Yesterday another School shooting occurred just a day before the anniversary of the Newtown, Connecticut Sandy Hook Elementary shooting and only eight miles from the 1999 Columbine H.S. massacre. Karl Halverson Pierson, a senior at Arapahoe High School near Denver, with the apparent motive of revenge against a former teacher/librarian and debate/speech coach - critically wounded one student before killing himself. No one else was harmed.
The above images were captured during the immediate aftermath of the shooting. Covering of one's mouth is a strong nonverbal indicator of the personality trait of high empathy. Such mouth covering is more obvious during dramatic and obviously tragic events; however it is seen daily in the context of considerably less significant matters. This MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) is NOT performed out of embarrassment or in an effort to cover emotion. Noticing this body language tendency is one method of gauging another person's "Empathy Quotient". And the quality of empathy is one of the most important characteristics predictive of human behavior. The ability to accurately and rapidly gauge another's empathy level is paramount.
Got Empathy?
Can you spot empathy? Are you sure?
See also:
Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2231: A Common Facial Expression of Mass Killers - Using Body Language as a Threat Assessment Tool
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2629: Sandy Hook Audio Tapes - A Body Language Sign of Disbelief
Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2238: Sandy Hook Elementary Teacher Lauren Rousseau's Boyfriend's Body Language - Grief & Suppression of Negative Emotions & Empathy
Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2232: Vicki Soto, a Hero, Body Language and a Mother's Love & Affection - Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting Interview
Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2233: Body Language, President Obama, 20 Children and the Tongue-in-Cheek
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2579: Brandon Bryant Body Language of Disgust and Empathy - Confessions of a Drone Operator
Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1499: Bill Clinton's Empathy for Eric Fehrnstrom and Mitt Romney ... What's Your Sincerity Quotient?
Leadership Secret # 221: Spontaneous Mouth Covering & Empathy - Hillary Clinton & Osama Bin Laden
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