Is Body Language a Genuine Discipline

Some of the questions that people have regarding body language is whether it is a genuine discipline or whether it is hoax. Can we establish a common pattern of gestures and postures that we use? Can we really interpret or understand what is in the other person's mind watching one's action? Body language is very complex area and it requires a lot of experience. We cannot read one's mind using isolated gestures and if we do, we will be running the risk of misinterpreting the other persons intentions.

There are number of factors that need to be taken into consideration. Culture is one of the major influencing factor. So we cannot have general rules of body language or general code for body language for the entire world. If at all body language needs to be a genuine discipline, it has to be localized according to different cultures. One needs to become a student of anthropology before one can fully become a body language expert.

There can be other factors such the person's health conditions for example, the person that we are trying to observe may be suffering from cold which makes him raise his arms and touch is nose frequently while talking and we cannot interpret this gesture for the person's falsehood.

Most importantly, each individual is unique and they have their own mannerisms we can be closer to reality only when we take this factor in to account. We cannot read a person's mind using body language. We can just get indicators of what might be going on in a person's mind.

Experts can even mimic what is considered to be the best body language and deceive the observer. So this field needs a lot more in depth research. Do not try to interpret isolated actions of the individual as you might be getting even contradictory messages which will confuse you further.