110 W H A T EVERY BODY IS SAYING
viduals shot in the arm as they used their upper limbs in an attempt to
defend themselves from handgun fire. The thinking brain would real-
ize that an arm simply cannot stop a bullet, yet the limbic brain will
cause our arms to lift and precisely block a projectile traveling at 900
feet per second. In forensic science, such injuries are known as defense
wounds.
Every time you bump your arm—especially if you run into some-
thing sharp—consider that it may have just protected your torso from a
potentially lethal blow. Once, while holding an umbrella above my head
during a Florida rainstorm, the sharp edge of my car door swung back
on me and struck me in the side, breaking a rib that was left unprotected
by my upraised arm. Since that time, I have a painful memory that re-
minds me to appreciate my arms and how they protect me.
Because our arms—like our feet—are designed to assist with our sur-
vival, they can be counted upon to reveal true sentiments or intentions.
Therefore, unlike the more variable and deceptive face, the upper limbs
provide solid nonverbal cues that more accurately portray what we—and
those around us—are thinking, feeling, or intending. In this chapter we
will examine the interpretation of some of the most common arm displays.
SIGNIFICANT NONVERBAL BEHAVIORS
INVOLVING THE ARMSGravity-Related Arm MovementsThe degree to which we move our arms is a significant and accurate indica-
tor of our attitudes and sentiments. These movements can range from sub-
dued (restrained and constricted) to exuberant (unrestrained and expansive).
When we are happy and content, our arms move freely, even joyfully. Watch
children at play. Their arms move effortlessly while they interact. You will
see them pointing, gesticulating, holding, lifting, hugging, and waving.
When excited, we don’t restrict our arm movements; in fact our natural
tendency is to defy gravity and raise our arms high above our heads (see