Body Language Analysis No. 4058: Cara Mund, Miss America 2018 - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

Ms. Cara Mund of North Dakota was named the 2018 Miss America a few hours ago. The above image shows her along with some of the other contestants.

You'll notice Cara Mund and a good share of her colleagues are "smiling" in a particular manner - with their lower teeth exposed. However, these smiles are not sincere (aka a "Duchenne smile").

A sincere smile (with a few, minor exceptions) should not display any bottom teeth. It's important to stress that this does not imply that these women are overall, insincere people. But if we want to project sincerity in the moment (and shouldn't we all?) - and more importantly, to truly be sincere - then we should all endeavor to use the "control panel" of our emotions and moods - our face.

You may remember from picture day in elementary school when the photographer said, "say cheese" - which, of course, exposed our lower teeth. For many of us, this event is when cross-wiring of false smiling began. And yet if you never had such a school picture experience, no doubt you've fallen for this misinformation by simple diffusion.

With the exception of smiling in the context of laughing (either crescendoing to, or decrescendoing  from sincere laughter) or with certain visual perspectives (tilting one's head down, a downward looking camera angle or taller person) - displaying lower teeth while smiling is emotional hyperbole. It's melodramatic overkill. It shouldn't be done.

What has made this problem even worse in the past thirty or forty years - is with the near ubiquity of orthodontics and teeth whitening in many countries - some people feel the need to let you see all thirty-two of their teeth. Although they may not be aware of it, they're very much saying, "I'm just pretending to like you".

If you want to project a true, sincere smile - and one that will even make you feel joyful simply by forming it, try the following technique:

1. Think of some activity, event, or person who truly brings you joy.

2. Don't smile with your mouth - smile with your eyes. That is to say - smile with your eyes first - and your mouth will follow. Also, don't try to smile with your eyes and mouth simultaneously.

3. Once you're smiling with your eyes (the most important part of any sincere smile) - your lower face will naturally form a "mouth smile".

4. Only after the first three steps are accomplished, try retracting your jaw (pulling it backward). Although this fourth step is not necessary, you'll find it often deepens and prolongs smiling.


Congratulations Ms. Cara Mund.


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See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4057: Steve Bannon's "60 Minutes" Interview

Body Language Analysis No. 4055: What Does Jessica Chastain Feel For Matt Damon?

Body Language Analysis No. 4053: Donald Trump Regarding DACA - "I Have a Love for These People"

Body Language Analysis No. 4051: Predicting Kim Jong-un's Behavior

Body Language Analysis No. 4041: Former Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak regarding Secrets from Donald Trump

Body Language Analysis No. 4011: Anthony Scaramucci's First UK Interview

Body Language Analysis No. 3979: Ivanka Trump, "I Try to Stay Out of Politics"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3905: Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid, and Deep Joy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3814: Claire Foy's recounting of Meeting Kate Winslet


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3821: Alicia Keys Sings for Charlie Rose - Sincerity Amplifiers - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

This is video is not recent (it's from 5 January 2005), but of course body language is timeless. It in, Alicia Keys is a guest on Charlie Rose's show and she sings him "Happy Birthday".

Note that both Charlie Rose and Alicia Keys both blush. They also both smile sincerely. If there is ever a doubt in your mind regarding whether a smile is truly sincere (aka Duchenne Smile) - always remember this: when blushing is present, the smile is ALWAYS one of sincerity.

There are also two "Sincerity Amplifiers" present in this short video. In the context of a sincere smile - when a person is also singing - AND they're rocking back and forth (as Alicia does), this rocking display acts as a SINCERITY AMPLIFIER.

Charlie Rose displays another variety of a sincerity amplifier. When a blushing person (with or without a smile) - is also touching their face (particularly with the PALM of the hand as Rose does) - this action also amplifies their sincerity.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3820: Mr. Trump: "Who would you trust more, Angela Merkel or Vladimir Putin?"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2818: Representative John Lewis: "Donald Trump Won’t Be A 'Legitimate President' "

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2816: Secretary of State Nominee Rex Tillerson

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3809: Horse Lays His Head On Coffin As He Mourns The Loss Of His Human Best Friend - Cross-Species Body Language & Emotional Intelligence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3796: Bryan Cranston, Donald Trump, Anxiety and Alpha Up-Regulators

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3558: Mila Kunis Nixes Ashton Kutcher's choice regarding Their Baby's Name

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3689: Times Square Kiss on V-J Day

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

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3808: Felicity Jones' Sincere Smile - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTO)

You'll be surprised to know that when asked to make a sincere smile on-demand, most A-list actors are not that skilled at it. This is not the case with Felicity Jones.

In this image, the Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (aka Rogue One) actor is displaying all the components of a fully expressed and sincere (aka Duchenne) smile:

1. Eyelids partially closed
2. Temporary furrow in each of her lower eyelids
3. A relaxed (non-contracted) forehead
4. Only the upper teeth visible (see below)
5. Upward vectored cheek muscle contraction

It's important to note that with a sincere, but suppressed smile - there may be no visible teeth at all (upper or lower). Also in the context of sincere laughter, lower teeth may be exposed - so on some occasions with a sincere smile the lower teeth may be seen when crescendoing to or decrescendoing from sincere laughter. However in the vast majority of scenarios, when the lower teeth are exposed, there is an element of insincerity present (perhaps a large one). This is not to say that people who are in any given occasion smiling insincerely are, as a whole, insincere people - it's just that IN THAT MOMENT there's insincerity being projected.

Ms. Jones has the additional quality of blushing easily. While a sincere smile does not require blushing - when it IS present, it's a additional and solid confirmation of sincerity.

Of all the components of a sincere smile, the changes in the eyelids are the most crucial - for without the eyelids being partially closed and without the dynamic furrow made in each of the lower eyelids (unfortunately often Photoshopped out) - the smile cannot be sincere. Thus when trying to smile - forget about what your mouth is doing and think ONLY of your eyes - your mouth will follow in kind. If the opposite is done (if you initiate the "smile" with your mouth) - the eyes rarely follow with sincerity.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3807: Sarah Paulson's Fear of Flying

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3805: Mariah Carey's New Year's Eve Lip Sync Fail On Live TV

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3803: A Common Gesture of Donald Trump's - Variation on Alpha-Beta Hybrids

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3776: VP Elect Mike Pence Defends Trump's Claim of Voter Fraud

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3763: Matt Smith, Claire Foy and Where NOT to be stung by a Wasp - Body Language, Emotional Intelligence and Predicting Empathy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3709: Kate Middleton - The face you make when you’re married to a prince but you meet Justin Trudeau

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3591: Jo Cox, The Brexit and Sincere Smiles

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3601: Casey Neistat & Candice Pool - Water Spit Challenge - Body Language, Laughing and Mirror Neurons

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3789: Felicity Jones, Jyn Erso and Tattoos


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3745: Kris Bryant Smiles Throughout the Entire Last Play of Game Seven - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

In the early morning hours Thursday, Kris Bryant fielded Michael Martinez's grounder and then threw him out. This play gave the Chicago Cubs their first World Series Championship since 1908. Their victory over the Cleveland Indians transcended sports - and, for the last two days our decades and hearts have melted together...

From a nonverbal perspective, given the level of adrenaline present - both from context of the moment and also for professional sports in general - it's quite unusual to see such a high-caliber athlete sincerely smiling (aka Duchenne Smile) in real time - during an entire play in which he/she is directly participating. This is a classic example of what some people term, "mixing hormones".

Although the resolution is less than optimal, once we slice this play a bit thinner - we can see his smile is somewhat suppressed.

But not for long ....

After Martinez is out the play is finally completed and, Bryant expresses much more than a "just" a smile. What we see here is an expression of "Fiero".

"Fiero" is a term used to describe an emotion which does not have an English-language translation (this relative lack of English emotional descriptor nuance is unfortunately much more common than one may guess). The word was coined by Isabella Poggi (and Italian Psychologist) and describes the intense feelings of triumph when a problem is solved or great accomplishment is made. Fiero is an emotion which is very commonly seen in sports, however it occurs in all forms of human endeavor.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3744: Donald Trump - "Stay on Point", Hats, Eye Contact and Trust

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3742: Evan McMullin, Donald Trump and Winning Utah

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3740: Donald Trump Thanks Anthony Weiner

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2405: Anthony Weiner's Running For Mayor of New York - His Body Language & His Sincerity Quotient

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3702: Hillary Clinton: "Why aren't I 50 points ahead (of Trump)?''

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3602: Samantha Cameron's Beta Behavior - How Not to Stand Beside the Prime Minister

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3657: Abbey D'Agnostino, Nikki Hamblin and the Olympic Spirit

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3621: Bernie Sanders Endorses Hillary Clinton



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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3591: Jo Cox, The Brexit and Sincere Smiles - Body Language (PHOTO)

Earlier today, Jo Cox was shot and stabbed multiple times by a lone assailant in Birstall, West Yorkshire. Ms. Cox (Helen Joanne "Jo" Cox), was a Member of Parliament (MP) and she had been holding a surgery in Birstall with her constituents. She died approximately an hour later.

Multiple news media sources are reporting that Clarke Rothwell, a man who runs a cafe near the murder scene, said the assailant "was shouting 'put Britain first.' He shouted it about two or three times. He said it before he shot her and after he shot her." Jo Cox was against the Brexit movement.

The image above shows Jo Cox with a sincere smile. From a nonverbal communications perspective, many people are surprised to discover that a sincere smile need not show any teeth.

Note that Ms. Cox's eyes (eyelids) are partially closed - which is always required in the context of a sincere smile (Duchenne Smile). Notice too that with each of her lower eyelids there are temporary, concave-up furrows - also a necessary component in order for a smile to be a sincere one. Additionally, Jo's forehead is relaxed - another requisite for a sincerity smile.

Her cheek muscles are vectored upwards along with the corners of her mouth. The minority of people have "dimples" when they smile. While dimples are considered my most people to be a sign of beauty - it is fascinating to note that with people who are capable of displaying dimples, these either not present or at least are much less defined when that same person is faking a smile (In contrast to the above example where we see yet another sign of sincerity). From an evolutionary biology and psychology point-of-view, it makes perfect sense that we should, as human beings, be attracted to this "beauty sign" - when it's true pull springs from an attraction to sincerity.

Yet there are no teeth showing.

A true smile of joy-happiness need not display any teeth. And while it's accurate to say that here, her mouth's component of this smile is not being fully expressed, it is indeed a sincere one. Such partially suppressed smiles often are accompanied by blushing (also seen above). Indeed suppressing a smile will frequently engender blushing. While blushing is NOT a requirement for a smile to be sincere - when it IS present such blushing is a strong confirmation of sincerity.

Of course teeth are more commonly exposed during true smiles, but in such cases only the upper teeth are seen (with the exceptions of crescendoing into or decrescendoing from sincere laughter [where the lower teeth ARE seen] or via a higher camera/visual angle).

My deepest condolences to the family and friends of Jo Cox.


See also:

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3588: Orlando Shooting, Video From Inside Pulse Nightclub

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3531: Helen Mirren, Subways, Sincerity, Empathy and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3475: John Kasich Hugs a Supporter - Was He Sincere?

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

Nonverbal Communication Quiz-Analysis No. 2902: How Sincere was Ray Rice's Apology?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3454: Donald Trump - Buying the Farm after 2nd Place Finish in Iowa Caucuses

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3575: Hillary Clinton vs. Donald Trump - Comparison Their of Wikipedia Profile Photos


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3547: Kate Middleton on Cover of Vogue's 100th Anniversary Issue - Body Language (PHOTOS)

Rarely is there a public figure who projects a sincere smile as often as Kate Middleton. Sure, people can put forth a fair or even a good social smile - but a social smile is no way the equivalent of a sincere one. And the difference is not just on the face - for it reflects the real emotional state of one's psyche.

A sincere (aka Duchenne) smile has the following components:

1. Partially closed eyelids
2. Furrows in the lower eyelids - these are concave-up and dynamic
3. Corners of the mouth directed significantly upwards (not laterally)
4. Upward vectored Cheek muscles
5. Only upper teeth visible (some exceptions, see below)
6. Relaxed, non-contracted forehead muscles

A smile is never sincere unless the eyelids are partially closed - this is an absolute. This characteristic eyelid closure is seen conjunction with the evanescent, concave-up furrows in the lower eyelids and the upward directed cheeks and mouth corners. Yet both plastic surgeons and Photoshoppers will routinely attempt to smooth out this lower lid crease (But such a change is artificial! Don't do it!). Sometimes - with a downward directed head tilt or visual angle (as is seen a bit here), the lower teeth can be seen during a sincere smile (This may also occur during the crescendo into or decrescendo from sincere laughter. That is, with sincere laughter the lower teeth ARE often visible). The vast majority of the time however, when lower teeth are visible - the smile is NOT one of true Joy-Happiness.

There is absolutely nothing in human experience which will ever take the place of sincerity. The Duchess of Cambridge displays a sincere smile a very high percentage of the time (along with other sincerity tells). It is one reason (and I would argue the primary one) why people truly like her - and often ever feel as if they know her.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication No. 3546: Carly Fiorina's and Ted Cruz's Awkward Raised Hand Holding

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3544: John Kasich's Honest Anxiety

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3538: Barack Obama, David Cameron, Number 10, Brexit and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3526: Neville Chamberlain and Adolf Hitler Meet - the Munich Agreement 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3498: Donald Trump Mocks Chris Christie when criticizing John Kasich

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3476: Is Ted Cruz worried about a Donald Trump Lawsuit? 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3417: Freshman Mistakes and Faux Pas Abound - Debates and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3516: Hillary Clinton, Finger Pointing, Fossil Fuels, Bernie Sanders and Lying

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2115: Prince Harry in Afghanistan - Incredulity & Contempt

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3526: Neville Chamberlain and Adolf Hitler Meet - the Munich Agreement - Body Language Tells (PHOTOS)

A few hours after this photograph was taken, on 30 September 1938, Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain was back on British soil. He stood at 10 Downing Street and said, "The settlement of the Czechoslovakian problem, which has now been achieved is, in my view, only the prelude to a larger settlement in which all Europe may find peace. This morning I had another talk with the German Chancellor, Herr Hitler, and here is the paper which bears his name upon it as well as mine. Some of you, perhaps, have already heard what it contains but I would just like to read it to you: ' ... We regard the agreement signed last night and the Anglo-German Naval Agreement as symbolic of the desire of our two peoples never to go to war with one another again.' My good friends, for the second time in our history, a British Prime Minister has returned from Germany bringing peace with honour. I believe it is peace for our time. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Go home and get a nice quiet sleep."

Just three days later, Winston Churchill (who would become Prime Minister in May of 1940) said (among other things), "England has been offered a choice between war and shame. She has chosen shame, and will get war." In less than 11 months, Churchill of course was proved correct.

"Peace for Our Time". Is that what Chamberlain really believed in his attempt at appeasing Germany? Peace was certainly not what Hitler had intended.

What does nonverbal communication say of this moment?

Prime Minister Chamberlain's face is only partially visible - less than a full side profile. It is not possible to conclude whether his smile was a sincere one or not.

Was Adolf Hitler's smile Sincere (a Duchenne Smile)? No - however it was a fairly convincing "Social Smile". It would (and did) fool most people. Why specifically wasn't it sincere? Look carefully at his lower eyelids. Do they meet the criteria for joy-happiness? What about the configuration of his mouth? How does the presence of a mustache influence our ability to accurately interpret nonverbal cues?

Although this is just one moment in time, it emphasizes the profound importance of being able to discern a sincere moment from a deceptive one.

Look at Chamberlain's torso - he's leaning into the handshake/toward Hitler - while Hitler's torso is relatively vertical. Does this body orientation of the British Prime Minister show engagement?

Take a moment to look at their hands. We can see Hitler's fingers and thumb but not the rest.

Note that Chamberlain's hand is cupped - with the palm of his hand concave thus preventing full contact with Hitler's palm. This lack of palm-to-palm contact, or "cupping" is seen during handshakes when:

A. The people are posing/know they are being photographed
B. When they are trying to exert a stronger grip (attempting to exert alpha behavior, or dominance)
C. When those shaking hands don't feel trust and/or don't like the other person

Obviously the two men were posing for this photograph. And it's not surprising to say each of them would, in this moment want to put forth a firmer handshake than on most occasions.

What about their trust then? When, because of social convention people "have to" shake hands - yet they don't really like or trust the other person, they touch only as much as they "have to" - and no more. This is much akin to a "leaning-in, pat, pat, pat, hug" with a relative whom you can't stand, but because it's a holiday gathering - you hug them anyway. It's impossible to say which of these three was the primary emotional driver in Prime Minister Chamberlain's mind at this moment 78 years ago, however this is a subtle body language tell which should never be ignored, particularly when occurring in relative private.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3525: Kristen Bell Slaps a Reporter On "The Boss" Red Carpet (This was a PR Stunt)

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3518: Donald Trump's Feminine and Beta Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3508: Batman V Superman - Sad Affleck? (NOT!)

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3491: Nancy Reagan, Ronald Reagan and Sincere Affection

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3487: Scott Pelley to Hillary Clinton, "Have you always told the truth?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3485: Chris Christie's Facial Expressions standing behind Donald Trump - Bad Body Language on Super Tuesday

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3409: Debbie Wasserman Schultz's Reaction to Bernie Sander's Criticism of the DNC

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3393: Syed Rizwan Farook, Tashfeen Malik, San Bernardino Shooting and Predicting Violent Behavior

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3509: Bernie Sanders meets Birdie Sanders - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

In Portland, Oregon yesterday, a little bird landed on Bernie Sanders' stage and then, while Senator Sanders was talking about it, the bird flew up on his lectern. His supporters went wild and, along with the Democratic candidate, took it as a sign. The little aviator has been dubbed "Birdie Sanders".


This image was taken during 0:08 in the video above.

Note Senator Sanders' eyes. His eyelids are opened extremely. This lasted approximately 1.2 seconds.





This is eyelid configuration and its brevity are highly characteristic of sincere surprise. 

Sanders' surprise was quickly supplanted by a sincere smile.

When a smile is sincere (Duchenne Smile) the eyes are always partially closed. Here his eyelids are nearly completely closed. 

Although it's difficult to visualize, the lower eyelids also have the additional feature of an evanescent, concave-up furrow. This is another requirement of a sincere smile. What are the other features of a true smile?

In just a few seconds we see two classic and sincere facial expressions - first surprise, and then joy-happiness. When surprise is sincere, it always is very brief (usually just a second or two) and it's always followed immediately by a second sincere emotion (joy-happiness as in this example, anger, fear, disgust, sadness, etc.).


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3508: Batman V Superman - Sad Affleck? (NOT!)

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3504: Raúl Castro Lifts Barack Obama's Arm at Press Conference

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3488: Donald Trump Brags about the size of penis - but His Body Language Indicates Anxiety/Deception

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3491: Nancy Reagan, Ronald Reagan and Sincere Affection

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2857: Barack Obama on Syria, Belief that Syrian opposition could have overthrown Assad with U.S. arms a "fantasy"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3331: Mila finds out Adam Levine got married - Rapid Transitioning of Emotions 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 55: Sincere Smile or is it Insincere?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3190: Taylor Swift's Body Language of Feigned Surprise

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3394: People react to being called beautiful - Body Language of a Sincere Smile (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

This is an incredible video by Shea Glover, a Chicago high school student. Although her initial "intentions were not to get a reaction out of people" - but rather to "film beauty" - it "turned into a social experiment halfway through".

Upon hearing Ms. Glover saying they were beautiful, most (but not all) of her subjects smiled - or smiled along with laughter.

In the above image (captured during 4:13) we see an excellent example of a sincere smile. Very few people can tell you the true components of a true smile of joy-happiness (even 99.7% of facial plastic surgeons) - yet it is watershed skill to accurately recognize this crucial emotion.

A sincere smile (Duchenne Smile) has the following characteristics:

1. Eyelids partially closed (always)
2. Momentary, concave-up, furrow in the lower eyelids (always, although with a partially suppressed
    sincere smile, it may just involve one lower eyelid)
3. Relaxed (not contracted) forehead muscles (always)
4. Upward vectored cheek muscles (vs. pulled laterally with a fake/social smile) thus resulting in
    the corners of the mouth also directed primarily upward
5. Teeth need not be showing (If they are showing, very little if any of the lower teeth should be
    visible. Exceptions here include: the beginning of/end of a bout of laughter [laughter may also
    be partially suppressed], camera angle, a taller observer [thus looking downward]). If a sizable
    portion of the lower teeth are seen outside of these exceptions, there is a significant element of
    insincerity present (It's important to note, that this does not mean that the person as a whole, is
    insincere - however in that specific moment, they are "pushing out" some feigned emotion.
    They are acting).


Thank you Shea Glover.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3393: Syed Rizwan Farook, Tashfeen Malik, San Bernardino Shooting and Predicting Violent Behavior - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3053: Giada De Laurentiis, Insincere Smiles and Divorce

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3368: Donald Trump, Insincerity and Starbucks

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3214: Chris Pratt, Jurassic World, Bad Acting and a Body Language Red Flag

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

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

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2870: Cate Blanchett and a Subtle Body Language Signal of Insincere Laughter  


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3174: Prince William & Kate Middleton welcome their Princess - Body Language Tells (PHOTOS)

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge welcomed their second child today. The princess, who is yet unnamed (or at least to the public as yet), is fourth-in-line to the throne.

From a body language perspective, a rarely discussed nonverbal tell is displayed here - times two.

While a "Jaw Jut" is most commonly a signal of anger, aggression and even potential physical violence - when it's clustered with other nonverbal signals - it has a completely different meaning.

As a written and/or spoken language analog, take for example the word "hot" - this word may indicate an attractive woman, a popular news subject, the spiciness of a pepper or the temperature on a summer day. These are examples of verbal homonyms. They are spelled the same and pronounced the same - yet have four completely different meanings. A twelve year-old, upon hearing four different sentences will easily discern their four respective and very different definitions. Nonverbal signals have similar communicative qualities - and thus have very different meanings depending upon the other body language signals with which they are "clustered" (those signs displayed simultaneously or nearly so) - e.g., "Nonverbal Homonyms".

Note Prince William's and Kate Middleton's upper face - each have relaxed foreheads, partially closed eyelids, concave-up furrows in their lower eyelids and upward-vectored cheek muscles - all crucial components of sincere smiles.

Now look at their jaws - both are directed forward - Kate's a fair amount more so (had the image been captured either 1/4 second earlier or later, it may very well be William's jaw jutted to a greater degree). Clustered with their upper and mid-facial sincere smiles their jaw jutting indicates pride. The royal couple are proud (and joyous) parents.

Notice no teeth are visible - surprising to many, exposure of teeth is not a required component of a Duchenne [sincere] smile.

What other valuable body language tell is being displayed in this moment which is highly applicable in your every-day? What is its specific meaning?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3173: Maryland State Attorney Marilyn Mosby - Freddie Gray's Death Ruled Homicide - charges to be pressed against police

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2301: The State of the Union, Lenny Skutnik and a Body Language Signal of Being Proud

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2264:  Kate Middleton's First Portrait as Duchess of Cambridge  Captures Body Language of  Contempt, Disapproval and Fatigue

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2871: Kate Middleton, Andy Murray and Wimbledon - Body Language of Empathy-Fear

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3139: "Villanova Piccolo Girl" on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon - Fully Sincere (Duchenne) Smile vs. Sincere yet Suppressed Smile (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Roxanne Chalifoux (aka Villanova Piccolo Girl) drew on our national empathy when, despite her Basketball team's March Madness loss - she played her piccolo through her tears. No fear .... Jimmy Fallon and The Roots to the rescue!

Notice Ms. Chalifoux's central forehead - it's contracted and elevated with its peripheral portions relaxed (an elevated-CFC). Her inner (medial) eyebrows are also elevated. Of course we can see the tears - yet this forehead configuration is highly indicative of emotional or physical pain - and only because she is forcing herself to play the piccolo through her tears, does her mouth not also adopt a correspondingly saddened form.
 

A few days later on with Jimmy Fallon, Ms. Chalifoux is displaying a sincere smile - the components of which include a relaxed (non-contracted) forehead, partially closed eyelids, dynamic concave-up furrows in the lower eyelids and upwardly contracted cheek muscles. All of these ingredients are required in order for the smile to be a sincere one (Duchenne smile).



A little-discussed component of a sincere smile which is extremely subtle but also present here - is a dynamic lowering of the entire width of the eyebrows.

The mouth is not required to be opened in order for the smile to be a sincere one - yet a fully expressed sincere smile does indeed display the teeth - however only the upper ones (exceptions here are when there is a camera angle is looking downwards [or if the observer is relatively taller to afford a similar angle], if the smile was sincere - but through fatigue is losing its vigor, or if the smile is transitioning from or to sincere laughter [sincere laughter may display both upper and lower teeth]).

In this moment, Roxanne Chalifoux has all the facial components of a sincere smile displayed above - EXCEPT the mouth portion is suppressed . It's profoundly important to note that this is still a sincere smile - albeit suppressed.

An interesting additional corollary is noted here with respect to Ms. Chalifoux's blushing. There often tends to be a persistence of blushing - or often an in increase - during moments of suppression of mouth smiling. This is a form of what in body language parlance is termed "leakage" - when attempting to suppress an emotion by not displaying one nonverbal component (e.g., here the full mouth element of a smile) - another nonverbal component (e.g. in this example blushing) persists or grows stronger.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3138: Wisconsin's Nigel Hayes, "God She's Beautiful" and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3125: Vladimir Putin, Suppressed Smiling & Blushing - Body Language

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2554: Harry Reid's Body Language Lets Us Know What He's Thinking - Short Term Debt Limit Hike

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

Robert Durst was arrested last week for the alleged murder of Susan Berman. In 2003, the eccentric real estate heir was acquitted of the 2001 murder Morris Black - although he did admit to dismembering his body and dumping it in Galveston Bay. Many suspect he's also the killer of his former wife, Kathleen "Kathie" McCormack. Durst was the subject of the recent HBO Documentary-Investigation "The Jinx" in which valuable evidence was produced.

In this image he's seen in back seat of a police vehicle with handcuffs on dressed in a classic orange prison jumpsuit - yet it's the expression Durst is wearing on his face that should raise our alarm bells. Many would label this as a "smile" - however it's anything but a sincere smile. Although his mouth has its corners contracted - they are primarily laterally vectored and not upwards - thus he has no concave-up furrows in his lower eyelids (a sincerity requirement in the context of a smile). In addition and very dramatically - Durst's eyes are opened widely - rather than partially closed - which complete negates any possibility of a true joy-happiness smile. Also termed a "Duchenne" Smile, a sincere smile must have a non-contracted/relaxed forehead. Despite the resolution being poor here, we can see Durst's forehead is indeed contracted - and more prominently in its center - and his left-central portion of his forehead is elevated (an "Elevated CFC").

But we shouldn't stop with the fact Durst's smile is insincere though. What else is wrong? For one, he's smiling out of context - which is a huge red flag - particularly in the back of a police car with handcuffs on. Moreover, when an elevated CFC is seen in the context of a full but often partial "mouth smile" (albeit insincere) - this is either a signal of arrogance (although there are other expression of arrogance), contempt (this is one of several signals which may indicate contempt) or incredulity (and once again - there are other nonverbals indicating disbelief). We all feel contempt, incredulity and arrogance once in a while - this is part of being human - therefore we all will display the elevated-CFC with an (insincere) mouth smile (usually a partial one) on occasion. However, when a person's facial expression displays this configuration chronically - there is an extremely high correlation with a sociopathic personality.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3132: Ashley Judd responds to Twitter Troll Harassment - "I'm pressing charges" - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3129: Robert Durst, HBO's "The Jinx" and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2747: Adam Lanza's Warning Sign - Body Language

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3067: George & Amal (Alamuddin) Clooney at the Golden Globe Awards - Two Types of Sincere Smiles (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler hosted the 2015 Golden Globe Awards last night and were their usual hilarious selves. Hollywood award programs are great to view from a nonverbal communication perspective because even though there are great actors in the audience getting roasted - yet they're not acting, rather they're just being themselves.

This video begins with Tina Fey says, "George Clooney married Amal Alamuddin this year. Amal is a human rights lawyer who worked on the Enron case, was an adviser to Kofi Annan regarding Syria and was selected for a three-person U.N. commission investigating rules of war violations in the Gaza Strip..... So tonight her HUSBAND is getting a lifetime achievement award."

The image below (captured at 0:21) shows the Clooney's collective nonverbal reaction. George is displaying a sincere smile and is beginning to break out into laughter - his forehead is relaxed (not contracted), his eyes are almost completely closed, with temporary furrows in each of his lower lids, his cheek muscles are vectored primarily upwards, and only his upper teeth are visible.

In contrast, Amal is displaying a sincere yet significantly suppressed smile. Her forehead is also relaxed - with her eyes are partially closed as well - however they are much less so than her husband's. Again we can see the required evanescent, concave-up folds in her lower lids with the concomitant upward directed cheeks. Yet Mrs. Clooney is displaying no teeth and her tight-lipped configuration in the midst of the mouth-suppressing component of her smile.

Both of the Clooney's smiles are sincere - yet hers is significantly suppressed, while his is fully expressed (Duchenne Smile).

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3065: Meryl Streep "Not Pretty Enough" To Be In King Kong - The Graham Norton Show - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Quiz-Analysis No. 2967: George Clooney & Amal Alamuddin Wed in Venice - All The World's a Stage - Sincerity level of Smiles

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret No. 1482:  George Clooney's Lizard Tongue (Tongue Jut)

Negotiation Secret No. 593: Projecting and Detecting Confidence - Marisa Tomei, George Clooney, Evan Rachel Wood and Ryan Gosling

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3062: Phylicia Rashad interview regarding Bill Cosby 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 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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