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

An Afghan refugee is shown here kissing his daughter. This image was captured just a few days ago on the Greek Island of Lesbos as they disembarked from their small boat.

Beyond the more obvious holding, hugging and kissing - a less appreciated, yet very strong nonverbal signal of affection is exampled in this moment. When a parent, a child, friend, lover, etc. touches their head to another person's head - particularly with their own eye (usually closed) or regions adjacent to it - affection is sincere.

This highly reliable body language signal of true affection is under-recognized by most. Moreover, those who display it more often also tend to have higher overall empathy quotients - not just with the person with whom they're interacting at that time - but with all people.

What other nonverbal sign seen in this photo conveys higher sincerity?


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3350: What happens when you Suddenly meet Heath Ledger

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2928: Oscar Pistorius, Hugging, Affection and Sincerity

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2701: Cuddling, Romance, Affection and Foot-Shunning - Body Language Tells  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2678: French President François Hollande, Valerie Trierweiler and Julie Gayet - Of Affairs, Affection and Body Language Tells 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2658: Misidentifying Emotional Expressions - Greece's Golden Dawn Party Arrests - Body Language and Threat Assessment

Earlier this year, Nikos Michaloliakos, the leader of "Golden Dawn" Party was arrested in Athens, Greece and (along with others) was charged with running a criminal organization responsible for the murder of Pavlos Fyssas, (an anti-fascist, an anti-racist and a noted musician) as well as extortion and the disappearance of up to 100 immigrants.

The frequency of otherwise socially skilled people emotionally mislabeling others expressions' is very frequent. For example, most people will misidentify the primary emotion being displayed here by Mr. Michaloliakos (pictured above in handcuffs) - which is disgust.

Disgust is an emotion (and thus also displayed via facial expressions) which is extremely common among those who perpetrate crime against another person or group of people motivated out of prejudice.

Take note of the following very prominently displayed characteristics on Mr. Michaloliakos's face (an expression of extreme disgust):

• Furrows (active wrinkles via a dynamic muscle contraction) on the bridge of the nose
• Accentuated Nasal-labial furrow (between the side of the nose and the corners of the mouth)
• Lower Lip is protruded and raised
• Upper Lip is raised and protruded (typically less prominently than lower lip)
• Corners of mouth depressed (vectored downward)
• The "Mustache Area" (between upper lip and bottom of nose, regardless of gender) is tightened
• Both Nostrils are Flared (Dilated Nostrils)
• Eyebrows are lowered
• Dimpling of the Chin
• Relaxed Forehead

What is his secondary emotion being felt and displayed here and what changes on his face reveal it?

Take home point: Chronic or frequent displays of disgust are warning signs and are crucial to threat assessment. Avoid such individuals - and if you must approach them, do so with high caution.

See also:


Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2640: Disgust at Denver area School Shooting - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2579: Brandon Bryant Body Language of Disgust and Empathy - Confessions of a Drone Operator

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2603: Sarah Palin's Body Language - She Feels Disgust toward Pope Francis and ... She Tells a Fib

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1496:  Tiger Woods' Disgust & Biofeedback

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1841:  Disgust in Response to Rep. Barney Frank's "Hoodie" Joke

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2628: Tom Daley (British Diver) Comes Out On YouTube ...

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2443:  Kristen Wiig's Disgust & Fear Face -  Graham Norton, Chris O'Dowd and Fly Eating

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Negotiation Body Language Secret # 373: Papademos, Greece and Eyelids

Pictured above is Lucas Papademos, the New Prime Minister of Greece. Notice his eyelids are both partially closed, but his left is closed a bit more. This is a fantastic tell of a negative judgement and/or a skeptical opinion. You can almost hear him rendering a negative statement here - and yet it's incredible how often people will speak positivity about a person and/or issue and use this expression. Duplicitous! Now of course, the Prime Minister may very well had making a negative declaration in this moment - and if he was, this facial body language is completely expected. However...if you see another use this facial nonverbal tell - but they speak glowingly - believe their body language, not their words. Watch out!

There often is co-existing mid-face tightening seen with this asymmetrical eyelid closure as well, particularly in the "mustache area". Lucas demonstrates that splendidly here. Also be on the lookout for nasal dilation. Mr. Papademos' left nostril is brilliantly flared here, indicating coexisting contempt. I wonder to whom he was speaking?

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