Sunday, February 24, 2013

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2314:
Naomi Watts Pre-Oscar Interview and her
Body Language of the "Jaw Confessional" and the
Sincerity Quotient






The talented and beautiful Naomi Watts is nominated for an Oscar for best actress for her role as Maria Bennett in "The Impossible" (based on the true-life story of María Belón and her family's experience of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami). 

The above interview contains multiple great body language examples - one in particular is highlighted here - "The Jaw Confessional" is seen at the 0:33 mark. This intriguing nonverbal is comprised of a quick and short-lived lateral (sideways) movement of the jaw and foretells the appearance of rapidly upcoming verbal statements which are considered to be embarrassing by the speaker (a prolonged lateral jaw movement, particularly with a relative lack of speech means something completely different). There are also elements of memories of emotional pain, regret or apology - and exampled here where Ms. Watts (reliving an unpleasant memory) says, "... I had to fight for everything and it took a lot of determination, focus and, um, and you know of course as a result a lot of gratitude ... I really didn't have a 'B plan'. If I had a strong 'B plan' I would not be here today. Um, there was so many times where I was just, you know, la, behind on my rent, and you know, in debt, and it just seemed like it was just too hard to continue to struggle, um, and too hard on, on my heart and it was just over and over again to the point where I just can't take this rejection any more ....". 

Note Naomi also displays the "Hair Adjust Behind the Ear" during this statement (at the 0:51 - 0:52) which is consistent with the actress calling on her inner strength to increase her alpha qualities (dialing up her alpha). Also during the 1:04 - 1:05 segment, she signals strong sincerity with repeated full palmar touches over her heart/left upper chest. These body language signals are highly congruent with the above noted jaw confessional and when clustered together with several other nonverbals seen in this Oscar Luncheon interview, are indicative of a very high "Sincerity Quotient".

Naomi Watts is sincere - are you? Virtually everyone believes they can consistently spot insincerity - can you?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2189:  Jill Kelley's Body Language - Dialing Up Her Alpha ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 345:  Dialing Up Her Alpha

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2267: Body Language at the 2013 Golden Globes - The Influence of Color on Human Sexuality - Claire Danes, Zooey Deschanel & Jennifer Lawrence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2088: McKayla Maroney's Expression - Everyone Got it Wrong  2012 Olympic Vault Silver Medalist

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2271: Golden Globe Awards - Best Original Song Adele & Taylor Swift - both Nominated, One Winner  One Body Language of Sincerity  Another of Contempt then a Suppressed Smile

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2268: Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Kathryn Bigelow & Jessica Chastain - Body Language at the 2013 Golden Globe Awards

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2296:  Penelope Soto Apologizes & Avoids 30 Days in Jail -  Body Language Accompanying Sincere Tears & Apology




Jaw Confessional - a quick lateral jaw movement (see video) indicating a "re-living"/recall of emotional pain, regret, embarrassment or an apology















Hair Adjust Behind Ear - dialing up her alpha/assertiveness


















Full palm-of-hand (palmar) touch over heart/sternum indicating sincerity

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