Body Language Analysis No. 4137: Matt Lauer's "inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace" - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

Matt Lauer, long-time Today Show host, was fired from NBC this morning for allegations of "inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace".

From a nonverbal perspective, one profound warning signal of insincerity is a "smile" (a feigned smile) that's asymmetrical - particularly when it's displayed chronically. One of Lauer's common go-to expressions is pictured in two examples here.

While sincere smiles can begin asymmetrically, they will then crescendo into symmetry and project other fundamental characteristics of true joy-happiness. Suppressed sincere smiles can also sometimes be curbed in a one-sided manner - but again, such attempts at stifling sincere smiles will also display the required facial signals.

To nuance one of Matt Lauer's default expressions even further - one side of his mouth (typically his right) vectors upward - while the other mouth corner is directed down (usually his left). At best this expression signals sarcasm - but very often it's outright duplicitous. If you see this type of feigned smile directed at you, take heed - for, with high probability, the person making this face has thoughts and emotions which are in direct contradiction to what they're saying verbally.



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See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4136: Seminole Heights/Tampa Florida Serial Killer - Criminal Profiling

Body Language Analysis No. 4134: Hope Hicks, Emotional Intelligence, and Communicating Nonverbally

Body Language Analysis No. 4132: Drake's Tattoo of Denzel Washington

Body Language Analysis No. 4130: Norah O'Donnell and Gayle King regarding Charlie Rose

Body Language Analysis No. 4119: Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin at APEC Summit - Part II

Body Language Analysis No. 4104: Walter Cronkite Reaction to JFK Assassination

Body Language Analysis No. 4084: Senator Corker Reacts to Secretary Tillerson's Statement (and President Trump)

Body Language Analysis No. 4077: A Facial Expression Common to Both Bad Actors and Sociopaths

Body Language Analysis No. 4044: Kim Jong-un's Choreography


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2898: Gal Gadot, Wonder Woman, a Suppressed Smile and .... (PHOTOS)

Actress Gal Gadot will play Diana Prince/Wonder Woman in the upcoming film, "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice".

This image is a great illustrator of several nonverbals clustered in one moment. First you must ask yourself, "Is this a sincere smile?" - the answer is yes - however there are some very significant footnotes in this body language moment.

Notice that Gal's eyelids are partially closed - and there are dynamic furrows in each lower eyelid. These are absolute requirements for a sincere (Duchenne) smile. Ms. Gadot's forehead is also relaxed - which is another necessary component of a sincere smile. Wonder Woman's mouth however is not open at all. Many are surprised to discover that no teeth need be exposed in order for a smile to be sincere (they certainly can be - and are a good percentage of the time - but it is not a requirement).

If we look more closely at Ms. Gadot's mouth we note it is asymmetric. Insincere mouth smiles are often asymmetric - but this is an exception. Gal is suppressing the mouth component here. She does not want to fully smile. Thus this can be thought of as a form of a "duping delight" smile. A closer analysis dives further into her thought-emotional process. Gadot's lips are pursed and although they are a bit asymmetrical - this is a forward lip purse. This configuration indicates she has a clandestine plan and/or clandestine disagreement in which she believes she is the alpha to another's beta - and thus she will be successful in its execution/outcome. It makes one feel powerful to make this expression. These are the reasons for her duping delight smile/partially suppressed smile.

Wonder Woman an Alpha female? No surprises here.

See also:

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2887 Derek Jeter, Smiles, Laughter and Body Language Nuance

Nonverbal Communication Quiz No. 2815: A.J. McCarron, Asymmetrical Smiles and the 5th Round? - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2474:  Mayor Bob Filner's False Smile -  Insincerity, Body Language and San Diego

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2896: Hillary Clinton - Vladimir Putin Bears Some Responsibility for the Downing of Malaysia Air Flight MH17

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2683: Alice Eve, Craig Ferguson, Kierkegaard and Free Will, Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

This video includes the actor Alice Eve promoting the latest Star Trek movie ("Star Trek Into Darkness") last summer on "The Late Show with Craig Ferguson". Among other topics they discuss Kierkegaard and free will. Below is a discussion of one moment of Eve's body language.

At the 7:16 mark Ms. Eve briefly turns and slightly tilts her head away from Ferguson. Her eyes also gaze evanescently in the opposite direction. And while the right side her mouth attempts a smile, the side facing her host pulls laterally and downwards in a partial expression of a "Mouth of Fear". This is a form of a duplicitous smile. Like the theatrical mask with one side smiling and the other side frowning - it sends out different emotional tones (emotional dissonance). She wants to be polite and yet steer clear of the discussion regarding free will. She is cuing these two thoughts and corresponding emotions via her nonverbal signals. And while this example is put forth in a setting of comedy, Alice's dual emotions are very real. Similar body language is seen millions of times a day in the more serious settings of the board room, the court room, the exam room and the sales floor.

You only see what you look for - and you only look for what you know. What body language are you glossing over? Are you sure?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2682: Sperm Donor Switch and a Body Language Example of ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2630: Nelson Mandela - Body Language of a Sincere Smile

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2482:  Alex Rodriguez's Sincerity  Body Language of a One-Sided Smile

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2651: Peyton Manning sets a Single Season Touchdown Record - Body Language at Press Conference

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2040:  Never Trust a One-Sided Smile -  Ex-Lobbyist Jack Abramoff

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2515:  Eliot Spitzer vs. Scott Stringer  Insincere Smile with Anger Component  Body Language and the NYC Comptroller Race

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2474:  Mayor Bob Filner's False Smile -  Insincerity, Body Language and San Diego

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2191: Anne Hathaway's Impersonation of Katie Holmes on SNL - "Norming" Katie and Variations on a Theme

In this hilarious skit on Saturday Night Live, the beautiful Anne Hathaway gives her impersonation of the stunning Katie Holmes. Ms. Holmes is well known for her asymmetrical (social) "smile". This false-smile is, for her, normal - and makes interpretation of other nonverbals more challenging. With the exceptions of some suppressed smiles and the initial stages of some true smiles, the body language of a sincere smile (Duchenne) is always symmetrical. If a "smile" remains asymmetrical and it is not suppressed - it is either feigned or not a smile at all but contempt - which is often falsely interpreted as a coy or even "cute" smile. If you see such a false and dangerous "social smile" - whether in dating or in the business world - watch your back.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1916:  Katie Holmes & Tom Cruise are getting a Divorce -  What Body Language Metric Predicted This?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1921:  Who was More Dominant -  Tom Cruise or Katie Holmes?

Nonverbal Communication - Flirting and Romance Secret # 39: Affectionate vs. Non-Affectionate Hug

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2124:  This Body Language-Facial Display  Should always make you think "Insincere"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2140:  Joran van der Sloot's going to be a father -  Body Language Signs of Chronic Insincerity

 

The following images are, of course, the real Katie Holmes shown in different examples of sincere and pseudo-smiles - as well as some with other emotional components:

Sincere Smile,
Mildly Suppressed

Sincere Smile,
Moderately Suppressed

Social Smile (Feigned)
Katie's Classic Asymmetric

Social Smile (Feigned) with
Mild Contempt Component

Social Smile (Feigned) with
Mild Fear Component

Social Smile (Feigned) with
Mild-Moderate Disgust Component

Social Smile (Feigned) with Moderate Contempt Component
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Negotiation Body Language Secret # 1014: What Do You Call an Ex-Knight?

What emotions or intentions are signaled by an Asymmetric Smile? One possible tell beneath this nonverbal clue is an Insincerity - being acted and forced onto the face. It's wearer does NOT feel true Joy-Happiness. It does not mean that the person as a whole is necessarily insincere, but in that moment the expression is feigned. If chronically displayed however, the knight ... er, ah person has been measured and found wanting.

The second major emotion that should come to mind when an asymmetric smile is seen is Contempt. Unilateral nostril flaring is often also present. When contempt is subtle or even moderate, many mistake it for a coy smile.

Fred Goodwin, pictured above was Knighted in 2004. Yesterday his Knighthood was "cancelled and annulled" by the Queen "on the advice of her government and the Honours Forfeiture Committee" as the CEO of the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and for its role in the financial crisis.

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