Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3178: Garland, Texas Gunmen - Elton Simpson, Nadir Soofi, Contempt and Body Language Warning Signals (PHOTOS)

Although ISIS has claimed responsibility for this recent act of terrorism, the strength of such a possible link is still being investigated. The perpetrators - Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi - were shot dead by a police officer as they opened fire on a crowd of people at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas. Simpson and Soofi had assault rifles. They wounded a security guard - he was shot in the ankle, treated and later released.

The event at which Soofi and Simpson initiated an attack was billed as the "First Annual Muhammad Art Exhibit and Contest" and was organized by the American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI). The Southern Poverty Law Center which tracks extremist groups classifies the AFDI as an Anti-Muslim organization.

Both Elton Simpson (above) and Nadir Soofi (below) are captured in these images with expressions of contempt on their faces. Simpson's contempt is subtle (perhaps 1 or 2 out of 10) while Soofi's is mild (2 or 3 out of 10). Everyone displays both contempt and disgust on occasion. This is normal - for we are all human. However those who display contempt and/or disgust chronically - have significantly higher rates of narcissism, increased problems with impulse control (problems regulating temper) and a greater tendency toward violence - when compared with those who don't have such chronic facial expressions.

Of course most all of those who display contempt or disgust chronically will not instigate mass shootings or other acts of terrorism. Yet those who wear these nonverbal signals frequently should certainly be avoided when possible. They're not pleasant people. And such individuals should themselves seek psychological help.




















See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3177: Carly Fiorina Announces her Candidacy for the 2016 Presidential Race

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3107: Erich Milton Nowsch Jr. - Las Vegas Road Rage Suspect - Body Language of Predicting Violence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2500:  Ft. Hood Shooter Nidal Malik Hasan and Contempt  The Body Language of Threat Assessment

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2231:  A Common Facial Expression of Mass Killers - Using Body Language as a Threat Assessment Tool

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