Head Movements

Universal "Yes" and "No" gestures.

Head movements are fundamental and often provide clear indications of an interlocutor's true intentions.

Two of these gestures are nearly universal: nodding the head up and down to indicate "Yes" (agreement, affirmation) and shaking the head from side to side to indicate "No" (disagreement, denial).

The nodding gesture is innate; research has shown that even people blind from birth use it.

The "No" gesture is one of the first we learn, possibly derived from the infant reflex of turning the head to refuse food when satiated.

The key is to observe contradictions: if a person says "Yes" verbally but subtly shakes his head "No", he must rely on the nonverbal gesture.

The raised chin (superiority, aggressiveness).

When a person raises his or her head and brings the chin forward, he or she is communicating a message of superiority, defiance or even aggressiveness.

By doing this, the person exposes his or her neck, a vulnerable area, as a way of showing that he or she is not afraid of the situation or the interlocutor.

Unconsciously, this gesture also attempts to make the person appear taller and take up more space, reinforcing his or her dominant status. It is a posture that seeks to show combativeness.

The tilted head (Submission vs. Interest).

Tilting the head to one side, exposing the neck, is a signal that can have two main meanings, depending on the context.

On the one hand, it can be a sign of submission or cooperation.

This gesture comes from childhood, when we leaned our head on our parents' shoulder to feel safe and comforted.

Because of this submissive connotation, it should be avoided in a professional environment if you want to project authority.

On the other hand, tilting the head (sometimes combined with rubbing the chin) can also be a positive sign that the person is interested, listening attentively and seriously considering your proposal.

The withdrawn head (Defensive Attitude)

Conversely, if a person draws the head back, tucking the chin toward the neck as if trying to protect the throat, it is a clear defensive attitude. The person feels judged, skeptical or negative about what they are hearing.

If this head retraction is accompanied, in addition, by crossed arms, the person is adding an additional barrier and is very likely to have objections to your proposal, so a change of strategy is required to find out what is bothering him or her.

Head down (Vulnerability, seduction).

Lowering your head slightly and looking up or to the side can have different meanings.

In a flirtatious context, especially in women, lowering your head while smiling and looking sideways can be a gesture of seduction.

It shows vulnerability and shyness in a way that seeks to please or appeal to the protective instinct.

Summary

Head movements are critical. Nodding (Yes) and denying (No) are almost universal gestures. If a person says "Yes" verbally but shakes his or her head, rely on the nonverbal gesture.

Raising the chin communicates a message of superiority, defiance or even aggressiveness. The person exposes his or her neck, a vulnerable area, as a way of showing that he or she is not afraid.

Tilting the head to one side can be a sign of submission or cooperation. It can also be a positive sign that the person is interested and listening attentively.