Jennifer Lawrence was a guest on Conan O'Brien yesterday promoting the latest film in the Hunger Games series (Mockingjay, Part II).
During her interview Ms. Lawrence sings a bit of Cher's song, Believe. Liam Hemsworth's reaction provides a great example of a particular nonverbal behavior cluster.
As Jennifer starts to sing, Liam begins to blush and continues blushing heavily throughout much of this video. People who blush more often, deeper and/or for longer durations - have more sincere overall personality profiles. What's particularly noteworthy in this scenario is Hemsworth is blushing for another person - rather than himself. This additionally indicates his empathy quotient is relatively high and while of course we can be embarrassed for people whom we don't know (or are barely acquainted) - we tend to blush more for those with whom we have affection (of course such affection may be platonic or romantic).
These following four very common nonverbal signals often co-existent with facial blushing and are captured in these two moments:
1. Clasping and often rubbing together of the hands (one type of a MAP [Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier])
2. Dorsiflexion of the feet (rocking up on the heels)
Both of these body language displays are general indicators of anxiety, yet in this context they more specifically act as Empathetic Embarrassment Amplifiers.
Here we see two additional nonverbal signs that further accentuate his feelings of embarrassment for JLaw-Katniss:
3. Short-lived upward gaze
4. Rubbing of the anterior neck
Thus in this brief video, by evaluating the Aussie Actor's body language, we can tell two things with a high degree of confidence - Liam Hemsworth's overall sincerity level as well as his empathy quotient are both upstanding. In addition (and not surprisingly) Hemsworth has significant affection for Jennifer Lawrence.
See also:
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3241: Trump - a Hyper-Alpha Donald vs. a Kinder, Gentler Version - Body Language and Likability
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2899: Jennifer Lawrence, Katniss Everdeen, "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part I" Trailer and Recognizing Facial Components of Fear-Surprise
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2316: Jennifer Lawrence's Response to Her Oscar Stumble - Silver Linings Body Language
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3188: "Sending my friend into the wrong house" Viral Video - How We Hold Our Arms When We're Embarrassed ... and Running
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3042: Kevin & Molly's Photo Booth Proposal - Body Language
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