Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3269: Context, Head Shaking and Hoverboards - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."

Arthur C. Clarke

As if on cue for Marty McFly's arrival on 21 October 2015 - a working hoverboard has been invented by a team at Lexus. The video of its first public test runs are included above. Much of the initial riding (piloting) of the hoverboard was performed by Skateboarder Ross McGouran. Toward the beginning of this video there is a great example of emotional processing providing for us an excellent nonverbal teaching moment.

This image was captured during the 0:27 second segment. Although only the right half of his face is visible (it's a valid assumption in this context that his left side is mirroring his right) we can clearly see McGouran is displaying all the following facial displays:

1. A relaxed forehead
2. Partial closure of the eyelids
3. Concave-up furrow in the lower eyelid
4. Upward vectoring of the cheeks
5. Only upper teeth visible
6. Blushing

This cluster of nonverbal components is absolutely definitive for a sincere smile (Duchenne Smile). Yet the evaluation doesn't stop here. When you view the video, you will note that during the 0:26 - 0:28 segment, McGouran is shaking his head laterally. Of course throughout most (but not all) of the World, if you ask people what is meant by a side-to-side head shake (partial, oscillating rotation) virtually everyone, include very young children will tell you that such behavior is a nonverbal indicator of "No". Hold that thought for a moment.

Consider the English word, "Hot". We can say, "Oh look at her, she's hot!" (meaning sexually attractive) or we can say, "Scoville units are the standard of measure for how hot a chili pepper tastes" (spicy hot). We may say, "The subject of Donald Trump running for U.S. President(Republican Nomination) is currently a very hot topic (indicating a subject for which many people are currently interested) or, "In Phoenix today it was so hot!" (high temperature). Here we have four different meanings of the word, "hot" - and they are all spelled the same and pronounced the same. This is an example of a homonym. When the word is isolated, it's impossible to tell which of these meanings is the proper one. However when "hot" is used in a sentence, anyone is able to discern what is meant.

There are many nonverbal homonyms as well. A lateral head shake is just one of these. Viewing this video once again, it's very important to note that while McGouran is shaking his head, he's also displaying a sincere smile. The above six components of a sincere smile in addition to the lateral head shake constitute a nonverbal cluster - and this one indicates a joyful disbelief coupled with a component of emotional processing. Ross McGouran's vision is telling him something that he's having trouble believing. We are witnessing a very common outward manifestation of a person's emotional brain trying to catch up to a fact which the intellect already knows.

I'm picking up my Delorean on Friday (Anyone have any spare plutonium?).

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3268: Advice to the Ten Republicans for Thursday Night's Presidential Debate

Sincerity Secret No. 55: Isabelle Giordano - Sincere Smile or is it Insincere?  

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2508: Anne Frank, Sincere Smiles and Emotional Comfort 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2424:  Giada De Laurentiis on Conan O'Brien  Beautiful Teeth but Insincere Smiles and  Some Body Language Signals of Waning Love 

Dating & Romance Nonverbal Communication Secret No. 1010: Rashida Jones - What Makes the Twinkle in Her Eye? 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2915: The Many Faces of Tony Stewart 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3262: Donald Trump, Breast Pumping and Donald's "That's Disgusting" 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3037: Angelina has Chickenpox and will not be able to attend some events for the opening of her movie, "Unbroken" - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Earlier today Angelina Jolie and Universal Pictures made an announcement via YouTube. She has chickenpox and will not be able to attend some events regarding the release and promotion of her film, "Unbroken" which is scheduled to be released on Christmas day 2014.

This video shows us a great yet subtle example of a rarely discussed body language dynamic known as a "Head Torque".

The head torque is comprised of a turning and rotating of the head and neck in a relatively quick manner. Angelina's example is subtle (0:16 in video and in the image captured below); however with moderate and more extreme examples there is first a pronounced turning away from - and then a turning back towards the person/camera being addressed (e.g., Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2589: Toronto Mayor Rob Ford Admits to Smoking Crack Cocaine - Body Language of the "Head Torque"). A "leading with the top of the head first" motion is also seen. This nonverbal dynamic has a distinct twisting or torqueing  motion associated with it (thus the nomenclature, Head Torque). Many find it reminiscent of a dog or horse pushing and object with their head or mouth. The head torque has distinct alpha, adamant, frustrated and mild to moderate anger emotional components associated with it - as well as a metaphorical, "I'm going to 'take my medicine' " or "I'm going to do what I have to do" emotional tone.

Another body language dynamic seen in this video that is very often misunderstood is lateral (side-to-side) head shaking (and impossible to fully appreciate in still images) . A nonverbal beginner may often say that Ms. Jolie is lying when she is exhibiting this movement - (e.g., well seen during 0:22 - 0:26) - yet they would be very wrong for she is being highly sincere. Her side-to-side head shaking is highly congruent with her words, "... and I can't believe it, 'cause this film means so much to me. I just can't believe it ...". It signals that her emotional brain is still processing what her intellect already knows - that she won't be able to attend the events. It signals a form of semi-denial/disbelief.

What is the significance of the prolonged eyelid closure also seen during the head torque? (also pictured below)

Heal quickly Angelina.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3036: Angelina Jolie runs into Amy Pascal after email Hack - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2674: Did Chris Christie Orchestrate Bridge Closure or Cover Up His Subordinates Actions? Body Language Tells Us ...

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2260:  'Top Chef' host Padma Lakshmi regarding  New Delhi's recent gang-rape,  Indian Culture and Sexual-Physical Harassment - Body Language Nuance
 
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2459:  Was Eliot Spitzer Sincere?  Apology, Sincerity and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2951: Miss America 2015 - Sincerity, Surprise and Botox

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2945: Roger Goodell's Interview regarding Ray Rice - Denies NFL saw Video before Monday - Body Language Tells

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2960: First iPhone 6 Dropped in Perth - Body Language Cluster of .... (VIDEO, PHOTO)

Last week the first iPhone 6s were released and millions were of course purchased. Jack Cooksey bought the first one in Perth, Australia - and immediately obliged a T.V. reporter when she asked to show it on camera. Unfortunately his adrenaline was a bit elevated and as he opened the box, his new iPhone fell onto the sidewalk. Ouch.

The expression/movements on/of the reporter's face afterward provides us with a good example of a nonverbal cluster of embarrassment including:

• Facial Blushing
• Prolonged Bilateral eye closure
• Tongue Jut
• Head Shaking side-to-side
• Sincere Suppressed Smile

What other body language signals did you observe in this video which indicates embarrassment?

Not only does the reporter feels it's her fault - she also has a high empathy quotient. How do we go about assessing a person's empathy level?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2959: The Hunger Games Mockingjay - What makes Donald Sutherland (as President Coriolanus Snow) look so Evil? Body Language Trailer Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2787: Korean Ferry Sinking, Empathy and Emotional Processing

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2669: Sara Bareilles and the Body Language of the Rationalization Rapport Empathy Expression

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2778: April Fools Prank, Embarrassment and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2764: Embarrassment, Affection & Flirtation - Mila Kunis & Ashton Kutcher - Kiss Cam

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2664: Anchorman 2 Cast on Graham Norton - A Body Language Signal of Embarrassment

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2922: Evacuating Yazidis from Iraq's Mount Sinjar - A Daughter's Anguish, Empathy and Mirror Neurons

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