Friday, July 11, 2014

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2881: LeBron James and What He Learned About the Way He Switched Teams - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





Many believe Lebron James is the best basketball player in the World, and today he announced (in a much more humble manner vs. four years ago) that he is leaving the Miami Heat and going back home to Cleveland to play once more for the Cavaliers.

In this interview of about a year ago with Rachel Nichols, Lebron displayed multiple examples of the nonverbal phenomenon known as a microexpression. While multiple different emotions can be conveyed via microexpressions - these were indicative of contempt. Below one of these is examined in context. 

Beginning at 0:21, Nichols asks, "Even if you don't know what you're going to do - what have you learned since the last time you switched teams ..."

James: "Right."

Nichols continues, " ... that will inform how you handle things this time?"

James, "I mean y, y, y, you learn from your mistakes, you know and ah, and that's something I've been able to do. That's something I've lived with - and ya' know, when an opportunity comes upon, if I'm in that position again, I'll be able to handle it much better."

During the end of "that's" and the first portion of "something" (highlighted above in red with image captured below), James displays a clear microexpression of contempt. How many other examples of this nonverbal tell do you see in this short video? What other significant body language tells by Nichols or James are present here?






These three images are all taken less than 0.5 seconds during the 0:33 - 0:34 segment.















Note the tightening of the cheek muscle on Mr. James left side.

The left corner of his mouth pulls out and up and his mustache are on the left is also contracting.

Lebron's left nostril also flares.










Closer to the end of the contempt microexpression.

While the partial (and near complete) closure of the eyelids are not necessary for contempt (or disgust and on occasion lower levels of anger) - this partial closure acts an amplifier for these emotions. 







In summary, Lebron James' multiple microexpressions of contempt are very probably self-directed due to the way he handled his own very public (and many feel narcissistic) announcement when he moved to Miami in 2010.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2880: Bowe Bergdahl & Badruddin Haqqani Photo - What Does Body Language Tell Us?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2834: LeBron James, Lance Stevenson and False Intimacy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2738: LeBron James - Black Mask vs. Clear Mask, Body Language of Trust

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2284:  LeBron James in The White House -  A Fundamental Body Language Mistake

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2442:  Nancy Pelosi's Subtle Contempt Display  Body Language Regarding "Who Cares?" Retort

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2786: Jewish Community Center Shooter - Frazier Glenn Cross, Jr - A Very Common Body Language Display of "Hate Crimes", Mass Shootings and Terrorism 
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