Monday, October 8, 2012

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2140:
Joran van der Sloot's going to be a father -
Body Language Signs of Chronic Insincerity



















It (almost) goes without saying that, chronic insincerity is to be strongly avoided - yet can we spot it when it is staring us in the face? If these people were so easy to see, then there would be no Bernie Madoffs or Jeffrey Skillings ... or Joran van der Sloots. Van der Sloot is of course infamous first for the alleged murder of Natalee Holloway and later for pleading guilty to the Murder of Stephany Flores. He currently is serving a 28 year sentence in Peru for killing Flores. It was announced today that he's going to become a father.

Forehead muscular contraction, particularly contraction of the central forehead (CFC) in the presence of a mouth "social" smile (note this is only a "social smile" not a sincere smile - thus of course there is no eyelid/eye component) is a powerful nonverbal warning and should always send up a big red flag. Everyone occasionally projects this body language/facial expression - it's those who display it chronically that we should strongly avoid.

Central Forehead Contraction is a nonverbal seen when there is physical or emotional pain - either for oneself or felt for another person(s) or animal(s) via empathy. However in this context the CFC should always accompanied by a congruent mouth expression - of pain, fear or sadness. When a CFC is displayed along with a smile, however insincere, partial or subtle - it is insincere. In some contexts it is also seen as a body language signal of incredulity and/or arrogance. In a fantastic example of a display of emotional dissonance, the conscious mind is trying to project empathy where none exists. The subconscious mind thus "leaks" out their true emotions - and a warning.

Take home point: Those who display a chronic central forehead contraction in the presence of even a subtle mouth smile are to be avoided - for chronic insincerity equals sociopath behavior.

See also:

Nonverbal Analysis # 1915: Mitt Romney's Response to Supreme Court's Decision on "Obamacare"

Nonverbal Analysis # 1439: Central Forehead Contraction & Inward Lip Roll - Devon Davis & April Davis


Nonverbal Analysis # 1570: Shiva, a Signal of Empathy and the Subcontinent

Nonverbal Analysis # 2056: Aurora, Colorado Mass Shooting - Similarities in Body Language with other Mass Killers


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