Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3369: University of Missouri Protesters Obstructing the Press (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Monday's events at the University of Missouri were in the national spotlight for several reasons. Tim Wolfe, the University President had resigned in the morning secondary to mounting pressure he had received for his alleged poor handling of multiple racist incidents on the campus in this autumn.  Students, including the football team - who with the support of their coach had refused to play, were the primary activists which brought this change. When members of the press attempted to photograph, video, interview and document the events (including the celebration of Wolfe's resignation) - they were met with intimidation and force.

The intent of this post is not to comment on the original inciting racist events, Wolfe's apparent mishandling of them - or the call for his resignation. Rather it is to showcase the nonverbal behavior exemplified here - specifically with respect to violation of personal and intimate space. 

At 2:17, Janna Basler,  assistant director of Greek Life & Leadership at the University of Missouri, appears to be  pushing Tim Tai. Immediately after this image was captured, Mr. Tai says, "Don't push me."

Here (5:52) and unidentified student appears to be pushing against Tim Tai as he is also seems to be grabbing for Tai's camera with Janna Basler in facing Mr. Tai. Just after this Tai again says, "Don't push me."




 

At this moment (6:08) the crowd is deliberately moving forward with their collective focus pushing on Mr. Tai as he says, "You're pushing me."

6:28

Melissa Click, who at the time was an assistant professor in the Department of Communication at University of Missouri, and has now resigned - is shown here grabbing the camera of Mark Schierbecker.




This is of course a small subset of all the events at the University of Missouri on Monday, and as Mr. Tai has said, "A lot of hardworking journalists were physically blocked from doing their jobs – I just happened to be on video. I didn't ask for notoriety." It should also be noted that photo and video credit for all those included here goes to Mark Schierbecker.

Many attorneys would conclude that the physicality shown involved in the direct touching, pushing, poking, etc. of Schierbecker and Tai constitutes assault. They both exhibit much greater than average emotional control by not, in some capacity, physically retaliating.

When personal space is encroached (at approximately 18 - 48 inches) and even further into our intimate space (from touching out to 18 inches) in the context of a typical subway ride, we tend to subdue our emotions, facial expressions and our other body language. Our arms and legs tend to be held significantly closer. We put on what is essentially physiologic crowd mask as our proxemic tolerance increases.

Yet in many other scenarios - and whenever emotions are even slightly elevated, our tolerance for such physical closeness with others diminishes significantly. We grow uneasy. Our adrenaline escalates along with our tempers. The probability of physical altercation becomes logarithmically more likely. That is what very clearly occurred here. These multiple and deliberate acts of encroachment coupled with the phenomenon of herd mentality (even if direct touching and pushing had not occurred) would have in most circumstances led to physical altercation. Deliberately entering into others' personal or intimate space (even once, let alone multiple times) is interpreted as a threat. This is not hyperbole, but normal physiology. To ignore or trivialize this behavior is naive at best - and more typically violence-provoking.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3368: Donald Trump, Insincerity and Starbucks

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3361: The Johnson Treatment - Body Language and Personal Space

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3303: Gorilla watching pics of other gorillas on Man's Phone at Zoo - Body Orientation, Personal Space and Emotional Comfort

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3209: G7 Summit - Angela Merkel, Barack Obama and Matteo Renzi - and a Major Body Language Faux Pas

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3244: Serena Williams' on-court interview at Wimbledon

Body Language, Flirting and Romance Secret No. 39:  Affectionate vs. Non-Affectionate Hug 


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3043: Ray Rice & Janay Rice (Palmer) - New Video after Assault (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

A new video has surface regarding Ray Rice's 27 March 2014 third-degree aggravated assault against his then fiancée Janay Palmer (Janay Rice) at the Revel Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis.

0:13

Janay Palmer (Rice), (near center of photo) - Displays a Hair-Adjust-Behind-Ear, signaling she is dialing up her alpha emotions and is attempting to be more assertive.
.

0:17

Ms. Palmer's (Rice) forehead is contracted centrally and upwards. Her inner eyebrows are directed up as well. Palmer's mouth is configuration consistent with fear-sadness.

 0:33

Ray Rice (center, background) arm-elbow directed sharply laterally-upwards in a high-alpha, narcissistic body language stance.

0:37

Although it is difficult to fully detect in this small image with partially occlusion, it is discernible in the dynamics of the video - Rice's right arm, holding his phone, assumes a armpit exposed elbow held-high body language, which is seen in high-alpha or narcissistic scenarios. 

1:26 - 1:28

Ray Rice mildly bangs his head against the wall of the elevator.

1:41 - 1:44

After they kissed (each hand-cuffed behind their backs') Ray and Janay show us a mutual head/face-in neck body language configuration - which is indicative of sincere and significant affection.

1:46 - 1:47

One last kiss before being led away by law enforcement.











It is highly significant that Ray Rice exhibits high-alpha and narcissistic nonverbal signals just after assaulting his fiancée. He does so while just a few feet away from Janay who is crying and distraught. When he once again is in close contact with her in the elevator - they kiss and nuzzle each other. In a very real way, narcissists do not have fully formed object-permanence when it comes to other people and their feelings (similar to young children). While lower and moderate narcissists (to a varying degree) do have some levels of empathy for people who are in close proximity, the further they are from them physically - the less real/less significant their feelings seem. For healthy people who have higher empathy levels, distance or even time has much less influence on their feelings for other peoples' suffering - or any emotion.

This video also exhibits the Rice's affection toward each other - and Janay has these feelings despite being recently knocked unconscious by her future husband. This of course is but one manifestation of the blinding denial and lack of objectivity that many people feel in the midst of abuse.

It is also very bizarre that two people arrested in the context of assaulting each other - are transported in the same elevator - and in particular allowed to stand next to each other and have close contact.  And of course Janay should not have been arrested.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3042: Kevin & Molly's Photo Booth Proposal - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Quiz-Analysis No. 2902: How Sincere was Ray Rice's Apology?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3027: Janay Rice interview on "Today" regarding Ray Rice's Assault

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2945: Roger Goodell's Interview regarding Ray Rice - Denies NFL saw Video before Monday - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2322:  Jeb Bush & Matt Lauer - Which one is the Narcissist?  Body Language Red Flags

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2932: Fred Couch ("Affluenza" Father) Arrested and a Body Language Signal of .... 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2242:  Rihanna & Chris Brown at Lakers Game  Body Language of Dominance, "Ownership",  Narcissism and Submission


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3027: Janay Rice interview on "Today" regarding Ray Rice's Assault (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Janay Rice was interview by Matt Lauer of NBC's "Today" yesterday - and while the bulk of the interview will be aired on Monday and Tuesday, a teaser-video has been released (above).

Throughout much of this short segment, Janay Rice exhibits a partially suppressed smile. Multiple examples of these moments are captured in the images below, although they are best viewed via the dynamics of the video.

Smiling out of context is always a red flag. Many times it's something insignificant - such as hiding a joke in a socially awkward or unacceptable scenario. Yet in this setting, when she is talking about her husband/then boyfriend (Ray Rice, formerly of the Baltimore Ravens) assaulting her (infamously captured on video) - smiling, even a suppressed smile in such a context sends signals of emotional disparity - and here this disconnect is extreme. The added situation of being interviewed on national television - in an incident which has helped raised the public's consciousness of violence towards women - is even more profound.

When concealing a lie, a partially suppressed smile out of emotional context is a form of what is known as "duping delight". It is highly probable that Janay Rice is withholding information (a lie of omission) or fabricating-lying.

What are some other possible and highly significant nonverbal interpretation here (one in particular)? How can you differentiate these nonverbal diagnoses?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3026: Michael Bublé Brings a Fan (Sam Hollyman) on Stage to Sing

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2945: Roger Goodell's Interview regarding Ray Rice - Denies NFL saw Video before Monday - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Quiz-Analysis No. 2902: How Sincere was Ray Rice's Apology?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2904: Roger Goodell's Defending the NFL's Punishment for Ray Rice - Bad Crisis Management & Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2050:  George Zimmerman's Interview on Fox -  Microexpression of Contempt and  Duping Delight

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2855: Hillary Clinton, 2016 Presidential Race and Duping Delight - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1706: Amanda Knox Interview after Guilty Verdict - Body Language Tells

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2993: Fight in Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport - Passengers Break Up Homophobic Attack - Threat Assessment Warning Signs (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

There was an interesting and very illustrative incident caught on camera phone today at Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport. A man who was very probably under the influence of drugs or alcohol (not confirmed yet though) yelled, used profane language and homophobic slurs at another man while others tried to de-escalate the situation. The perpetrator also repeatedly using obscene gestures and other inflammatory body language. 

What nonverbal cues occurred here which, with very high probability, indicated that this obviously deranged individual would assault someone?

The answer is the repeated incursions into the personal space of others (and similar behaviors) by the man in question. Whenever you see repeated deliberate invasions of the personal space, be warned - for there is a very high likelihood that violence will ensue. While those passengers around him were coming to another man's aid, in infinite other settings where security personnel were not so readily available and security and surveillance are not foremost in other travelers minds', this assault would have progressed rapidly and become much more violent.

0:07 attempting to grab phone away

Of course this is an assault. Security should have been called immediately at this time (perhaps before, but no earlier video is available).

0:10

Second provocative invasion of personal space

0:12

3rd encroachment into personal space

0:18

4th encroachment

0:20

The perpetrator can be seen giving the middle finger gesture (a universal emblem of profanity) with both hands to another man while leaning towards him.

This "double-bird with leaning forward" nonverbal cluster is highly predictive of potential violence.

Although he is not in this man's personal space at this moment, the act of leaning toward him with this (and similar) body language is an amplifier of personal space violation - essentially closing the space between him and the person/people to whom it's directed - ergo the 5th encroachment.

0:22

6th Encroachment

0:29 Jacket Removal

A psychological line is crossed here. This is another high-likelihood predictor of violence about to begin.

0:35

7th Encroachment with a third man

0:41

8th encroachment

0:42

9th encroachment

0:53

10th encroachment 

0:58 - 1:03

11th encroachment

1:07

12th encroachment

His hyperbolic/melodramatic movements also are predictive of
increased likelihood of violent behavior.

1:08


13th encroachment

1:09

14th encroachment

1:13

Sexually provocative gesture which, like the middle finger, effectively closes the space between the perpetrator and to whomever it's directed.

15th encroachment

1:16

The major assault begins












While personal space varies depending on the country or culture (e.g. closer in Southern Europe with greater distances in Northern Europe), city density (closer in New York City and further apart in Salt Lake City) and the micro-environment/building use (closer in an airport than in a library) - "Personal Distance" is usually defined as 1.5 to 4.0 feet (46-122 cm). Anything closer is considered "Intimate Distance" and usually reserved for family, close friends and lovers (although in scenarios such as subways or airplanes are temporary exceptions). "Social Distance" is from 4 to 12 feet (1.2-3.7 meters) and "Public Distance" is anything greater than 12 feet (3.7 meters).

It seems that the security personnel should have stepped in much sooner, particularly at an airport and a major one at that. Deliberate and provocative encroachment into another person's personal space should never be taken as someone "just venting", arguing or discussing. Disengage, seek shelter and/or law enforcement immediately.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2992: Michigan State's Football Coach Mark Dantonio, "I can only be diplomatic for so long ..." - Disrespect, Contempt and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2656: Threat Assessment during Robbery - Body Language of Perpetrator

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2828: Elliot Roger, Isla Vista/U.C. Santa Barbara Mass Shooting & Threat Assessment - Body Language and Threat Assessment

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2897: Fifty Shades of Grey - Part II - Warning Signs & Threat Assessment

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2858: Hope Solo, Domestic Violence, Arrests and Wedding Rings - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2039:  Fight Outside Florida Courtroom -  Jaw Jut Prior to Violence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2955: Adrian Peterson - a Telling Body Language Cluster

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2904: Roger Goodell's Defending the NFL's Punishment for Ray Rice - Bad Crisis Management & Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

In this video, Roger Goodell, the NFL commissioner makes a statement and answers some questions from reporters defending his very mild punishment handed down to Ray Rice. Mr. Rice stands accused of assaulting his fiancee (and now wife), Janay Palmer.

Although he has apologized and for his actions, Ray Rice, a running back for the Baltimore Ravens, has yet to be convinced.

In this video, you will note the virtually constant contraction of Goodell’s central forehead (thus called a “Central Forehead Contraction” or CFC). The central forehead contraction, when co-existing with a congruent mouth expression, is seen when there is physical pain or emotional pain – either for oneself by direct experience or for another person, group of people (or animal[s]) - secondarily via empathy.

The overuse of the CFC is seen routinely in those who are insincere (e.g., such as bad actors, most newscasters, pundits, many politicians, etc.) and who are trying to convince others of their “sincerity”. They are trying too hard – but they are acting (and very poorly).

If a person is apologizing - during those moments of remorse and empathy for those who have been wronged – the central forehead does indeed contract (this can even be seen in all but the most heavily Botox-treated foreheads – if one knows what to look for). Again – the simultaneous mouth configuration must be congruent with if sincerity is truly present. Yet the CFC is almost never present constantly during an apology.

Note Ray Rice’s apology yesterday (Nonverbal Communication Quiz-Analysis No. 2902: How Sincere was Ray Rice's Apology?). Rice never displays a CFC during the video. During 1:00 - 1:00 his left and central forehead and left eyebrow become elevated (indicating doubt/incredulity). And Mr. Rice also has extended periods when his eyebrows are drawn together and downward – but not his central forehead. When a CFC is present – there is an elevation (not a downward vectoring) of the central forehead and central eyebrows.

Mr. Goodell’s forehead is contracted nearly the entire time he is making this statement. Goodell does NOT believe what he, himself is saying. He is trying too hard to convince us.

In summary, when a person has constant or nearly constant contraction of the central forehead – always consider the following:

1. Extreme grief (for themselves or others via empathy) – must have a consistent mouth expression
2. Considerable pain (for themselves or others via empathy) – must have a consistent mouth expression
3. Bad Acting
4. Insincerity (Same as No. 3, simply in another context)
5. Deception

What other emotional states/psychological conditions are consistent with an extended-display CFC?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2424:  Giada De Laurentiis on Conan O'Brien  Beautiful Teeth but Insincere Smiles and  Some Body Language Signals of Waning Love

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2724: Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan Twenty Years Later

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

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

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Nonverbal Communication Quiz-Analysis No. 2902: How Sincere was Ray Rice's Apology? (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Ray Rice apologized today in a press conference for allegedly assaulting his then fiancée (and now wife), Janay Palmer. A video showing Rice allegedly dragging Palmer out of an elevator in an Atlantic City, NJ Casino has been widely circulated (see below). NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has been widely criticized for his mild punishment (in relative and in absolute terms) of the Baltimore Ravens Running Back.

When you view this video of the press conference, do you think Ray Rice is sincere?

When it comes to an apology, do you believe sincerity is an "all or nothing" emotion - or are there degrees of sincerity? If so, on a scale of 1 to 10 - how sincere is Ray Rice in this apology?

Do you believe that Rice is mad, sad, or regretful for his actions - or for the fact he was caught?

Do you see Nonverbal Communication signals in this video which signify Anger?
Is there Body Language of Regret?
What signs of Sadness do you see?
What is Ray Rice's "Empathy Quotient"?

When assessing a person's sincerity - always take note of their words, paralanguage and their body language. Ask yourself - are they all in agreement? Are Ray Rice's words, tone of voice and other vocal qualities as well - as his nonverbal signals congruent or are they in disparate? All three must be consistent with each other in order for high sincerity to be present.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2901: Sadie doesn't want her brother to grow up - Body Language of Sincere Affection

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2839: Jonah Hill's Apology on Jimmy Fallon - Sincere or Insincere? - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2296:  Penelope Soto Apologizes & Avoids 30 Days in Jail -  Body Language Accompanying Sincere Tears & Apology

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2512:  Matthew Cordle's YouTube Confession  and the Death of Vincent Canzani  "I Killed a Man" - What His Body Language Tells Us ...  It's NOT what you think!

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2820: Yusuf Yerkel, Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Assault - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

On 13 May 2014 an explosion and subsequent secondary fire occurred in a coal mine near Soma, Manisa, Turkey. The fire lasted for two days. At the time of this writing at least 298 people have died and at least 80 have been injured. There are as many as 18 people still trapped inside and a rescue effort is ongoing.

Following this deadly disaster protests ensued. In this image, one of the protesters - who lost a relative in the mining accident, is being restrained by the parliamentary police - while being assaulted by Yusuf Yerkel, an aide to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

One of the most valuable and true observations describing human behavioral psychology states, "Rationalization is THE great human sport." (S.King)

It is much easier (and almost necessary) in order to hurt another person (physically or otherwise) once a person has negative emotions directed towards them. And although they are of lower resolution - we can see in these images the primary expression of disgust on Yerkel's face. His secondary (minor) emotion is anger.

Yerkel "needed" to feel disgust in order to kick and assault this protestor. 

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2640: Disgust at Denver area School Shooting - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2443:  Kristen Wiig's Disgust & Fear Face -  Graham Norton, Chris O'Dowd and Fly Eating

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2786: Jewish Community Center Shooter - Frazier Glenn Cross, Jr - A Very Common Body Language Display of "Hate Crimes", Mass Shootings and Terrorism

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2811: Jason and David Benham are Dropped from HGTV - Body Language of Subtle Contempt, Anger & Disgust 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2274:  The Eyes & Mouth of Fear -  Body Language of Ahmed Dogan during  Attempted Assassination

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2425:  Istanbul, Turkey Protests & Police Crack Down  Reporter Gets Too Close to Tear Gas -  Body Language Signal of Sincere Physical Pain

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2819: Erik Spoelstra, Loose Forward Lip Purse and Clandestine Disagreement 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2576: Chris Brown's Body Language - a Signal of Psyche's Suppressing Emotions ... and Anger and .... (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Chris Brown is once again in very hot water. The singer and his bodyguard were arrested in Washington D.C. this morning and charged with felony assault. Among other things, this would constitute a parole violation for the entertainer and a high probability of prison time. He has a history of felony assault of his former girlfriend, Rihanna. The above video is from a court appearance earlier this year in July.

At the 0:06 mark, Chris Brown can be seen displaying a "Tongue Jut" (aka "Lizard Tongue"). This classic body language signal is significant the emotional tone of: "I did a foolish thing", I got away with something", "I've been bad" or "I've got caught". It can also be a nonverbal sign of excitement (when clustered with other nonverbals it can indicate excitement or self-deprecating humor). 










Less than a second later, Brown displays an "Inward Lip Roll" (ILR) with a coexisting "Jaw Jut" (0:06.5 - 0:08.5). In this context a jaw jut is an extremely reliable body language indicator of anger.

The simultaneous inward lip roll is a signal of the psyche's attempt at suppressing an (outward) emotional display as well as preventing internal emotion escalation. It is much more commonly seen with negative emotions (here anger) however it can sometimes be seen in positive emotions such as joy-happiness.


When a man displays a jaw jut, there is a good chance that the anger will escalate to violence. This probability is very significantly increased if the hand(s) are forming fists. Red flag time.

Another inward lip roll with somewhat less jaw jutting is exhibited at 0:26 - 0:28.












There is tons of other body language in this short video. What did you miss the first time you watched it?

See also:

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1482:  George Clooney's Lizard Tongue (Tongue Jut)

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2480: Alex Rodriguez's Press Conference - 2 August 2013,  A-Rod's Body Language Part Deux

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2547: Amanda Knox's ex-Boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito, Piers Morgan Interview, Body Language Tells and Avoiding the Othello Error

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2231:  A Common Facial Expression of Mass Killers - Using Body Language as a Threat Assessment Tool

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2500:  Ft. Hood Shooter Nidal Malik Hasan and Contempt  The Body Language of Threat Assessment 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2565: Goblin Valley State Park - Knocking over Hoodoo Rock Formation - Body Language of Boy Scout "Leaders"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No.2549: al Qaeda operative Abu Anas al-Liby (Libi) captured in Libya, Body Language Signals Chronic with Terrorists

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2259:  Game Show Killer Rodney Alcala Gets Two More Sentences - His Body Language Warning Signs

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2313: Elisa Lam Video in Elevator at Cecil Hotel - What Her Body Language Tells Us

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Negotiation Secret # 315: Jaw Jut - Heightened Potential for Violence

The Man on the right side of this photo (with the white handkerchief on his neck) is exhibiting a classic signal of anger: a Jaw Jut - where the jaw is extended out further than it otherwise would protrude. The amount of jutting tends to be proportional with the anger and can be a predictor of violence. Sometimes the lower teeth may extend out further than the upper ones. Jaw jutting tends to more common just prior and during offensive violence, rather than a defensive physical act. If seen, chances of an assault, battery or other physical violence are significantly heightened. This very often, but not always coexists with clenched teeth. Everyone can spot these signals here because it's an extreme example captured in a still image - for us to scrutinize at our leisure. But in the everyday, anger is often less extreme and the body language is more fleeting. Subterfuge often follows. How many times have you missed this nonverbal signal today?

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