Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3412: Affluenza Teen Ethan Couch is on the Run - Body Language (PHOTOS)

This is an undated photo of Ethan Couch published by the U.S. Marshal Service.

When Couch was 16 he killed four pedestrians and seriously injured two others while drunk driving.  Although he was convicted for this, he avoided prison time and was sentenced to ten years probation. As a defense tactic, his attorney successfully argued that Couch suffered from "Affluenza" (e.g., The inability to link bad behavior with consequences because of his parents teaching Couch that wealth buys privilege).

Ethan Couch is currently 18 years old and is the subject of a manhunt since 11 December 2015 when his probation officer was unable to contact him.


Context is paramount when determining the meaning of any nonverbal behavior - and this fundamental cannot be overemphasized. Yet in addition to the image above, there are a good number of images of Ethan Couch with similar facial expressions in the context of various legal settings (court, pre or post-court contexts, etc).

Displaying this expression during legal proceedings when four people have been killed is certainly an example of smiling out-out-of-context - which is a form of "Duping Delight" (Ekman). This pattern suggests that Ethan Couch either believed he was fooling others into believing a false narrative (and he takes sincere joy in doing so - which he cannot hide - and his joy "leaks" out in the form of a suppressed smile) - and/or he has a clandestine plan (which of course now he has implemented).

For some, it may be difficult to believe, yet this is a common facial expression displayed by a fair percentage of criminal perpetrators.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3411: Donald Trump's Vulgarity, "Schlonged" and Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3403: "Johnnie Walker - Dear Brother" Commercial 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3398: Orangutan Sees a Magic Trick - Bonding, Rapport and Laughter - Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3385: Adele, "Hello" and SNL

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2932: Fred Couch ("Affluenza" Father) Arrested and a Body Language Signal of ....
 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2932: Fred Couch ("Affluenza" Father) Arrested and a Body Language Signal of .... (VIDEO, PHOTO)

Fred Couch, infamous for being the father of Ethan Couch, was arrested recently for allegedly impersonating a police officer. Ethan Couch's attorney used the legal defense of "Affluenza" when, driving while intoxicated, the 16 year-old killed four people and seriously injuring two others in a motor vehicle accident near Dallas, Texas on 15 June 2013.

Although up for over a year, the video initially included in this post has since been removed from the local Dallas TV station. However below, an image captured from that video of Fred Couch is seen opening the door for his ex-wife, Tonya Couch. The manner in which he does this however is of particular nonverbal noteworthiness. Mr. Couch opens the door with his arm & hand held very high with the intention of his ex-wife walking beneath them. When we look at this body language or any similar scenario in isolation - it's important to note that he had elevated anxiety (as anyone would who was in court), and thus what normally would have been opening a door in a traditional manner (standing behind the door as it is opened), becomes awkward simply because it's an after-thought. Every man has occasionally committed this faux pas. In addition, parents are used to doing this for their children. However, with these exceptions aside, when this particular body language is seen chronically or a fairly large percentage of the time, it is highly consistent with narcissistic personality disorder.

The image here is doubled due to the moment of capture occurs as the editing was fading to another scene.

We can't make the judgment of narcissism here because we have a sample size of only one.

What other nonverbal signals do you see in this video?





See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2931: Miley Cyrus has a Homeless Man, Jesse Helt, accept her MTV Video Music Award

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!

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 341:  Narcissism, Parking and Cell Phones

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2322:  Jeb Bush & Matt Lauer - Which one is the Narcissist?  Body Language Red Flags


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