Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3662: Weverton Dives, Neymar Kicks and Brazil Wins Gold - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTO)

Once Brazil's goalkeeper Weverton, dived to his left saving a penalty kick by Germany's Nils Petersen - the stage was set for Neymar. The forward and captain of Brazil's team then delivered the winning penalty kick giving Brazil it's first Olympic football gold medal - and a bit of revenge from their 7-1 semifinal loss to the Germans two years ago in the last World Cup.

In the moments that follow we see on Neymar's face a dramatic example of an under-appreciated nonverbal fact: Intense emotional pleasure (as is seen here) or physical pleasure very often has a virtually identical expression to that of dramatic emotional or physical pain.

If you didn't have any context and didn't know who Neymar was - most people would interpret the expression above as a man who is in severe pain.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3661: Donald Trump, Distrust, Destroying Rapport and the African-American Voter - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3655: Rescue In Baton Rouge Floodwater

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3640: Khizr Khan’s DNC Speech and Donald Trump

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3615: Store Owner Abdullah Muflahi Interview regarding the Shooting of Alton Sterling

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3580: Muhammad Ali, Donald Trump, Repulsion and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3564: Kanye West, Ellen and Beta Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3355: Spin the Microphone on Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show - Gwen Stefani is very attracted to Blake Shelton

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3501: Salah Abdeslam of Paris Attacks is Captured - Body Language Traits Shared by Terrorists



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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3652: Simone Manuel & Penny Oleksiak Win Olympic Gold - Body Language & Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

Yesterday Simone Manuel of the United States and Penny Oleksiak of Canada set a co-Olympic record as they tied in the finals of the 100 Meter Freestyle.

In the image captured above, Ms. Manuel is being interviewed just after her Gold Medal performance. In trying to suppress her tears, Simone's psyche employs an Inward Lip Roll (ILR). This nonverbal tool is but one method the human subconscious uses in an effort to both blunt the outward expression strong emotions - as well as also suppressing their inward growth. In this case Ms. Manuel is trying to dampen her "Happy Tears" - a colloquial emotional expression which overlaps with that of another: "Fiero".

As with so many emotions, Fiero is a descriptor which does not have an English language equivalent. It's a termed coined by Italian Psychologist Isabella Poggi and characterizes the feelings of intense triumph we feel upon solving a problem or great accomplishment. And although it's most commonly photographed in the context of sport - fiero, of course, occurs in every aspect of life.

The photo below shows Penny Oleksiak only 1-2 seconds after the race. The Canadian athlete is not yet fully expressing Fiero. From a nonverbal perspective, it's very important to note how her mouth is opened in a classic sincere surprise configuration displaying a vertical-oval, tight-lip configuration. In contrast, in the every-day world - a high percentage of what most people label as "surprise" is feigned. In these scenarios of acted and insincere surprise the appearance of teeth is one way to detected its forced nature.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3651: Micheal Phelps, Chad le Clos and the Power of the "Game Face"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3646: Melania Trump, Donald Trump, Visas, Citizenship and Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3642: Does Donald Trump Know Vladimir Putin? 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3633: David Duke's Duplicity & The US Senate 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3596: Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds and Deadpool

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3561: Catchphrase, Andy Samberg, Bryce Harper and Gigi Hadid 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3532: Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant and The Graham Norton Show 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3503: John Kasich interview regarding Republican Convention

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3651: Micheal Phelps, Chad le Clos and the Power of the "Game Face" - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

Much has been made regarding Michael Phelps' facial expression prior to the 200 Meter Butterfly Semifinal. Chad le Clos, who bested Phelps for the Gold Medal in the London Games by 0.05 seconds, was displaying what might have been at least a portion of his typical warm-up by air-boxing. The South African swimmer was doing this in front of Phelps - as well as the others he would race. Many who watched this felt that Phelps' expression was a direct reaction to his rival - yet it's not that simple.

Those who are not accustomed to participating in athletic endeavors may believe that the purpose of adopting a particular facial expression or body configuration in these settings is to "Psyche-out" their opponents. Such intimidation motives are true - and yet this is not its sole purpose.

The "Game Face" is also used to achieve both a mental and an emotional state in the person displaying it. Thus by changing one's face and body to various alpha configurations - it truly changes the brain and body chemistry (i.e., increases adrenaline) in a manner which engenders a more optimal performance. Chad le Clos did this by air boxing, while Michael Phelps accomplished this same thing by facial expressions.

Of course this is only a glimpse into these Olympians pre-swim rituals, but along with letting us peek into their competitive minds - it also serves as a reminder that we too can change our body chemistry and emotion moments by altering our own nonverbal behavior. The value of such nonverbal practice has a profound and practical value adding to the emotional intelligence in virtually every real-world scenario far afield from the swimming pool or the football stadium.

In this semifinal, Phelps took second and le Clos was third. Phelps went on to win the 20th Gold Medal of his Olympic career in the final, while le Clos finished fourth.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3650: Donald Trump: "Although the Second Amendment people maybe there is, I dunno" - Veiled Threats & Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3644: Eric Trump, Humayun Khan, Sexual Harassment and Patronizing Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3640: Khizr Khan’s DNC Speech, Donald Trump & Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3618: Salma Hayek regarding Donald Trump

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3597: David Cameron, The Brexit and Suppressing Emotions

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3564: Kanye West, Ellen and Beta Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3445: Harrison Ford Re-enacts 'I Love You' Scene from Star Wars - The Graham Norton Show

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3534: Taylor Swift's (Vogue's) Rapid-fire 73 Q & A Session


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