Which characteristics are included in the study of kinesics aside from body positioning?

The study of kinesics encompasses non-verbal communication through body movements, which includes both gestures and facial expressions. Gestures are the movements of the hands and arms that can express emotions or convey messages. Facial expressions, on the other hand, reveal a wide range of feelings and attitudes just through movements of facial muscles.

In communication, these two aspects play key roles as they can enhance or contradict verbal messages. For instance, a person might verbally communicate that they are happy, but if their facial expression shows sadness, it could create confusion. Understanding both gestures and facial expressions is essential for interpreting messages in a holistic manner.

Other options focus solely on one component (gestures or facial expressions) or introduce unrelated elements such as vocal cues, which fall under paralinguistics rather than kinesics. Thus, the inclusion of both gestures and facial expressions provides a more comprehensive understanding of non-verbal communication practices.