Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3240: Ariana Grande - Tongues, New Boyfriend, Donuts ... & Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Ariana Grande is in the news and most probably will soon be in the courtroom. The singer was caught on video licking doughnuts which weren't hers and didn't purchase (at Wolfee Donuts in Lake Elsinore, California). She also professed to hate America and Americans.

The incident provides some interesting nonverbal teaching examples. What follows is a partial analysis.

0:08

Ariana's first licking the of a donut

0:13

Mr. new boyfriend follows suit in what is a criminal act of nonverbal mirroring his singer-starlet-significant other.

0:26

Ariana's second licking of the donut

Onlooker/friend (red & green shirt) spots Ariana's faux pas

Friend's eyebrows and forehead elevate and his mouth opens indicative of a facial expression of surprise.

The friend puts his hands on back of head (0:32). In nonverbal parlance this is but one example of an MAP (manipulator, adaptor, pacifier). Most (but not all) MAPs are indicators of significant anxiety - as is this "bilateral behind the head grasp". Yet more specifically in this context this nonverbal signals to us that he is emotionally processing what has transpired. Said another way - his intellect knows what has happen, but his emotional brain has yet to wrap fully around it. Moreover we can say that he doesn't approve of Ariana's action. He believes she is wrong and is embarrassed - despite his friend's fame.

This telling nonverbal may or not involve a full clasping of the hands and it's more often is seen in a partial form expressed with only one hand.

0:36

Ariana's third donut licking

Onlooker/friend in colored shirt with his inner eyebrows elevated along with an elevated central forehead contraction and a mild pseudo-mouth smile. In this cluster context this nonverbal sign projects disbelief/incredulity.

0:38

As he begins to clasp the back of his heads again, the onlooker performs a false hair adjust. This MAP can be seen in isolation or progressing to the grabbing to the back of his head.

0:41

Here the false hair adjust has progressed to holding the back of the head once again.

Ariana Grande's fans find out she has a new boyfriend as they kiss twice during the 0:47 and 0:48 segments.

This additional key nonverbal is seen during 0:54 - 0:56 with the encroachment into their respective personal spaces (intimate spaces) seen in conjunction with a whisper. These two actions are often linked and signal a significant level of affection. If we saw this close proximity whisper alone (without the kisses) it would be have strongly signaled their intimacy.

Ms. Grande curses and makes some rather anti-patriotic comments (0:57 - 1:02):

"What the f_ck is that? - I hate Americans. I hate America." spoken as the donut shop employee comes to their service.

Once again the onlooker assumes his familiar position together with a downward gaze (1:04). He also heavily blushes beginning at 0:54. This onlooker/friend is embarrassed for Ms. Grande. He also believes that Ariana has probably been caught. He was correct.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3239: Gaston Meet and Greet Near Gaston's Tavern, New Fantasyland, Magic Kingdom - and a Characteristic Facial Expression indicating ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3135: Ariana Grande Does a Spot-On Celine Dion Impression on Jimmy Fallon - Body Language Signals of ...

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2514:  Anthony Weiner's Confrontation -  Contrasting and Controlling Anger  Body Language in a Brooklyn Bakery 

Dating & Romance Nonverbal Communication Secret No. 1010:  What Makes the Twinkle in Rashida Jones' Eye? 


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2264: Kate Middleton's First Portrait as Duchess of Cambridge Captures Body Language of Contempt, Disapproval and Fatigue

Kate Middleton's first portrait as The Duchess of Cambridge's was unveiled today. The artist is Paul Emsley. He is quoted as wanting to capture Kate's "charm, sincerity and intelligence". To seize the essence of the human face is perhaps the most difficult thing to paint. Accurately capturing one or several emotions is particularly difficult. 

One absolute here is if Emsley or any other artist wants to convey sincerity they should absolutely never paint, photograph, draw or sculpt an asymmetrical mouth smile. 

While there are some people who routinely have asymmetrical mouth smiles - and thus for them their friends/acquaintances, etc. consider this a "normal" nonvebal - baring any true underlying structural asymmetry of the face, injury, stroke, facial palsy, etc. - such "smiles" are rarely sincere. There are exceptions though. 

One consideration when seeing an asymmetrical smile is a true (Duchenne) sincere smile which is just forming. If it is imaged, captured in a momentary glance or painted as such - this "blooming" smile is one explanation of a sincere but asymmetric smile.

Another possibility is a smile which is being suppressed. If for some reason - such as etiquette, embarrassment, etc. - a person does not want to fully smile (which often occurs at the edge-of-consciousness) the smile may be asymmetric.  

The vast majority of the time though, when a one-side "smile" (false smile) is seen the explanation is either insincerity or worse - that of contempt. 

Even though Emsley is an accomplished artist, this is of course a painting and not a photograph. Note that the right side of Kate's mouth is pulled more laterally (towards her ear) rather than upwards. This is particularly easy to discern when looking at her upper cheeks (There is also significant asymmetry in Kate's cheek as well with her left cheek appearing larger, even swollen - but not pulled upwards. This is possibly due to the lighting). In a true, Duchenne smile the upper cheeks contract, and bunch-up against the lower eyelids. When a smile is sincere, within the lower lids there always appears a highly characteristically concave-up, dynamic furrow. This body language-facial expression is absolutely required for a smile to be sincere. While Kate's upper eyelids are partially closed - which is also required with a true, felt, sincere smile - her lower lids do not have this necessary dynamic appearing furrow (thus not consistent with muscle contraction) - rather they are "puffy", baggy and loose. The skin crease is passive and not anatomically correct with that of a true smile. This makes her eyes look tired or even sick or post-crying - but not smiling.

Kate's mid-face is tighter on her right side, and her nose is painted in a manner that if this were a live version of Kate, although viewed straight on, her right nostril is flared. This nonverbal is strongly consistent with contempt.

There is a trace of a pursed lip here as well. Lip pursing conveys disagreement and which is often not fully (or not at all) expressed verbally. If disagreement is voiced, it is usually done so in a partial fashion, holding the majority of one's opinion in reserve. Moreover, lip pursing is usually seen in one who perceives they have the upper hand. It is one of many nonverbals which signal that they believe that they are a  relative alpha. 

Emsley wanted to convey sincerity. He was far off the mark. In short, while the Duchess of Cambridge's eyes appear tired (or signify illness or subtle sadness), the emotions which are best nonverbally captured here are that of subtle contempt and disapproval. 

This is of course not to suggest that Kate is a contemptuous or disagreeable person. I for one do not think so. The painting is however rendered with the body language of contempt and disapproval.

See also:

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

Nonverbal Communication Secret # 2091: Sincere Smiling (a la' Blake Lively) and Laughing - Reduces Anxiety and Heart Rate, Boosts Immune System and Relieves Pain

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2058: DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz's "False Contempt" The Importance of "Norming"

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 457: Salman Rushdie's Contempt Amplifier

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1905: Ann Curry's Smile and Sincerity Quotient

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2093: Ann Curry's Tearful Goodbye - Matt Lauer's Classic "Tongue-in-Cheek" and Duplicitous Smile

Dating & Romance Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1010: What Makes the Twinkle in Rashida Jones' Eye?

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Negotiation Body Language Secret # 771: Many Signals Steeple on the Super Committee

This is an excellent Body Language photo of the four of the Congressional "Super Committee" members (United States Congress Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction). Most notable here and in most in focus is Rep. Fred Upton R-MI (light colored shirt and only one not in a suit jacket). His hands (and eyes) are in sending several messages in a group of simultaneous gestures. 

Notice how Representative Upton is covering his mouth - as are three of the four men pictured here. In this context, it is a signal of strong disapproval and even disbelief of the speaker (unseen) or the opinion being voiced. 

Mr. Upton's mostly interlaced fingers indicates negative/frustrated/defensive emotions and perhaps impatience (as does his democratic colleague to his right, Rep. Jim Clyburn D-SC). 

Upton's index fingers are meeting in a modified, partial steeple which is an extremely common nonverbal in a person of authority. A steeple, particularly a high steeple indicates confidence - however this is a partial steeple - ergo a lower level of confidence. The steeple gesture (particularly a full steeple) should be used only briefly and in well chosen times and settings as it often sends signals of arrogance and condescension. 

Thumbs on the chin is often a sign of true thought and consideration (note the Committee Member two seats to Mr. Upton's right - while not fully visible, probably has his thumb on his chin as well). 

Finally notice Fred Upton's eyes are mostly or entirely closed. This is a blocking signal - in effect Mr. Upton's subconscious is wishing whatever he is hearing/visualizing away for a few seconds.

So in summary in Representative Upton we see the following emotions as displayed via Body Language:  

1. Strong disapproval, and perhaps thoughts he (and others) believe he (they) are hearing deception
2. Negative/frustrated/defensive emotions and/or impatience
3. Confidence (but not overly confident)
4. True thought and contemplation
5. A "wishing away" (psychological blocking)

This is a very complex body language photo (still only partially analyzed). Of course in the real world in which we all live and work is in a constant state of flux with words being spoken and many other distractions ....and they won't hold still for us to dissect. 

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