Body Language Worksheet

Instructions: Look over the photos provided below and answer the questions that follow. After completing the
activity, in the Final Reflections spaces provided answer the 3 question using a minimum of 75-word reflection
for each.
A

Self-Reflection Questions for Person A:

The body language shown in the image above is frustration. It seems to be that the person is upset with
something that happened in front of him and he is questioning why they did it. The expression on his face and
crossed arms gives this impression. The raised eyebrow makes it seem like he is expecting something from
another person. He also looks like he is very sassy. This is not giving the impression that the person is angry.

How does the racial/ethnic identity or gender of the person in this picture affect the interpretation of their body
language?

In my opinion the racial/ethnic identity does not affect the interpretation of the body language shown in the
image above. The interpretation comes solely from the gestures he is giving in the photo and what I have
experienced in my own life. However, his gender does affect the interpretation of the body language and
shows the type of personality he has, if this was a female in the image it would show that she is moody.

Does this person’s age or social status make a difference in the way their body language is perceived? Explain why you
answered the way you did.

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 From the image above I would think he is in his mid to late 20s, from his body language it seems like he is
acting as if he was around 17-18. The way that he portrays himself in the image seems like he is giving
attitude or being sassy with the people around him and the things that they are doing. I do not believe that
social status would make any difference in the way that I understood this image.

How would you react to the body language shown in this photograph? Why?

I would ask him what he is frustrated about and why he is being sassy with everyone around, I would think
that someone did something wrong and he wasn’t impressed with the actions they did.

Self-Reflection Questions for Person B:

What message this person’s body language send?

From the image above, I see that this person is very joyful. This person looks very excited about something. It
looks like she is comfortable with the people around her.

How does the racial/ethnic identity or gender of the person in this picture affect the interpretation of their body
language?
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 Racial/ethnic has nothing to do with the interpretation in the image above. Everyone shows happiness and joy
the same way. This also has nothing to do with gender. Both males and females showing this body language
will be happy and joyful.

Does this person’s age or social status make a difference in the way their body language is perceived? Explain why you
answered the way you did.

This person’s age or social status doesn’t make a difference in the way their body language is perceived. No
matter the age or social status this photo will always seem happy and joyful.

How would you react to the body language shown in this photograph? Why?

If the person in the image above was around me, I would think that she is a friendly and outgoing person, She
seems like someone who is outgoing and always trying to bring happiness to people around her and in her
life.

Self-Reflection Questions for Person C:

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What message this person’s body language send?

The body language she sends is unimpressed or annoyed. From the photo you can see she doesn’t have a
smile on her face and seems to be a little unimpressed with something that someone did.

How does the racial/ethnic identity or gender of the person in this picture affect the interpretation of their body
language?

Neither gender nor racial/ethnic identity have anything to do with the interpretation of their body language in the
photo above. The facial expressions are what make her seem unimpressed and annoyed.

Does this person’s age or social status make a difference in the way their body language is perceived? Explain why you
answered the way you did.

Social status does not make a difference in the way their body language is perceived. However, age could change the
way her body language is seen, for someone who is older showing the same body language it might be perceived as
someone who is unhappy.

How would you react to the body language shown in this photograph? Why?

Her facial expression does not make a welcoming feel and doesn’t seem like a person who I would want to
walk up to and try and start a conversation with.

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Self-Reflection Questions for Person D:

What message this person’s body language send?

This body language shown above gives off a playful and outgoing personality. He looks like he is having a
good time and not caring about what anyone else thinks about him.

How does the racial/ethnic identity or gender of the person in this picture affect the interpretation of their body
language?

Neither gender nor racial/ethnic identity have anything to do with the interpretation of their body language in the
photo above. The facial expressions are what make him seem outgoing and a fun person to be around.

Does this person’s age or social status make a difference in the way their body language is perceived? Explain why you
answered the way you did.

Social status doesn’t make a difference with the body language shown. However, age can make a difference, when
younger this may seem as outgoing or happy when a person is older it doesn’t seem normal for someone to just do
that unless they are playing with their children or grandchildren.

How would you react to the body language shown in this photograph? Why?

I would be a little confused if someone did that around me or to me. I have never seen anyone do that to me in my

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adult years and I wouldn’t know how to react if someone did that around me.

Final Reflections
What situations have you experienced in which your body language was misinterpreted? Give specific instances.

In situations where I am yawning around people, it may be received that I am uninterested in talking with the people
around or bored of the conversation. However, this isn’t the case, I am often tired and haven’t gotten enough sleep. I
also just yawn a lot. Another situation I have been in is where I have my arms crossed while having a conversation.
This may be received as me being assertive however I am just trying to listen to the conversation.

Have you ever made judgments about others based on their body language? Give specific instances.

Yes, there have been instances where I misunderstood a body language from the people around me. One example of
this is when a person is making a lot of hand gestures in a conversation, I see this as someone who is passionate about
the conversation and the topic we are discussing. Another judgement I have made is when I have a handshake with
someone. I judge the confident and the personality of the person based off the handshake.

How important is body language in interpersonal communication? Explain your answer in detail.

Body language is extremely important, it plays a major part in seeing how someone truly feels even if you can’t tell
that through there words. You can identify if someone is happy, upset or excited based off the body language they are
showing at the time even if the words they are saying don’t match that. Showing body language when you are excited
about something can also show the people around you how excited you truly are and how much you want to do what
you are talking about.