Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2501: Bashar al-Assad, Chemical Weapons and a Body Language Signal of a Sociopath (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Few would disagree with the diagnosis of sociopath when it comes to Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad. It is alleged that under his instruction on 21 August 2013, the Syrian armed forces used chemical weapons on their own people in the Ghouta region of Damascus. Regardless of the perpetrator(s) these war crimes lead to the deaths of as many as 1400 people, many of them children.

In the Image above, al-Assad and his wife, Asma, are shown. A higher magnification, lower resolution view is below.

This particular photo shows a great example of an expression, which if seen chronically, loudly signals the presence of a sociopath. Note his central forehead is contracted while his peripheral forehead is relaxed. Simultaneously he is displaying a modest "mouth smile".

Al-Assad's smile is not sincere however. Any smile which is accompanied by a contracted forehead of any type or degree is ALWAYS INSINCERE. However the majority of smiles made by most people are not sincere. This variation however - with only the CENTRAL portion contracted - is a particular red flag.

The central forehead is contracted (CFC) whenever there is significant physical pain or emotional pain - whether experienced directly or secondarily for another via empathy. However in such emotional settings the mouth should ALWAYS be accompanied by a mouth expression of pain, fear or sadness. Bashar al-Assad's mouth here is smiling though. At the very best (and depending on other nonverbals signals with which it clustered) this "CFC + False Smile" signifies Incredulity. With other body language it may also signify Contempt.

We all display this expression from time to time, but when seen chronically, this body language/facial expression is highly correlative with sociopathic personalities. This is a dangerous nonverbal pattern. Stay away from such individuals. You have been warned.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2238:  Sandy Hook Elementary Teacher Lauren Rousseau's  Boyfriend's Body Language - Grief & Suppression of Negative Emotions & Empathy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2441:  Paula Deen's Apology - What Does Her Body Language Say?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2457:  Surfer Gets Knocked Unconscious by Whale, Body Language Basics from Bondi Beach

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1910:  Natasha Smith Sexually Assaulted in Tahrir Square - Post Assault Interview

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2405: Anthony Weiner's Running For Mayor of New York, His Body Language & His Sincerity Quotient

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2192:  Senator Elect Ted Cruz -  "So by the third debate, I’m pretty certain  Mitt Romney actually French-kissed Barack Obama"  A Body Language Red Flag

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2042:  Syrian Government Defector  Nawaf al-Faresg

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 665:  Bashar al-Assad and a Strong Sign of Insincerity

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Nonverbal Communication Exercise # 2012: Got Empathy? An Appeal to Asma al-Assad Diplomacy through Unconventional Channels

In this video graphic video, produced by the Huberta von Voss-Wittig, wife of Germany's United Nations Ambassador (Peter Wittig) and Sheilia Lyall Grant, wife of the United Kingdom's Ambassador (Mark Lyall Grant), they made an open and unconventional appeal to Asma al-Assad (wife of Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad) to assert herself and help stop the Syrian Government's violence towards its own people. 

After watching it, were you aware that your central forehead muscles were contracting? This specific nonverbal is expressed whenever pain is experienced - emotional or physical - either directly or via empathy.

Were you aware that your head & neck pulled backwards, away from the video?

Was your real-time awareness of your emotional mind acute enough so that your conscious mind knew when your mouth, lips and teeth pulled back in a classic fear expression?

See also:
Secret # 2019: Sarah Palin's "Co-Hosting"on the Today Show - She Fears Romney's Candidacy
Secret # 1081: Newt's Mouth of Fear
Secret # 931: Harbaugh's Fear and Anxiety

Or when the platysma muscle on your neck tightened like a tent (also classic of fear)?

See also: Secret # 329: Neck of Fear

Did you have any conscious control of your hands as they reached up to cover your mouth? - a classic display of empathy.

See also:
Secret # 21: Surprise + Fear + Empathy
Secret # 221: Spontaneous Mouth Covering and Empathy
Secret # 665: A Strong Signal of Insincerity

I doubt it. 

Almost no one is aware of their emotions in real-time. It's nearly a contradiction to the nature of emotions. Body Language is the science of emotions and how these are expressed nonverbally - in real-time - on the face and body. You watched this video presumably because you have an interest in nonverbal communication - and yet you still were unaware of what you were doing while witnessing the content of the video. Indeed, this is true if you had read these/are reading these paragraphs prior to watching it. 

We all leak emotions and our true feelings through many nonverbal channels. We think we are better than the next person at controlling these expressions, and even if that's true - we still are as transparent as glass.

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Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1106: Subtle Fear Display of al-Assad

This is an outstanding example of a Body Language display of Subtle Fear. On the right, of course, is the infamous Bashar al-Assad, the current President of Syria. On the left is his wife, Asma. While they both are displaying subtle nonverbals of fear, he's doing a better job at disguising it - feigning concern. Fear signals, subtle or otherwise, are betrayed by an opening of the eyelids wider than normal. This "White and Wide" (while here it is subtle and more evident in his lower lids being more retracted) appearance in the eyes should also bring to mind the possibility of severe anger/rage as well as surprise - but neither of these two emotions are present here.

See also: Secret # 757: Asma's Mild Jaw Jut

See also: Secret # 1095: al-Assad Feels a Weak Link with Russia

See also: Secret # 882: Bashar al-Assad's Chronic Insincerity

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Negotiation Body Language Secret # 757: Asma's Mild Jaw Jut

Here Asma al-Assad, Syria's First Lady is exhibiting a subtle "Jaw Jut". As with all first ladies, she is put in many a situation for which she does not particularly care - yet her "game face" is much better than most. Here her mandible is protruding a mild amount. This is a significant sign of anger and while she has no other visible signs of this emotion, we can be sure of its presence. In men in particular, this is a signal that their anger may escalate - so take heed. Like most negative nonverbals, be wary that those displaying it are rarely aware of the presence, the level or the progression of their anger. Asma is perhaps, if only for a moment, a relative and rare exception to this rule. Anyone can spot dramatic anger - but it should be your goal to spot its subtle signs.

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