Thursday, February 27, 2014

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2735: Mother confronts Driver about Brain-Damaged Son, Is His Apology Sincere? (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





Stewart Richardson repeated apologized to Loubna Khader, the mother of Abdallah, the two-year old boy who he dramatically injured five years ago - and left in a permanent vegetative state. And although his words said, "I'm sorry" - his body language certainly did not.


Less than two percent of people consistently speak out of one side of their mouth. This nonverbal is thus relatively unusual for consistent baseline behavior. Intriguingly for the vast majority of time, when people adopt this asymmetrical speaking configuration - it is highly consistent with insincerity. This body language is particularly true during an apology.

Asymmetrical speaking can also represent a form of "mouth swagger".



Richardson's very straight and horizontal lip thinning in this image right after he says, "I'm sorry" is highly consistent with anger, not sorrow, remorse or sincerity.

It's also very important to note that Stewart Richardson's forehead is smooth and not contracted. If his apology were sincere his central forehead would be contracted (CFC) - indicting a heightened empathy state.
We never see him display a CFC. Therefore Richardson's apology is not sincere.



See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2705: Congressman Michael Grimm Apology - Sincere or Not? Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2578: Obamacare Website Apology - Sincere vs. Insincere?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2590: Rob Ford's Apology - was he Sincere? and other Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2590: Rob Ford's Apology - was he Sincere? and other Body Language Tells

_________________________________________________________________________________