KNOWLEDGE WITHIN REACH 111box 27). When people are truly energized and happy, their arm motions
defy gravity. As previously mentioned, gravity-defying behaviors are asso-
ciated with positive feelings. When a person feels good or confident, he
swings his arms affirmatively, such as while walking. It is the insecure
person who subconsciously restrains his arms, seemingly unable to defy the
weight of gravity.
Candidly tell a colleague about a drastic and costly mistake she just
made at work and her shoulders and arms will sink down and droop.
Ever have that “sinking feeling”? It’s a limbic response to a negative event.
Negative emotions bring us down physically. Not only are these limbic
responses honest, but they happen in real time. We leap and thrust our
arms in the air the moment the point is scored, or our shoulders and arms
sink when a referee rules against us. These gravity-related behaviors com-
municate emotions accurately and at the precise moment we are affected.
Further, these physical manifestations can be contagious, whether at a
football stadium, a rock concert, or in a gathering of great friends.
Arm WithdrawalWhen we are upset or fearful, we withdraw our arms. In fact, when we are
injured, threatened, abused, or worried, our arms come straight to our
BOX 27: “GET YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR!”You don’t need a gun to get people to raise their hands above their heads.
Make them happy and they’ll do it automatically. In fact, during a holdup
is probably the only time individuals will simultaneously keep their hands
high and be unhappy. Think of how athletes exchange high fives after a
good play; watch football fans raise their arms skyward after the hometown
team scores a touchdown. Gravity-defying arm actions are a common re-
sponse to joy and excitement. Whether in Brazil, Belize, Belgium, or Bo-
tswana, arm waving is a truly universal display of how elated we feel.