Monday, March 31, 2014

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2771: Australian PM Tony Abbott regarding Malaysian Airlines MH370 Search - Body Language Misinterpretations and Regret (VIDEO, PHOTOS)






The hunt for Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370 has captured much of the World's attention during the last three weeks. Yesterday Tony Abbott, the Australian Prime Minister, spoke again on the issue and his country's commitment to leading the search.

Mr. Abbott's nonverbals in this video provide some very illustrative and valuable lessons. Of the two examples discussed here, one is a false signal - oft misinterpreted, and the other is a rarely recognized microexpression. What follows is a partial body language analysis:


At multiple times throughout this video, Mr. Abbott's central forehead and left forehead muscles can be seen to be contracting - while Mr. Abbott's right forehead remains relaxed. This is most probably due to old trauma damaging a portion of the P.M.'s right facial nerve (Cranial Nerve VII) or some other cause of facial nerve palsy (e.g. a partially resolved  idiopathic cause aka Bell's Palsy).





It is also possible (although doubtful in this example) that a significantly asymmetrical forehead contraction be secondary to uneven administration of Botox.



This asymmetry can often lead to the erroneous impression that Mr. Abbott is doubtful or in frank disbelief of his own or others peoples' statements (e.g. if he displayed this same expression while he was listening).

Great care must be taken is such circumstances to avoid this false-incredulity nonverbal.






Beginning at 0:49, Mr. Abbott continues, "... We are searching a vast area of ocean, and ah, we are working on, ah, quite limited information. Never the less, the - best brains in the World - are applying themselves to this task, ah, all of the technological mastery that we have, ah, is being applied and brought to bear here [deep inhalation with downward distant gaze] .... so, [microexpression of regret at 1:14] ... if this mystery IS solvable, ah, we will solve it. But I don't want to underestimate just how difficult it is..."

Note how the left corner of Mr. Abbott's mouth evanescently contracts laterally in this example of a microexpression of regret.

In distinction to the first example in this post, an important distinction to see here is how only Mr. Abbott's central forehead is contracted (CFC) in this instant. Coupled with his left-mouth microexpression of regret, his downward, distant gaze and slightly downward directed inner (medial) eyebrows, this cluster is highly correlative for significant emotional pain - most significantly expressing empathy for those lost on MH370 and their loved-ones.

There is a multitude of other body language in this video. What other signals did you notice?

See also:

Negotiation Body Language Analysis # 991:  Australia's Aboriginal Angst and Julia Gillard's Hands

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2457:  Surfer Gets Knocked Unconscious by Whale  Body Language Basics from Bondi Beach

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2227:  Sincerity and Insincerity regarding  Suicide Death of Jacintha Saldanha

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2261:  Mom pulls Python off of her 2 year old daughter -  Body Language & Microexpression of Fear

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2414:  Sen. John McCain after his Trip to Syria -  Body Language of Regret and Contempt  ... and Facial Nerve Palsy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2770: Oscar Pistorius and Contrasting Confidence Levels - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2150:  Body Language Advice for  President Obama and Governor Romney in Tonight's Debate

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Sunday, March 30, 2014

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2770: Oscar Pistorius and Contrasting Confidence Levels - Body Language (PHOTOS)
























The image above of Oscar Pistorius (L) and one member of his legal team he's speaking with was taken on court on Friday 28 March 2014. The Blade Runner's trial in Reeva Steenkamp's death (accidental vs. premeditated murder) has been delayed for ten days due to the sudden illness of a one of the judge's two assessors.

Note the attorney has his fingers and thumb splayed with the tips touching the top of the barrier while his palm is elevated. This body language is significant for an alpha and assertive emotional tone - ergo its name, "The Dominant Spider".

In contrast, the fist-like configuration (with thumb extended) which Mr. Pistorius is displaying is significant for a beta and a lower-confidence mindset.

Nonverbal signals should never be interpreted in isolation. Rather they must always be evaluated in the cluster-context of other body language simultaneously (or nearly so) being manifested. These contrasting hand signals are no exception to this principal and are highly congruent with the other nonverbals present here.

The body language of this single moment does not imply Mr. Pistorius's guilt or innocence.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2769: Smiling Out of Context in a Mass Shooter - T.J. Lane's Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2767: Barack Obama Meets Pope Francis - The Body Language "Being Beta"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2672: Dennis Rodman, Kim Jong Un and the Finger-Point Hand-Chop, Body Language from North Korea

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2644: Barry Hinson's Rant - (Southern Illinois Basketball Coach) Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2635: Raúl Castro and Barack Obama Shake Hands at Nelson Mandela's Memorial - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2744: Oscar Pistorius, Reeva Steenkamp and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2750: Oscar Pistorius, Reeva Steenkamp and Lies - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2424:  Giada De Laurentiis on Conan O'Brien  Beautiful Teeth but Insincere Smiles and  Some Body Language Signals of Waning Love




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Saturday, March 29, 2014

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2769: Smiling Out of Context in a Mass Shooter - T.J. Lane's Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)


 

Thomas "T. J." Lane shot and killed three students while wounding three more (one severely) at Clardon High School (Clardon, Ohio) on 27 February 2012. Lane was 17 years old at the time of the crime and he was tried as an adult. He was sentenced to three life sentences plus twenty-five years for his actions.

This video and these images are from 19 March 2013 - the date Lane was sentenced.

Recently he is challenging the court's decision which had led him to be tried as an adult.



This facial expression was called by many a "smirk". From a body language standpoint this expression contains two primary emotions - that of contempt as well as joy-happiness (ergo a partially suppressed sincere smile).

It is thus helpful to think the following:

Smirk = Contempt + Sincere Smile (partial or full)

There are significant elements of self-righteousness expressed by a smirk.











This expression is very close in timing and expression to the contempt and partially suppressed sincere smile seen above.













This expression is contemptuous with no component of smiling.























A moment removed from the photo immediately above, Lane displays his middle finger to the families of the victims and uttered obscenities.




Although all smiling out of context is not "Duping Delight" (Ekman), Lane's suppressed smile has significant over-lap in this scenario. Lane is taking true joy-happiness in his murderous and malicious acts (thus it's out of context) - he is simply not hiding his emotion. Many (including myself) define evil as when a person has and/or seeks feelings of joy-happiness in witnessing or perpetrating acts of malice. This description would certainly apply here.

We all display the facial expressions of contempt and/or disgust from time to time - however many (but not all) of those who perpetrate terrorist acts and mass shootings will have chronic body language displays of contempt and/or disgust. The ability to see these emotions accurately is of paramount importance in threat assessment.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2259:  Game Show Killer Rodney Alcala Gets Two More Sentences - His Body Language Warning Signs

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2747: Adam Lanza's Warning Sign - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2629: Sandy Hook Audio Tapes - A Body Language Sign of Disbelief

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2313: Elisa Lam Video in Elevator at Cecil Hotel - What Her Body Language Tells Us ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2504:  Former New England Patriot Aaron Hernandez and a  Commonly Missed Body Language Signal

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2503:  Fort Hood Shooter and his Tell-Tale Body Language  Common to many Mass-Killers -  Nidal Malik Hasan gets the Death Penalty

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2750: Oscar Pistorius, Reeva Steenkamp and Lies - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2768: Gwyneth Paltrow, Chris Martin - and the VERY UNconscious Uncoupling foretelling their Conscious Uncoupling

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Friday, March 28, 2014

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2768: Gwyneth Paltrow, Chris Martin - and the VERY UNconscious Uncoupling foretelling their Conscious Uncoupling (VIDEO, PHOTOS)


























Although Gwyneth did not coin the term "Conscious Uncoupling" - she has certainly popularizing it in the last 72 hours. In the moment of this image however, Ms. Paltrow is exhibiting a very strong SUBconscious uncoupling.

Forty percent of the mass of the human brain is dedicated towards vision. In addition, of the five senses - vision accounts for ninety percent of our sensory input. So the human brain is very visually-biased (even for you "non-visual thinkers" out there) - while the senses of touch, taste, smell and hearing have to share the remaining ten percent. When the eyes are shut - a bit less blood flows to these visual brain and therefor a less nutrients including oxygen gets distributed there. The neuro-chemical activity of the other portions of the brain is thus up-regulated while the visual centers are momentarily down-regulated. Our non-visual senses become sharper - as well as the cognitive and emotional functions. This phenomenon occurs very rapidly - almost instantaneously.

When we kiss with our eyelids shut because we want to heighten the emotional experience of the moment. We want to drink in every ounce - every drop of the kiss. And if we kiss with our eyelids closed - the moment - and therefore the relationship has less emotional impact. Granted we all get distracted from time to time - but kisses should not be one of these times. A highly reliable signal of waning of affection or love in any relationship (spouse, child, parent, platonic friendship, etc.) are eyes remaining open during a kiss.

Although the status Coldplay musician Chris Martin's eyelids at this instant are difficult to discern (they are perhaps slightly opened) in this moderate-resolution image, Gwyneth's are certainly opened. Does your spouse kiss with eyes open? Do you?

What other signals (there are several) of low or waning affection are seen in this image?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2701: Cuddling, Romance, Affection and Foot-Shunning - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2663: Caroline Wozniacki and Rory McIlroy Engaged - A Body Language Sign of Affection

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2764: Embarrassment, Affection & Flirtation - Mila Kunis & Ashton Kutcher - Kiss Cam Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2643: Is this Hug More Sexual or Affectionate? Student Suspended One Year for Hugging a Teacher

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2649: How a Kiss can Change the World - Body Language of Affection

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2748: Tatia Pilieva's Brilliant Video "First Kiss" - Body Language of Romance and Affection

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2424:  Giada De Laurentiis on Conan O'Brien  Beautiful Teeth but Insincere Smiles and  Some Body Language Signals of Waning Love 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2502:  A Body Language Sign of True Love & Affection -  A Father Reunited with Young Son Who He Believed died in  Syria Poison Gas Attack

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2767: Barack Obama Meets Pope Francis - The Body Language "Being Beta"
























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Thursday, March 27, 2014

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2767: Barack Obama Meets Pope Francis - The Body Language "Being Beta" (VIDEO, PHOTOS)




President Obama visited with Pope Francis today. It was the first time the leaders met.

The two men share some historic firsts. Francis is the first Latin-American Pope and also the first one from either the Western or Southern Hemispheres.
Barack Obama was of course the first U.S. President with African ancestry.

The following is a partial body language analysis from the Pope's and President's meeting.



Note how President Obama bows slightly. In some settings, bowing to a shorter man calls attention to his short stature and often is interpreted as patronizing. In the presence of a major religious leader however - it is in deference to their superior stature - and is a nonverbal of high respect.

Bowing is very culture specific. Great care should be taken to learn all customs when visiting realms foreign to you - nonverbal and otherwise.

Interestingly Barack's hand is mildly rotated so that it is approximately 20 degrees on top of Francis's hand - a dominance tell. This is subconsciously driven whereas Barack's bowing is conscious - thus displaying his real view of the proper political pecking order.



One of the few places where a head-of-state should allow themselves to configure in the beta body language of a "Fig-Leaf" (aka genital guarding) is when showing respect and deference to a major religious leader.

What are the other exceptions to this guideline?







On his way to sit down at Pope Francis's desk, the President rubs the area above his upper lip and below his nose (the two vertical elevated ridges with the central excavation is the called the "Philtrum"). Barack feels significant anxiety in this moment and is very probably thinking of - or felt he was just told - a lie.







As a sign of respect, Obama lets Francis sit a second before he does. 
















Normally one would want to have one's hands visible (as it sends signals of trustworthiness and confidence) - yet also out of respect, Mr. Obama refrains from putting his hands or arms on the Pope's desk.

Pope Francis momentarily lets his alpha show while configuring his hands in a low, recumbent, conventional steeple. His instinct and humility however prevents him of maintaining this body language for very long - lest it backfires and transmits signals of hyper-alpha, arrogance and condescension.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2603: Sarah Palin's Body Language - She Feels Disgust toward Pope Francis and ... She Tells a Fib

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2575: The "Bishop of Bling" - German Catholic Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst's Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2321:  Cardinal Timothy Dolan on "Face the Nation"  Problems in Catholic Church & Electing a New Pope  Clergy are Not Exempt from Body Language Tells ...

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2379:  Bill Clinton's Speech at the  George W. Bush Presidential Library Opening  Body Language of Former and Current 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1770:  White House Correspondents' Dinner  Lindsay Lohan's Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2633: Abigail Hernandez, Missing N.H. 15 year old, Body Language Clues

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2765: Obama, Romney, Russia and Facial Asymmetry - Contempt at The Hague

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Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2765: Obama, Romney, Russia and Facial Asymmetry - Contempt at The Hague (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





Like most people, President Barack Obama has some degree of facial asymmetry. In this momentary and relatively neutral emotional moment, we can see that the nasal-labial furrow (which runs from the side of the nose down to the corners of the mouth) is more shallow on Barack's right side - however it runs down past his mouth corner. On his left - it is more deeply defined but stops at the corner of the mouth. This asymmetry (among other things) makes some nonverbal signals more difficult to interpret. One example of this phenomenon is that - to many Mr. Obama will seem as if he is feeling contempt when he is not. Below however are examples of two very subtle and very real microexpressions of contempt. 



During the 0:14 second mark in his speech yesterday at The Hague just prior to and just after "... Russia's ..." (during 0:19 shown in image below) when President Obama says, "..... With respect to Mr. Romney's ah, assertion that, ah ... Russia's, ah, number, our number one, geo-political foe ... " (highlighted with red).








Note that at both of these moments, the presidents eyelids are closed in a slightly extended blink.

This extended blink in this context serves as a "Contempt-Amplifier" - which is extremely valuable yet very  under-appreciated body language signal.




There are multitudes of additional nonverbal examples seen in this short video. How many did you miss?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2646: Does Barack Obama Want to Go to the Sochi (Russia) Winter Olympics? What His Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2752: Barack Obama, Zach Galifianakis, Funny or Die - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2758: Barack Obama Regarding Further Sanctions to Russia for Annexation of Crimea - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2764: Embarrassment, Affection & Flirtation - Mila Kunis & Ashton Kutcher - Kiss Cam Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2727: "I am a Ukrainian" Video - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2745: Vladimir Putin Deception regarding Crimea - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2647: Vladimir Putin regarding Edward Snowden, What Does the Russian Leader Think? 

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Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2764: Embarrassment, Affection & Flirtation - Mila Kunis & Ashton Kutcher - Kiss Cam Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)




Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher were at the Clippers - Pistons game in LA this past Saturday night. So was the Kiss Cam. Last month it was announced the couple was recently engaged - and there are reports that Ms. Kunis is pregnant.

Of course we know Mila and Ashton are in love - most would call this obvious. Yet an analysis of their body language is very telling and instructive for those who seek some nonverbals of romance.


In this moment, Mila is both embarrassed and is rapidly processing the fact that the kiss cam is now focused on her and Ashton.

Rapid covering of the mouth is extremely common in embarrassment. It is also seen much more common when a person is interacting with another with whom they are attracted.

Blushing often accompanies the rapid mouth covering - and while it of course occurs with embarrassment, it also has a very high correlation with physical attraction.

Mr. Kutcher is displaying a "tongue jut". In this body language cluster-context it indicates excitement or "I've been caught". However depending on the other nonverbals with which it is clustered a tongue jut (aka "Lizard Tongue") may also indicate several other thought-emotions including self-deprecating humor, "I've been bad", "I've done a foolish thing" or "I've got away with something".



Mila's look away and continued mouth covering with additional eye covering component indicates continued emotional processing and embarrassment.

Ashton's extended eyelid closure is a truncated version of his fiancée’s eye covering. Kutcher's tongue jut continues.







No explanation needed .... eh?

Mila has gone on record saying her very first romantic kiss was in fact with Kutcher while they both were filming "That 70's Show".








While Kutcher points at the camera, his mouth has re-configured to an Inward Lip Roll (ILR). The inward lip roll signifies the subconscious mind's attempt to suppress the inward crescendo and the outward manifestation of strong emotions. Most often this is a negative emotion such as anger, frustration, or contempt - however here Ashton is overjoyed - but he doesn't want to fully show us.

Mila on the other hand is expressing true joy-happiness with a sincere smile displaying only her bottom teeth, a relaxed forehead, partially closed eyelids with (difficult to see in this low resolution image) concave-up dynamic furrows in her lower eyelids.

Congratulations Mila and Ashton!

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2736: Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis Engaged - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2463:  Mila Kunis on Graham Norton  Olly Murs' not-so-secret Crush on Mila

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2352:  Mila Kunis' Tongue in Cheek  Graham Norton Part II

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2325:  Mila Kunis' interview with Chris Stark on BBC Radio 1 re: Oz the Great and Powerful -  Body Language, Sexual Attraction and Mirroring

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2404:  Internal Lip Roll and other Body Language  associated with Suppression of Sadness

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2690: Peyton Manning Explains the Meaning of "Omaha" Call - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2763: Richard Nixon, My Lai Massacre - Conscious and Subconscious Body Language Display

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2763: Richard Nixon, My Lai Massacre - Conscious and Subconscious Body Language Display (VIDEO, PHOTOS)


Recently documents have surface which implicate the Nixon administration and perhaps Richard Nixon himself in efforts to sabotage the Courts Martial of Lieutenant William Calley, Captain Ernest Medina and others involved in the My Lai Massacre.

The murder of between 374 - 504 innocent civilians by U.S. troops in 1968 had become a public relations nightmare for his administration.

In a document recently uncovered in H.R. Haldeman's handwriting, the Nixon associated euphemism, "Dirty Tricks" is seen - as well as "discredit witness", "not too high a level" and "keep working on the problem" were used. It may never be known whether Nixon himself gave orders or what ultimately was carried out, but in the words of James Rife a senior historian at History Associates, Inc. - "I would not characterize [Haldeman's note] as a smoking gun, but it's pretty strong."

The image above of President Nixon demonstrates him at a moment of emotionally contradictory body language. So what's really going on here?

His "Thumbs Up" gesture is very nearly universal nonverbal emblem of optimism and good intent. This is a very conscious display. However one look at Mr. Nixon's face and we see a very significant disgust expression - which is very subconsciously driven. This is not emotional dissonance. It's is a lie. The President wants to falsely project a positive emotional tone - but what is deliberately displayed by his hand is trumped by the "leakage" of his true feelings on his face.

Whenever two nonverbals are in disparity - and if one is subconscious and the other is conscious - it is the subconscious one which betrays a person's true feelings.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2134:  A Watershed Body Language Moment:  Nixon - Kennedy Debates 1960

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2616: John Kennedy and Richard Nixon Handshake at Kennedy Inaugural Address, One Body Language Maneuver to Counter a Dominance Display

Nonverbal Communication Negotiation Secret # 323:  I am Not a Crook!

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2761: What Specific Dance Qualities makes a Hetero Man Attractive to Women? The Body Language of Dancing

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2150:  Body Language Advice for  President Obama and Governor Romney in Tonight's Debate

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2750: Oscar Pistorius, Reeva Steenkamp and Lies - Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2762: Pepsi Max's "Unbelievable" Bus Shelter Video - Body Language






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Monday, March 24, 2014

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2762: Pepsi Max's "Unbelievable" Bus Shelter Video - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)




Pepsi rigged up a bus shelter recently and pulled a series of pranks on some innocent Londoners. This project was very creative and the resulting video (above) is a good source of laughter. It's also some pretty good marketing for Pepsi Max "Unbelievable" - as it has gone viral. The video is included here for it is a great source of some nonverbal signals.


When feeling the emotion of fear, one body language display that is extremely common for both men and women - is the clutching of their sternum and manubrium while simultaneously closing a coat or shirt.

This woman's eyelids are also mildly elevated. 

What else signifies fear in this moment?



The moment before this image, this guy eyes displayed a beautiful example of a "double take" (see video during 0:32).

In this instant he displays his disbelief with an elevated left eyebrow (relative to his right side).





An instant later his eyelids open wider in a subtle yet significant display of fear. 











This gentleman's central forehead is contracted (CFC) in addition to a very mild fear expression displayed on his mouth.

He begins to pull his phone away from his ear as his psyche attempts to process what he's seeing. 





Somewhat similar to the image above this guy displays mild-to-moderately higher component of fear on his mouth.

His left eye in particular is opened extra-widely in fear. 








A fraction of a second later (and through the bus windshield) his fear becomes greater as the corners of his mouth are directed further downward as his left eye opens even wider.







This man is displaying the body language of sincere and full laughter. It is similar to that of a sincere smile with the exception of one component - his bottom teeth are displayed (with some minor exceptions, this is not so with a sincere smile).





Note also the concave-up dynamic furrows of his lower eyelids, his upward directed cheek muscles and his relaxed (non-contracted and smooth forehead).


This man knows that the bus shelter is rigged - and yet he cannot resist getting to his feet when his brainstem directs him to ... as it attempts to react in a flight response as a Bengal tiger coming towards him (Thus an example of emotional dissonance).




Pay attention to a person's feet - they often are the most telling components to a quality nonverbal interpretation. 



After figuring out the trick and dancing for the camera - this woman grows rapidly embarrassed.

Rapid mouth cover with blushing and laughter is highly consistent with embarrassment. It also can be seen with a partially suppressed or fully sincere smile.



See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2274:  The Eyes & Mouth of Fear -  Body Language of Ahmed Dogan during  Attempted Assassination

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2486:  Katie Holmes on David Letterman and the  "Social Etiquette Fear Face"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2338:  Why Does Keit Pentus-Rosimannus feel Fear?  Body Language of Estonia's Minister of Environment

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2418:  Startle vs. Surprise  Body Language in the Yankees & Red Sox Dugouts

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2653: Carey Mulligan - Blunted Surprise and ... Body Language on Jimmy Kimmell, Part I

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1171:  Not So Fast Swift ....  Taylor's False Surprise

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2761: What Specific Dance Qualities makes a Hetero Man Attractive to Women? The Body Language of Dancing

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Sunday, March 23, 2014

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2761: What Specific Dance Qualities makes a Hetero Man Attractive to Women? The Body Language of Dancing (VIDEO, PHOTOS)




Good news for the men of the World - romance, dating and flirtation just got a bit easier. You no longer have to be a finalist on "Dancing with the Stars" or have the "Dirty Dancing" moves of Patrick Swayze to help you woo women. Researchers Dr. Nick Neave and Kristofor McCarty of Northumbria University have for the first time elicited the body language characteristics of a man's dancing which attracts women.

The researchers filmed various heterosexual men dancing to a basic drum rhythm using advanced motion capture cameras as well as bio-mechanical analysis. Their images were then converted to avatars in order to control for other attraction variables. These men were also evaluated for upper and lower body strength and vascular fitness. Heterosexual women and men where then shown the avatar videos and asked to assess for dance quality.

It turns out that both arm movements and hand-grip strength of the dancers were significant predictors of the qualities of dance - by both heterosexual men and women (e.g. The better the hand-grip strength and arm movements - the higher their dancing was rated). Thus heterosexual men are able to gauge the strength and virility of their competition by evaluating their rivals' dancing.

Women rated men better dancers if they made larger and more varied movements of their neck, torso and abdomen. Those with a variation in movements of the wrists and left shoulder as well as fast movements of the right knee were also consistently rated as better dancers.

Men who had extreme movements of the arms - or those who kept their arms close to their torso as well as their legs closer together - were rated by women as poorer dancers.

In conclusion, heterosexual women have a natural nonverbal ability to predict men's potential as sexual partners in addition to arm strength of heterosexual males simply by assessing their dancing. Heterosexual men will use a similar skill to size-up the physical strength of potential rivals.

See also:

Romance, Dating & Marriage - Body Language Secret # 1500:  Six Degrees? Leaning In, Head Touching and the Manubrium - Kyra and Kevin are 10th Cousins, Once Removed

Dating & Romance Body Language Secret # 1019:  Ladies in Red

Dating & Romance Body Language Secret # 2020:  The Art of Looking Flirtatious

Romance, Flirting & Dating Body Language Secret # 1893:  Nonverbal Communication of the Facial Platter

Romance, Marriage and Dating - Body Language Secret # 609: Going from High Heels to Flats and then back to Heels

Dating & Romance Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1010:  What Makes the Twinkle in Her Eye?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2760: Kim Jong-un, Low Confidence and Cigarettes - Body Language of an Anti-Leader

Nonverbal Communication Analysis 2759: Vladimir Putin, Annexation of Crimea and Mouth Asymmetry - Body Language





Good Dancer:

Variation of Neck, Torso & Abdomen

Fast and variable movement of the right knee












Good Dancer:

Variation of Left Shoulder
and (not pictured) wrists

Variation of neck, torso and abdomen












Bad Dancer:

Arms too close to torso
Feet too close together














Bad Dancer:

Extreme Arm Movements
































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Saturday, March 22, 2014

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2760: Kim Jong-un, Low Confidence and Cigarettes - Body Language of an Anti-Leader (PHOTOS)



















The North Korean state-run Central News Agency released this image of Kim Jong-un earlier this week. The Supreme Leader of the country otherwise known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was attending a Military flight exercise in Pyongyang on 17 March.

Kim Jong-un is configured in body language MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) which no leader of any country should adopt - let alone be photographed. The one-armed across the chest nonverbal is a slightly watered-down version vs. the two-armed version. It projects a beta, low confidence emotional tone. It both indicates as well as helps to reinforce anxiety. Thus he has a relatively low emotional comfort level in this moment - perhaps it is because he is being photographed smoking ... or maybe it's because the circa 1955 aircraft seen in the background is still in service.

What other nonverbal clues can be gleaned from this image?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2672: Dennis Rodman, Kim Jong Un and the Finger-Point Hand-Chop, Body Language from North Korea

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2623: Kim Jong-un Impersonator - A Valuable Body Language Tell

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2364:  Kim jong-un Tells a Lie to His Generals  North Korea, Body Language and Third Rate Vetting

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2638: North Korean Senior Official Chang Song-taek (aka Jang Sung-thaek) Executed, Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2654: Carey Mulligan on Jimmy Kimmel - Body Language Part II

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2758: Barack Obama Regarding Further Sanctions to Russia for Annexation of Crimea - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis 2759: Vladimir Putin, Annexation of Crimea and Mouth Asymmetry - Body Language
























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Friday, March 21, 2014

Nonverbal Communication Analysis 2759: Vladimir Putin, Annexation of Crimea and Mouth Asymmetry - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





Yesterday Vladimir Putin signed the documents formalizing Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. A video of the speech he gave is included above. Mr. Putin's mouth adopted an asymmetric configuration numerous times throughout this address - biasing towards his right side. This particular appearance is known as "mouth swagger". It is a manifestation of machismo - and is very common among politicians.

Like a coach giving a pep-talk prior to a game or a drill sergeant before new recruits - this nonverbal is seen when there is excessive melodrama ... or adrenaline - and thus is also seen after real victory on the sports field, the political arena or the battle field. 

Intriguingly, Mr. Putin also shifts his weight from foot to foot many times during this speech - which is a very common body language with anxiety. This nervousness reflects an incongruity in Mr. Putin's emotional state - he feels both bravo and anxiety - and is thus a great manifestation of emotional dissonance.

What are some other emotions are indicated by different asymmetrical mouth configurations?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2656: Threat Assessment during Robbery - Body Language of Perpetrator

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2714: Justine Dufour-Lapointe Wins Olympic Gold in Sochi and Brandishes Swagger - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2739: Barack Obama at DNC Speech - Quieting a Heckler

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2670: Janet Yellen Confirmed by Senate for Federal Reserve Chair - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2735: Mother confronts Driver about Brain-Damaged Son, Is His Apology Sincere?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2755: Vladimir Putin on Time Magazine, An Iconic Body Language Image

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2758: Barack Obama Regarding Further Sanctions to Russia for Annexation of Crimea - Body Language




















































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