Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3260: Cara Delevingne vs. Emilia Clarke in an Eyebrow-Off (plus some Schwarzenegger and Gyllenhaal) Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





Last month Cara Delevingne and Emilia Clarke had an "Eyebrow-Off" on The Graham Norton Show. Now Emilia is a bit older and with more acting experience - yet the contrast in their forehead and eyebrow expressiveness is profoundly different in this highlight - why? Because Cara Delevigne's forehead is fairly heavily treated with Botox.

The assertion that Botox treatments in relative youth will prevent wrinkling as one ages, has little scientific basis. Those who most enthusiastically endorse such "treatments" are the physicians who financially benefit from these procedures. However the reason it is discussed here is to contrast the diminished expressiveness with those who are treated vs. the untreated.
 


Left eyebrow elevation in a nonverbal signal of doubt.











 


Both eyebrows are drawn together and vectored downward. Also there is a slight lip pursing, a suppressed smile together with nasal flaring.

This projects signals of anger mixed with a plan of action.






Now certainly any good actor can elevate their eyebrows without (or barely) contracting their forehead - however those who undergo Botox injections do this far too often. It's a result of upper eyebrow over-action which comes about when the forehead is trying to be contracted and it's unable to do so. Consequently, those with Botoxed foreheads will often give the appearance of fear or rage.





Incredulity mixed with a mild amount of Contempt















The left eyebrow this time - with more disbelief















Emotional pain associated with empathy













Sadness with a component of fear

Fantastic Elevated Central Forehead Contraction with inner eyebrows vectored upwards.

Mouth slightly opened with corners directed down





Actors who are treated with facial Botox are doing themselves - and their audiences a great disservice. The same is true for the rest of us. Emotional expression is fundamentally human. Those who seek to be less expressive when it's normal and healthy to convey emotions - are chasing low empathy and sociopathic role models.

In the words of Julia Roberts, "I want my kids to know when I'm pissed, when I'm happy and when I'm confounded."


On a side note, another fascinating body language tell is seen earlier in this video. Notice that after Jake Gyllenhaal jests, "My mom said, 'Your eyebrows are BIG! That's not MY son!' " - Arnold Schwarzenegger twists the ring on his right hand. Gyllenhaal's innocent humor gave the former California Governor anxiety - bringing back memories of the very public and painful disclosure of his son via an extra-marital affair. Twisting of a ring is a very common nonverbal MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) and anxiety tell. The timing of Gyllenhaal's Joke - followed by Arnold's act - is suspiciously circa simultaneous. They are linked in cause and effect.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3259: Barack Obama responds to Mike Huckabee's Holocaust Reference

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3133: The Red Flag of Robert Durst's Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3074: A Body Language Tell of Bad Actors and .... 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3116: Leonard Nimoy and Disbelief - Body Language of Spock 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2244:  Taylor Swift's Body Language, Botox &  Anger on 60 Minutes 

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