The biomechanics of public speaking: Enhancing political communication and persuasion through posture and gesture analysis
Abstract
Effective public speaking is critical in political communication, where non-verbal cues such as posture, gestures, facial expressions, and body movements significantly influence audience perception. Despite the known impact of these biomechanics, research in diverse cultural contexts remains limited. This study addresses this gap by examining the biomechanics of public speaking in the Philippines, focusing on 16 political speakers and 211 audience participants from varied demographic backgrounds. The study uses advanced motion capture technology, high-definition video recordings, and audience perception surveys to investigate how specific non-verbal elements affect audience engagement and perception. Challenges include accurately measuring and isolating the effects of these biomechanical factors amidst varied cultural and linguistic influences. The findings reveal that an upright posture significantly enhances perceived confidence (r = 0.72, p = 0.003) and trustworthiness (r = 0.65, p = 0.004), while high-frequency gestures positively correlate with clarity (β = 0.47, p = 0.008) and persuasiveness (β = 0.66, p = 0.003). Head movements, such as nodding, significantly increase audience engagement (F-value = 5.73, p = 0.002), and high-intensity smiling enhances emotional responses (t-value = 4.86, p = 0.001). These results underscore the importance of biomechanics in political communication, demonstrating that specific gestures and postures are critical in conveying confidence and persuasiveness. The study contributes to the field by offering insights into the strategic use of body language, particularly in multicultural settings, to enhance audience engagement and speaker effectiveness.
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