Body Language Analysis №4708: The most common Body Language Signal of Chronic Lying as well as a Manipulative Person — Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence

There are many signals of deception and manipulation — and in the vast majority of scenarios, these should not be interpreted in isolation.

It’s profoundly important to differentiate a person who is lying or manipulative *in this moment* vs. a person who *chronically* lies or manipulates (that is, it’s one of their fundamental underlying personality characteristics).

The most common signal of a person who is a chronic liar (aka a person who is chronically insincere), is an overuse of their forehead muscles, specifically an upward (not downward) contraction of their forehead.

Moreover, either the entire width of the forehead (with both entire eyebrows) — or the central forehead (with the central portion of each eyebrow) elevating is the specific pattern to look for when sussing out chronic dishonesty and manipulative personalities.

Of course, there are many honest reasons for a person to elevate their forehead such as honest surprise, deep emotional processing, fear, bewilderment, honest emphasis, self-deprecating emotions, playfulness, etc.

These honest reasons are in profound distinction, however, to a person who elevates their forehead out-of-context or too frequently.

Another important distinction is when the forehead is contracted only on one side — which also does not apply in this specific chronic dishonest and manipulative nonverbal behavior/tell.

SUMMARY: The most common signal of a Manipulative personality as well as a Chronic Liar is the overuse of an upward-contracted forehead. Take care to avoid these individuals — they will make your life miserable (or worse).

All individuals, businesses, or organizations who want to (need to) dramatically improve their #BodyLanguage skills (via group or individual instruction) — and all professionals who want to nuance their understanding of #EmotionalIntelligence, please DM or email me at Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com

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This post and others accompanying it, serve as a reference source for the art and science of Body Language/Nonverbal Communication. The views and opinions expressed on this website are those of the author. In an effort to be both practical and academic, many examples from/of varied cultures, politicians, professional athletes, legal cases, public figures, etc., are cited in order to teach and illustrate both the interpretation of others’ body language as well as the projection of one’s own nonverbal skills in many different contexts.

BodyLanguage Analysis №4702: A Crucial Human-to-Human and Cross-Species Signal of Affection - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence

 

A common SINCERE body language signal of human-to-human affection is the act of touching one’s forehead, temple, or periocular region to one or more of those same locations on the other person.

 

Although it’s not a required component for this display, when the eyes (eyelids) are closed — it’s an affection-amplifier.

 

This affectionate nonverbal display behavior is also true within much of the animal world.

 

 

It’s also a pattern of behavior that persists cross-species.

 

SUMMARY: Touching one’s forehead, temple, or periocular region to one or more of those same areas on the other person is a common and reliable sign of sincere affection.

Persistent lack of this behavior — and not bending one’s neck to reciprocate, are red flags.

 

Any individuals (businesses, organizations, etc.) who want to (need to) dramatically improve their Body Language and Emotional Intelligence skills — and all professionals who want to nuance their understanding of human behavior, please email DM or email me, at Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com.

Group and one-on-one as well as online and in-person formats available.

 

This post and others accompanying it, serve as a reference source for the art and science of Body Language/Nonverbal Communication. The views and opinions expressed on this website are those of the author. In an effort to be both practical and academic, many examples from/of varied cultures, politicians, professional athletes, legal cases, public figures, etc., are cited in order to teach and illustrate both the interpretation of others’ body language as well as the projection of one’s own nonverbal skills in many different contexts.

 

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Body Language Analysis No. 4160: Detecting Liars When They're Not Lying - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

Understandably, most people who are curious about body language, are particularly interested in lie detection. Yet, just as valuable, and perhaps even more so - is the ability to discern insincerity. For those individuals who are insincere may very well NOT be lying in that moment - but they're very likely to lie - lie often - and lie regarding profoundly important matters.

This begs the Question: What are some nonverbal signals of insincerity?

Answer: There are many body language insincerity tells - but one of the most common and reliable is the overly-frequent contraction of the forehead muscles.

Of course, we all use our foreheads to express our feelings - and we should - for it's an important part of normal human emotional display. However, when it's done too frequently - and especially when it's out of context - it's a signal that that person is trying too hard. They do not feel true conviction in their words alone. It's the nonverbal equivalent of using ten exclamation marks when only one is necessary.

Most all politicians are guilty of insincerity - and Ambassador Nikki Haley is but one of many (regardless of their political beliefs) who exemplifies this frequent forehead contraction pattern. Other professions where this nonverbal behavior is exceptionally common are - unskilled actors, pundits, sales professionals, and attorneys. Yet to overgeneralize is unwise - anyone, in any profession can be insincere.

Summary: Unmasking those individuals who show patterns of chronic insincerity is just as important as detecting deception. Overly-frequent contraction of the forehead muscles is one reliable and common insincerity display.

Group Appearances and One-on-One
Online Courses Available 
702-239-8503
Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com


See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4159: Nikki Haley, Jerusalem, and the United Nations

Body Language Analysis No. 4157: Donald Trump, Signing the Tax Bill, and Double-Arm Gripping

Body Language Analysis No. 4155: Luis Elizondo Interview - Former Military Intelligence Official Who Ran AATIP (The Pentagon's Secret UFO Unit)

Body Language Analysis No. 4153: Watching The Thomas Fire

Body Language Analysis No. 4135: What Makes Markle's Eyes Sparkle?

Body Language Analysis No. 4111: Selena Gomez, Francia Raisa, and a Kidney Transplant

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3872: "Fearless Girl" Statue in Manhattan's Financial District

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

Body Language Analysis No. 4001: Jodie Whittaker, Dr. Who, and Flirting from a TARDIS

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Body Language Analysis No. 3957: Sergei Gorkov, Jared Kushner, and Secret Meetings - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

In this video, Sergei Gorkov, the Russian Banker (an alleged spy) who met with Jared Kushner in December 2016 (the focus of an FBI investigation) is asked a question by a journalist (Matthew Chance) regarding the nature of his meeting with Kushner.

The White House is on record saying that the two men discussed US-Russian government relations, while Govkov's bank, VneshEconomBank (Russia's state bank aka VEB), has indicated their meeting was one of a private, real estate business nature. VEB has been under US sanctions for about three years as a partial punishment for Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Kushner failed to disclose his meeting with Gorkov in his security vetting.

Immediately after the question, and with very short duration, Gorkov's eyelids open significantly wider than his baseline. This moment is captured in the image immediately above. Most people would label his response as surprise. But Sergey Gorkov was indeed expecting this question. This was an act - albeit a pretty good one. How do we know?

A split second prior, we see Gorkov's eyebrows elevate while, at the same time, his eyelids are briefly closing. This is a very unnatural motion, it's conscious, and is indicative of expectation. That these two tissues, so close in proximity, would simultaneously move in opposite directions, betrays his foreknowledge.

A few seconds later, just before he enters a room, Gorkov displays a tightened mid-face. This is seen particularly well in his "mustache area" and with the flaring of his nostrils. This nonverbal cluster is indicative of disgust for the journalist and/or his line of questioning. His partial eyelid closure, while not required in the expression of this emotion, is in this context, a disgust amplifier.

This image is from an earlier portion of the same video. Note that the entire width of Gorkov's forehead is contracted. This is a common component of anyone's occasional facial expression. Yet when a person's forehead contracts too frequently (which doesn't take much) - it's an extremely reliable indicator of overall insincerity (This is not to say, however, that a relaxed forehead equates with sincerity). An image search for Sergey Gorkov will yield a host of images which show an extremely disproportionate percentage with this characteristic.

Summary: Gorkov has a strong indicator of overall insincerity. He is acting - and he's good at it. Moreover, in this interaction with a journalist, Gorkov fully anticipated the question regarding Jared Kushner.


Group Appearances and One-on-One
Online Courses Available 
1-702-239-8503
Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com

See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 3956: Keri Russell's Tongue

Body Language Analysis No. 3954: Donald Trump, "Covfefe", and a Facial Expression which Should Always Raise Red Flags

Body Language Analysis No. 3952: Emmanuel Macron's Handshake with Donald Trump at NATO Summit

Body Language Analysis No. 3950: Donald Trump, Angela Merkel, and Donald Tusk at the G7 

Body Language Analysis No. 3933: Sally Yates Testimony before Senate Judiciary Committee

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3912: Keri Russell's Schadenfreude, Matthew Rhys' Fear, and a Hesitancy to Disclose

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3901: Jared Kushner in Iraq

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3856: "Belle" Clip - Beauty and the Beast

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3654: Hope Solo Calls Swedish Team "Cowards" after US Loss in Rio

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2748: Tatia Pilieva's Brilliant Video "First Kiss"


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3764: Donald Trump's "A Message from the President-Elect" - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

One fascinating nonverbal sign is the phenomenon of exaggerated mouth and lip movement. There are few examples more demonstrative of this body language principle than those which regularly are seen on the face of President-Elect of the United States. What follows is a partial body language analysis of Donald Trump's recent statement on his transition and his policy of his first 100 days.

When a person uses exaggerated mouth and lip movements they feel that they are THE DOMINANT person in their current (real-time) interaction group. They view themselves as THE ALPHA - and everyone else is beta. When it's a conversation between that person and one other - the group is only two. When a person is being televised or with an anticipated high-volume internet audience - the group is of course many times larger.

If Donald Trump truly wishes to build rapport and gain influence with those people who may be "giving him a chance" to lead - he should dramatically reduce his exaggerated lip and mouth movement. Maintaining such amplified speaking dynamics will repel the majority of people (all but those whom already agree with him).

Question: What else serves to amplify this nonverbal mouth-lip hyperbole?

Answer: The relative lack of movement of the rest of his face - particularly his forehead (Mr. President-Elect, stop getting Botox treatments on most of your forehead. It makes you less expressive and inhibits your ability to feel empathy - or elicit similar feelings in others). When such an important part of one's face is effectively paralyzed, it helps to contribute to over-action of the lips and mouth.

Moreover, the camera should have been adjusted to a wider angle allowing Mr. Trumps entire upper body - including his arms and hands to be visible. The more we see of a person, the more we tend to like and trust them. If we only see a person's face - this rapport is much more difficult. Indeed, he would do well to consider giving a good share of any of his Oval Office speeches from a standing position (with a thin, minimal lectern). This would tend to project strength, decisiveness and assertiveness - while sitting behind a desk (particularly with no hands or arms visible) projects tentativeness, defensiveness and a lower confidence level.

 See also:

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. 3761: Mitt Romney meets with Donald Trump

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3759: Nicole Kidman's and Jimmy Fallon's Almost Date Redux 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3741: Bryan Cranston, Benedict Cumberbatch, Weddings and Tears

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3587: The Orlando Mass Shooting, Omar Mateen and Warning Signs

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3574: Selena Gomez's Body Language Reaction to Fans in Montreal

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3357: Justin Bieber leaves/walks off the stage in Oslo

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3754: Donald Trump, Mike Pence and Paul Ryan

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


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3744: Donald Trump - "Stay on Point", Hats, Eye Contact and Trust - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Yesterday in Pensacola, Florida, Donald Trump again wore a hat during his "Stay on Point Donald, stay on point" speech.

The less we see of a person - the less we trust them. For no part of the body is this nonverbal axiom more potent than it is for the eyes. When we wear a hat, we not only cover our forehead (also a very expressive part of our face), but in large measure we obstruct the view of our eyes.

When we don't want others to recognize us, "read" our faces (thoughts or emotions) - we wear hats with brims and sun glasses. And while Mr. Trump is was not wearing sunglasses on this occasion, the shadow (whether cast by the sun or artificial light) is so contrasting to the rest of his face (an effect amplified by photography/video) - it appears that he's almost wearing a mask over his eyes. Such a lack of eye contact not only destroys rapport and - but trashes trust too.

While Trump's hat-wearing habits may help the candidate to solidify his political base, this nonverbal behavior is one which will also serve to alienate swing voters.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3743: Ronda Rousey's Anxiety - Anticipating Her Next Fight

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3741: Bryan Cranston, Benedict Cumberbatch, Weddings and Tears

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3739: Hillary Clinton's Statement regarding FBI Probe

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3718: Donald Trump's "Access Hollywood" Hot Mic Video\

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3708: Hillary Clinton v. Donald Trump - Presidential Debates - Part IV

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3683: Milo Yiannopoulos believes trolling is his way of "Doing God's work"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3659: Ryan Lochte's "Today Show" Interview regarding Alleged Rio Robbery

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3634: Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, the Democratic National Convention, Emails and Body Language



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Nonverbal Communication Quiz-Analysis No. 2902: How Sincere was Ray Rice's Apology? (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Ray Rice apologized today in a press conference for allegedly assaulting his then fiancée (and now wife), Janay Palmer. A video showing Rice allegedly dragging Palmer out of an elevator in an Atlantic City, NJ Casino has been widely circulated (see below). NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has been widely criticized for his mild punishment (in relative and in absolute terms) of the Baltimore Ravens Running Back.

When you view this video of the press conference, do you think Ray Rice is sincere?

When it comes to an apology, do you believe sincerity is an "all or nothing" emotion - or are there degrees of sincerity? If so, on a scale of 1 to 10 - how sincere is Ray Rice in this apology?

Do you believe that Rice is mad, sad, or regretful for his actions - or for the fact he was caught?

Do you see Nonverbal Communication signals in this video which signify Anger?
Is there Body Language of Regret?
What signs of Sadness do you see?
What is Ray Rice's "Empathy Quotient"?

When assessing a person's sincerity - always take note of their words, paralanguage and their body language. Ask yourself - are they all in agreement? Are Ray Rice's words, tone of voice and other vocal qualities as well - as his nonverbal signals congruent or are they in disparate? All three must be consistent with each other in order for high sincerity to be present.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2901: Sadie doesn't want her brother to grow up - Body Language of Sincere Affection

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2441:  Paula Deen's Apology - What Does Her Body Language Say?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2839: Jonah Hill's Apology on Jimmy Fallon - Sincere or Insincere? - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2296:  Penelope Soto Apologizes & Avoids 30 Days in Jail -  Body Language Accompanying Sincere Tears & Apology

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!

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2839: Jonah Hill's Apology on Jimmy Fallon - Sincere or Insincere? - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Last weekend Jonah Hill called a paparazzi a racial slur when the photographer insulted Hill's family. Two nights ago, Hill apologized on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon". Do you think his apology is sincere or insincere?

At 0:59 we see a "Tongue Jut". Although it has several meanings depending on the other body language which accompanies it (the cluster-context), in this setting it indicates, "I've been bad".

At 1:00 we see Hill's mouth adopt an "Inward Lip Roll" configuration (ILR).

An ILR signifies an attempt of the psyche to suppress both the internal crescendo of emotions (both negative and positive ones) as well as the external manifestation of them.

Jonah Hill is suppressing tears and sadness. 

A fraction of a second later the ILR persists and an extended blink is also displayed (psychological blocking) indicating emotional processing.

Note here Hill's forehead is considerably hypo-reactive - particularly the central forehead.

(0:56 seconds)

At 2:08 Mr. Hill's eyebrows elevate - yet his forehead muscles hardly move (no dynamic furrows).













Jonah Hill's apology was sincere - yet his use of Botox interferes with his use upper facial muscles - particularly his forehead. This particular deficit makes Hill appear considerably less sincere. It also dramatically diminishes his (or anyone's) ability to act.

Conclusion: Jonah Hill is sincere for his use of a homophobic slur - and no actor should ever use Botox.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2576: Chris Brown's Body Language - a Signal of Psyche's Suppressing Emotions ... and Anger and ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2725: Ted Nugent: Calls Barack Obama, "a Subhuman Mongrel" - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2705: Congressman Michael Grimm Apology - Sincere or Not? Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2441:  Paula Deen's Apology - What Does Her Body Language Say? 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2459:  Was Eliot Spitzer Sincere?  Apology, Sincerity and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2296:  Penelope Soto Apologizes & Avoids 30 Days in Jail -  Body Language Accompanying Sincere Tears & Apology

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2578: Obamacare Website Apology - Sincere vs. Insincere? 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2838: Robert De Niro, Graham Norton and Acting Advice - Body Language Tells


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