Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3558: Mila Kunis Nixes Ashton Kutcher's choice regarding Their Baby's Name - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Conan O'Brien had Ashton Kutcher as a guest on his show last night - and among other things Kutcher spoke about the name of his daughter (Wyatt) and possible names for their unborn son (due date in the next 2-3 weeks). What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of two related moments.

While Kutcher did not say the name that he and Mila Kunis have chosen - Conan did ask him about it - and at 0:37, Just after Kutcher says, "... so I think we have a name", he places his right index finger over his mouth (lips) as he also looks away from Conan (image above). In this moment he is quite literally shushing himself.

Conan then says, "Was there a name - that you came up with - but it got nixed? ... that you th, think is cool?"

Kutcher responds, "Yeah, I had, I - there was a rallying cry - from a collective that believed in the name 'Hawkeye'."

At the beginning of this response Ashton Kutcher, stutters, while placing the ends of his fingers over (in front of) his mouth (during 0:41 - 0:43). This is another related body language tell signaling a "hesitancy to disclose".

Ashton Kutcher is an alpha male - and he's certainly confident in most of his actions and words. But he's not overly confident - he's not arrogant. Thus while most of the time his nonverbal signals project emotional comfort, assertiveness and other alpha qualities - speaking with fingers or hands in front of (or touching) one's mouth is a lower confidence illustrator (if touching the mouth, these gestures then become classified as MAPs [Manipulators, Adaptors, Pacifiers]).

Such a variety behavior is a good example of a "real-world", everyday mix. The fact that he (or anyone), with some frequency, displays a bit of beta behavior (yet primarily alpha) is also sincere and helps to make Kutcher likable, approachable - and from a Hollywood standpoint - more bankable.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3557: How Megyn Kelly really feels regarding Bill O'Reilly

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3755: Donald Trump, Empathy and Facial Expressions

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3753: Donald Trump in The White House

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3751: Barack Obama and Donald Trump Meet at the White House

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3721: The 2nd Presidential Debate - Donald Trump v. Hillary Clinton - The Handshake That Wasn't

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3691: Natalie Portman's Emotional Tell

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3662: Weverton Dives, Neymar Kicks and Brazil Wins Gold

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3611: Salma Hayek, Danny Trejo and a Tattoo - Body Language


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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. 2929: Jessica Alba, Sin City 2, Action Figures and the Jaw Confessional (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Jessica Alba appeared this week on Conan O'Brien's show (Conan) plugging her most recent film, Sin City 2 (A Dame to Kill For). Mr. O'Brien spoke about her Nancy Callahan action figure - and Jessica responded with, among other things, a very under-appreciated nonverbal.

The jaw confessional is a quickly initiated and short-lived lateral (sideways) movement of the jaw which accompanies and indicates embarrassment. Often there is a verbal apology or confession immediately following this nonverbal. However, when there is no verbal statement made - you can be absolutely sure embarrassment is truly present - yet remains unspoken. For when the verbal and the nonverbal languages display incongruity - the body language is always correct.

There may be a lip component as well as other facial or body nonverbals accompanying the jaw confessional.

Be careful though - for when the jaw moves slowly to one side and is of longer duration - it has a completely different meaning (Do you know what this slower nonverbal indicates?).

For about 1.5 seconds (from about 0:14.5 to 0:16), Alba's jaw moves to her right. These four consecutive images are between 0.1 and 0.5 seconds apart. Often times this nonverbal signal is even more evanescent and thus can be classified as a "Microexpression" rather than Jessica's "Near-microexpression".

Here, Alba's jaw is moving further to her right with the beginning of a lip component 

More jaw confessional with increased lip component and eyelid closure (psychological blocking). 

Jaw partially back towards center with the lip component still considerable.













See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2582: Jay Carney Dismisses (and is Embarrassed by) Low Obamacare Enrollment Numbers

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2314:  Naomi Watts Pre-Oscar Interview and her  Body Language of the "Jaw Confessional" and the Sincerity Quotient

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2776: James Franco's Mea Culpa

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2928: Oscar Pistorius, Hugging, Affection and Sincerity

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2778: April Fools Prank, Embarrassment and Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2764: Embarrassment, Affection & Flirtation - Mila Kunis & Ashton Kutcher - Kiss Cam Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2122:  Eyes White and Wide -  Three Body Language Examples with  Two Different Emotional Causes 

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

Giada De Lauentiis recently appeared on Conan O'Brien some of which is included in the above video. The talented and beautiful chef, writer and T.V. personality gives away some personal secrets (without meaning to) in multiple body language tells.

Giada certainly has beautiful teeth, however she makes the same mistake a lot of people do when they put on their "Social Smile" - they display the bottom teeth. The lower teeth should only be exposed in the context of a smile if it mixed with laughter, out of fatigue (holding the smile too long in a pose) - or with a downward camera angle or line of sight from a significantly taller person. Although she does laugh a fair amount here - not of such scenarios apply. Thus despite her gorgeous pearly-whites, her smile transmits insincerity. I wish to emphasize that this does not indicate that anyone who uses such a social smile is as a whole insincere - only in that moment. We all need to smile when we do not feel joy-happiness and some pull it off better than others. Ms. De Laurentiis would project much more sincerity if she would not force herself to expose all 32 of her teeth.







This image, captured at 1:37 in the video is less than a second before Conan mentions Giada's husband. She is pushing out her social smile which was just preceded by laughter.

As soon as she hears and processes the word "husband" (1:38), Giada displays a tight upper lip and a foreshortened mouth opening consistent with anger. Although she does have a prominent chin, she is jutting it forward here. Clenching of her jaw muscles can also be seen. This cluster context is highly consistent with anger.

Note also how her body slumps and looses its high-anticipation appearance it had at 1:37. Her hands immediately configure into a defensive mode, her shoulders slump and her head, neck and torso all lean back in her chair.

At 1:39 Giada's mouth takes on a very clear configuration of regret expressed in a near-microexpression.

At 1:40 there is a very brief (another near-microexpression) display of disgust. There remains a component of regret present.

Less than a second later (still at 1:40) Ms. De Laurentiis displays lip pursing. This is strongly suggestive of clandestine disagreement/plan. She could very well be thinking of divorce in this moment.










Note the above four images occur in rapid succession between 1:38 and 1:40. Go back and watch this segment in the video several times. It is quite telling.

Later in the video (2:08 - 2:09), Giada twists her wedding ring when recounting the story of her husband. In this cluster context this anxiety signal (MAP surrogate) is congruent with the findings above.

There are some interesting parlanguage tells in this video as well. One of these is the distancing language of  "my husband" - rather than calling him by name - Todd (Todd Thompson, her husband is a fashion designer). While some celebrity couples (or their agents') insist on using such "distancing language" it is impersonal and always telling when not directed by such outside influences. There are multiple other paralanguage and nonverbal indicators in this video which indicate Ms. De Laurentiis and Todd Thompson are having significant marital difficulties. She is ready to take her wedding ring off. How many other signs did you spot?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2:  Body Language of Blake Lively and Penn Badgley - Strongly Suggests an Impending Break-up in Near Future

Romance and Dating Secret # 202: Revealed in a Kiss -  Prince Albert and Princess Charlene

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1916:  Katie Holmes & Tom Cruise are getting a Divorce - What Body Language Metric could have Predicted this  Back When They Were Dating?

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1866:  Miley Cyrus & Liam Hemsworth are Engaged -  An Affection-Love Sincerity Signal

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2203:  A Body Language Metric of Intimacy and Affection -  How Do YOU cuddle?

Romance, Marriage and Dating - Body Language Secret # 609: Going from High Heels to Flats and then back to Heels?

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2386: Julia Louis-Dryfus on Conan - One Signal of Incredulity How Often Do You Miss This Body Language Signal? (Video) (Picture)

Julia Louis-Dryfus recently appeared on Conan O'Brien's show and the talented actress gave us an example of a body language-facial expression which, within the context of this interview, most people would accurately characterize as disbelief. She calls out Conan on his version of a story from the White House Correspondence Dinner last weekend. Captured below in a still image, and present throughout much of the first part of the video above, Ms. Louis-Dryfus's central forehead is actively contracted (CFC) with the lateral portions of her forehead relaxed, which faciliates her inner eyebrows being elevated - in the presence of a partial mouth smile (social mouth smile). If the mouth lacks a smile however, even a little one - it indicates a completely different emotion.

Again, her body language-facial expression is read accurately here by most people - at least partially because of Julia's dramatic verbal displays of incredulity. If these same people would watch this video without sound, their interpretive accuracy drops significantly.

How skilled are you at recognizing this facial expression (or thousands of others) when it is much more subtle? How about when there are no verbal signals of disbelief (when someone is saying yes, yet thinking no)? This facial nonverbal cluster is displayed billions of time a day - and yet its significance goes either unrecognized or misinterpreted by the masses.

What should come to mind if you see this expression (CFC in the presence of a social mouth smile) chronically?

See also:

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

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

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

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 # 2115:  Prince Harry in Afghanistan -  Incredulity & Contempt

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1696:  George Zimmerman's Testimony -  Fear, Incredulity, Regret & Contempt

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2129:  Barack Obama's Body Language, Misspeaks "Export More Jobs" Displays Incredulity and ....

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2308: Bill Burr on Conan O'Brien - Body Language of the Abbreviated Shrug

Hilarious video of comedian, Bill Burr on Conan O'Brien's Show. During the 1:06 - 1:09 segment and again at 1:16, he displays the fingers intertwined with thumbs up then pulling apart nonverbal. This body language has several meanings depending on the other nonverbals in its cluster-context. Here, Mr. Burr's hand gesture is a good demonstration of an abbreviated shrug. If you ask most people what part of the body is involved when a shrug is displayed they will say, "the shoulders" - however, a shrug may be shown elsewhere and often the shoulders don't move. In the middle of a comedic rant this body language adds to the drama and laughter (as does his many other gestures and expressions), but many times in a negotiation, deposition, testimony, meeting, etc. the words spoken aloud will very often contradict such an abbreviated shrug. This nonverbal nuance will let you glimpse inside the minds of those sitting on the other side. They may "say all the right things", but you will see the truth.

See also:

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 343: Nicolas Sarkozy's Clandestine Thumbs Up - an Emblematic Slip

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2106:  Rahm Emanuel, Chicago Teachers' Union Strike and a  Body Language of Multiple Meanings

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2162:  Disparity in Body Language - What is He Thinking-Feeling?  Mitt Romney after Third Presidential Debate

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2141:  Barack Obama's Body Language  Index Finger and Thumb an Inch or two apart -  Incredulous Eyebrow & Forehead

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2155:  Body Language Tells at the Second Presidential Debate  Mitt Romney at Attention &  President Obama's Disapproval-Subtle Contempt

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 481:  Interlaced fingers, Brief Thumbs and Hand Elevation

Business Body Language Secret # 33:  Zelda Williams & Thumbs Forward Arms Akimbo 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2297: Rooney Mara on Conan O'Brien Common Body Language Tell Fear Apology Query Expression-Cluster

Lots of excellent nonverbals during Rooney Mara's recent appearance on "Conan". She was promoting her latest film - "Side Effects" (Steven Soderbergh) but she went into some detail about the extent to which she got into character for her role as Lisbeth Salander in "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo".

While most one-sided "smiles" are insincere or misidentified contempt, here Ms. Mara displays a suppressed unilateral sincere smile (during 0:14 - 0:16). We know it's not feigned because her lower eyelids have the dynamic concave-up furrow - which is a necessary component of all sincere smiles. Her cheek muscles are contracted and elevated and contribute to this classic lower lid configuration. Although it is not possible to see in an image and very difficult to see in the video, the skin between Rooney's eyebrows and upper eyelid also momentarily contracts in the moment of a true (Duchenne) smile. 

Here we see two components of a common body language cluster - that of the "Fear Apology Query Expression-Cluster" (at 0:26). The Query component does not always accompany the other two and often follows it (as shown below). Note how Ms. Mara's teeth are slightly clenched with the lower lip pulled out and down as she speaks. The neck muscles (platysma) also tighten slightly - which because it is dynamic, can be seen much better in the video above. Along with her eyebrow elevation, all of these nonverbals are characteristic of a fear-apology cluster. She's not in any extreme fear of course, but in a type of social fear when we're in an uncomfortable scenario where something awkward has to be explained.

This image captures Ms. Mara's expression a moment after the above fear-apology nonverbal (0:28). In this photo, along with her fear-apology, she displays the additional component of "query". Her inner (medial) eyebrows contract downwards as she asks a sincere question to Conan regaurding a merkin. When a rhetorical question is asked, the inner eyebrows, and often both entire eyebrows, will elevate.

Here (at 0:33) Rooney blushes as she laughs and covers up her mouth and nose - as well as her kick, inward contraction of the arms (arms held close to body) and forward lean (all in video) are all extremely common body language signals accompanying embarrassment.








Lots of additional great nonverbal communication examples in this video. How many can you spot?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1876:  Noomi Rapace, Anxiety & False Mastication

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2122:  Eyes White and Wide -  Three Body Language Examples with  Two Different Emotional Causes

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2265:  Ryan Gosling pulls a woman from audience on Conan -  His Classic Body Language Tell

Body Language Secret # 702:  Blake Lively's Mouth of Fear,  trying to Smile and  Forehead of Pain

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2031:  Tina Fey arriving at Alec Baldwin's Wedding,  Fear-Empathy with a (partial) Sincere Smile - Emotional Dissonance

Negotiation Secret # 329: Angela Merkel's Neck of Fear

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2265: Ryan Gosling pulls a woman from audience on Conan - His Classic Body Language Tell

In this hilarious clip from Conan, his guest Ryan Gosling pulls a woman from the audience. She ends up acting as a surrogate for his responses to O'Brien. This is full of great body language, but I want to call your attention to Gosling's mouth during the 1:09 - 1:10 segment. His mouth configures to an asymmetrical lip purse to his right side. This one-sided purse conveys a decision making emotional-tone. His body language is very clearly saying, "Who shall I pick?" Moreover, this asymmetrical lip purse usually is being made in a very open, non-clandestine manner. 

Intriguingly, McKayla Maroney (one member of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Women's Gymnastics team) during a medal ceremony at the London Olympics made a longer lasting and less subtler version of this expression which was widely misinterpreted the World over as "not impressed", a pout, scowl, contempt, disgust, anger, etc.

There is no attempt at keeping secrets being contemplated here in Gosling's (or Maroney's) body language - although one subtle change (not seen in either example) would convey a covert emotional mindset. Do you know what this other nonverbal is?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2088: McKayla Maroney's Expression - Everyone Got it Wrong 2012 Olympic Vault Silver Medalist 

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 551: Jay Cutler - Openly Weighing a Decision

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2172: Governor Chris Christie's Body Language of Contempt -  Microexpressions and Subtle Displays

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2260: 'Top Chef' host Padma Lakshmi regarding  New Delhi's recent gang-rape,  Indian Culture and Sexual-Physical Harassment - Body Language Nuance

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1890: Eric Holder has (Emotional) Contempt toward Darrell Issa - while Rep. Issa is Very Excited to be Seeking  "Contempt of Congress" against Holder

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2164: Mitt Romney's Disgust Display regarding President Obama's Relationship with Putin and Russia -  ".... I'll give you more flexibility after the election ...."

Negotiation Secret # 389: Muammar's Constant Contempt

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2165: Maria Bartiromo - Variation on a Facial Platter - A Flirtatious Body Language Display

Maria Bartiromo is displaying a body language variation of the "facial platter" in the above image. Like all nonverbals, it must be interpreted in context, however here Ms. Bartiromo is projecting flirtatious nonverbal emotions - although she, her photographer or agent may not necessarily be aware of it. While the classic "facial platter" is used almost exclusively by women and gay men, this lose-fist variation - although not common, may also be displayed by straight men too.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication - Dating & Romance Secret # 38: The Facial Platter

Nonverbal Communication - Dating, Flirting & Romance # 1893: Norah Jones' Bod Language of the Facial Platter

Nonverbal Analysis # 2107: Andy Murray, Affection and Savoring the Moment 

Nonverbal Analysis # 2108: Rihanna's and Chris Brown's Kiss and Hug - What were they REALLY feeling? 

Nonverbal Analysis # 1911: Preening as a Signal of Affection-Attraction - Dina & Clint Eastwood 

Nonverbal Analysis # 1808: Time Magazine's Breast Feeding Story, Dr. William Sears and the Attachment Parenting Controversy - Cover Shows Emotional Dissonance at Best

Nonverbal Analysis # 1423: Head First Affection & Head Surrogate Hugs

Nonverbal Analysis # 771: Ann's & Mitt's Affectionate Hug

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

Nonverbal Analysis # 2: Body Language of Blake Lively and Penn Badgley Strongly Predictive of an Impending Break-up in Near Future

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2161: Body Language of the Third Presidential Debate - Barack Obama and Mitt Romney - What Did They Do With Their Hands When They Weren't Talking - and What Does This Tell Us?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2152: Second Presidential Debate - Barack Obama's Duping Delight - Benghazi, Libya Attack was an "Act of Terror" - Alpha, Beta, Confidence & Acquiescence

Nonverbal Analysis # 33: Who is the Dominant Partner - Blake Lively or Penn Badgley?

Nonverbal Analysis # 2110: Pizza Guy - Scott Van Duzer's Bear-Hug Lift Encounter with President Obama - Staged or Real?

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