How to Read Human Behavior

Behavior can speak volumes.

Many of the things humans do send messages that you can read if you know how. If trying to better understand your impact on people or more easily determine how others feel about you or your ideas, learn to read human behavior. By developing the skills necessary to do so, you can acquire information about others more easily and be more responsive to other's needs.

Instructions

1. Be attentive. You will not succeed in reading human behavior if you aren't attentive to behaviors that people exhibit. Instead of moving through life too rushed to notice what goes on around you, pause and pay attention to how your conversations or interactions with others lead them to behavior. By paying attention these behaviors you can acquire information.

2. Look for sudden changes. The most telling human behaviors are the ones that differ from the norm. For example, if your friend is constantly laughing and happy and suddenly appears chagrined, there is likely something at the root of this change. When you first begin reading human behaviors, make these changes your queues.

3. Monitor the amount of distance someone puts between themselves and you. When an individual places physical distance between you and her it can be a sign that she is less than happy about something. For example, if you are on a date with a girl and she sits as far from you as she can or turns her body so she is facing away from you, this is likely a sign that she isn't keen on you.

4. Watch facial expressions. Many of the emotions that humans feel are evident on their faces if you are attentive to these subtle changes. A furrowed brow, for example, may indicate upset or confusion while a beaming smile almost certainly signifies happiness. Allow these facial expressions to tell you what others are feeling or alert you to changes in their emotions.

5. Build your knowledge about individuals unique behavior signals. No two individuals are exactly alike, so to really read human behavior you must be aware of an individual's unique tells. Pay particular attention to signs that your closest friends and family members give off and create a mental catalog of their tells. For example, you may notice that your son is unable to look you in the eye when he is telling you something that isn't quite true. By remembering this, you can prepare yourself to read him more effectively.

References

• "Psychology Today;" The First Impression; Carlin Flora; May 2004
• "The Telegraph"; The 10 Mysteries of Human Behavior that Science Can't Explain