Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2412:
Ingrid Loyau-Kennett, the Woolwich attack
and the Killing of Lee Rigby





In the now well-documented attack and killing of U.K. Soldier Lee Rigby, Ms. Ingrid Loyau-Kennett has become a heroine. In the video above, this cub scout leader and former teacher recounts the events of that day. Although she arrived after Rigby's death, her incredibly brave actions of speaking with the attackers in such a calm, non-inflammatory and De-escalating manner, in may peoples' minds, acted to talk down the attackers and help prevent further violence.

During this interview in a 10 second period (freeze-framed below), Ms. Loyau-Kennett displays multiple nonverbals as she relives the traumatic events. In body language parlance such simultaneous displays or those in short time periods are known as "Clusters".


Here (1:50 mark) as a combination MAP/MAP surrogate (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier), Ms. Loyau-Kennett holds her own hand in a near fig-leaf configuration while she twists her ring. This is a clear and significant anxiety indicator. It is also notable that her central eyebrows are raised in a mild-moderate contraction of her central forehead (CFC) which conveys her strong emotional pain - as well as empathy for the physical and emotional pain for the fallen soldier.


"Full Palmar Contact" over her sternum and left chest (over her heart) conveys a high sincerity quotient. She maintains this "heartfelt"configuration (also a type of MAP) for several seconds (see below).

Her central forehead contraction is more pronounced in this moment (1:57). She can be seen pulling her head and upper torso backwards as she makes a deep inhalation - more anxiety (1:56).



Still maintaining full palmar contact, Ms. Loyau-Kennett exhales deeply (1:58) at the vivid memory. This is often referred to as the "Puffer Fish" and is seen primarily after (but sometimes before) major anxiety producing  events. Remember - although it may not me anxiety producing for you - it is for them.

Her CFC  and central (medial) eyebrow elevation persists.




In this image our heroin adjusts her hair just in front of her left ear. This is a variation of the much more common "Hair Adjust Behind the Ear" (HABE). The dynamics of this MAP are superiorly illustrated in the video (1:59). This is an indicator that this brave lady (already an alpha) is further dialing up her assertive qualities as her memory emotionally puts herself deeper in the moment of the attack. CFC persists although a bit less prominent here. 





Hand Flapping is exhibited at 1:59, and again at 2:04. This is common nonverbal and more open display of anxiety (more common but not exclusive to women and gay men). Often, hand flapping is a harbinger of tears. Hand flapping is consistent with both high sincerity and empathy quotients.

Ms. Loyau-Kennett's CFC is re-strengthened.







Although we cannot fully visualize her hand position here, Ingrid has once again adopted a near fig-leaf MAP at the 2:00 mark.

Her central forehead contraction (CFC) persists.









This interview is of course predictably laden with anxiety tells. However in many examples throughout your day - these and other nonverbals go unnoticed. How many crucial ones will you miss tomorrow?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2238:  Sandy Hook Elementary Teacher Lauren Rousseau's  Boyfriend's Body Language - Grief & Suppression of Negative Emotions & Empathy

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2275:  Lance Armstrong's Insincerity -  Body Language revealed in Oprah Winfrey Interview  Part III

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1808: Time Magazine's  Breast Feeding, Dr. William Sears, and Attachment Parenting Controversy - Shows Emotional Dissonance at Best

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2143:  Meyers and Bailey Leonard - The Illini, The Marine & The Reunion -  Emotional Processing & Sincerity

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2399:  Matthew McConaughey on David Letterman and a  Very Common Body Language Tell

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

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1122:  Tiger, Pebble Beach and the Puffer Fish

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