Friday, June 21, 2013

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2437:
Michael Jackson's Wrongful Death Trial
Faux Pas Body Language during Testimony by
AEG Live CEO Randy Phillips





















Randy Phillips the CEO of AEG Live is shown here during his recent testimony of Michael Jackson's wrongful death trial. The configuration of Mr. Phillips hands is that of a "High Conventional Steeple" with a simultaneous mouth cover. A conventional steeple - if displayed very selectively (and essentially choreographed) for short periods of time (a second or two) will transmit emotions of authority, alpha personality and high confidence levels. The trouble is those who use it almost always overuse it and therefore it backfires and sends signals of arrogance as well as patronizing and condescending emotional tones. These are never emotions which, as his attorney, you would ever want the jury to perceive.

Additionally Mr. Phillips' coexisting mouth cover is a variation of a MAP (manipulator, adaptor, pacifier). MAPs very often signal heightened anxiety levels - as is the case here (in the setting of differing facial expressions, what would be some other interpretations of this particular MAP cluster?). Thus Mr. Phillips' body language is displaying significant emotional dissonance - both a hyper-alpha/arrogance - while at the same time that of significant anxiety.

How to behave on the witness stand is an important matter - for the guilty can look innocent and the innocent may appear guilty. And jurors (or judges) will decide with their guts as much or more than their heads.

See also:

Negotiation Body Languge Secret # 361:  Conrad Murray's Fingers and Nostrils

Negotiation Nonverbal Secret # 559: Pointing at a Witness, Conrad Murray's Trial

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2323:  Jodi Arias Murder Trial - The Body Language of Unilateral Regret vs. Contempt 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2343:  Jodi Arias, the Courtroom and the Body Language of Mirroring

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2050:  George Zimmerman's Interview on Fox -  Microexpression of Contempt and Duping Delight

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1897:  George Zimmerman's Reenactment of  Trayvon Martin Shooting

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2411:  Zimmerman's Attorney, Mark O'Mara's - Body Language Faux Pas in Court

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2310:  Oscar Pistorius' Body Language in Court - Part II  Central Forehead Contraction, Frown & Pupil Dilation ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2311:  Reporter Robyn Curnow's re: Oscar Pistorius, Her Body Language shows her Bias

___________________________________________________________________________________