You are in a job interview and you start playing with a pen you have kept in your hand; then you start rubbing your chin and reaching up and playing with your hair. You send the message to the interviewer that you are nervous, which may or may not harm your evaluation in this interview setting. Which category of kinesic behavior is this?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The described behavior falls under the category of adaptors, which are physical movements that we use to manage our emotions or to fulfill a subconscious need. In this case, playing with the pen, rubbing the chin and playing with the hair are all examples of self-adaptors, which people use to calm themselves down when nervous or anxious.

You Are in a Job Interview and You Start Playing