A new branch of behavioural science shows how to 'map' a person in seconds

For those who know how, a person's facial features can be read like a book. They reveal the person's strengths and weakness in much greater detail than you would imagine. For centuries, 'face readers' have fascinated people with their amazing accuracy. They rattle off great details about your life, as it has been, your inclinations, your joys and troubles. Many of them simply don't know how they do it - the information seems to just come to them as soon as they look at your face. Practitioners of traditional medicine too often use this ability to gain insight into people's personality type and the kind of diseases and ailments that they may be prone to.

Today, Structure-associated Function is a new branch of behavioural science that teaches you how to decode the hundreds of clues that are written all over a person's face and features. Perfected by Daniel Whitside of 3-in-1 Concepts in California, this science co-relates face and body structures with mental and emotional abilities. Knowledge of Structure-associated Function enables a person to relate to another with a deeper understanding, gained rapidly, within seconds of meeting.

Ritu Malhotra, counsellor and specialised trainer, 3-in-1 Concepts, explains: "With knowledge of Structure- associated Function, you can make an excellent 'educated guess' about what a person's behaviour is likely to be, what moves and motivates that person as well as what that person's probable experience of life has been. What a boost it is to understanding people."

This kind of knowledge helps in better and powerful communication and building of rapport. It gives you an opportunity to use the crucial first 15 seconds to gain insight of the person opposite you and tailor-fit your approach and communication individually to him/her.

To see how it works, let's take a look at the face of Rishabh Gidwani and apply some principles of Structure-associated Function to know more about him. He has a hooked nose, long, narrow face; straight, horizontal low set eyebrows, thin upper lip, close-set eyes with deep lines between his eyebrows. What does this tell us?

Rishabh is materially conscious and can be an excellent financial consultant. His long, narrow face signifies a cautious and self-conscious approach. He is a person who appreciates support from others and is proud of his accomplishments. Details are important to him. He has a reserved nature with an ability to maintain inner harmony. He is optimistic, easily approachable and accepting of others. He has a precise and factual approach towards life; he is efficient and selective in word and deed. He is punctual and expects excellence from others. His approach is one of "doing it right and doing it now." All these insights just by looking at his face! If an interviewer knew how to use Structure-associated Function, he'd hire Rishabh on the spot!

With the awareness that Structure-associated Function teaches, communication becomes an art as well as a science, bringing flair as well as accuracy to our daily decisions and interactions.

For more details and course information contact Ajna Center for Learning, Pluto Society, H-4, 1/AB Kalyani Nagar, Pune - 411 014, Phone: 26681231.

Khursheed Dinshaw