Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3170: Angry mother beats son for participating in Baltimore Riots - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

In a large and uncontrolled event such as a war or a riot, there's often a strong tendency for us to not focus on personal stories. This wide-angle view makes it easier to psychologically tolerate negative events. Toya Graham has for many - particularly parents - profoundly altered this news lens. After seeing her son throwing rocks at police on TV during the riots yesterday in Baltimore, she tracked him down (despite him wearing a black ski mask), physically grabbed him - and chased him home while smacking him multiple times. Graham was praised by Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony Batts.

Ms. Graham is a mother of six and an assistant manager at an alcohol and drug treatment center. Shocked and angry at what she saw her son doing, she said, "That's my only son and at the end of the day, I don't want him to be a Freddie Gray." She added, "Is he a perfect boy? No he's not.  But he's mine."

From a body language perspective, Ms. Graham also provides some excellent teaching points. Whenever there is tension (especially anger) on the face, there also tends to be tension in the hands. This is particularly true with respect to a "Jaw Jut". Note in both of these still images, Toya Graham's jaw is jutted forward (more so in the second image). Her jaw is also clenched.

Ms. Graham's hand is also configured in a tight, closed-fist. Of course we know that she is beating her son. The nonverbal lesson here - is that very often before someone strikes with a fist (or a knife or fires a gun, etc.), their jaw will momentarily clench and jut forward. This observation alone (particularly in a male) substantially increases the chances of them immediately (or nearly so) behaving violently. If a fist is formed (simultaneously or thereafter) - the odds of assault are even greater. If you see such a nonverbal combination, take heed. Back off, run away and seek immediate shelter and protection. It may very well save your life.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3169: Baltimore Deputy Police Commissioner Jerry Rodriguez regarding the Death of Freddie Gray

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1918:  Vladimir Putin - Pointing with Pen Surrogates  Sharp vs. Blunt

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3133: The Red Flag of Robert Durst's Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2933: Will Hayden ("Sons of Guns") Arrested - Body Language of His Mug Shot

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3149: Edward Snowden on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: Government Surveillance (HBO) - Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2313: Elisa Lam Video in Elevator at Cecil Hotel - What Her Body Language Tells Us ....  



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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2956: Eric Frein - Suspect in Murder of Pennsylvania Officer - Body Language Sign of Impeding Violence (VIDEO, PHOTO)

This is a photo of Eric Frein. He is currently the primary suspect in the murder of a State Trooper (Bryon Dickson) and the serious wounding/attempted murder of another (Alex Douglas) on Friday, 12 September 2014 in Pike County, Pennsylvania. The FBI has subsequently classified Frein as one of their Ten Most Wanted Fugitives. Eric Frein is a survivalist who has allegedly spoken of committing mass murder.

When you look at Frein's face - what emotion do you see? Now try again. Glancing at for just a slit-second; what do you "feel"? Don't over-think it.


Eric Frein was feeling contempt at the moment of the image. It is not extreme or moderated - indeed it's a subtle-to-mild contempt expression (don't let his asymmetric, old, healed, broken nose confuse you). Do you see the contempt? Do you feel it? Those who commit violent acts, especially premeditated shootings and similar terrorist/terrorist-like activities VERY COMMONLY have nonverbal displays of CHRONIC CONTEMPT and/or CHRONIC DISGUST. We all display contempt and disgust from time to time. However the recognition of those who display this facial expression CHRONICALLY is profoundly valuable in threat assessment/predicting violent behavior.

See also:

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2954: Attempted robbery at gunpoint caught on GoPro - Body Language Tells

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

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2231:  A Common Facial Expression of Mass Killers - Using Body Language as a Threat Assessment Tool

Body Language Secret # 509: Mohamed Atta, 9/11 and Predicting Violent Behavior on the Basis of Body Language Alone 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2500:  Ft. Hood Shooter Nidal Malik Hasan and Contempt




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