Monday, November 4, 2013

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2588: Body Language Reaction to a Racially Prejudice Halloween Costume (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





After Jessica Black of Craigsville, Virginia dressed her seven-year old son in a Ku Klux Klan "costume" for Halloween - it naturally caused a stir.

In the above video one neighbor, Wendi Sprouse said (0:39 - 0:48), "... I just think it's really sad, like that a kid is being taught that, that young, because they don't know any better, you don't hear that much about it nowadays."


At 0:40 just as she says, "...think ..." and throughout much of her appearance in this video, Ms. Sprouse displays a mild-to-moderate expression of disgust. This is most notable here by the bilateral nasal flaring. Other findings include the tightening of the area between the upper lip and nose (mustache area), a dynamic deepening of the nasal-labial fold (from sides of nose down to just lateral to corners of the mouth), tightening of her eyelids and tilting back of her head-neck.


Disgust is a very common and powerful emotion seen in the context of prejudice - regardless of which point-of-view is being felt. The disgust nonverbal (particularly when it is chronic) is also very commonly displayed by those who will and have perpetrate(d) hate crimes. Multitudes of photos of Hitler, Goebbels, Göring, Osama Bin Laden, etc. show them with this facial expression. 



0:44 as she says "... that young ...", Ms. Sprouse's central forehead contracts as her inner (medial) eyebrows raise. This Central Forehead Contraction is seen in the context of physical or emotional pain felt directly for oneself or secondarily for another via empathy.

Ms. Sprouse is feeling emotional pain for such children who are being indoctrinated into a prejudice mindset.







Throughout her entire appearance in the video, Ms. Sprouse has her arms folded tightly across her chest - signifying a protectiveness-defensiveness, low comfort and closed-mindedness (against prejudice).


What other highly significant nonverbal signals were displayed in this video?





See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2579: Brandon Bryant Body Language of Disgust and Empathy - Confessions of a Drone Operator

Negotiation Secret # 72 & 73: Christine Lagarde's Disgust & Incredulity

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2537: Kenya Mall Attack Witness, Body Language Tells

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1496:  Tiger Woods' Disgust & Biofeedback

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2390: Charles Ramsey Interview & Cleveland Kidnappings -  Sarcastic Disbelief, Disgust and Exclamation

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2171:  Charlie Bit My Finger!  One Body Language Signal Always Seen With Significant Pain

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2393:  Cleveland Kidnapper Ariel Castro's daughter Angie Gregg -  Body Language of Sincere Emotional Pain & Empathy 

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