Katzenklavier
06-15-2008, 06:26 AM
So I start having this conversation with J. Typically, as most of our talks do, it goes somewhere entirely random quite quickly. And then it finally came to writing out our characters. Finally, it rested on body language. How does body language convey our characters' personality? If these were real people, how would they move and act? Now, I'll readily admit I'm not expert on the subject. I've done a lot of my own original study, but credit quite a bit to my friend Giovanna. Please let me know if you're interested in her site and analysis. I recommend it.
But J found it interesting enough to encourage me to start a thread. So I'll start with a few basic characters that mine interact with a lot. Then, if you want yours analyzed too, send me a request and maybe a sample post. Of course, all this is just observation. I'm not the player of your characters, and only you can determine if you think it's accurate. So. Let's get started.
Pearce Rowe
I picked everybody's favorite rapist psychopath to go first because he would have some of the most distinctive body behaviors, thus some of the easiest for me to determine. Because of his sexual inclinations and forthrightly aggressive nature, he would stand with his back erect and his hips arched forward. His pelvis would lead the rest of his body. His legs would slant back and, were he just rotating his pelvis, his upper body would remain entirely straight. This is to accentuate his height to accentuate his height while drawing attention to his genitals, a subconscious invitation to those around them to animal instincts. With women, he would plant both feet firmly on the ground and move his hips forward even further. With men, it would still be evident, but it would become more relaxed in that his legs would spread further apart and he's probably favor one over the other as he's not actively targeting, but still sex it at the forefront of his thoughts and intentions. His movements would show a clear disregard for the personal space of others. With men, it would take on a very casual air, to indicate a lack of concern and respect. Towards women, it would of course be distinctly sexual, favoring on areas that alert a woman's instincts as prey. Perfect examples include movements are targeted towards the neck/throat and the hollow of the back - both of which are instinctual alert zones. The hollow of the back is a hyper-sensitive area, due to its position as a visual blindspot an area almost completely bereft of the protection of the arms.
Unlike a very deliberate and self-aware seducer, Pearce's movements would not reflect intentional calculation. Meaning, he would stand there and think, "Okay, I'm going to touch her neck to freak her out." It would come as a result of his instincts. He does not play the part of a predator when it is convenient to him. Rather, he is the predator. This ego complex means his body language would be a clear indicator of his emotions and intentions. He focuses on controlling on his facial expressions in order to trick and deceive. Then again, most wouldn't want to look down at his hips to gauge his mood, rather registering this in their subconsciousness. They'd be more inclined to look at his face; the more societally accepted method of gauging truth and emotion. But it would explain why most people are immediately put on the defensive by him.
One last thing that is particularly notable is his gaze behavior. There are four gaze behaviors used to express authority or lack thereof: active domination, passive domination, active submission and passive submission. Active is when you’re looking at a person, passive is when you’re deliberately not. Passive domination is used to dominate people who consciously want attention. It's when someone in a position of power deliberately looks away and addresses someone without looking at them, indicating that person is beneath them and unworthy of their direct gaze/attention. Active domination is essentially to put someone in a very uncomfortable position by steadily maintaining eye contact with them. Depending on its usage, it is used to either indicate aggressive domination or (often misleadingly) honesty and sincerity. Passive domination is used to belittle a subject, while active is used to break their wills.
Pearce always uses active domination. He maintains eye contact constantly, and even when he isn't, it's when he wants the target to see where his eyes go. Gaze is very very central to him. When he's with a woman, returned eye contact equals an open invitation to sexual interaction. Submissive gaze behaviors, such as looking down nervously, would be equally flattering to his ego. Passive domination, on the other hand, is very seldom understood by men coming from women. Pearce would likely mistake it for submissive behavior. If he caught on that it was belittlement, however, it would likely be a deep insult.
Jean Sauveur
Jean Sauveur is a very tall and physically intimidating man. He would be likely to stand erect with a rigid back that borders on uncomfortable. This alludes to his careful need for self-control, as well as his accentuation on public composure. However, his posture and mannerisms would be a lot more fluid, as he is far more sensitive to the behaviors of others when he is focused on them. For instance, when around younger or smaller, he might be inclined to arch his back forehead in an attempt to get on his or her level, both consciously and subconsciously aware of the dominating aspect of his height. Where Pearce would adamantly deny to lessen his intimidation factor, Jean would fluctuate. Most of his tension would automatically go to his back, thus protecting creating an illusion of protecting the hollow and shielding his vulnerabilities from others. It also indicates his constant state of being on guard - always expecting to be attacked from behind. Additionally, it reveals his fear of betrayal and manipulation. When angered, he would be the type to hunch his shoulders, drawing strength into his arms and covering his neck. This represents a shift away from his emotional insecurities and a focus on his aggressive drive. His rage is the bitter product of his own victimization and he's subconsciously expecting to be put in the position of prey again. Hence, his position is intended to dominate the other before that happens.
A lot of Jean's moods could be revealed through pupil and gaze behavior. When he's with those he doesn't hold much interest in, they would remain unusually constricted, indicating his tendency to turn his thoughts inward and remain inside his own head, detaching himself from the present situation. With someone like Manya, they would probably dilate as an indication of both rage and sexual arousal. Given his attitude towards sexuality, he would not be as inclined to lead his body with his pelvis. Instead, his indicators would be a lot more subtle and less aggressive. Dilated pupils are both a sign of sexual arousal and vulnerability - both of which, in the appropriate situations, can come off subconsciously in those around Jean. The pupils dilate when someone is about to cry, and suggest approachability and feeling. With Jean, his sexuality is closed tied to his vulnerability and reluctance to trust, so both would be particularly applicable. In terms of his gaze behavior, Jean does make use of passive domination. In someone he has less regard for, he will generally look away to show his boredom and disinterest. This particularly arises with Maureen Dawson. However, it is not always entirely unconscious. Jean often does that to prove a point, and that is that he is somehow separate from this situation. In most social groups, he would prefer to consider himself the loner. Appearing bored and detached is the best way not only to assert that he is distant, but above. It is one of the must subtle but telling signs of his need for domination and control.
Let's talk a bit about his posture when he sits. When sitting, it is often considered polite for women to fold their hands in their laps, often with a fist. This gesture is a subconscious act of protection for the sex. The more sexually aware woman may use this to draw attention to that area. Men typically do not fold their hands in their lap. When they do, it's often to draw attention to that area. Jean, subsequently, would keep his arms and hands at a distance. Extended arms, such as those that might rest on the back of a seat, indicate comfort with one's surroundings and general confidence. Jean uses this when he feels sure of his company. For some men, it is a method of flirtation. For Jean, it's an extent of his fatherly instincts and a reassuring gesture. He sees it as reaching out towards someone and suggesting a comforting embrace. A more sexually inclined person might see it, however, as a subconscious invitation. When Jean is with someone who does not incite fatherly regard, he is likely to draw his arms into himself as an expression of his introverted and contained nature. Typically, when seated at a table, he would default to resting his chin on his hands: a movement that has been so long associated with deep thought that he does it naturally. Also, it can either indicate interest or disinterest depending on the situation, both of which define Jean's behaviors.
***
Well, there you have it. An absolutely exhausting analysis of two dramatically different characters and how they use their body language. Next on consideration: Essie, Julien, and my very own Manya. If anyone is interested in knowing more, or wants me to analyze their chars, let me know! And feedback is always immensely appreciated.
But J found it interesting enough to encourage me to start a thread. So I'll start with a few basic characters that mine interact with a lot. Then, if you want yours analyzed too, send me a request and maybe a sample post. Of course, all this is just observation. I'm not the player of your characters, and only you can determine if you think it's accurate. So. Let's get started.
Pearce Rowe
I picked everybody's favorite rapist psychopath to go first because he would have some of the most distinctive body behaviors, thus some of the easiest for me to determine. Because of his sexual inclinations and forthrightly aggressive nature, he would stand with his back erect and his hips arched forward. His pelvis would lead the rest of his body. His legs would slant back and, were he just rotating his pelvis, his upper body would remain entirely straight. This is to accentuate his height to accentuate his height while drawing attention to his genitals, a subconscious invitation to those around them to animal instincts. With women, he would plant both feet firmly on the ground and move his hips forward even further. With men, it would still be evident, but it would become more relaxed in that his legs would spread further apart and he's probably favor one over the other as he's not actively targeting, but still sex it at the forefront of his thoughts and intentions. His movements would show a clear disregard for the personal space of others. With men, it would take on a very casual air, to indicate a lack of concern and respect. Towards women, it would of course be distinctly sexual, favoring on areas that alert a woman's instincts as prey. Perfect examples include movements are targeted towards the neck/throat and the hollow of the back - both of which are instinctual alert zones. The hollow of the back is a hyper-sensitive area, due to its position as a visual blindspot an area almost completely bereft of the protection of the arms.
Unlike a very deliberate and self-aware seducer, Pearce's movements would not reflect intentional calculation. Meaning, he would stand there and think, "Okay, I'm going to touch her neck to freak her out." It would come as a result of his instincts. He does not play the part of a predator when it is convenient to him. Rather, he is the predator. This ego complex means his body language would be a clear indicator of his emotions and intentions. He focuses on controlling on his facial expressions in order to trick and deceive. Then again, most wouldn't want to look down at his hips to gauge his mood, rather registering this in their subconsciousness. They'd be more inclined to look at his face; the more societally accepted method of gauging truth and emotion. But it would explain why most people are immediately put on the defensive by him.
One last thing that is particularly notable is his gaze behavior. There are four gaze behaviors used to express authority or lack thereof: active domination, passive domination, active submission and passive submission. Active is when you’re looking at a person, passive is when you’re deliberately not. Passive domination is used to dominate people who consciously want attention. It's when someone in a position of power deliberately looks away and addresses someone without looking at them, indicating that person is beneath them and unworthy of their direct gaze/attention. Active domination is essentially to put someone in a very uncomfortable position by steadily maintaining eye contact with them. Depending on its usage, it is used to either indicate aggressive domination or (often misleadingly) honesty and sincerity. Passive domination is used to belittle a subject, while active is used to break their wills.
Pearce always uses active domination. He maintains eye contact constantly, and even when he isn't, it's when he wants the target to see where his eyes go. Gaze is very very central to him. When he's with a woman, returned eye contact equals an open invitation to sexual interaction. Submissive gaze behaviors, such as looking down nervously, would be equally flattering to his ego. Passive domination, on the other hand, is very seldom understood by men coming from women. Pearce would likely mistake it for submissive behavior. If he caught on that it was belittlement, however, it would likely be a deep insult.
Jean Sauveur
Jean Sauveur is a very tall and physically intimidating man. He would be likely to stand erect with a rigid back that borders on uncomfortable. This alludes to his careful need for self-control, as well as his accentuation on public composure. However, his posture and mannerisms would be a lot more fluid, as he is far more sensitive to the behaviors of others when he is focused on them. For instance, when around younger or smaller, he might be inclined to arch his back forehead in an attempt to get on his or her level, both consciously and subconsciously aware of the dominating aspect of his height. Where Pearce would adamantly deny to lessen his intimidation factor, Jean would fluctuate. Most of his tension would automatically go to his back, thus protecting creating an illusion of protecting the hollow and shielding his vulnerabilities from others. It also indicates his constant state of being on guard - always expecting to be attacked from behind. Additionally, it reveals his fear of betrayal and manipulation. When angered, he would be the type to hunch his shoulders, drawing strength into his arms and covering his neck. This represents a shift away from his emotional insecurities and a focus on his aggressive drive. His rage is the bitter product of his own victimization and he's subconsciously expecting to be put in the position of prey again. Hence, his position is intended to dominate the other before that happens.
A lot of Jean's moods could be revealed through pupil and gaze behavior. When he's with those he doesn't hold much interest in, they would remain unusually constricted, indicating his tendency to turn his thoughts inward and remain inside his own head, detaching himself from the present situation. With someone like Manya, they would probably dilate as an indication of both rage and sexual arousal. Given his attitude towards sexuality, he would not be as inclined to lead his body with his pelvis. Instead, his indicators would be a lot more subtle and less aggressive. Dilated pupils are both a sign of sexual arousal and vulnerability - both of which, in the appropriate situations, can come off subconsciously in those around Jean. The pupils dilate when someone is about to cry, and suggest approachability and feeling. With Jean, his sexuality is closed tied to his vulnerability and reluctance to trust, so both would be particularly applicable. In terms of his gaze behavior, Jean does make use of passive domination. In someone he has less regard for, he will generally look away to show his boredom and disinterest. This particularly arises with Maureen Dawson. However, it is not always entirely unconscious. Jean often does that to prove a point, and that is that he is somehow separate from this situation. In most social groups, he would prefer to consider himself the loner. Appearing bored and detached is the best way not only to assert that he is distant, but above. It is one of the must subtle but telling signs of his need for domination and control.
Let's talk a bit about his posture when he sits. When sitting, it is often considered polite for women to fold their hands in their laps, often with a fist. This gesture is a subconscious act of protection for the sex. The more sexually aware woman may use this to draw attention to that area. Men typically do not fold their hands in their lap. When they do, it's often to draw attention to that area. Jean, subsequently, would keep his arms and hands at a distance. Extended arms, such as those that might rest on the back of a seat, indicate comfort with one's surroundings and general confidence. Jean uses this when he feels sure of his company. For some men, it is a method of flirtation. For Jean, it's an extent of his fatherly instincts and a reassuring gesture. He sees it as reaching out towards someone and suggesting a comforting embrace. A more sexually inclined person might see it, however, as a subconscious invitation. When Jean is with someone who does not incite fatherly regard, he is likely to draw his arms into himself as an expression of his introverted and contained nature. Typically, when seated at a table, he would default to resting his chin on his hands: a movement that has been so long associated with deep thought that he does it naturally. Also, it can either indicate interest or disinterest depending on the situation, both of which define Jean's behaviors.
***
Well, there you have it. An absolutely exhausting analysis of two dramatically different characters and how they use their body language. Next on consideration: Essie, Julien, and my very own Manya. If anyone is interested in knowing more, or wants me to analyze their chars, let me know! And feedback is always immensely appreciated.