Body Language

Men who resort to the head cock are seeking sympathy or reassurance, or

are showing that they’re not the tough, ruthless character they believe that

society demands them to be.

The overriding effect of the head cock is of the rush of protective and com-

passionate feelings. Unless, that is, you know you’re being manipulated, in

which case you may just feel annoyed.

When you’re listening you unconsciously copy the other person’s head

movements. The empathy that you share with the speaker is reflected in

the shared behaviour.

Sitting tête à tête ..................................................................................

People who put their heads closely together are showing that a tie exists

between them and no room is available for anyone else. The physical close-

ness reflects their intellectual and emotional bond. The action is one of exclu-

sion and prevents others from overhearing what they’re saying.

The next time you’re sitting with your friends having a good gossip or sharing

a risqué joke, observe how your heads come close together. When the punch

line is delivered, or the dénouement of the story is revealed, see how your

head positions change.

Indicating Submissiveness or Worry ..........................................................

Charles Darwin concluded that people lower their heads when they’re feeling

submissive. The act makes a person look smaller and less threatening. If our

intention, conscious or not, is to appear compliant, dipping, tilting, canting,

and cocking the head all do the job. Research also shows that self-touching

gestures, such as holding your head at the back of your neck and placing

your hands on top of your head like a helmet, provide comfort, reassurance,

protection, and help to alleviate your stress.

Chapter 3: Heading to the Heart of the Matter 55

Who cants the most?

An Italian research project investigating head

positions in paintings from the 13th to the 19th

centuries, revealed that commissioned portraits

of powerful men seldom depict them with their

heads canted. Religious and pious figures are

frequently portrayed in this attitude. The study

also found that female figures are depicted with

their heads canted more frequently than male

figures.