Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3242: Jennifer Lawrence, Singing Cher, Liam Hemsworth and Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Jennifer Lawrence was a guest on Conan O'Brien yesterday promoting the latest film in the Hunger Games series (Mockingjay, Part II).

During her interview Ms. Lawrence sings a bit of Cher's song, Believe. Liam Hemsworth's reaction provides a great example of a particular nonverbal behavior cluster.

As Jennifer starts to sing, Liam begins to blush and continues blushing heavily throughout much of this video. People who blush more often, deeper and/or for longer durations - have more sincere overall personality profiles. What's particularly noteworthy in this scenario is Hemsworth is blushing for another person - rather than himself. This additionally indicates his empathy quotient is relatively high and while of course we can be embarrassed for people whom we don't know (or are barely acquainted) - we tend to blush more for those with whom we have affection (of course such affection may be platonic or romantic).

These following four very common nonverbal signals often co-existent with facial blushing and are captured in these two moments:

1. Clasping and often rubbing together of the hands (one type of a MAP [Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier])

2. Dorsiflexion of the feet (rocking up on the heels)


Both of these body language displays are general indicators of anxiety, yet in this context they more specifically act as Empathetic Embarrassment Amplifiers. 

Here we see two additional nonverbal signs that further accentuate his feelings of embarrassment for JLaw-Katniss:

3. Short-lived upward gaze

4. Rubbing of the anterior neck






Thus in this brief video, by evaluating the Aussie Actor's body language, we can tell two things with a high degree of confidence - Liam Hemsworth's overall sincerity level as well as his empathy quotient are both upstanding. In addition (and not surprisingly) Hemsworth has significant affection for Jennifer Lawrence.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3241: Trump - a Hyper-Alpha Donald vs. a Kinder, Gentler Version - Body Language and Likability

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2899: Jennifer Lawrence, Katniss Everdeen, "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part I" Trailer and Recognizing Facial Components of Fear-Surprise 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2316:  Jennifer Lawrence's Response to Her Oscar Stumble -  Silver Linings Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3188: "Sending my friend into the wrong house" Viral Video - How We Hold Our Arms When We're Embarrassed ... and Running 

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

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3114: Wheel of Musical Impressions with Christina Aguilera - Pitch Perfect Cher, Britney Spears & Shakira on Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

If you've not yet watched this very viral video, Wheel of Musical Impressions with Christina Aguilera - on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon - you've really got to! She's spot on & pitch perfect singing like Cher, Britney Spears & Shakira. She's spooky-good. Of course, there is some history between Aguilera and Spears, so Britney must really be grinding her teeth with this one.

Besides the hilariousness and entertainment value - there's also some very illustrative body language exampled here. This is only a partial nonverbal analysis - but see if you can spot some other signals .....

0:13

Aguilera displays a partially formed
Fear Mouth

0:16

Christina shows us a Seating Adjusting maneuver (she does this multiple times).

This signals that Ms. Aguilera is experiencing some anxiety and more specifically "Dialing up her alpha" qualities.

0:17

Inward Lip Roll (ILR)

She's attempting to suppress an inward emotional crescendo and any corresponding outward expression of her emotion (here anxiety).

0:19

Unilateral Fear-Mouth
(Christina's right side)

Eyes of Fear
Eyelids open wider than baseline
(Left eye more so)

0:59

Nose Rub

"I can't believe I did that!" (Form of self-disbelief and even self- deprecation), thus here is a manifestation of the specific anxiety associated with emotional processing. Her intellect knows what just happened, however Ms. Aguilera's emotional brain hasn't yet fully comprehended it.

1:02

Scratching forehead

Anxiety indicator - yet more specifically we can say that this is "honest anxiety display".

1:07

A Second Nose Touch/Rub

Continued Emotional Processing (similar to image at 0:59)

1:45

Claw Hand with Straight Arm

In this nonverbal cluster-context, the claw hand with the accompanying straight arm (unbent elbow) indicate High Anxiety

(What does "The Claw" mean when it is palms down? How about with the elbow flexed?)

1:47

Jimmy Fallon displays a poor "false-surprise" face 

This "game" was completely rigged.

1:50

Hair Adjust
(Truncated Hair Adjust Behind Ear or truncated HABE)

Anxiety + Dialing Up Alpha Qualities

She's calling on her psyche to "Step it up her game".

Note that Jimmy is trying to keep himself from laughing too hard. What is this called? What thought-emotion does it signal?

1:51

Facial Touch (Cheek Scratch)

Anxiety

There is a nonverbal here which indicates Ms. Aguilera knew that Britney's name would come up - can you spot it? (Hint: watch video several times during this segment)

2:03

Aguilera Touching her Temple with her Eyes Closed - indicating significantly Focused-Thought.

2:30

Christina is touching/rubbing the back of her neck/hair. Together with the configuration of her elbow - what does this body language cluster context indicate?







What an amazing voice and an uncanny ability to duplicate others' voices!

Although she is a very seasoned performer, with which singer-impression was Christina Aguilera most emotionally-comfortable? Who was she most nervous imitating?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3112: John Travolta Chin Holding and Face Touching Idina Menzel at the Oscars - What Makes it Extra-Creepy

Nonverbal Analysis No. 1820: What Causes David Beckham's Greater Anxiety - Barack Obama Teasing Him About His Age or His Underwear?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2281:  Inaugural Luncheon Anxiety - Barack Obama's Body Language  Michelle's Mirroring

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2702: Barack Obama - Anxiety and Non-engagement; Body Language Signal

Nonverbal Communication Secret No. 1439:  Central Forehead Contraction & Inward Lip Roll  Devon Davis & April Davis

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3078: Tom Brady, Deflategate, Deception and Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2914: François Hollande, Anxiety and Dialing up his Alpha

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No.2424:  Giada De Laurentiis on Conan O'Brien  Beautiful Teeth but Insincere Smiles and  Some Body Language Signals of Waning Love

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