When a person is experiencing physical or emotional pain - either directly or indirectly via empathy, the muscles of the central forehead are very often contracted (and the peripheral forehead is relaxed). In these emotional states, the mouth should have a co-existing sadness or fear expression.
When the central forehead muscles are contracted (CFC) - AND there is a simultaneous mouth smile/pseudo-smile - this should always make you think insincerity. Depending on what other signals are present, it can also signal arrogance, contempt or incredulity. From time to time we all display this highly characteristic body language tell - but there are some who display it chronically. Needless to say, chronic insincerity is a huge red flag. Between the two men pictured here - Paul Ryan and Barack Obama, one displays it far more often - who?
When you see this body language cluster ask yourself:
How often does this person display these nonverbals?
Are their words consistent with insincerity, arrogance, contempt or disbelief?
What body language sign immediately preceded this?
What body language signal followed it?
See also:
Analysis # 2052: Dialing Up Empathy and Sincerity - Mitt Romney's & Barack Obama's Response to Aurora, Colorado "Batman Shooting"
Quiz-Analysis # 2110: Pizza Guy - Scott Van Duzer's Bear-Hug Encounter with President Obama - Staged or Real?
Analysis # 1905: Ann Curry's Smile and Sincerity Quotient
Analysis # 2101: Mitt Romney's and Paul Ryan's Body Language at the Republican National Convention - My Guest Commentary on NPR - KPCC Southern California Public Radio
Analysis # 2046: Romney, Sincerity, Truth and Bain Capital
See also:
Analysis # 2052: Dialing Up Empathy and Sincerity - Mitt Romney's & Barack Obama's Response to Aurora, Colorado "Batman Shooting"
Quiz-Analysis # 2110: Pizza Guy - Scott Van Duzer's Bear-Hug Encounter with President Obama - Staged or Real?
Analysis # 1905: Ann Curry's Smile and Sincerity Quotient
Analysis # 2101: Mitt Romney's and Paul Ryan's Body Language at the Republican National Convention - My Guest Commentary on NPR - KPCC Southern California Public Radio
Analysis # 2046: Romney, Sincerity, Truth and Bain Capital