Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2993: Fight in Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport - Passengers Break Up Homophobic Attack - Threat Assessment Warning Signs (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

There was an interesting and very illustrative incident caught on camera phone today at Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport. A man who was very probably under the influence of drugs or alcohol (not confirmed yet though) yelled, used profane language and homophobic slurs at another man while others tried to de-escalate the situation. The perpetrator also repeatedly using obscene gestures and other inflammatory body language. 

What nonverbal cues occurred here which, with very high probability, indicated that this obviously deranged individual would assault someone?

The answer is the repeated incursions into the personal space of others (and similar behaviors) by the man in question. Whenever you see repeated deliberate invasions of the personal space, be warned - for there is a very high likelihood that violence will ensue. While those passengers around him were coming to another man's aid, in infinite other settings where security personnel were not so readily available and security and surveillance are not foremost in other travelers minds', this assault would have progressed rapidly and become much more violent.

0:07 attempting to grab phone away

Of course this is an assault. Security should have been called immediately at this time (perhaps before, but no earlier video is available).

0:10

Second provocative invasion of personal space

0:12

3rd encroachment into personal space

0:18

4th encroachment

0:20

The perpetrator can be seen giving the middle finger gesture (a universal emblem of profanity) with both hands to another man while leaning towards him.

This "double-bird with leaning forward" nonverbal cluster is highly predictive of potential violence.

Although he is not in this man's personal space at this moment, the act of leaning toward him with this (and similar) body language is an amplifier of personal space violation - essentially closing the space between him and the person/people to whom it's directed - ergo the 5th encroachment.

0:22

6th Encroachment

0:29 Jacket Removal

A psychological line is crossed here. This is another high-likelihood predictor of violence about to begin.

0:35

7th Encroachment with a third man

0:41

8th encroachment

0:42

9th encroachment

0:53

10th encroachment 

0:58 - 1:03

11th encroachment

1:07

12th encroachment

His hyperbolic/melodramatic movements also are predictive of
increased likelihood of violent behavior.

1:08


13th encroachment

1:09

14th encroachment

1:13

Sexually provocative gesture which, like the middle finger, effectively closes the space between the perpetrator and to whomever it's directed.

15th encroachment

1:16

The major assault begins












While personal space varies depending on the country or culture (e.g. closer in Southern Europe with greater distances in Northern Europe), city density (closer in New York City and further apart in Salt Lake City) and the micro-environment/building use (closer in an airport than in a library) - "Personal Distance" is usually defined as 1.5 to 4.0 feet (46-122 cm). Anything closer is considered "Intimate Distance" and usually reserved for family, close friends and lovers (although in scenarios such as subways or airplanes are temporary exceptions). "Social Distance" is from 4 to 12 feet (1.2-3.7 meters) and "Public Distance" is anything greater than 12 feet (3.7 meters).

It seems that the security personnel should have stepped in much sooner, particularly at an airport and a major one at that. Deliberate and provocative encroachment into another person's personal space should never be taken as someone "just venting", arguing or discussing. Disengage, seek shelter and/or law enforcement immediately.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2992: Michigan State's Football Coach Mark Dantonio, "I can only be diplomatic for so long ..." - Disrespect, Contempt and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2656: Threat Assessment during Robbery - Body Language of Perpetrator

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2828: Elliot Roger, Isla Vista/U.C. Santa Barbara Mass Shooting & Threat Assessment - Body Language and Threat Assessment

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2897: Fifty Shades of Grey - Part II - Warning Signs & Threat Assessment

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2858: Hope Solo, Domestic Violence, Arrests and Wedding Rings - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2039:  Fight Outside Florida Courtroom -  Jaw Jut Prior to Violence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2955: Adrian Peterson - a Telling Body Language Cluster

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2039: Fight Outside Florida Courtroom - Jaw Jut Prior to Violence

Today in an Osceola County Florida Courthouse, a fight broke out. A short segment of the altercation was repeated multiple times in the above video. The man in the red shirt (goatee with white towel around his neck) displayed two examples of what is known as a "Jaw Jut" - where the jaw (mandible) thrusts forward. The first is at about 0:09.5 seconds and is more difficult to see because his face is somewhat oblique to the camera. The next time he juts his jaw is at about 0:12 seconds and is much easier to visualize because he's closer and is seen in-profile. There is also an extreme tightening of the masseter muscles of the lower face/sides of his jaw. It is a signal of extreme anger and if it is observed, an very high percentage of the time, violence ensues a second or two later. Thus it commonly occurs during and just prior to violence. If you're observant and see the jaw jut, this knowledge will give you time to prepare and protect yourself - hopefully avoiding serious bodily harm.

See also:

Analysis # 757: Asma al-Assad's mild Jaw Jut

Analysis # 315: Jaw Jut - Heightened Potential for Violence

Analysis # 273: Anger and Disgust in Azerbaijan

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1870: Predicting Boxing Match Based on Body Language Confidence Levels at Weigh In

Manny "Pac Man" Pacquiao will face Timothy Bradley at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas tomorrow night - Saturday 9 June 2012. The outcome of any sporting event is difficult to predict. Skill, personal problems, unknown medical issues, training discipline, etc. all contribute. When there are multiple players on each team - the variables rise exponentially. However when only two competitors are involved - as in a boxing match - the relative confidence level of each athlete is often the single biggest predictor of the outcome.

When comparing the body language of Manny Pacquiao and Tim Bradley - Bradley has the distinctly higher confidence level. Thus I predict Bradley will defeat Pacquiao for the WBO Welterweight Title and handing the Filipino Congressman his forth career loss (Boxing Experts give the odds to Pacquiao as the significant favorite).

See also:

Analysis # 217: Predicting Pacquiao vs. Marquez III - Based on Body Language

Analysis # 1758: Predicting Mayweather vs. Cotto - Based on Body Language

 


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1758: Predicting A Fight Based on Body Language Floyd Mayweather vs. Miguel Cotto Fight

The outcome of any sporting event has many variables. But when there are only two participants, the confidence level of the opponents plays a significantly larger - and thus a particularly predictive role. An analysis of the body language of both Floyd Mayweather and Miguel Cotto at their weigh-in yesterday, demonstrates Mayweather has significantly more confidence. Based on this alone, and no other variables, it indicates Floyd Mayweather will win this boxing match.

While there are many nonverbal indicators in this video, two moments of contrast are especially notable. During the 4:33- 4:36 time mark, when Mayweather gets weighed and strikes the bilateral arm flexed boxers' pose - he displays a sincere smile - with its required relaxed forehead. Cotto at his corresponding moment (5:19 - 5:21) and pose - signals us with a frown and a contracted central forehead. While his consciousness can flex his biceps - his true emotions leak out on face (subconsciously displayed). He is experiencing emotional pain. He is not confident at this weigh-in and his body language screams it out.

See also:

Secret # 217: Predicting Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez III Fight

Secret # 252: What do Over-Rated Actors, News Reporters and Insincere People have in common?

Secret # 1659: Leon Panetta on the U.S. Military Scandals in Afghanistan

Secret # 1570: Shiva, a Signal of Empathy and the Subcontinent 

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

Secret # 1773: Junior Seau's Body Language During His Last Interview

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Negotiation Secret # 217: Predicting a Fight (Boxing) based on Body Language

Can you predict the outcome of a boxing match based on the Body Language of the fighters? Yes. At least you can say who, going into the fight has more confidence. In tonight's Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez III fight in Las Vegas, Pacquiao not only demonstrates more confidence, but Marquez shows some trepidation. Both of these men are in great shape and are considered by many to be two of boxing's best - so clearly they each have talent, skill and experience. Any athlete knows though - that in close games, races, matches or fights - it comes down to who has more confidence.

In the above image, while the resolution is modest, one can clearly see the suppressed yet sincere smile of Pacquiao (left). His raised cheeks and orbicularis oculi pars orbitalis muscles (which elevate the cheeks and surround and close the eyelids) each "bunch-up" the tissue of his lower lids. This is a fantastic example of someone smiling with their eyes while trying to suppress their mouth component of the smile (most people wrongfully think the mouth is the only component of a smile). Yet we still can still see the corners of his mouth elevated. Marquez (right) is clearly frowning. He's not trying to look mean or menacing here - he's frowning. Frowning is anything but a beacon of confidence.

Another difficult thing to see in this photo (but it can be seen in videos of this weigh-in) is Marquez's tendency to chew on the inside of his mouth. In the Body Language lexicon, this is known as "false mastication" and in this context, it is a classic nonverbal sign of fear-anxiety. In other settings it may indicate lying-anxiety (See Negotiation Secret # 33: False Mastication for a better photographic example).

Another signal in the image above, is very subtle. It's a trace of fear in Marquez's eyes. Can you see it?

In the photo below, I want to call your attention to each man's shoulders. Pacquiao's are positioned more posterior (towards his back) giving him a much more "squared-off" appearance. Marquez's shoulders are considerably more forward - giving his shoulders a rounded silhouette. This is a strong signal of high confidence (Pacquiao) vs. low confidence (Marquez). Head position is also very important, however Marquez's slight chin-forward, nose up pose is so cliche' in boxing weigh-ins, as to be a caricature - so in this particular moment, it has little meaning.

Based on each boxer's confidence at the time of this weigh-in, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao will defeat Juan Manuel Marquez. You heard it here first. How much are you wagering on Manny?

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