Friday, December 27, 2013

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2658: Misidentifying Emotional Expressions - Greece's Golden Dawn Party Arrests - Body Language and Threat Assessment





















Earlier this year, Nikos Michaloliakos, the leader of "Golden Dawn" Party was arrested in Athens, Greece and (along with others) was charged with running a criminal organization responsible for the murder of Pavlos Fyssas, (an anti-fascist, an anti-racist and a noted musician) as well as extortion and the disappearance of up to 100 immigrants.

The frequency of otherwise socially skilled people emotionally mislabeling others expressions' is very frequent. For example, most people will misidentify the primary emotion being displayed here by Mr. Michaloliakos (pictured above in handcuffs) - which is disgust.

Disgust is an emotion (and thus also displayed via facial expressions) which is extremely common among those who perpetrate crime against another person or group of people motivated out of prejudice.

Take note of the following very prominently displayed characteristics on Mr. Michaloliakos's face (an expression of extreme disgust):
  • Furrows (active wrinkles via a dynamic muscle contraction) on the bridge of the nose
  • Accentuated Nasal-labial furrow (between the side of the nose and the corners of the mouth)
  • Lower Lip is protruded and raised
  • Upper Lip is raised and protruded (typically less prominently than lower lip)
  • Corners of mouth depressed (vectored downward)
  • The "Mustache Area" (between upper lip and bottom of nose, regardless of gender) is tightened
  • Both Nostrils are Flared (Dilated Nostrils)
  • Eyebrows are lowered
  • Dimpling of the Chin
  • Relaxed Forehead
What is his secondary emotion being felt and displayed here and what changes on his face reveal it?

Take home point: Chronic or frequent displays of disgust are warning signs and are crucial to threat assessment. Avoid such individuals - and if you must approach them, do so with high caution.

See also:


Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2640: Disgust at Denver area School Shooting - Body Language Tells

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2603: Sarah Palin's Body Language - She Feels Disgust toward Pope Francis and ... She Tells a Fib

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1841:  Disgust in Response to Rep. Barney Frank's "Hoodie" Joke

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2628: Tom Daley (British Diver) Comes Out On YouTube ...

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2443:  Kristen Wiig's Disgust & Fear Face -  Graham Norton, Chris O'Dowd and Fly Eating

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