Hypnosis, Rapport and Micro Gestures

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Connor Wyatt on January 13, 2010 at 8:27am

I like using a Derren Brown style mentalism/mind reading effect that uses hypnotic language to facilitate micro gestures, and lip reading and it goes like this; (Italics and bold show embedded commands)

"I want you to think of a number between one and ten, any number and when you've decided, let me know."

"Right, now I want you to shout that number out in your head over and over again, but don't say it out loud. Really shout that number."

Then you read their lips. They are tiny micro-gestures so it is harder than lip reading but it is a great effect.

Also if you play the game where you guess what hand the coin is in, you may have heard that with most people, their nose will point in the direction of the coin. From my experience this seems to be true. This is another subtle gesture that can be read. Also when playing this game, if you tell them to really think which hand the coin is in, that side of their face, e.g. nose and mouth will twitch.

That's just a few mentalism related uses, there are many other's such as lie detection etc.

Conca

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Permalink Reply by Leo Gopal on January 13, 2010 at 8:39am

quite interesting,

though have you ever thought that it could just be used so built into our SC that we can use it for EVERY part of our lives?

Lie detection, telling exactly what a person feels for EVERYTHING, imagine the rapport...

Eternal Smiles,
Leo Gopal,
www.lioninstituteofhypnosis.com

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Permalink Reply by Connor Wyatt on January 13, 2010 at 10:41am

I have to disagree on the feelings. I don't think it is possible to feel exactly what they're feeling just by being in rapport with someone. I think too many people think it is some kind of mighty powerful tool that will help you get everything you want, when it simply isn't.

But on the other hand I do believe that we could become more perceptive by installing a post-hypnotic suggestion to unconsciously pick up on these things and present them to the conscious mind.

Conca

Leo Gopal said:

quite interesting,

though have you ever thought that it could just be used so built into our SC that we can use it for EVERY part of our lives?

Lie detection, telling exactly what a person feels for EVERYTHING, imagine the rapport...

Eternal Smiles,
Leo Gopal,
www.lioninstituteofhypnosis.com

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jesus Gonzalez on January 13, 2010 at 10:50am

Conca, I'm able to notice in myself the emotion of other person. When I'm in rapport I FEEL everything, I dont think and dont see any image (finally I think I'm a very kinestesic person :)) while 'looking for unconscious cues'.

They're UNCONSCIOUS, so though your consciously trying, your always unconsciously receiving. So why not to relax a while and let the unconscious mind work for you. Use your nose, dont use your mind.

Cheers,
Jesus

Conca said:

I have to disagree on the feelings. I don't think it is possible to feel exactly what they're feeling just by being in rapport with someone. I think too many people think it is some kind of mighty powerful tool that will help you get everything you want, when it simply isn't.
But on the other hand I do believe that we could become more perceptive by installing a post-hypnotic suggestion to unconsciously pick up on these things and present them to the conscious mind.
Conca

Leo Gopal said:

quite interesting,

though have you ever thought that it could just be used so built into our SC that we can use it for EVERY part of our lives? Lie detection, telling exactly what a person feels for EVERYTHING, imagine the rapport...

Eternal Smiles,
Leo Gopal,
www.lioninstituteofhypnosis.com

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Permalink Reply by Kelley Woods on January 13, 2010 at 10:55am

Hi Leo,

I have watched a few episodes of "Lie to Me", the TV serial, and agree, it is quite fun to watch the investigator use his observations to solve crimes. I wonder, though, as the interpretation of these gestures becomes more mainstream how they will evolve. My first thought is anyone who studies this show and other sources of body language can easily distort and mislead...

Best wishes,

Kelley

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Permalink Reply by Connor Wyatt on January 14, 2010 at 3:50am

I agree that the unconscious picks up on these cues but it doesn't always present them to our conscious mind. For example any decent salesman knows that arms closed is a sign of negativity and that their sale is not going well, that is conscious (after a while it will become unconscious but it starts as conscious effort) so they act upon it. A teacher on the other hand disciplining a student who has his arms crossed wouldn't know consciously that they are bashing their head up the wall and they would carry on. They may unconsciously realize that they are wasting their time but it is evident that they don't realize consciously because the carry on talking. They wouldn't know that you have to get them to take an open gesture before anything you say will go in.

This is why we study body language and why when we begin learning hypnosis, we consciously study the signs of trance. When the conscious presents these instinctual feelings that is your unconscious telling you that that is what they are feeling but 90% of the time we dismiss it and use our head don't we?

Conca

Jesus Gonzalez Jaen said:

Conca, I'm able to notice in myself the emotion of other person. When I'm in rapport I FEEL everything, I dont think and dont see any image (finally I think I'm a very kinestesic person :)) while 'looking for unconscious cues'.
They're UNCONSCIOUS, so though your consciously trying, your always unconsciously receiving. So why not to relax a while and let the unconscious mind work for you. Use your nose, dont use your mind.
Cheers,
Jesus

Conca said:

I have to disagree on the feelings. I don't think it is possible to feel exactly what they're feeling just by being in rapport with someone. I think too many people think it is some kind of mighty powerful tool that will help you get everything you want, when it simply isn't.
But on the other hand I do believe that we could become more perceptive by installing a post-hypnotic suggestion to unconsciously pick up on these things and present them to the conscious mind. Conca
Leo Gopal said:

quite interesting,

though have you ever thought that it could just be used so built into our SC that we can use it for EVERY part of our lives? Lie detection, telling exactly what a person feels for EVERYTHING, imagine the rapport... Eternal Smiles,
Leo Gopal,
www.lioninstituteofhypnosis.com

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jesus Gonzalez on January 14, 2010 at 12:26pm

I dont use my head. Now I dont.

Everything is ok with body language, but I can tell you, because of my experience, that body language isnt always 100%correct and totally true.

Sometimes I put my arms closed in a defensive way but not consciously. That posture relaxes your shoulders and at the same time it lets your blood flow easily.

I can tell you that you musn't directly judge the expression. Look overall the whole thing. Be wider. Start to observe, just observing, not judging what you observe. Its just wonderful.

When you've been a while observing you'll realise that your picking up more signs consciously, and your more aware about the micro-gestures, and postures/gestures/energy of people.

Jesus

Conca said:

I agree that the unconscious picks up on these cues but it doesn't always present them to our conscious mind. For example any decent salesman knows that arms closed is a sign of negativity and that their sale is not going well, that is conscious (after a while it will become unconscious but it starts as conscious effort) so they act upon it. A teacher on the other hand disciplining a student who has his arms crossed wouldn't know consciously that they are bashing their head up the wall and they would carry on. They may unconsciously realize that they are wasting their time but it is evident that they don't realize consciously because the carry on talking. They wouldn't know that you have to get them to take an open gesture before anything you say will go in.
This is why we study body language and why when we begin learning hypnosis, we consciously study the signs of trance. When the conscious presents these instinctual feelings that is your unconscious telling you that that is what they are feeling but 90% of the time we dismiss it and use our head don't we?
Conca

Jesus Gonzalez Jaen said:

Conca, I'm able to notice in myself the emotion of other person. When I'm in rapport I FEEL everything, I dont think and dont see any image (finally I think I'm a very kinestesic person :)) while 'looking for unconscious cues'.
They're UNCONSCIOUS, so though your consciously trying, your always unconsciously receiving. So why not to relax a while and let the unconscious mind work for you. Use your nose, dont use your mind. Cheers, Jesus

Conca said:

I have to disagree on the feelings. I don't think it is possible to feel exactly what they're feeling just by being in rapport with someone. I think too many people think it is some kind of mighty powerful tool that will help you get everything you want, when it simply isn't.
But on the other hand I do believe that we could become more perceptive by installing a post-hypnotic suggestion to unconsciously pick up on these things and present them to the conscious mind. Conca Leo Gopal said:

quite interesting,

though have you ever thought that it could just be used so built into our SC that we can use it for EVERY part of our lives? Lie detection, telling exactly what a person feels for EVERYTHING, imagine the rapport... Eternal Smiles, Leo Gopal, www.lioninstituteofhypnosis.com

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Michael on January 14, 2010 at 1:15pm

Jesus also touches on a very powerful point in body language, mainly that it's roots are cultural. In my college days I was an education major and one of my professors shared a story with me that explains this in a great way, so I'll share it with you...

I had a young man by the name of Jacob in my class and one day he was acting out, like all teenagers do on occasion, so I asked him to stay after class. The class ended and I talked to Jacob about his behavior, and the whole time he just stared at his feet or out the window, but never looked me in the face. "How disrespectful," I thought, "you should at least look at someone when they are talking to you." Later on in the lounge I was talking to one of my colleagues about my experience and she pointed out that Jacob's family had immigrated from Mexico fairly recently and in that culture, when you are being reprimanded it is respectful to look away from the person; to look them in the face is a sign of challenge or disagreement. Until she said that, I had thought Jacob was going to be a tough case, afterward I realized that I had misunderstood the intent behind his actions. Jacob went on to be one of my favorite students.

One action here had two very different meanings - and the same can be true of other actions, especially where emotions are involved. That being said, once it enters your awareness you look for so many other things that others might not. My professor in the story just paid attention to eye contact, but failed to notice things like breathing, muscle tone, and tone of voice - things we as hypnotists pay attention to. It's interesting how much we don't know we know until we start learning it consciously, then we realize we already know we know it.

Happy Trances,
Michael Bueti
michael@theintegratedperson.com
www.theintegratedperson.com

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Permalink Reply by Sharon Stiles on January 14, 2010 at 1:28pm

Like a lot of things I think it's combining the theory with the reality of a situation.

I am not a defensive person but often have my arms crossed in front of me because I keep warmer that way! It was only when I started learning about body language that I started consciously uncrossing my arms in situations where I thought it was important. I remember chatting to a friend once, having a great time and suddenly realising that both of us were facing away from each other with arms crossed. Anyone who came into the room would have thought we mistrusted each other deeply when we were actually both sitting in the most comfortable way.

Best Wishes
Sharon

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Permalink Reply by Connor Wyatt on January 14, 2010 at 2:17pm

I agree that it is comfortable but that is the cause and effect of body language. If you were to try and talk to someone, (you can try this now,) with your arms open in a friendly, open gesture, it is nigh on impossible to put an angry face on. This works the other way round, for example compare the two gestures, arms crossed and open palms and see which one feels better. This is why we take the poses we do when we feel certain ways.

Obviously there are exceptions like if it is cold, you can just judge crossed arms as negativity because it has to be viewed in context. You do have to look at the bigger picture. But can you honestly say that you pick up on all of this consciously? I didn't until I studied it and now it has began to become unconscious.

I do understand where you're coming from on the rapport front and I'm not just trying to split hairs.

Conca

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Permalink Reply by Jesus Gonzalez on January 14, 2010 at 2:18pm

Yes it's interesting Michael. You realize that you already knew it. And I agree with you Michael, later I will write my thoughts.

As Sharon says, you keep warmer with your arms crossed! Just imagine yourself now in Russia. I think you should need to keep your arms crossed. When russians come here (spain), and it's a lil bit cold, they would just laugh at it, and maybe lots of people are incredibely affected by the rain and the cold, so it affects their body/non-verbal language too (as it's affected by social-cultural influence, enviromental variables, among other things that i dont renember (im honest!)). So imagine how different is going to be the reaction of the russian guy and yours. Youll be with your arms crossed, face contracted, maybe shaking, while the russian guy is there with tshirt and with a big and fun smile in his face, his body language relaxed..... he is used to it (the situation).

Here the russian guy would seem more "elegant"/alpha/relaxed, I dont know how to explain it, but people would look at him as (WTF is doing that crazy asshole!?).

Jesus

Michael said:

Jesus also touches on a very powerful point in body language, mainly that it's roots are cultural. In my college days I was an education major and one of my professors shared a story with me that explains this in a great way, so I'll share it with you...
I had a young man by the name of Jacob in my class and one day he was acting out, like all teenagers do on occasion, so I asked him to stay after class. The class ended and I talked to Jacob about his behavior, and the whole time he just stared at his feet or out the window, but never looked me in the face. "How disrespectful," I thought, "you should at least look at someone when they are talking to you." Later on in the lounge I was talking to one of my colleagues about my experience and she pointed out that Jacob's family had immigrated from Mexico fairly recently and in that culture, when you are being reprimanded it is respectful to look away from the person; to look them in the face is a sign of challenge or disagreement. Until she said that, I had thought Jacob was going to be a tough case, afterward I realized that I had misunderstood the intent behind his actions. Jacob went on to be one of my favorite students. One action here had two very different meanings - and the same can be true of other actions, especially where emotions are involved. That being said, once it enters your awareness you look for so many other things that others might not. My professor in the story just paid attention to eye contact, but failed to notice things like breathing, muscle tone, and tone of voice - things we as hypnotists pay attention to. It's interesting how much we don't know we know until we start learning it consciously, then we realize we already know we know it.

Happy Trances,
Michael Bueti
michael@theintegratedperson.com
www.theintegratedperson.com

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Permalink Reply by Connor Wyatt on January 14, 2010 at 2:49pm

No I don't mean that and that's why I said earlier that it needs to be viewed in context. The weather would affect his body language and of course as someone pointed out, cutural relativism applies here.

Conca

Jesus Gonzalez Jaen said:

Yes it's interesting Michael. You realize that you already knew it. And I agree with you Michael, later I will write my thoughts.

As Sharon says, you keep warmer with your arms crossed! Just imagine yourself now in Russia. I think you should need to keep your arms crossed. When russians come here (spain), and it's a lil bit cold, they would just laugh at it, and maybe lots of people are incredibely affected by the rain and the cold, so it affects their body/non-verbal language too (as it's affected by social-cultural influence, enviromental variables, among other things that i dont renember (im honest!)). So imagine how different is going to be the reaction of the russian guy and yours. Youll be with your arms crossed, face contracted, maybe shaking, while the russian guy is there with tshirt and with a big and fun smile in his face, his body language relaxed..... he is used to it (the situation).

Here the russian guy would seem more "elegant"/alpha/relaxed, I dont know how to explain it, but people would look at him as (WTF is doing that crazy asshole!?).

Jesus

Michael said:

Jesus also touches on a very powerful point in body language, mainly that it's roots are cultural. In my college days I was an education major and one of my professors shared a story with me that explains this in a great way, so I'll share it with you...
I had a young man by the name of Jacob in my class and one day he was acting out, like all teenagers do on occasion, so I asked him to stay after class. The class ended and I talked to Jacob about his behavior, and the whole time he just stared at his feet or out the window, but never looked me in the face. "How disrespectful," I thought, "you should at least look at someone when they are talking to you." Later on in the lounge I was talking to one of my colleagues about my experience and she pointed out that Jacob's family had immigrated from Mexico fairly recently and in that culture, when you are being reprimanded it is respectful to look away from the person; to look them in the face is a sign of challenge or disagreement. Until she said that, I had thought Jacob was going to be a tough case, afterward I realized that I had misunderstood the intent behind his actions. Jacob went on to be one of my favorite students. One action here had two very different meanings - and the same can be true of other actions, especially where emotions are involved. That being said, once it enters your awareness you look for so many other things that others might not. My professor in the story just paid attention to eye contact, but failed to notice things like breathing, muscle tone, and tone of voice - things we as hypnotists pay attention to. It's interesting how much we don't know we know until we start learning it consciously, then we realize we already know we know it.

Happy Trances,
Michael Bueti
michael@theintegratedperson.com
www.theintegratedperson.com

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