Reading other people’s body language is a tricky business.
If someone is crossing her arms, for example, you could assume that she’s closed off, when in fact she’s just cold.
That said, when you notice that a person’s nonverbal displays don’t quite match up with what she’s telling you out loud, it’s worth paying extra attention. Or when someone laughs with one too many wrinkles around their eyes, it’s likely a sign your joke probably wasn’t all that funny to her.
Here, businessinsider.com have rounded up 15 scientific insights into the significance of body language, pulled from Psychology Today, research journals, and a few awesome books.
Scroll through to find out why you should be cautious if someone’s making too much eye contact or has their legs crossed.
