Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3357: Justin Bieber leaves/walks off the stage in Oslo - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

During a concert on Thursday in Oslo, Norway, Justin Bieber became angry when his audience prevented him from fully wiping the stage floor. After a moment, he said, "Guys, never mind (turned and walked off the stage), I'm done, I'm not doing the show ..... I'm not doing the show."

While not from an optimal angle or resolution, the above video captures the event. We certainly see very little of Bieber's face with any clarity - however there were several significant nonverbal tells.

Note how Mr. Bieber removes his jacket and throws it on the stage floor and then proceeds to remove his hat and microphone.

When a person removes - and then throws - articles of clothing (or items which they may be carrying, etc.) in a sudden manner after a declarative and angry statement (as did Bieber) - this action can be accurately thought of as a surrogate act of violence (In less dramatic examples of this same behavior, the article  is not thrown - despite its quick removal). This display is of course, a manifestation of a loss of impulse control.

In a business or personal scenario, a person may not show very much facial expression or body language signs of anger (which we would see here if we were standing close to Bieber) - yet they may quickly remove their jacket, hat, earpiece, etc. - as if they became suddenly hot (and indeed sometimes their body temperature does rise). Often this may look out-of-context. Yet this venting/anger substitution display helps to diffuse negative emotional energy - thus allowing them to better control and camouflage their negative emotions. In some circumstances, people may even maintain a social smile on their face during negative surrogate activity. So if you see such behavior, (even though they may very well not walk out of the room in melodrama) - a red flag should go up.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3356: Anna Faris and Chris Pratt are Dressing their Son Up as a Dinosaur for Halloween

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2697: Justin Bieber Arrested, in Court - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3327: Chris Harper Mercer - School Shooter - Umpqua Community College near Roseburg, Oregon - Body Language Red Flags

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2039:  Fight Outside Florida Courtroom -  Jaw Jut Prior to Violence 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3131: Kim Jong-un, his Uncle Jang Song-thaek and a Warning sign of Potential Violence


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