Most surprise is falsified - this is a fantastic viral video illustrating the facial expression of sincere surprise. Lisa May's boyfriend recorded his proposal initially disguised as a common selfie.
What follows is a partial body language analysis ...
0:03
Initial Fake Selfie
0:17.1
Eyebrows vectored downward and slightly inwards
Eyelids partially closed
She's thinking, trying to figure out what's her boyfriend is doing
0:17.2
Notice the diminution of the wrinkles on the bridge of her nose - she's no longer in deep concentration.
This image is in the milliseconds just before her surprise sets in.
Eyebrows have mostly relaxed upwards.
0:17.3
Contraction on bridge of nose completely relaxed.
This image is just after Ms. May's surprise is beginning. Both eyes are slightly opened more than baseline - particularly her left eyelid.
Eyebrows are relaxed (not downward directed)
0:17.4 early surprise
Very slight nostril flaring
Jaw begins to drop
0:17.5
Eyelids significantly more opened
Nostrils beginning to flare
Jaw more loose and dropping
(From where the old colloquial "slack-jawed" derives)
0:17.6
Eyelids and mouth opens more
017.7
Further opening of eyelids, nostrils and mouth
Forehead begins to contract
017.8
0:18.2
Prolonged Eyelid Closure simultaneous with Contraction of full width of forehead - indicates momentary disbelief.
She is emotionally processing this event. Her intellect knows what has happened - yet emotionally - she does not fully believe what has transpired.
0:21
Highly characteristic nonverbal mouth configuration of sincere surprise (It's opened more vertical than feigned surprise). No teeth are showing.
Still in disbelief
0:22
Full Surprise
Forehead fully contracted
Eyes Wide Opened
Nostrils Flared
Mouth Opened significantly Vertically
No Teeth Exposed
0:23
Both eyes and mouth opened even more than previous image
Greater vertical component to mouth
Not every surprise is a marriage proposal. Thus most INsincere surprises are difficult for most people to differentiate. Do you know how to tell the difference?
See also:
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3105: Joe Biden, Ashton Carter & Stephanie Carter - Vice President Encroaches into New Defense Secretary's Wife's Intimate Space
Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret No. 1261: True Surprise - Rarely Captured IMF Director Christine Lagarde
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 21: Surprise + Fear + Empathy
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2997: Halloween Haunted Houses - Transitioning from Expressions of Surprise to Fear
Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret No. 1171: Not So Fast Swift .... Taylor's False Surprise
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3056: Jeb Bush Interview - 14 Dec. 2014 - Body Language Tells
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