Thursday, June 26, 2014

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2863: Gary Oldman's Apology on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" - Sincere or Insincere? - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Critically acclaimed actor Gary Oldman was recently quoted in Playboy making anti-Semitic remarks. He has since apologized and last night on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" he did so once again. But was his apology sincere? A nonverbal analysis yields the answer. Below are three body language tells rolled up into one moment.



During the interview (the video segment has since been removed from YouTube), just as he says, ".... that from my heart, I am, um, profoundly, ah, profoundly sorry ...", Mr. Oldman touches the right side of his chest. The human heart however is on the left - and any person who is being sincere - has a subconscious which intuitively knows this (with no body language training at all). Good actors do as well (especially when using the Stanislavski Method) - yet here Mr. Oldman - although certainly trying to act sincere, was not pulling it off. Rather he was being himself.

In addition Gary Oldman was touching with just the tips of his fingers - not with any portion of his palm. The lack of any palmar touch strongly indicates insincerity.

A third component of this single MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) which betrays his true thought-feelings is the non-dominance of his right hand. Mr. Oldman is left handed - and yet he uses his right hand. This is a very strongly insincere body language gesture - particularly in the context of an apology. Even without this third signal, Gary is being very insincere. However with this third nonverbal - he puts the nail in his own coffin.

Despite the fact that Gary Oldman is a fantastic actor - he is only human. And he is not able to suppress his nonverbal signs. There are many other indicators of insincerity in this video. How many can you see?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2862: Eli Wallach, "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2578: Obamacare Website Apology - Sincere vs. Insincere?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2441:  Paula Deen's Apology - What Does Her Body Language Say?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2459:  Was Eliot Spitzer Sincere?  Apology, Sincerity and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2296:  Penelope Soto Apologizes & Avoids 30 Days in Jail -  Body Language Accompanying Sincere Tears & Apology 

Nonverbal Communication Test No. 2543: Guido Barilla's Apology - Sincere or Insincere? What Does His Body Language Say? 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2512:  Matthew Cordle's YouTube Confession  and the Death of Vincent Canzani  "I Killed a Man" - What His Body Language Tells Us ...  It's NOT what you think!

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