Southwest Airlines Professional Communications Certification Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT an example of kinetics?

1. Smiling

2. Gestures

3. Posture

4. Facial expressions

The correct answer is: Smiling

Kinetics is the study of movement and the use of body language to convey meaning or express feelings without the use of words. In this context, it encompasses various forms of non-verbal communication, such as gestures, posture, and facial expressions, all of which are significant aspects of how messages are delivered and interpreted in interpersonal interactions. Smiling, while it indeed conveys emotion and can be seen as a part of non-verbal communication, is more of a specific facial expression rather than a category of kinetic movement. Kinetics broadly involves the various ways in which we utilize our bodies to communicate, including broader gestures and overall body posture. Therefore, identifying smiling as separate from the other examples helps clarify that it is a specific action rather than a representative form of kinetics. This distinction is important in understanding how non-verbal cues interact within communication settings, emphasizing that not every expressive action falls under the broader kinetic umbrella.