Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3755: Donald Trump, Empathy and Facial Expressions - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

There are two primary reasons Donald Trump displays less empathy:

1.  He probably feels less empathy

2.  His forehead is heavily treated with Botox

Since he announced his candidacy for the Presidency of the United States on 16 June 2015, Donald Trump has rarely displayed any expression containing empathy. I've seen maybe two examples after viewing hundreds of hours of video and thousands of images. Of course, I've not seen every moment - and a person may very well display many emotions which aren't photographically captured.

In the image above, Mr. Trump is emphasizing his statement - his forehead is elevating - but his facial expression is not as animated as much as it normally would (and should) have been - because of his heavily Botoxed forehead muscles. We can see that on the far right, lateral edge of his forehead, the muscles are still functional (just above and to the right side of his right eye). 

In the image below, Mr. Trump is feeling primarily disgust with some significant anger as well. Although an elevated forehead is not required for either of these emotions, when these particular feelings are strongly, the forehead can be elevated (as it is here). Yet, once again his forehead elevation is only significantly function in its far lateral extreme (this example is seen from Trump's left side).

One could make an argument that a heavily Botoxed forehead would allow a person to display less negative emotions and thus potentially offend less people - and thus, in doing so, project more likability and build more rapport. If this approach is taken, much caution should be used to avoid excessive Botox. When such a procedure is performed, it should only be administered in the area on upper end of the bridge of the nose and just between the eyebrows. When higher regions of the central forehead are treated with Botox, it inhibits our ability to express many emotions - and perhaps the most important of these is empathy. Empathy cannot be anywhere near adequately expressed without an elevated central forehead contraction.

Summary: Heavily or moderately Botoxed forehead muscles very significantly inhibits our ability to express a myriad of emotions. Not being able to display these feelings prevents our ability to adequately communicate. Building rapport and likability are profoundly important qualities for every human being - particularly when leading a country. President Elect Trump: Less Botox = More Influence.

 See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3754: Donald Trump, Mike Pence and Paul Ryan at the US Capitol

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3752: Barack Obama's and Donald Trump's Handshake

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3750: Bill's Reaction to Hillary Clinton's Concession Speech

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3725: Donald Trump Challenges Hillary Clinton to a Drug Test before Debate

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3712: Lloyd Bentsen to Dan Quayle - "You're No Jack Kennedy" 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3707: The Presidential Debates Part III - Donald Trump v. Hillary Clinton and Sniffing 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3664: Benjamin Netanyahu, Viktor Yanukovych and Vladimir Putin

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3578: Megan Fox, Body Language and Dismissive Emotions


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3641: How Marina Joyce is like Donald Trump - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

One is a Brit, the other is American. One is 19 years old and the other is 70. One is a woman and the other is a man. Yet there seems to be many more parallels between Marina Joyce and Donald Trump than there are differences.

Similarities between Donald Trump and Marina Joyce:

1.  Both have tremendous internet presence
2.  Both are actors (although not quality acting and not in the traditional sense)
3.  Both project very insincere personae
4.  Both use hand gestures (Illustrators or MAPs)
     A. Far too often
     B. In a manner often incongruous with their words
5.  Both consistently display a limited variation of facial expressions
     (a sort of mask, or default setting making it easier to deceive and be insincere)
6.  Both include penises in their public discourse (a form of sexual display out of context)
7.  Both market their personalities as end-products

8.  Both use Botox
9.  Because of Botox, their facial expressions are limited even further
     (and some other facial expressions tend to "misfire" and over-display)
10.  Both have limited variation of their vocal tones
11.Both frequently repeat themselves
12.Both use limited vocabularies
13.Both blink their eyes at a frequency greater than normal (e.g., anxiety display)
14.Both shout or talk with a volume that is out of normal for context (narcissistic behavior)





Take home point: Of course not everyone is running for President or a star YouTube vlogger, yet in the everyday world we see this same behavior all around us. Limited and repetitive Nonverbal Behavior, Vocabulary and Vocal Variety - are patterns of behavior in those with poor acting skills - but also ubiquitous in those who are insincere and narcissistic.


This website serves as a reference source for the art and science of Body Language/Nonverbal Communication. The views and opinions expressed on this website are those of the author. In an effort to be both practical and academic, many examples from/of varied cultures, politicians, professional athletes, legal cases, public figures, etc., are cited in order to teach and illustrate both the interpretation of others’ body language as well as the projection of one’s own nonverbal skills in many different contexts – not to advance any political, religious or other agenda.


See also:

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3638: Hillary Clinton's DNC Speech - and One Expression Which Profoundly Lowers Her Likability

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3610: Star Swain sings The Star-Spangled Banner at the Lincoln Memorial - Why Do Singers Close Their Eyes?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3603: David Cameron's Resignation, The Brexit and Beta Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3595: LeBron James, Disbelief and Emotional Processing

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3590: Pam Bondi (Florida's Attorney General), Anderson Cooper and LGBT support

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3568: Hillary Clinton, (Low) Likability, Rapport (Destroying) and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3527: North Carolina's Governor Pat McCrory Statement regarding His Order That "Clarifies" Controversial Gender Identity Bill

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3512: Emilia Clarke, "Me Before You" and Body Language


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3372: Ben Carson, Low Expressivity & Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Many have made the observation that Ben Carson displays an "even temperament" or "always has a calm demeanor". One reason for this is that Dr. Carson has Botox treatments on the upper 1/3 of his face.

While most use Botox for aesthetic reasons, others - particularly politicians and other "leaders" will undergo these treatments in an effort to appear less angry or less impatient. Of course it's normal to feel these feelings - as long as they aren't too frequent or too extreme. Yet an extreme detriment of Botox treatment is that emotional expression can be significantly suppressed or prevented. Nonverbal expression is normal and healthy. We expect to see facial expressions in context - however when we see almost none (or there's a lack of congruity) it should (and many times does) send up red flags. Thus moderate (or greater) use of Botox reduces significantly our ability to establish and build rapport - and win over voters' hearts.

An example of reduced emotional expression is seen here (0:58) when Dr. Carson's eyebrows are raised - yet there is no dynamic contraction furrows on his forehead.




"I tried Botox one time and was permanently surprised for a couple of months. It was not a cute look for me. My feeling is, I have three children who should know what emotion I'm feeling at the exact moment I'm feeling it... that is critical."   

Julia Roberts


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3371: John Kasich at the Republican Debate - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3260: Cara Delevingne vs. Emila Clarke in an Eyebrow-Off (plus some Schwarzenegger and Gyllenhaal) Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3351: A Body Language Signal of Sincere Affection

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2975: Devon Still & Daughter Leah - A Body Language of Affection and ...

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


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3260: Cara Delevingne vs. Emilia Clarke in an Eyebrow-Off (plus some Schwarzenegger and Gyllenhaal) Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Last month Cara Delevingne and Emilia Clarke had an "Eyebrow-Off" on The Graham Norton Show. Now Emilia is a bit older and with more acting experience - yet the contrast in their forehead and eyebrow expressiveness is profoundly different in this highlight - why? Because Cara Delevigne's forehead is fairly heavily treated with Botox.

The assertion that Botox treatments in relative youth will prevent wrinkling as one ages, has little scientific basis. Those who most enthusiastically endorse such "treatments" are the physicians who financially benefit from these procedures. However the reason it is discussed here is to contrast the diminished expressiveness with those who are treated vs. the untreated.
 

Left eyebrow elevation in a nonverbal signal of doubt.











 

Both eyebrows are drawn together and vectored downward. Also there is a slight lip pursing, a suppressed smile together with nasal flaring.

This projects signals of anger mixed with a plan of action.

Now certainly any good actor can elevate their eyebrows without (or barely) contracting their forehead - however those who undergo Botox injections do this far too often. It's a result of upper eyebrow over-action which comes about when the forehead is trying to be contracted and it's unable to do so. Consequently, those with Botoxed foreheads will often give the appearance of fear or rage.

Incredulity mixed with a mild amount of Contempt

The left eyebrow this time - with more disbelief

Emotional pain associated with empathy

Sadness with a component of fear

Fantastic Elevated Central Forehead Contraction with inner eyebrows vectored upwards.

Mouth slightly opened with corners directed down





Actors who are treated with facial Botox are doing themselves - and their audiences a great disservice. The same is true for the rest of us. Emotional expression is fundamentally human. Those who seek to be less expressive when it's normal and healthy to convey emotions - are chasing low empathy and sociopathic role models.

In the words of Julia Roberts, "I want my kids to know when I'm pissed, when I'm happy and when I'm confounded."

On a side note, another fascinating body language tell is seen earlier in this video. Notice that after Jake Gyllenhaal jests, "My mom said, 'Your eyebrows are BIG! That's not MY son!' " - Arnold Schwarzenegger twists the ring on his right hand. Gyllenhaal's innocent humor gave the former California Governor anxiety - bringing back memories of the very public and painful disclosure of his son via an extra-marital affair. Twisting of a ring is a very common nonverbal MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) and anxiety tell. The timing of Gyllenhaal's Joke - followed by Arnold's act - is suspiciously circa simultaneous. They are linked in cause and effect.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3259: Barack Obama responds to Mike Huckabee's Holocaust Reference

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3133: The Red Flag of Robert Durst's Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3074: A Body Language Tell of Bad Actors and .... 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3116: Leonard Nimoy and Disbelief - Body Language of Spock 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2244:  Taylor Swift's Body Language, Botox &  Anger on 60 Minutes 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3147: Kentucky Loses to Wisconsin in Final Four - John Calipari's Body Language (PHOTOS)

The Wisconsin Badgers upset the Kentucky Wildcats in second Final Four game of today's NCAA basketball's tournament. In this image, Kentucky's head coach, John Calipari is shown with both hands on the sides of his face - primarily his cheeks and jaw. His jaw, while partially open - is not characteristic of surprise. This is a "slack-jawed" sign. The entire width of his lower forehead shows mild-moderate contraction (although this is suppressed - particularly on the top half of his forehead - for it has been treated with Botox) and his eyelids are partially closed (loosely) along with his inner (media) eyebrows being directed downward. This body language cluster configuration is indicative of emotional-shock and disbelief.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3146: The Price Is Right - Manuela's Blooper

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3103: Dr. J's reaction to Zack LaVine's "Space Jam" Slam Dunk

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2080:  Ragù Commercial - 10 year old Boy Walks in on Parents

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2055:  Three Wise Monkeys - Hear no evil, See no evil, Speak no evil - Body Language Interpretation vs. Traditional Symbolism 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3142: Mike Pence - Governor of Indiana interview with George Stephanopoulos & the Religious Freedom Restoration Act - What Makes Gov. Pence Look Worse? (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Governor Mike Pence was interviewed on Sunday by George Stephanopoulos regarding the "Religious Freedom Restoration Act" - a new law in the State of Indiana. Governor Pence has also expressed interest in the possibility of running for President in 2016. From a nonverbal communication perspective, one issue of particular note here is that Governor Pence has a partial facial nerve palsy on his left side. This is probably old - and from an injury or possibly idiopathic (Bell's Palsy). Below are just five of many examples captured during this recent interview.

When only one eyebrow is raised (or both, yet with significant asymmetry) this should call to mind incredulity and or deception (depending on what other nonverbal signals with which it is clustered and the verbal language and paralanguage which accompanies it).

When a person has such facial asymmetry - and they're speaking sincerely - they're often interpreted as not believing their own words, being insincere or lying. Thus Gov. Pence and others who are trying to convey truth and confidence (and that of course should include everyone) must strongly consider Botox injections on the stronger (healthy) side so as to bring about more facial symmetry - and thus avoid such misinterpretations.

Whether Governor Pence is going to remain governor of Indiana or run for President, he is in need of some therapeutic Botox.

Yet there's another conundrum here - one for us. How do we:

• Recognize this condition in others?
• Once you know someone has this facial nerve palsy, how do you differentiate: 
• Simple Facial Asymmetry from
• Insincerity, Disbelief, or Deception? 

Hmmm ....

What other recent U.S. Presidential Candidate had this same condition? Did he win?

0:16

 0:46

0:50

1:01

2:00













See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3141: Carly Fiorina "Higher than 90%" Chances She's Running for President - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3134: Ted Cruz to Announce his Candidacy for 2016 Presidential Race - Why He Will Never Win - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3056: Jeb Bush Interview - 14 Dec. 2014 - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2322:  Jeb Bush & Matt Lauer - Which one is the Narcissist?  Body Language Red Flags

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret No. 1267:  John McCain, Sarah Palin and Bell's Palsy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2783: Hillary Clinton asked again about 2016

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

Last weekend Jonah Hill called a paparazzi a racial slur when the photographer insulted Hill's family. Two nights ago, Hill apologized on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon". Do you think his apology is sincere or insincere?

At 0:59 we see a "Tongue Jut". Although it has several meanings depending on the other body language which accompanies it (the cluster-context), in this setting it indicates, "I've been bad".

At 1:00 we see Hill's mouth adopt an "Inward Lip Roll" configuration (ILR).

An ILR signifies an attempt of the psyche to suppress both the internal crescendo of emotions (both negative and positive ones) as well as the external manifestation of them.

Jonah Hill is suppressing tears and sadness. 

A fraction of a second later the ILR persists and an extended blink is also displayed (psychological blocking) indicating emotional processing.

Note here Hill's forehead is considerably hypo-reactive - particularly the central forehead.

(0:56 seconds)

At 2:08 Mr. Hill's eyebrows elevate - yet his forehead muscles hardly move (no dynamic furrows).













Jonah Hill's apology was sincere - yet his use of Botox interferes with his use upper facial muscles - particularly his forehead. This particular deficit makes Hill appear considerably less sincere. It also dramatically diminishes his (or anyone's) ability to act.

Conclusion: Jonah Hill is sincere for his use of a homophobic slur - and no actor should ever use Botox.

See also:

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2725: Ted Nugent: Calls Barack Obama, "a Subhuman Mongrel" - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2705: Congressman Michael Grimm Apology - Sincere or Not? Body Language Tells

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2459:  Was Eliot Spitzer Sincere?  Apology, Sincerity and Body Language

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2578: Obamacare Website Apology - Sincere vs. Insincere? 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2838: Robert De Niro, Graham Norton and Acting Advice - Body Language Tells


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2771: Australian PM Tony Abbott regarding Malaysian Airlines MH370 Search - Body Language Misinterpretations and Regret (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

The hunt for Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370 has captured much of the World's attention during the last three weeks. Yesterday Tony Abbott, the Australian Prime Minister, spoke again on the issue and his country's commitment to leading the search.

Mr. Abbott's nonverbals in this video provide some very illustrative and valuable lessons. Of the two examples discussed here, one is a false signal - oft misinterpreted, and the other is a rarely recognized microexpression. What follows is a partial body language analysis:

At multiple times throughout this video, Mr. Abbott's central forehead and left forehead muscles can be seen to be contracting - while Mr. Abbott's right forehead remains relaxed. This is most probably due to old trauma damaging a portion of the P.M.'s right facial nerve (Cranial Nerve VII) or some other cause of facial nerve palsy (e.g. a partially resolved  idiopathic cause aka Bell's Palsy).





It is also possible (although doubtful in this example) that a significantly asymmetrical forehead contraction be secondary to uneven administration of Botox.

This asymmetry can often lead to the erroneous impression that Mr. Abbott is doubtful or in frank disbelief of his own or others peoples' statements (e.g. if he displayed this same expression while he was listening).

Great care must be taken is such circumstances to avoid this false-incredulity nonverbal.

Beginning at 0:49, Mr. Abbott continues, "... We are searching a vast area of ocean, and ah, we are working on, ah, quite limited information. Never the less, the - best brains in the World - are applying themselves to this task, ah, all of the technological mastery that we have, ah, is being applied and brought to bear here [deep inhalation with downward distant gaze] .... so, [microexpression of regret at 1:14] ... if this mystery IS solvable, ah, we will solve it. But I don't want to underestimate just how difficult it is..."

Note how the left corner of Mr. Abbott's mouth evanescently contracts laterally in this example of a microexpression of regret.

In distinction to the first example in this post, an important distinction to see here is how only Mr. Abbott's central forehead is contracted (CFC) in this instant. Coupled with his left-mouth microexpression of regret, his downward, distant gaze and slightly downward directed inner (medial) eyebrows, this cluster is highly correlative for significant emotional pain - most significantly expressing empathy for those lost on MH370 and their loved-ones.

There is a multitude of other body language in this video. What other signals did you notice?

See also:

Negotiation Body Language Analysis # 991:  Australia's Aboriginal Angst and Julia Gillard's Hands

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2227:  Sincerity and Insincerity regarding  Suicide Death of Jacintha Saldanha

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2261:  Mom pulls Python off of her 2 year old daughter -  Body Language & Microexpression of Fear

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2414:  Sen. John McCain after his Trip to Syria -  Body Language of Regret and Contempt  ... and Facial Nerve Palsy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2770: Oscar Pistorius and Contrasting Confidence Levels - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2150:  Body Language Advice for  President Obama and Governor Romney in Tonight's Debate

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2653: Carey Mulligan - Blunted Surprise and ... Body Language on Jimmy Kimmell, Part I (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Carey Mulligan is promoting her most recent film "Inside Llewyn Davis" and was featured in a video clip from a recent appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live". Note: The original video has, since the original post, been removed from its online source. The images below however, were captured from this video.


At 1:30 the dialog continues....

Kimmel: "What are you going to do f-, do you go back to England for the Holidays?"

Mulligan: "I do, yeah, I go back to London."

Kimmel: "That seems like it is the best place to have Chr-, the most Christmassy place to have Christmas."

Mulligan: "I can't, yeah, I can't really ... The American Christmases seem [surprise at 1:45] Not, No offense."

Kimmel: "Oh, [Laughs] uh, oh."

Mulligan: "Awful."

Kimmel: [Continues Laughter]

At 1:45 Mulligan manifests a blunted microexpression of surprise with fear. They are blunted due to of Botox over-treatment on the upper half of her upper face. Here we see that not only does her forehead minimally contract (her eyebrows do shoot upwards for a fraction of a second - yet there are no transient and otherwise normal-for-context, co-existing furrows on her forehead), but her eyelids barely open wider than they were a moment before.

This is a very muted surprise response particularly for an actor and considerably inhibits her (or anyone's) ability for full or even mild emotional expression.

Two tenths of a second later.

Her neck tightens moderately ("Neck of fear").

At 1:46

Hands with palms towards the audience with a downward motion in a subconscious attempt to mollify offense to the audience. 

Tightly clenched intertwined fingers in a MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) display of high anxiety.

Note the color of her hands, forearms and face from a transient change in blood flow.

A sincere smile with increased blushing of her face is seen at 1:48. True (sincere) surprise is virtually always followed by (or coexistent with) one or two other emotions. Here is embarrassment is seen and above we saw fear manifested.

Mulligan's bilateral "Hair Adjust Behind Ear" body language is commonly seen during moments when the alpha qualities are being dialed-up and assertiveness is being engaged.

Here embarrassment continues.

If surprise is not rapidly followed by a second emotion, there is a very high probability the surprise is at least false (fake) or exaggerated.











See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2395:  Carey Mulligan on Jimmy Fallon  on The Great Gatsby & Acting with Leonardo DiCaprio

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2632: "The Sound of Music", Carrie Underwood and a Key Body Language Limiting Element

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1261:  True Surprise - Rarely Captured  IMF Director Christine Lagarde

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2170:  The San Francisco Giants, Surprise,  Bird Poop and Body Language

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1171:  Not So Fast Swift ....  Taylor's False Surprise

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2454:  NTSB Chairwoman Deborah Hersman & a  Subtle "Neck of Fear"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2498:  McKenzie Morgan,  17 Year-Old Solo Pilot Walks Away From Crash  Partial Mouth and Neck of Fear Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2169:  President Obama's Deputy Campaign Manager  Stephanie Cutter, Causes of Blushing & -  Blushing in the Neck and Peri-Sternal Region .... 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2379:  Bill Clinton's Speech at the  George W. Bush Presidential Library Opening  Body Language of Former and Current President

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2177:  "I'm Tired of Bronco Bamma and Mitt Romney" -  We're all Abigael Evans Dialing up her Alpha  


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2632: "The Sound of Music", Carrie Underwood and a Key Body Language Limiting Element (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

 

Carrie Underwood starred in a live rendition of the classic, "The Sound of Music" (Musical, Rogers and Hammerstein, 1959 and the five time Oscar Winning Film starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, 1965).

Ms. Underwood is an acclaimed and highly awarded singer; however she has come under significant criticism regarding her acting in this live "Sound of Music" performance.

The use of Botox significantly reduces the ability of the face to express emotion.

Acting, of course, is not simply remembering and delivering a line.
Many forget and/or dramatically undervalue body language when it comes to acting. 

Vocal qualities (paralanguage) also are not nearly as easy replicate on demand as some would imply.

When a person is acting well - their paralanguage, verbal and nonverbal communication are all congruent. When any one of these are out of alignment it stands out dramatically - and it's labeled as bad acting.

Julia Roberts has been famously quoted, "It's unfortunate that we live in such a panicked, dysmorphic society where women don't even give themselves a chance to see what they'll look like as older persons. I want to have some idea of what I'll look like before I start cleaning the slates. I want my kids to know when I'm pissed, when I'm happy, and when I'm confounded. Your face tells a story... and it shouldn't be a story about your drive to the doctor's office." The same phenomenon holds true for acting.

Whether a multiple academy award winner, a rookie or somewhere in between, the paralyzing effect of Botox dramatically reduces the ability to display the body language necessary for adequate, let alone excellent acting.

In all four of these examples here, Ms. Underwood's forehead and mid-face are very significantly hypo-reactive. Anyone who has serious aspirations towards acting should strongly consider not using Botox. 



See also:

Negotiation Secret # 591: A Classic Tell -  Tongue, Eyes, Brow and Forehead; David Moyes

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!

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2310:  Oscar Pistorius' Body Language in Court - Part II  Central Forehead Contraction, Frown & Pupil Dilation ....

Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1439:  Central Forehead Contraction & Inward Lip Roll  Devon Davis & April Davis 

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2171:  Charlie Bit My Finger!  One Body Language Signal Always Seen With Significant Pain

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2503:  Fort Hood Shooter and his Tell-Tale Body Language  Common to many Mass-Killers -  Nidal Malik Hasan gets the Death Penalty



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

Julia Roberts is famously known for saying, "... I want my kids to know when I’m pissed, when I’m happy, and when I’m confounded. Your face tells a story… and it shouldn’t be a story about your drive to the doctor’s office." She was referring to the dramatic increased use of Botox and plastic surgery.

Paula Deen's recent apologies regarding her use of racial slurs in the past is a poignant reminder of Robert's statement. As in all communication, an apology is composed of verbal, paralanguage (tone, word choice, volume, speed, cadence, etc.) and nonverbal components. If an apology is sincere there should always be complete congruence between all three of these levels.

Because Ms. Deen has had Botox treatments to her forehead, we cannot see the Central Forehead Contraction (CFC) in the typical and expected manner. Instead her whole forehead is significantly hypo-reactive. Her relative lack of this empathy expression (CFC also known as the "grief muscle") is detected by most all of us subconsciously and leaves us feeling like "something isn't quite right". It's one reason that some who have seen this apology do not feel she is sincere.

Take special note here that in such cases of apologies, this CFC must also have a congruent mouth expression - e.g. sadness, and never even a trace of a smile. Also of particular importance is that many times the central forehead is contracted when there is insincerity present - Can you tell one from the other?

Are there any other nonverbal signals which indicate insincerity?

What body language-facial expressions are present here which signify sincerity?

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

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 367: Insincere Smile - Van Rompuy needs some Acting Classes

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 353:  Brad Pitt's Smiling Eyes - Sincere and Insincere Smiles 

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2157:  Al Smith Charity Dinner  Barack Obama's & Mitt Romney's Smiles  Sincere or False? 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2305:  Carnival Cruise Line CEO, Gerry Cahill's Apology Sincere or Insincere?  What his Body Language Says ... 

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 665:  al Assad's Strong Sign of Insincerity

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