimes bumped together with the hands in a thumb over hand shake as the two pull together. The man hug is a less intimate version of the embrace.
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Manipulative body language: Body language aimed specifically to sway a person into doing something that is not in their best interest or believing in something that may be harmful.
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Manipulator: A gesture that produces self-reassurance or one that performs an instrumental task such as straightening a tie which could indicate nervousness or might actually need straightening.
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Masked arm crossing or masked crossed arms: When a person holds a drink across the centerline of the body while seated or standing, hold a drink with both hands or reach across the body to play with a watch or cufflink they are said to have masked an arm cross. These are defensive-protective postures.
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Masked body language: Gestures such as crossing the arms across the body to create comfort but that are disguised as necessary, such as to adjust a watch or cufflink, straighten a tie, or other grooming function. They are said to be masked because they appear to serve a true purpose, but in actual fact, do not.
Body Language Poker Facebook
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Masking: This is a term used to describe a phenomenon by which people dehumanize themselves when in busy public places. It permits people to remove emotions and feelings, at least on the surface, to navigate an impersonal world full of strangers. In evolutionary terms, masking is like a 'poker face' that hides insecurities and weakness which might have arisen on chance meetings with foreign tribes. Cussing, yelling and other carrying on is a way to mask sensitivity and to hide caring which is common in places like New York.
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Measurer (the) or measurement gestures or power palms or parallel palms: The hands are moved parallel to one another and juggled up and down as if measuring an object. This signals a desire to project thoughts onto others. A secondary meaning stems from figuratively demonstrating how big an object or idea is. For example, a fish was this big by moving the hands away from each other show just how big.
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Mehrabian, Albert: Born in 1939 Albert Mehrabian is a professor of psychology at UCLA. His nonverbal research findings have been often quoted and his 7%-38%-55% rule has received worldwide attention (and misinterpretation). It is commonly misconstrued to imply that nonverbal messages are 55% of the message, while only 7% is what is actually said, with the remaining 38% due to how it is delivered. However, in actual fact, his studies showed that 7% of liking comes from verbal channels, 38% vocal liking and 55% facial liking. For further investigation on Mehribian see his 1967 studies 'Decoding of Inconsistent Communications' and 'Inference of Attitudes from Nonverbal Communication in Two Channels.'
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Metronome or metronomic signals: Rhythmic movements such as tapping that indicate a readiness to speak, boredom, or though.
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Microculture: A subset of a larger culture which can be as small as two people.
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Microexpressions: Microexpressions are facial movements or expressions that flash across the face at such a fast rate that they are barely perceivable. Signals are normally used to decipher liars from those telling the truth because they are very small and difficult to control. These cues show up on high speed video cameras played back and persistence from 1/25 to 1/5 of a second. They appear as furrows, smirks, frowns, smiles and wrinkles and can offer an accurate window into emotions. The research are commonly expressed by muscles such as the fontalis, corregator and risorius and they are provoked by underlying emotions that are nearly impossible to control consciously.
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Microgestures or microsignals: A brief nonverbal cue that happens due to an attempt to suppress a normal response to a negative stimuli. Because they happens so quickly they are reliable and termed 'honest gestures' according the body language reader. These signals can be quick smirks, nose crinkles, or hands that seem move to pacify only to come up short at the last second.
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Micromessaging or microsignaling: Describes the subtle form of nonverbals that occurs just over the level of consciousness, but of which is difficult to catch if not aware. These are the mild glares, scornful eyes, subtle ignoring through slightly turned shoulders, tiny eye rolling, and so forth. These signals are aimed at belittling a person without them being perfectly aware of the reason they are being rejected. Micromessaging is prevalent in the workplace as bosses and employees power play each other.
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Military man or arms behind the back posture: A posture normally held by dominant individuals and leaders. It occurs by placing the hands, palm in palm behind the back. It can also be held by policemen or the military and can be accompanied by holding the chin up and head held back. Power is the main meaning it delivers, as it exposes the full front of the body to possible attack and also says that a person is so powerful they aren't to be touched or approached.
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Mince (the): A type of gait which is very fast, but with only short strides.
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Mind strings: A term with roots in hypnosis. Mind strings are triggers which when set or 'pulled on' by a stimuli creates predictable responses in people. The analogy which best describes mind strings is that of a piano which when keys are pressed, a string is pulled creating a predictable result – a sound. The mind, through hypnosis and suggestion and daily life, works similarly such that when certain triggers are hit, a person will yield predictable responses. For example, when a person is suddenly screamed at, they react with surprise, or when presented with images of salty chips, begin to salivate. All people are collections of their past including that created through evolution and it is this framework that produces strings which can be pulled. The value of mind strings to the nonverbalist are those which can be pulled to create desirable results. For example, nearly every person has a mind string which says that stylish people are worthy of attention and those who lack style, are not. Pulling on that attractiveness string yields a halo effect. Men who study social dynamics to seduce women will frequently hit strings to pull women into their frame.
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Mirroring or isopraxis: In the simplest form, mirroring is copying the gestures, movements, muscle tension, expressions, voice tonality, breathing, tempo and eye movements of someone else. Mirroring is one of the most important aspects of building empathy with people as it establishes common ground and is akin to a communication dance. Mirroring happens naturally between people we like and with whom have formed a connection. Isopraxis from the Greek iso meaning same and praxis, meaning behaviour.
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Mirror neurons: The discovery of the mirror neuron happened by accident at the University of Parma in Italy by researchers Giacomo Rizzolatti and Vittorio Gallese in 1996. They mirror neuron are responsible for our tendency to imitate others gestures such as yawning and keep us in sync with other people's movements helping us to build rapport, empathy and cooperation. Mirror neurons are found in the right parietal operculum of the brain and fall into the category motor neuron meaning they control muscles and how your body moves.
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Mixed signals: When nonverbal signals are not of the same type. Signals can be honest and show deception or happiness with signals of sadness mixed in. In these cases, we usually rely on the negative cues as being more honest.
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Moaning: A low songlike musical note or grunt-like sound emitted over a prolonged period of time in repetitive sequence. It can indicate pain, discomfort or displeasure, but also happiness, pleasure and ecstasy.
Poker Face Body Language
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Mock fighting or play-fight: Physical wrestling that occurs between friends or family, usually children, or between father and son where the aim is to test strength without injury. Mock fighting is an evolutionary throwaway gesture which would have prepared people for real fighting and war in adulthood.
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Moistening lips: When done by women in courtship indicates sexual interest. Lips are said to imitate the female labia and licking them draws attention by both making them shinny and also by movement – of the tongue.
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Moral looking time: The appropriate eye contact that doesn't violate someone's privacy.
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Morris, Desmond, J.: Born 1928, Morris is a British zoologist and ethologist who was made famous by his book 'The naked ape' in 1967 which examined humans from an unbiased scientific perspective by discussing them in the same respect as other animals. His contention is that humans are no different than animals and carry with them many prehistoric hunter-gatherer features just as all animals do. His publications have attracted much attention. His focus on humans as animals has done a lot for the study of nonverbal behaviour because it enables researchers to boil down gestures and postures to root causes through evolution. He has also published books such as 'Manwatching' later reprinted at 'Peoplewatching', 'Gestures: Their origin and distribution', and 'Babywatching' among many others.
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Mouth guard (the): A gesture done by raising the hand to the cheek, or side of the mouth, or by wrapping a finger around the upper lip. Sometimes the hand does a downward swipe with the mouth, the hand is made into a fist and rested against the mouth, or it seems as if the person is talking through their hand. It is an indication of timidity and sometimes linked to dishonesty and low self esteem.
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Movement or motion: Relative movement is an area that is frequently overlooked, but one that is nearly ubiquitous and meaningful. Movement as a nonverbal creates various means such as power, dominance, submission, threat, intimacy, and so forth. Movement can also serve to draw attention and lack thereof signals a desire to blend into the surroundings to go unnoticed. Moving closer to someone signals intimacy and threat, whereas moving away signals dislike and lack of threat.
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Moving toward or shrinking distances: When a person closes the gap between another person it signals interest, commonality, liking, intimacy or affection, a desire to hear more clearly or to show ownership.
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Mumbling: A voice trait where syllables are often jumbled together or inaudible due to low voice volume. Mumbling can be due to distraction, tiredness, chewing food, inebriation. More negative meanings of mumbling includes a lack of self confidence, insecurity, anxiety, inability to articulate thoughts, self-consciousness, preoccupation, fatigue or illness. A mumbler seldom seeks or is able to take leadership roles and are often judged to be depressed or sad. They also habitually use less gestures and appear less animated and less upbeat, have limp bodies, passive motions and tired demeanor.
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Mutual gaze: Happens when two people look each other's faces which often includes bouts of direct eye-to-eye-gaze.
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Get a free start in learning body language today! Click here: Getting Started.
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The Mouth Guard
- The mouth guard is one of the few adult gestures that is as obvious as a child's. The hand covers the mouth and the thumb is pressed against the cheek as the brain sub-consciously instructs it to try and suppress the deceitful words that are being said. Sometimes this gesture may only be several fingers over the mouth or even a closed fist, but its meaning remains the same.
- Many people try to disguise the mouth guard gesture by giving a fake cough.If the person who is speaking uses this gesture, it indicates that he is telling a lie. If, however, he covers his mouth while you are speaking, it indicates that he feels you are lying!
Nose Touching and Eye Rub
- The Nose Touch - In essence, the nose touch gesture is a sophisticated, disguised version of the mouth guard gesture. It may consist of several light rubs below the nose or it may be one quick, almost imperceptible touch. Like the mouth guard gesture, it can be used both by the speaker to disguise his own deceit and by the listener who doubts the speaker's words.
- The Eye Rub - 'See no evil' says the wise monkey, and this gesture is the brain's attempt to block out the deceit, doubt or lie that it sees or to avoid having to look at the face of the person to whom he is telling the lie. Men usually rub their eyes vigorously and if the lie is a big one they will often look away, normally towards the floor. Women use a small, gentle rubbing motion just below the eye, either because they have been brought up to avoid making robust gestures, or to avoid smudging make-up. They also avoid a listener's gaze by looking at the ceiling.
Ear Rub and Neck Scratch
- The Ear Rub - This is, in effect, an attempt by the listener to 'hear no evil' in trying to block the words by putting the hand around or over the ear. This is the sophisticated adult version of the handsover-both-ears gesture used by the young child who wants to block out his parent's reprimands. Other variations of the ear rub gesture include rubbing the back of the ear, the finger drill (where the fingertip is screwed back and forth inside the ear), pulling at the earlobe or bending the entire ear forward to cover the earhole. This last gesture is a signal that the person has heard enough or may want to speak.
- The Neck Scratch - In this case, the index finger of the writing hand scratches below the earlobe, or may even scratch the side of the neck. Our observation of this gesture, reveals an interesting point. The person scratches about five times. Rarely is the number of scratches less than five and seldom more than five. This gesture is a signal of doubt or uncertainty and is characteristic of the person who says, 'I'm not sure I agree.' It is very noticeable when the verbal language contradicts it, for example, when the person says something like, 'I can understand how you feel.'
Collar Pull Gesture and Fingers in the Mouth Gesture
- The Collar Pull - when a person is feeling angry or frustrated or sweating and needs to pull the collar away from his neck in an attempt to let the cool air circulate around it. When you see someone use this gesture, a question like, 'Would you repeat that, please?' or, 'Could you clarify that point, please?' can cause the would-be deceiver to give the game away.
- Fingers in the Mouth - Morris's explanation of this gesture is that the fingers are placed in the mouth when a person is under pressure. Whereas most hand-to-mouth gestures involve lying or deception, the fingers-in-mouth gesture is an outward manifestation of an inner need for reassurance. Giving the person guarantees and assurances is appropriate when this gesture appears.
Cheek Gestures
- Boredom Gesture - When the listener begins to use his hand to support his head, it is a signal that boredom has set in and his supporting hand is an attempt to hold his head up to stop himself from falling asleep. Extreme boredom and lack of interest are shown when the head is fully supported by the hand.
- Interested Gesture - Interested gesture is shown by a closed hand resting on the cheek, often with the index finger pointing upwards. Should the person begin to lose interest but wish to appear interested, for courtesy's sake, the position will alter slightly so that the heel of the palm supports the head.
- Genuine interest is shown when the hand is on the cheek, not used as a head support.
Chin Stroking Gestures
- When the index finger points vertically up the cheek and the thumb supports the chin, the listener is having negative or critical thoughts about the speaker or his subject. Often the index finger may rub or pull at the eye as the negative thoughts continue.
- The next time you have the opportunity to present an idea to a group of people, watch them carefully as you give your idea and you will notice something fascinating. Most, if not all the members of your audience will bring one hand up to their faces and begin to use evaluation gestures. As you come to the conclusion of your presentation and ask for the group to give opinions or suggestions about the idea, the evaluation gestures will cease. One hand will move to the chin and begin a chin-stroking gesture.
- This chin-stroking gesture is the signal that the listener is making a decision. When you have asked the listeners for a decision and their gestures have changed from evaluation to decision-making.
Head-Rubbing and Head-Slapping Gestures
- Pain in Neck Gesture - A person who uses this when lying usually avoids your gaze and looks down. This gesture is also used as a signal of frustration or anger and, when this is the case, the hand slaps the back of the neck first and then begins to rub the neck.
- Forgetfulness Gesture - The slapping of the head communicates forgetfulness, the person signals how he feels about you or the situation by the position used when he slaps his hand on his head, either the forehead or the neck. If he slaps his forehead he signals that he is not intimidated by your having mentioned his forgetfulness, but when he slaps the back of his neck. He non-verbally tells you that you are literally a 'pain-in-the-neck' for pointing out his error.
