Each person perceives the world differently, giving more importance to some feelings and less to others. Based on this criterion, psychologists divide all people into 4 groups: visual, auditory, discrete and kinesthetic. For the first, the main source of information is what is seen, for the second - what is heard, for the third - what is meaningful, and for the fourth, what can be touched is the most informative. Today we will talk in detail about kinesthetics - those who receive the most information and emotions from touch, movements and other sensations.
How to identify kinesthetics
To recognize kinesthetics, it is important to pay attention to the following:
- A kinesthetic learner, especially a man, often wears worn and altered clothes.
- At home, such a person clearly has an animal with which he can make tactile contact (cat, dog, rat or guinea pig).
- When talking, it is important to pay attention to his hands. If they fiddle with something, then it’s definitely a kinesthetic learner.
- Often kinesthetics use special figures of speech relating to the sensory sphere: “It’s heavy in this apartment,” “His words became like spring sunshine for me.”
- Conesthetics are prone to nostalgia, memories, and reflections.
- Kinesthetic learners love everything that gives them pleasant bodily sensations.
- They love to participate in outdoor games, competitions and similar events.
- They remember their own and others’ words, actions, and deeds well. Because of this, others may consider kinesthetics to be vindictive.
Who is it
People experience their environment in different ways. Some prefer to explore the world with the help of sound, others opt for visual representations, and others rely solely on logical arguments.
Psychological science divides human subjects according to their type of perception into the following basic categories:
– visual (sight predominates, he tends to focus on appearance, configuration, color);
– auditory (relies on sound images, such an individual prefers to listen to the timbre of the voice, catch every word, as if savoring it);
– digital (reason dominates, digital cognizes the environment through logic, while relying much less on the perception of information through analyzers);
– a kinesthetic person is a person who explores the environment tactilely; he trusts the organs of touch.
At the same time, the main channel of perception also determines the character of a person. So, for example, kinesthetics are sensitive to touch, but not to their own body, but to surrounding things, materials, and living beings. This is how it is easier for these people to interact with information and the world.
The given psychotypes, in addition to the specificity of the key way of understanding the environment, also differ in behavioral motives and learning tools that must be used to achieve maximum results.
Kinesthetic learners strive to transgress the boundaries of the intimate space of others, since it is important for them to touch, touch. When looking at something new, it is not enough for them to just examine the object with their eyes, they need to touch it, so they can form an opinion about it.
In life, the kinesthetic type characterizes people of action. They replace lengthy discussions, “sucking in” of possible development paths, and theoretical justifications with specific actions if possible. Therefore, when choosing a further professional field for themselves, they choose crafts that allow them to sufficiently feel the body and control their own body. They make excellent massage therapists, dancers, athletes, perfumers, cosmetologists, tasters.
Kinesthetics in psychology
In psychology, the study of kinesthetics is given a serious place. This is due to the fact that absolutely all people are born kinesthetic.
Until a certain age, a child does not know how to speak and perceive what is written, so he learns about the world around him through tactile sensations. There is even a special branch of the science of kinesthetics - kinesthesia.
The sensory sphere is responsible for knowing your own body, facial expressions, and physical contacts with other people. Psychologists have found that women are more likely to be kinesthetic learners.
Kinesthesia
In the narrow sense of the word, the terms “kinesthesia” and “proprioception” coincide; this is the ability to sense one’s body in space. Proprioception is a sensation that occurs as a result of processing information from a specialized type of receptor - proprioceptors. Signals from proprioceptors enter the brain and provide information about the position of muscles, joints and tendons. Without this ability, a person would not be able to perform coordinated movements with his eyes closed. In the broad sense of the word, the term “kinesthesia” also includes the ability to perceive the position and movement of the body due to both proprioception and signals from the vestibular apparatus and vision, which are integrated in the brain to obtain complete information about the position of the body in space, taking into account surrounding objects. Both terms, “kinesthesia” and “proprioception,” have entered scientific use, although authors do not always consistently distinguish between them. Currently, neurophysiological research in this direction is being conducted in the more general context of the so-called channels of perception of one’s own body.
How to raise a kinesthetic child
Undoubtedly, a kinesthetic child in a school class or kindergarten group requires an individual approach and educational skills:
| It is difficult for a kinesthetic learner to sit still, so it is worth coming up with a motor release for him. | For example, instruct him to erase what is written on the board, send him for chalk, or offer to conduct physical education on his own. |
| When a kinesthetic child is still small, he responds well to touch. | For example, for a successfully completed task, you can not only give him a good grade, but also pat him on the head. |
| A kinesthetic learner will respond better to a remark from a teacher or educator in the form of a touch. | For example, if you take him by the hand or touch him on the shoulder. |
| At home, a kinesthetic child needs to create the most comfortable workplace possible. | Good lighting, comfortable chair, full set of writing instruments, organizers. |
| Parents of kinesthetic learners should express their feelings more often. | Hugging, kissing your child, expressing your feelings in a physical way. |
Have you ever taught or raised kinesthetic children? Tell us about your experience in the comments.
We invite you to watch a video about learning styles.
Characteristics of personality type
The psychological basis of the kinesthetic type of character consists of such features as:
- impulsiveness;
- romance;
- increased sensitivity to room temperature;
- a tendency to notice such nuances as the fabric in the interior of a car, the relief of the laminate in a friend’s apartment, the color of the curtains in a country house where a birthday was celebrated;
- developed intuition;
- the occurrence of discomfort with minor changes in the environment;
- conservatism;
- slowness;
- tendency towards nostalgia;
- the desire to periodically touch the interlocutor during communication;
- taciturnity, they like to listen more;
- the desire to smooth out rough edges in communication and avoid conflicts;
- bright gestures;
- developed spatial orientation;
- a high degree of development of self-control, the ability to hide their true experiences from others (often others think that they are introverts);
- picky in choosing clothes; they strive to buy comfortable and practical clothes; they pay little attention to brands and fashion);
- Comfort is important to them, so they try to put things in the same place;
- They don’t have enough of looking at a new object to understand its design and operating principles; they tend to feel it.
Many adults who tend to be kinesthetic have a childhood history of behavioral problems.
Kinesthetic woman
Women, for whom tactile sensations come first, love to attend SPA treatments: massage, jacuzzi. They regularly go to the hairdresser and manicurist because they enjoy these procedures.
When choosing clothes and shoes, the kineticist lady is guided by the principle of convenience. She will not buy high-heeled shoes because she is not ready to sacrifice comfort for the sake of beauty.
Girls with a kinesthetic type of perception quickly get along with people. With men, kinesthetic women are gentle and affectionate. In relationships, she shows her emotionality and sensuality.
Girlfriends with tactile perception
Girls of this psychotype make vital decisions quickly, relying on their own intuitive sense. These decisions are usually correct.
Male kinesthetic
For kinesthetic men, appearance never becomes a subject of close attention. They wear the clothes in which they feel comfortable, and have haircuts that do not require complex care. However, when choosing a life partner, they choose a well-groomed lady because she is pleasant to touch.
Men who love touch shake hands with other men and hug women when they meet. The desire for leadership is not typical for them.
A man with tactile dominance
When communicating with the opposite sex, a kinaesthetic man is very talkative; he likes to talk about feelings.
Kinesthetic child
During childhood, most children learn about the world through touching objects.
Preschoolers with tactile dominance love to test their capabilities. They often try to draw with both hands, visit clubs and sections of different directions. Parents do not always understand the needs of their baby, so sometimes kinesthetic children are brought to psychologists and neurologists, suspecting behavioral or mental abnormalities.
Growing up, many children switch to auditory and visual channels. Sensory goes into the background. But for some individuals, tactile sensations remain a priority.
The home development environment for such children should involve a change in activity: after intellectual activities, they need physical relaxation.
When teaching a kinesthetic child at school, you need to consider the following features:
- such children have difficulty telling stories, it is easier for them to draw or show what they have learned, what they have learned;
- the level of voluntary attention of kinaesthetes is low, they are often distracted by external stimuli;
- such children learn information better while moving;
- they show true interest in models, layouts, visual diagrams;
- the most significant points in the material being studied need to be highlighted in bright colors or associated with them in some way;
- physical contact with the teacher helps the kineticist focus on the material being studied (you can take the child by the hand, put your hand on his shoulder);
It is possible to accurately determine a child’s psychotype only at school age.
How to communicate and behave with a kinesthetic learner
For communication with a kinesthetic learner to be successful, you need to:
- Make tactile contact with the kinesthetic student more often or be in close proximity to him.
- Kinesthetic learners love to eat delicious food, so it is not forbidden to treat them. This is exactly the kind of person whose heart can be reached through his stomach.
- You cannot take or move things of a kinesthetic student without his consent. He may regard this as an encroachment on his personal space and be seriously offended.
- When talking to a kinesthetic learner, there is no need to chatter. It is better to adapt to his moderate speaking speed.
- Kinesthetic learners value stability very much, so there is no need to create discomfort for them with constant changes. If he was given a promise to meet at 8 o’clock, then there is no need to change plans, reschedule the meeting or its location without any compelling reason.
The main thing in communicating with a kinesthetic person is to accept him as he is. There is no need to forcibly clean his workplace, iron his clothes or drag him to the store to buy new ones. Violation of the coziness and personal comfort of a kinesthetic person can lead to a breakdown in relationships or loss of contact with a person.
Digitals
Digitals have a stiff and straight posture. They practically do not gesture, since it does not convey any information to them; They speak quite monotonously - intonations are not needed, and they perceive them with difficulty. The distance is distant, they look either at the interlocutor’s forehead or “above the crowd.” They don’t like touching (in my opinion, only kinesthetic learners like touching).
Although, touches are different. Digitals are a very peculiar type of people
They are more focused on meaning, content, importance and functionality. As one boy said: I fell in love with garlic after I found out how healthy it is.
Digital people seem to be divorced from real experience - they think more in the words themselves, and not in what is behind the words. If a person, after telling you about your difficulties, says something like: “I understand how you feel,” he is most likely currently in a digital channel: digitals do not sympathize, they understand. It was absolutely wonderful shown in “Wild Orchid” by Zalman King.
Remember what they say about the main character: Distance, complete control, nothing superfluous... This is a completely special way of perceiving the world, presenting it and comprehending it. A little metaphor to help you better understand this type of perception. Imagine, you come to a restaurant, there are a lot of beautiful and aromatic dishes, you sit down at a table, take the menu, read it carefully and... eat it.
For digital, what is written or spoken is, as it were, reality itself. If for everyone else words are access to experience, then for digital people all experience consists of words. But in body, by the way, digitals are similar to kinesthetics - a dense body, wide (although usually pursed) lips... They, in general, come from kinesthetics - if what a person feels, the emotions that he experiences, are too painful for him, one way to get rid of them is to retreat into reasoning. And you don’t seem to feel anything anymore, you know.
The problem with the digital system is that it by itself, without recourse to other channels, is not capable of changing information. Words turn only into words, and everything returns to the starting point. If you listen to your own internal monologues (are they monologues?), it will be something like: Why did he call me a fool? Perhaps I did something wrong myself? Or was I wrong? Next time I’ll answer him... How dare he! Why did he call me a fool? Perhaps I did something wrong myself? Or was I wrong? Next time I will answer him...
However, if you only use one system, this is generally quite disadvantageous. You simply do not perceive the many absolutely amazing and delightful things that are around you. This, alas, passes by your consciousness. The digital channel is responsible for speech control.
But on the other hand, I often admire the ability of some of my friends to act in difficult situations without unnecessary emotions, their absolutely fantastic scrupulousness and pragmatic approach. Digitals are capable of composing documents written in such a way that there are no unnecessary interpretations, so that every word stands in its place. For me personally, it has always been a kind of magic. It is a great skill to compress a huge amount of human desires and intentions into a few lines on paper. And I write this without any irony. The digital channel is responsible for the formulation of phrases. As someone who has to constantly work with definitions and make sure expressions are accurate, I know how difficult it is to do this really well.
In one English college, a competition was announced among students for the shortest story. Any topic, but there are four prerequisites:
- The queen must be present in the essay.
- God must be mentioned.
- A little erotica.
- To have a secret.
The first prize was won by the student who fit the story into one phrase: “Oh God!” - exclaimed the queen. – I’m pregnant, and I don’t know from whom.
What to do if the client is kinesthetic
Service industry representatives and workers encounter kinesthetic clients. How to behave so that everyone receives only positive emotions from cooperation:
- Demonstrate kinesthetic interest and friendly disposition.
- It is advisable to interact physically with the kinesthetic client as much as professional ethics allows. For example, a sales consultant can come closer to a kinesthetic client, and an administrator can lean slightly towards the guest.
- If a kinesthetic client becomes silent during an appointment with a doctor, psychologist or other specialist, he can be directed in the right direction with a light touch on the arm or shoulder.
- Invite the kinesthetic student to touch the product that interests him. For example, check the strength of the material.
- When telling a kinesthetic learner about the benefits of a product, focus on the sensory sphere (you will be comfortable in these shoes, using lipstick will not cause a feeling of tightness, this medicine will not sting).
Milorad Pavic wrote a wonderful poem about kinesthetics: “There are people with especially sensitive skin - it’s better not to touch them. They are not like everyone else...”
How can a kinesthetic learner achieve his goal?
kinesthetic learners to complete tasks. This can help him:
| Write down your realistic goals on a piece of paper. | For example, “By September 1, 2022, I will buy myself a new Samsung phone worth 20,000 rubles.” |
| Establish in writing the means that could help achieve the goal. | Further, “For this, I set aside 3,000 rubles every month, if it’s not enough, I take an extra shift. I will specially create an online savings piggy bank in the bank account.” |
| Kinesthetics should be allocated specific, fixed time to work. | For example, from 12 to 16 hours. |
| Work towards your goal regularly, preferably daily. This is the only way it will be achieved. | To do this, write a plan for the week, and include in it what actions are needed to achieve the goal. For example, “Study models, choose the best”, “submit an order”, etc. |
| Follow the plan strictly. | This way you will not only achieve your goal, but also complete it faster. |
In what profession can kinesthetics show themselves?
A person’s kinesthetic orientation will help him realize himself in those areas of life that require activity, developed applied skills and the ability to feel subtly. Kinesthetic learners can often be found in the following professions:
- Cook, chef, bartender.
- Seamstress, fashion designer, designer.
- Sommelier, taster.
- Builder, designer.
- Sculptor, decorator, artist.
- Athlete, coach.
- Dancer, choreographer.
- Massage therapist, beauty specialist.
The main thing in finding a job for kinesthetics is to avoid monotonous, sedentary professions that require routine, monotonous work. It is better for him to get a job as a courier than as an accountant, even despite the level of salary.
What profession do you think is more suitable for kinesthetics and why? Let's think about this together in the comments.
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