Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3687: Katy Perry Surprises Fan-Survivor of Orlando Nightclub Shooting on Ellen - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Few people can arrange such meetings between a celebrities and 'commoners' as can Ellen DeGeneres. And for many people, the video included above is very emotionally evoking (and thus a barometer of the viewers' empathy).

While recovering from wounds he received during the Orlando nightclub (Pulse) shooting, Tony Marrero found Katy Perry's music to be a source of strength and inspiration. In addition to all the other emotions and the corresponding body language signs which are natural in such a surprise scenario, this interaction on Ellen's show also showcases a rarely discussed yet common nonverbal behavior.

Ellen (beginning at 0:18): "It is, it is a beautiful song - and ah, have you met Katy yet or no?"

Mr. Marrero: "No."

Ellen: "You wanna meet Katie? [pause] Katy!"

During 0:23 - 0:25, just after Ellen says, "You wanna meet Katie?", Tony Marrero alternates the gaze of his eyes - while looking fairly straight ahead, but with additional quick, superimposed, lateral movements (Saccades) - jerking back and forth several times. When his eyes shift left he appears to be focused on Ellen - but when he shifts right, he's focused at a middle distance (which is more common).

This relatively subtle and short-lived, rapid flickering motion of the eyes back and forth is an epiphenomenon of emotional processing. This is signaling that although the 'logical brain' may realize what's occurring, the 'emotional brain' has yet to fully grasp what's transpiring.

Although in this example we see the rest of Mr. Marrero's face is for this brief moment, relatively emotionally neutral - it's also quite common to have a 'Dropped Jaw' (aka 'Slack Jaw') configuration of the mouth (with no teeth showing) as well as eyelids opened wider than baseline. When sincere (as is seen in this example), these "Emotional Processing Saccades" rapidly give way to other powerful facial expressions.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3686: Donald Trump regarding his National Security Briefings 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3684: Barack Obama's and Vladimir Putin's "Stare-Down" at the G20

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3680: Donald Trump and Enrique Peña Nieto Shaking Hands

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3564: Kanye West, Ellen and Beta Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3473: Adele's Tongue, Ellen DeGeneres and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3483: Kate Winslet's Reaction to Leonardo DiCaprio's Oscar for Best Actor

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3461: Cam Newton Walks Out of Super Bowl 50 Post Game Press Conference - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3504: Raúl Castro Lifts Barack Obama's Arm at Press Conference


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3086: Katy Perry's Super Bowl XLIX press conference highlights - A Key Body Language Tell (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Katy Perry gave a press conference on Thursday regarding her upcoming Super Bowl XLIX half time show. There were, as usual, a ton of body language tells - yet one in particular was very illustrating and in full context. 

Early in the above video clip (during 0:14 - 0:15) we see Katy Perry's left leg bend at her knee and lift upwards while her right leg is firmly planted. This nonverbal behavior is known as "The Flamingo".

Named so because of the pretty pink bird's behavior of standing on one leg, The Flamingo is more commonly displayed by women and gay men (although sometimes seen in straight men as well).

The Flamingo is similar to the HABE ("Hair Adjust Behind the Ear") - as it also signals an up-regulation of alpha behavior. Said another way - the psyche is attempting to dial-up assertiveness and confidence. The Flamingo and the HABE both signal the need for this dynamic. They're both usually seen in people who already have a predominately alpha personality - yet they reveals itself in moments when a bit more confidence and strength are needed - and they're being summoned.

(It's important to NOT confuse The Flamingo with standing with one foot flat and the other foot with just the toes touching. This means something completely different - do you know what it indicates?). 

What other nonverbal signals are characteristic of the up-regulation of alpha emotional tone?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3085: Olivia Munn Doesn't Like Johnny Depp - Just Listen to Her Body Language (Not Her Words)

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2177:  "I'm Tired of Bronco Bamma and Mitt Romney" -  We're all Abigael Evans  Dialing up her Alpha

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret No. 1411:  Dialing Up Her Alpha -  Dana Perino

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2921: Eve Hewson (Bono's Daughter) Recounts Phone Pranking Justin Timberlake

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2914: François Hollande, Anxiety and Dialing up his Alpha  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3046: Chris Pine Dials Up His Alpha - "Into the Woods"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2996: Daniel Radcliffe Raps Blackalicious' "Alphabet Aerobics" on Tonight Show/Jimmy Fallon

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2125:  Presidential Debate Body Language -  George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Ross Perot 1992 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2626: Rashida Jones's Anxiety regarding YouTube Awards on Jimmy Fallon (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

The multi-talented Rashida Jones was on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" on Thanksgiving. Among other subjects, she recounted her 'crash-like' behavior during the recent YouTube Music Awards. Spike Jonze who had directed the awards, had her give two babies to the Award's hosts - one each to Jason Schwartzman and Reggie Watts. Many felt this to be a bit bizarre. Rashida herself felt significant anxiety about it and she describes this to Jimmy Fallon above.

Note: The one of the original videos has, since the original post, been removed from its online source. The images below however, were captured from this video. 




The accomplished actress who's very accustomed to being on-camera, displayed multiple nonverbal anxiety tells in her recounting of the incident. Below are just three such examples.

In this image (1:56 - 1:57), Rashida can be seen displaying an "Inward Lip Roll" (ILR) which is a significant indication of anxiety - and more specifically the psyche's attempt in suppressing both the inward and outer manifestations of an emotion.

She is of course reaching for her neck in this image as well.

Here Ms. Jones is rubbing her neck (1:57 - 1:58) - a very common body language signal of anxiety. A deep exhalation can also be heard here (1:58).

Here Rashida strokes both sides of her long locks (2:39 - 2:46). It's relatively unusual to see a person used to being on camera display this nonverbal bilaterally - another significant anxiety indicator.






See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2408:  Sen. Kelly Ayotte's Anxiety & Regret via  Senators Graham & McCain -  Republican Body Language in Response to  President Obama's National Defense University Speech

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2621: Matt Smith (11th Incarnation of 'Dr. Who'), Anxiety and American Psycho

Nonverbal Analysis # 1820: What Causes David Beckham's Greater Anxiety -  Barack Obama Teasing Him About His Age or His Underwear?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2281:  Inaugural Luncheon Anxiety  Barack Obama's Body Language  Michelle's Mirroring

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2493:  Jewel in Disguise at Karaoke Bar,  Body Language Cues to Lack of Nervousness 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2530: Tom Coburn, Obamacare and Anxiety - Body Language Tell on a Senator's Face 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2601: "Governor Christie, Are You a Tea Party Republican?" Why His Answer Tells Us Whether or Not He Will Run for President in 2016


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