Josh Brolin and Ryan Reynolds were recently guests of Graham Norton on his show while promoting their recent film Deadpool 2. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of Brolin - concentrating on three different examples of Alpha Up-regulatory Behavior.
The need for Alpha up-regulation - sometimes more colloquially referred to as Dialing-up one's Alpha emotions - are behaviors which are seen when a person, who already possesses alpha qualities is experiencing a burst of anxiety. Yet they're not ready to retreat, escape, or acquiesce - rather, they are attempting to accentuate and reestablish their confidence, courage, and assertiveness.
The Butt Adjustment is a common Alpha Up-regulating nonverbal signal. This example (which can be seen during 0:25 - 0:26) is quite typical. First, there's a leaning forward - temporarily lifting one's derrière off the chair/coach, etc. - and then moving slightly backward before fulling sitting down once again.
During 0:29 - 0:30, Josh Brolin rubs the lateral aspect of his right thigh. This is another tell that a person is trying to step up to the proverbial plate, while simultaneously trying to overcome feelings of significant anxiety.
Although we can't see specifically what his left hand is doing during 2:56 - 2:57, with high probability Mr. Brolin is pulling up his left sock and/or scratching the lateral portion of his left lower leg. Both are additional signals of attempting to dialing-up one's alpha emotions despite an anxiety event.
SUMMARY: Fully recognizing when another person feels less confident - and then observing them as they attempt to increase their confidence - and noting whether they achieve it (or not) - is a fundamental body language skill. Most people completely misinterpret, ignore, or fail to notice these signals.
Group Appearances and One-on-One
Online Courses Available
See also:
Body Language Analysis No. 4283: Unidentified Man with Qatari Ahmed Al-Rumaihi in Trump Tower Elevator on 12 December 2016
Body Language Analysis No. 4281: Michael Cohen's Duplicitous Smile
Body Language Analysis No. 4107 (REPOSTING): Paul Manafort, Robert Mueller, Russian Oligarchs, and Donald Trump
Body Language Analysis No. 4278: Jaws - "You're Gonna Need a Bigger Boat" - vs. A Real Shark Encounter on a Paddleboard
Body Language Analysis No. 4273: Natalia Veselnitskaya and The Trump Tower Meeting - "I am an Informant"
Body Language Analysis No. 4181: Ann Curry, Matt Lauer, "Verbal Sexual" Harassment, and NBC
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3912: Keri Russell's Schadenfreude, Matthew Rhys' Fear, and a Hesitancy to Disclose
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3770: Fidel Castro, Ed Sullivan and Mirroring
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3610: Star Swain sings The Star-Spangled Banner at the Lincoln Memorial - Why Do Singers Close Their Eyes?
_________________________________
