COMMUNICATION, BEHAVIOUR & ART
Body Language & Communication Blog
Ranked in the top 4 body language blogs on the web since 2020.
Our work is based on scientific theories relating to nonverbal behaviour and statement analysis, yet remains the opinion of the author.
Cat Behaviour: What is CatFACS?
This article explains CatFACS, the Facial Action Coding System for cats. CatFACS scientifically codes subtle facial movements and is used to research cognition, emotion and communication in our feline friends.
Behaviour Analysis: What is Six Channel Analysis System (SCAnS™)?
This article focuses on explaining SCAnS™, a behaviour analysis methodology used to code human behaviour. The Six Channel Analysis System helps to discern potential deception by identifying clusters of behavioural points of interest across multiple communication channels.
Behaviour Analysis: What is Facial Action Coding System (FACS)?
This article explains the Facial Action Coding System (FACS), a scientific method that measures Action Units (AUs), unique anatomically based facial movements. It can be helpful in analysing human behaviour and is considered the gold standard for facial movement analysis.
Dan Andrews Family Car Incident with Ryan Meuleman
In this article, Colin Ector analyses statements surrounding the Dan Andrews family car incident, where a 15-year-old was seriously injured. Andrew’s wife is reported to have been driving; however, there are allegations that Andrews himself was the driver. Ector seeks the truth via his analysis.
Facial Expressions of Violence and Aggression
This article examines the emotions contributing to aggression and violence and how recognising corresponding expressions can predict violent events and imminent danger, such as domestic violence. We’ll look at the research on emotion recognition in violent offenders and how brain differences may contribute to emotion recognition deficits, perpetuating violence.
Video Shorts: Four tips for public speaking
Four tips to help you become a more engaging and charismatic speaker, presented by students from one of my public speaking courses for kids in Perth. We talk about hand gestures, the voice and eye contact.
Six Tips for Video Conferencing
In this article, I share some video conferencing tips and more general behaviour-related tips that should help you navigate your conference call, interview or presentation, and deliver your message more effectively.
Voice Memos and Meaningful Communication
In this article, I share my contribution to Body + Soul magazine’s post on voice memos. Read the Body + Soul article and my responses to questions about why voice memos are gaining popularity, voice memos' advantages and disadvantages and meaningful conversation.
Facial Expression and Art: How to create an expression using clay
In this article, I combine art and nonverbal communication. If you aren’t interested in art, you can still learn about facial expressions in the first part of the article and skip the challenges. Watch the video introducing emotion and facial expression, then read on and see the diagrams to learn about facial expressions. For creatives and those who are game for a creative challenge, Part Two is a tutorial on creating an emotional expression using clay.
Video Shorts: Smile to increase feelings of happiness and positivity
This short video explains why we should smile to feel happy and more positive.
Video Shorts: Slow breathe to reach your calm state
This short video explains why slow breathing and the fear response work and how to reach your calm state by slow breathing.
Video Shorts: Embodied cognition and contractive behaviour–your body language can trigger emotion
This short video explains why we should avoid contractive behaviour to feel more powerful.
Video Shorts: Embodied cognition and the voice–your voice can trigger emotion
This short video explains how to use your voice to trigger positive feelings of power and improve the way you’re perceived.
Video Shorts:Embodied cognition and Botox–your facial expression can trigger emotion
This short video explains where the most compelling evidence for the theory of Embodied Cognition comes from—Botox studies. Your facial expression can trigger emotion.
The Blink Flurry: Deception, emotion and cognition
The blink flurry, aka the eyelid flutter, a rapid succession of three or more blinks, has been connected to a high cognitive or emotional load and deception. This article summarises the scientific and anecdotal evidence, shedding light on this intriguing yet common behaviour.
Behaviour Analysis: Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum
This article analyses Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum’s body language, facial expressions and statements surrounding the data released by the Bureau of Statistics and the revoking of the Casino Licence.
Hand Gestures in Communication: Benefits for the audience and user
Should we be using hand gestures to communicate, are hand gestures distracting, and why are hand gestures important for communication? This article explains all, focusing on the benefits of hand gestures for the audience and the user. For example, as well as being more engaging for the audience, using hand gestures aid the user's memory recall and helps the user to speak more fluently.
How to Build and Display Confidence Through Body language and Voice
Earlier this year, I contributed to a Woman & Home article about positive body language and how it can boost your confidence—Can positive body language boost your confidence? Find out what the experts think. In a similar vein, in this article, I share the secrets to appearing confident through positive body language, eye contact and voice, and equally as important, how to use your body to feel more confident.
The West Australian: Power posing politicians
I was asked to contribute to an article for The West Australian on the topic of the body language of politicians, in particular, the prevalence of Mark McGowan and Scott Morrison’s superhero power pose in the run-up to the election. Here’s the article…
The Truth About the Power Pose
Over the past decade, the power pose has faced controversy and scientific scrutiny, leaving many people confused about its efficacy and many turning their backs on a simple practise that can yield positive results. This article sums up the debate, clears the myths and explains the current scientific findings so that you can leverage positive feelings with simple postural change.