Gestures differ

Better understanding or better recollection is your choice

 

 

 

YOU decide whether your gestures provide a better understanding of your words or whether they are simply better remembered. According to a current Turkish study gestures differ. The scientists have analysed what sort of gesticulation is better perceived and how gestures then contribute to a better understanding of what you tell.

1. The more your hands move beyond the outlines or your body the stronger the impact. 2. If gestures underline your messages they are much better GesprächspartnerInnen – almost nobody remembers your gestures per se, though, since words and visualizing merge. 3. Your gestures are much better remembered when they complement your speech as an additional message. But then there is no benefit for your understanding – disagreements follow too often.

Özer/Karadöller/Özyürek/Göksun, “Gestures cued by demonstratives in speech guide listener´ visual attention during spatial comprehension”, in: Journal of Experimental Psychology: General”, 152(9), 2623–2635.

From the practise:

Two recommendations added: a) When you use a gesture as an added message to your text, then shut your mouth and explain what you meant later. This will result in a double effect – best possible understanding and best possible recollection for your thoughts. b) Keep in mind that the authenticity of your gesticulation is key! Scripted movements are perceived as unlikely, artificial and awful.