Musings on the Nonverbal Indicators of Avoiding Violence
Avoiding violence is as critical as recognising it. Understanding defensive nonverbal behaviours provides insight into conflict prevention, allowing individuals to de-escalate or remove themselves from potentially dangerous situations. This article explores the nonverbal signals associated with restraint, avoidance, defence, and territorial behaviour, examining their psychological and evolutionary underpinnings.
Restraint and Nonverbal Commands
Restraint is a key factor in preventing violence. Certain gestures and actions serve to halt aggression before it escalates. One of the most widely recognised nonverbal cues for restraint is the raised palm, commonly used by law enforcement to signal a command to stop (Ekman, 2003).
Other restraint signals include:
Adjusting clothing, which can create a psychological barrier and discourage aggressive intent (Givens, 2005).
A tap on the back following a hug, indicating the embrace has ended and maintaining personal boundaries (Pease & Pease, 2004).
People are less likely to engage in violence in the presence of people eating. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crKkkoftft4
Understanding cues allows individuals to establish control over interactions and reduce the likelihood of escalation.
Avoidance Strategies and Conflict Prevention
Avoidance plays a critical role in conflict management. Violence typically requires the participation of at least two individuals; withdrawing from an aggressive situation can prevent escalation (De Becker, 1997).
Police officers can de-escalate tension through non-threatening gestures and controlled body language.
In law enforcement, officers must be attuned to both their own body language and that of others. For example, a remorseful driver in a traffic stop, for example, will display submissive signals such as downward eye contact and apologetic gestures, whereas a driver who fidgets or repeatedly glances at their car may be hiding something (Navarro, 2008).
Situational awareness is another vital component of avoidance. Defensive walking strategies include:
Facing oncoming traffic to avoid being approached from behind (Grayson & Stein, 1981).
Keeping one hand free when passing parked cars to maintain readiness for unexpected situations (De Becker, 1997).
Submission signals, such as limp limbs and a bowed head, can elicit protective responses in others. Similarly, feigning injury—observed in birds distracting predators from their nests—can be used to manipulate social interactions (Tinbergen, 1951).
Shoplifters often exhibit avoidance behaviours by hunching over in an attempt to remain inconspicuous—a phenomenon known as the "turtle effect" (Morris, 1977). Similarly, in the animal kingdom, predators tend to approach head-on, while those wishing to observe without engaging in conflict adopt a side-on posture (Bradshaw, 2011). A 45-degree angle stance in human interactions can signal confidence while minimising the appearance of aggression (Givens, 2005).
Defensive Body Language and Protection Mechanisms
When under threat, individuals unconsciously adopt protective stances. Defensive postures include:
Rigidity, a locked posture that signals refusal to engage (Ekman & Friesen, 1969).
Chin tucking to protect the throat and narrowing the eyes to shield against incoming threats (Pease & Pease, 2004).
Interlocked fingers forming a protective barrier that strengthens when raised (Givens, 2005).
Crotch covering or clasped hands as indicators of nervousness and self-preservation (Navarro, 2008).
A common evolutionary response to extreme danger is freezing. This behaviour, known as tonic immobility, is seen in animals that play dead to avoid predation (Tinbergen, 1951). Human survivors of traumatic events, such as terrorist attacks, have reported instinctively freezing to avoid drawing attention (De Becker, 1997). Isopraxism, or the mirroring of movements within groups, further supports survival by fostering social cohesion and collective responses to danger (Argyle, 1988).
The Role of Virtual and Social Threats
In modern society, aggression is not limited to physical encounters. Virtual confrontations on social media often escalate due to the absence of traditional nonverbal cues. Greenfield (2014) notes that online interactions strip away evolutionary safeguards, preventing individuals from perceiving physiological signals of distress such as blushing, voice modulation, or nervous gestures.
Territorial Behaviour and Security
Territory plays a fundamental role in human interactions. Evolutionary studies show that some species manipulate others into aggression to secure resources. For example, vervet monkeys groom males who have fought for territory and reject those who have not, reinforcing violent competition (Cochran & Harpending, 2009).
Humans exhibit territorial behaviour in various ways:
Preferring to sit with their backs against a wall while eating to minimise vulnerability (Morris, 1977).
Choosing booths and partitions in restaurants to create a psychological sense of safety (Bradshaw, 2011).
At a broader level, nationalism and tribalism tap into evolutionary instincts, fostering in-group cohesion while potentially leading to intergroup conflict (Sapolsky, 2004). Expanding the definition of community to include all humans—or even all living beings—may reduce such divisive tendencies.
Conclusion
Recognising defensive nonverbal behaviours is crucial for conflict prevention and personal security. From restraint and avoidance to defensive postures and territorial instincts, these signals provide valuable insights into human behaviour. By understanding these cues, individuals can better navigate social interactions, de-escalate tensions, and ensure their safety.
References
Argyle, M. (1988). Bodily Communication (2nd ed.). Methuen.
Bradshaw, J. (2011). In Defence of Dogs: Why Dogs Need Our Understanding. Penguin.
Cochran, G., & Harpending, H. (2009). The 10,000 Year Explosion: How Civilization Accelerated Human Evolution. Basic Books.
De Becker, G. (1997). The Gift of Fear: Survival Signals That Protect Us from Violence. Little, Brown and Company.
Ekman, P. (2003). Emotions Revealed: Recognizing Faces and Feelings to Improve Communication and Emotional Life. Times Books.
Ekman, P., & Friesen, W. V. (1969). The Repertoire of Nonverbal Behavior: Categories, Origins, Usage, and Coding. Semiotica, 1(1), 49-98.
Givens, D. B. (2005). Love Signals: A Practical Field Guide to the Body Language of Courtship. St. Martin’s Press.
Greenfield, S. (2014). Mind Change: How Digital Technologies Are Leaving Their Mark on Our Brains. Random House.
Grayson, B., & Stein, M. (1981). Attracting Assault: Victims' Nonverbal Cues. Journal of Communication, 31(1), 68-75.
Morris, D. (1977). Manwatching: A Field Guide to Human Behaviour. Jonathan Cape.
Navarro, J. (2008). What Every Body Is Saying: An Ex-FBI Agent’s Guide to Speed-Reading People. HarperCollins.
Pease, A., & Pease, B. (2004). The Definitive Book of Body Language. Orion.
Sapolsky, R. M. (2004). Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers. Henry Holt and Company.
Tinbergen, N. (1951). The Study of Instinct. Clarendon Press.
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