Kinesthetic sensations and their role in building body image

What is kinesthetic intelligence and what does it affect?

Kinesthetic intelligence is how a person perceives the world around him and himself in this world.

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Kinesthesia is sometimes called the “sixth sense.” The kinesthetic sense gives a sense of one’s body in space, the position of the limbs relative to each other, coordination, and balance. Kinesthesia helps you correctly interpret what is happening around you. The kinesthetic sense is responsible for many interoreceptors - sensitive nerve endings located in muscles, tendons and ligaments, internal organs - and exteroreceptors, which are responsible for auditory, tactile, olfactory and taste sensations.

If IQ reflects how we think, EQ reflects what emotions we experience, then KQ refers to the most primary thing, what we feel and sense.

Until very recently, humanity moved slowly. To get food, people had to hunt for several hours a day. When hunting was replaced by the domestication of animals and farming, even more actions had to be performed in order to feed ourselves.

Today everything is much simpler: if we are hungry, we go to the nearest supermarket, and sometimes we just need to click on the smartphone screen several times - and now the courier calls to inform us about the delivery of food.

The world is changing rapidly, but you and I are not evolving as quickly and still need a wide range of visual, auditory and tactile sensations.

Nowadays, urban people spend most of their time in the artificial environment. The wave of progress takes people further and further from the natural environment to the artificial one and deprives them of the opportunity to fully stimulate receptors and sensory systems. Without this stimulation, kinesthetic perception is dulled, or, more simply put, we lose the ability to feel.

Without the kinesthetic sense we lose touch with reality. It is like a foundation on which everything that is built above depends. Kinesthesia brings us back to the body and gives us a taste for life.

General information about types of perception

Dividing people into visual, auditory, kinesthetic and digital in accordance with the basics of neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) allows us to identify their dominant sense organ. At the same time, one predominant sensory perception of the world in a person does not mean suppression of others. People typically have four channels through which they experience the world:

1. Visual. With it, a person has a predominantly developed visual system for perceiving the surrounding reality. Color and shape matter to him.
2. Auditory. The organ of hearing and the corresponding perception of the world through sounds, timbres, melodies, and volume dominate.
3. Kinesthetic. The tactile function predominates. It is easier for a person to recognize this or that object by smell, taste, touch.
4. Digital. The logical perception of the world dominates through the construction of an internal dialogue by a person.

The leading channel of a person’s worldview of information allows one to intensify mental activity. Thanks to it, other processes are launched in the form of memory and imagination.

There are several methods for identifying visual, auditory, kinesthetic and digital learners. The main thing is the diagnosis of the predominant modality through testing developed by S. Efremtsev. The test is available online for Internet users who want to find out their dominant type of perception.

Characteristics of auditory, visual, kinesthetic and digital learners include:

• the dominant organ involved in a person’s perception of the surrounding world;
• the influence of the leading channel of perception on character;
• correlation of the type of perception with a person’s personality type;
• a set of differences between one form of human assessment of the surrounding reality and others.

Losing the sixth sense

Many people talk about the inevitability of progress, talk about flexibility and the ability to adapt. But what's behind this adaptation? For thousands of years, humans have needed tactile sensations. Can a baby feel safe without his mother's touch? Is enough human heat transferred through the screen? What will happen if we forever go into voluntary isolation, an online world where there are no sensations from grass, wind, variety of movements, real hugs?

A person with a very low KQ simply cannot live independently. He is not able to objectively assess the feeling of hunger, to understand what exactly his body needs. Injuries and chronic illnesses are par for the course for such a person; he cannot adequately assess the situation around him, his own physical capabilities, and simply does not know or feel the proportions of his own body.

To move gracefully, not to be a “bull in a china shop,” you need to be able to control your body and movements. And we can only manage what we feel well. It is important to feel discomfort in time, before the discomfort turns into pain.

If the body's signals are constantly ignored, then treatment is sometimes prescribed too late. High KQ makes it possible to read signals as early as possible, long before irreversible consequences, avoid injuries and maintain health for many years.

Characteristics of visuals

Auditory, visual, kinesthetic, and digital learners differ from each other in character, method of communication, and external signs. A feature of visual people is their perception of the world through visual images. Their dominant sense organ is their eyes. At the same time, other forms of assessing the world are no less developed in such people, but it is easier and more convenient for them to process incoming information through vision.

You can identify a visual person by their characteristic facial expressions. It serves as its distinctive feature. Much is determined by a person’s gaze:

• directed upward and to the left when trying to remember any information;
• up and to the right when fantasizing;
• straight and into the distance during mental activity.

These signs are typical for people with a predominant visual channel of worldview. By the look of a visual person, you can determine whether he is telling the truth or lying.

Interesting! A visual learner who is trying to tell a lie looks up and to the right when asked a specific question.

Visuals are characterized by the following features:

• perception of information through images;
• pronounced gestures;
• using the words “see”, “notice”, “it seems to me”, “take a look”, “look” when speaking;
• perception during the learning process only of visual information in the form of graphs, diagrams, drawings, photographs, experiments;
• paying attention to the appearance of other people, their facial expressions, gestures, postures;
• good imagination.

For a visual person, appearance is important. He is receptive to everything he sees. Such people appreciate the beauty of the world and its individual objects. They do not like dirt, sloppiness and disorder. If a child is a visual learner, then during the learning process he will better assimilate information presented to him in schematic and illustrated form.

People of this type master speed reading faster than others and perceive information better in the form of text. Visual learners are also characterized by visual memory. They remember the location of objects better than others and are well oriented in the area.

Visualists prefer to keep their distance when talking to other people. A comfort zone is important to them. Moreover, the distance between them and their interlocutors should be at least one meter. The gaze of visuals wanders and is in search. To successfully complete their tasks, such people need clear diagrams, visual pictures and images.

Kinesthetics depending on gender

Let's start with women who are kinesthetic. Spa salons are rich in clients of this particular type of perception. Women love massages and jacuzzi baths. They also enjoy going to the hairdresser.

There they comb the hair, dye it, dry it, and apply dye or mousse with light rubbing. Therefore, such girls look good because of their love of touch: well-groomed hair and body.

Men love such women very much because they are always affectionate in relationships. They love to hug, kiss, and massage their partner's back. They act very romantic. But at the same time, she will not walk in large stiletto heels if low-soled shoes are more comfortable for her. She will not throw away an old warm sweater, even if there are a lot of new clothes in the closet.

A kinesthetic man is a person for whom the appearance (visual) appearance of a woman is not important. When he chooses a partner, she simply must have the shape of a body, along the contour of which it is pleasant to run his hand. The skin should be soft and velvety and smell good.

Such a man always takes care of his hair, carefully trims his nails, and can often be found in a massage parlour. But at the same time, just like the girls of this perception group, he can wear comfortable, but not new (uncomfortable) clothes. He is often a silent partner who will do most of the talking through touch.

A kinesthetic child: how does this manifest itself in childhood?

Kinesthetics is the perception of the world, which is established from childhood. Every child begins to explore the world by touching, squeezing objects, and tasting toys. Therefore, a person who truly belongs to this group can be recognized as early as 2-3 grade.

Such a child retains the desire to touch a toy or any other object. He likes to show something rather than talk about it. When playing with others, he pulls girls' hair, hugs friends, and kisses them on the cheek.

The kinesthetic student can’t wait to see the model in science class and tries to study it himself. True, at this age it can be difficult to distinguish: either the child really has this type of perception of the world, or these are manifestations of attention deficit disorder. Because both children show themselves to be very active and restless.

If such a child is slouching, then you are unlikely to be able to convince him to straighten his posture. Even if you give him a lot of facts why it is harmful to health. Or show from the outside how ugly it is. The child doesn't care. The main thing is that he sits so comfortably.

Kinesthetic children love to experiment with their bodies. Therefore, they try to write with their right hand, then with their left. They love going to different clubs. For example, for dancing, figure skating, gymnastics, karate.

In order to help such a child perceive learning better:

1. suggest making diagrams or layouts for lessons - this will concentrate attention and provide a visual representation of the information;
2. learn poetry or theory with him while he does physical exercises;
3. do not stop him if he is running, but at the same time solving a problem in his head - the child has his own approach;
4. send them to a school with a sports focus, since physical education is an activity in which such children feel like fish in water;
5. If this is not possible, then be sure to sign up for some section in which you need to move a lot and feel your body.

Description of kinesthetic

Such a person can be identified by a number of signs:

• frequent use of words with a pronounced emotional connotation (“excited”, “goosebumps”, “I’m delighted”);
• frequent touching of the interlocutor;
• close distance with a person when talking;
• restlessness;
• emotionality;
• better assimilation of information through movement and touch.

A kinesthetic learner understands the world well through personal experience. He prefers practice to theory. At the same time, it is important for him to take direct part in the process. People of this type are more focused on taste and smell than others. It is important for them to personally touch or try the item in order to draw the necessary conclusions.

Kinesthetic learners are active people. They can be given a precise definition. These are workaholics who do not tolerate inaction. Kinesthetic people do not have good attention; they have difficulty concentrating on anything for a long time. For this reason, they do not like routine and monotonous work.

Kinesthetics have a special psychological portrait. Despite the desire of such people to be at a minimum distance from the interlocutor during a conversation, they are selective in communication. A kinesthetic person can only let someone close to him who has won his trust.

Interesting! For a kinesthetic learner, the violation of his personal space by a stranger is especially offensive. This cannot pass without a trace for him.

Like visual people, people of this type do not perceive oral information well. It is easier for them to explore the world through visual data and through personal contact. For a kinesthetic learner, it is physical contact with a loved one that is important. Comfort has a major impact on it. Any inconvenience provokes severe irritation in the kinesthetic student. Such people love conversations related to feelings and sensations. Emotional exchange with the interlocutor is important for them.

How does the type of perception influence the learning process?

Knowing the characteristics of your own perceptual system helps organize the learning process.

The process of presenting information for visual learners must be accompanied by clarity. They have good skills in working with text and, if desired, quickly master the technique of speed reading. They remember information well by making mind maps or graphs, working with demonstration models, and gaining knowledge through experimental activities.

Important! Extraneous sounds will not interfere with the concentration of the visual. With the TV on, he will be able to prepare for the exam just as well, using charts and tables, as in silence.

The main channel of perception of educational material for an auditory child is hearing. Lectures are comfortable for him. He learns new material well by participating in discussions and conversations.

Important! To concentrate, the auditory system needs silence and the absence of external stimuli.

For kinesthetic learners, the learning process should involve the possibility of movement and practical actions. The most suitable forms of organizing the educational process for him are practical and laboratory work.

Important! These people have unstable attention. However, their advantage is the rapid switching from one activity to another.

Digital students excel in logical disciplines and programming. Computerized learning suits them. The material will be absorbed by the digital if he understands its logical basis, and new information will be superimposed on his existing knowledge and organically fit into his picture of the world.

What is a type of perception in psychology

The type of information perception is a feature of the formation of ideas, which consists in the individual work of the mental processes involved in perception.

Depending on the modality, there are:

• kinetic perception, which is based on sensation and movement;
• auditory perception is perception based on hearing;
• visual perception, which is based on vision.

Additional Information. The type of perception is determined by the goal and motivational attitudes of the individual.

Tactile warmth2

The first category of people are kinesthetics. They cannot live without light touches, sensual stroking and other touching caresses. Such people perceive information from the largest human organ - the skin. When greeting, they always tend to extend their hand for a handshake, hug, or lightly touch their lips to their cheeks. They like to feel the texture of everything they touch, be it a door handle or buttons on a phone. And especially the texture and softness of the skin of their other half, which they will squeeze with all their might in their arms and hold by the hand.

In bed, they are considered sensual and tender lovers. Their main “trick” is slowness. To feel the moment, enjoy the velvet of the skin, explore all the erogenous zones and exciting curves, kinesthetics spend a lot of time. Foreplay is important to them like nothing else.

They will lightly run their hands along the back, caress every inch of the body and literally revel in the opportunity to touch their partner. It does not matter who exactly is kinesthetic in the pair, such perception is equally present in men and women. Kinesthetic people themselves are also sensitive, so pay more attention to foreplay to impress your partner.

Another feature of kinesthetics is their dislike of bright light. They prefer intimate solitude, where there is no lighting. In addition, they pay great attention to underwear, both underwear and bed linen. You will never see such people wearing rough synthetics or fabrics that are unpleasant to the touch.

Pure silk, satin, cotton, leather - all this causes great delight in any “tactile addict”. Don’t try to force a kinesthetic person to make love with the lights on brightly on an old sofa covered with an ancient blanket. This trick will not work, and you risk running into some criticism.

To seduce a kinesthetic man, you just need to put on silk underwear. He will study the thin lace, slowly remove every detail of your robe and give tender kisses along the way. A kinesthetic woman is the most receptive and reverent creature. Give her a long foreplay, run your tongue and lips along her neck, earlobes, shoulders, collarbones. When you reach the most intimate zones in your caresses, she will already be ready for more active actions.

After intimate games, it is not recommended to immediately turn to the wall and fall asleep. Hold hands, stay in each other's arms - this will only establish and strengthen your connection. Don’t be too assertive and sexually aggressive - kinesthetic people really don’t like harshness and harsh dominance.

Audials

For auditory learners, the perception of various sounds is primary. This group of people includes those who most accurately perceive information by ear and makes up about 60% of all humanity. They easily grasp the meaning of phrases and texts spoken out loud and without visual accompaniment. However, auditory learners have difficulty perceiving and remembering faces and objects, in contrast to the sounds and voices of people - it will be enough to hear a sound once and it will “settle” in the auditory learner’s memory for a long time. We can say that such individuals live in a world of melodies, rhythms and sounds .

Often, auditory learners are characterized by vivid and emotional speech. They incredibly “come to life” when talking, their speech is filled with many sounds in the form of exclamations, sometimes they almost turn to screaming. And all because the voice of a person of this type is, as a rule, very loud, ringing and melodic.

Under no circumstances should you interrupt the audio speaker’s monologue, otherwise he may become silent and no longer enter into conversation with the person who interrupted him. When entering into a dialogue with an interlocutor, auditory learners are at a close distance from him in order to accurately grasp the speaker’s intonation.

Often in their conversation they use words such as “quiet”, “sound”, “loud”, “shout”, “listen”, etc. It is also common for auditory learners to use phrases such as:

• “listen to what I say”;
• "I'm glad to hear you";
• “This sound annoys me”;
• “sounds tempting”;
• “what does this mysterious tone mean”;
• “your idea sounds great.”

Auditory learners enjoy listening to music and enjoy singing, even if they are just humming something out loud. Therefore, a person of this type chooses the profession of a composer, musician, psychologist or lecturer.

Even before entering into a conversation with an auditory person, you can recognize him by his external signs. For example, this person always sits straight, stretching his neck and slightly leaning his body forward - this is his perception; it is easier for him to grasp information through the sounds reaching him in the smallest detail. Audials have a well-developed chest , and their breathing is even and deep.

At first glance, it may seem that such a person is somewhat arrogant and stubborn, but in fact, auditory people are very good-natured, always open to conversation and able to empathize. They will not only tell you completely sincerely how they are doing, but they will also be happy to inquire about the life of their interlocutor and listen to his story. It is not typical for auditory learners to look into the eyes of their interlocutor, since for them this causes tension and often distracts from the idea that needs to be conveyed or from the perception of the other person. And, of course, auditory learners love with their ears.