The Definitive Book of Body Language

The neutral

head position

The 13 Most Common Gestures You'll See Daily

The Basic Head Positions

1. Head Up
   There are three basic head positions. The first
   is with Head Up and is the position taken by
   the person who
   has a neutral atti-
   tude about what
   is being said. The
   head remains still
   and the conversa-
   tion may be punctuated by
   occasional small nods. Hand-to-
   cheek evaluation gestures are
   often used with this position.
   When the head is lifted high with
   the chin jutting forward it signals
   superiority, fearlessness or arro-
   gance. The person intentionally
   exposes their throat and they gain
   additional height which allows
   them to 'look down their nose' at you. Large chins are the result
   of high testosterone levels which is why chin-jutting is associated
   with power and aggression.

2.The Head Tilt
Tilting the head to the side is a submission signal because it
exposes the throat and neck and makes the person look
smaller and less threatening. Its probable origin is in the baby
resting its head on its parent's shoulder or chest, and the sub-
missive, non-threatening meaning it conveys
seems to be unconsciously understood by
most people, especially women.

The Head Tilt displays the vulnerable

neck and makes a person appear smaller

and more submissive

Margaret Thatcher using

her defiant Chin Thrust