Thursday, August 23, 2012

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2095:
Canoodling with the Weathergirl





Many people don't know what "Canoodle" means. Anchorman Andrew Johnson didn't - but his colleague, Astrid Braunschmidt does. In this hilarious clip, the Victoria Island B.C. Anchorman also doesn't pay much attention to the previous story (partially included here as well) and particularly the "...it's (Union Bay) properly named then?" line.

While there are many body language signals, here are some highlights: 

0:16 Canoodle reference in original story.

0:33 - 0:36 Andrew Johnson has sincere, Duchenne Smile (Ekman). Note the partial eyelid closure (absolutely required), the concave up furrows in the lower lids (a near absolute), upward vectors (never laterally) of the cheek muscles, only the upper teeth exposed (never the lower teeth during a smile, but often both upper and lower exposed during sincere laughter) and a relaxed forehead muscles.

See also:

Analysis # 2091: Sincere Smiling and Laughing Reduces Anxiety and Heart Rate, Boosts Immune System and Relieves Pain

Analysis # 1905: Ann Curry's Smile and Sincerity Quotient



0:37 Johnson says to Braunschmidt, "... maybe we can canoodle before you get into it ...." and less than a half a second later, Astrid's eyebrows shoot upward - almost exclusively her right brow (a microexpression or near microexpression of nonverbal incredulity).
0:40 Johnson (through his earpiece) is learning of his gaffe from his producer with hand wringing (anxiety in this context). At this same moment the good-spirited "Weather Girl" adopts a display of central forehead contraction (CFC) with down-turned mouth corners (Physical or emotional pain for oneself or for another via empathy).

Analysis # 2042: Syrian Government Defector Nawaf al-Fares

Analysis # 2040: Never Trust a One-Sided Smile - Ex-Lobbyist Jack Abramoff

Analysis # 1910: Natasha Smith Sexually Assaulted in Tahrir Square - Post Assault Interview

Analysis # 1439: Central Forehead Contraction & Inward Lip Roll - Devon Davis & April Davis

0:41 Johnson's mouth adopts a mild - moderate fear expression as he looks down to his right (95% of right-handed people look to this quadrant during dramatic moments of negative emotion) and then a slightly prolonged closure of his eyelids (nonverbal signal of emotional processing, embarrassment). "We're not going be canoodling" moment at 0:41 - 0:42, followed by a bilateral palms-down gesture (0:43 - 0:45) indicating authority, dominance and assertiveness (often negatively received, but here of course very context-appropriate).
0:50 Mouth covering (here signally emotional processing, empathy and embarrassment).

Analysis # 21: Surprise + Fear + Empathy

Lots of great body language and laughs. Thanks to Andrew and Astrid.





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