Body Language Analysis No. 4287: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle - Why Do We Kiss with Our Eyes' Closed (most of the time) - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

You may be surprise to know that a healthy person's sensory input is 90% visual. The remaining 10% is essentially "shared" by the other four senses - touch, taste, hearing, and smell. Moreover - 40% of the mass of the human brain is dedicated to vision.

When we close our eyes, a momentary slight re-adjustment of neurologic activity and blood flow occurs - with a bit less in the visual areas of the brain - and a little more in the other regions. This subtle blood flow dynamic brings with it a significant relative shift in oxygen, nutrients, and further increased neurological activity to the remaining 60% of the brain. It follows then, that the other four senses experience an up-regulation of sensitivity. Think about this phenomenon for a moment. We close our eyes when we taste chocolate cake - when we smell a flower - when we are straining to listen to a faint sound. And when in dim light - our tactile sensitivity immediately increase.

But not only do these other four senses become more perceptive - our cognitive focus also increases - and our emotions become more intense.

When sincere affection is present, the vast majority of the time, when we kiss or hug another person (or even when we kiss or hug an animal) - we close our eyes.

SUMMARY: Closing our eyes temporarily amplifies our other senses, our cognition - and in the case of a kiss or hug, our feelings. This facilitates us to more fully drink-in every ounce of emotion - and be entirely in the moment. Thus, closing one's eyes in these scenarios facilitates a natural form of positive biofeedback.

Congratulations to Meghan and Harry - may you have many years of joy, health, and love.


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See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4286: Aaron Schlossberg's Racist Rant

Body Language Analysis No. 4284: Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Deadpool 2, and Alpha Up-Regulation

Body Language Analysis No. 4282: When Public Displays of Affection are More Frequent than those in Private 

Body Language Analysis No. 4280: David Beckham, Princess Leia, and Embarrassment

Body Language Analysis No. 4279: Rudy Giuliani regarding President Trump's alleged Sexual Relationship with Stormy Daniels

Body Language Analysis No. 4264: Criminal Profiling - Sketch of Man Who Allegedly Threatened Stormy Daniels (Stephanie Clifford) Over Her Affair with Donald Trump

Body Language Analysis No. 4232: Betsy DeVos' 60 Minutes Interview

Body Language Analysis No. 4104: Walter Cronkite Reaction to JFK Assassination

Body Language Analysis No. 4026: Aubrey Plaza, Ingrid Goes West, and Emotional Intelligence

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Body Language Analysis No. 4282: When Public Displays of Affection are More Frequent than those in Private - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

We all know of people (and perhaps we're one of them) who have an aversion to public displays of affection (colloquially referred to as PDAs). Yet, in private, these same people exhibit many affection displays - in the range of what most professionals would say classify as healthy and "within normal limits".

But the opposite pattern also occurs - when a person publicly displays affection such as hand holding, kissing, hugging, etc., - but does so much less frequently in private. This behavior pattern is an affectation. It's indicative of a person who wants to show "ownership" of their partner - but who's deficient in affection. Crucially it's also associated with low sincerity and low empathy. If you're at the receiving end of this behavior - you're being used.

A person with low sincerity and low empathy is, in a nutshell, a sociopath (Antisocial Personality Disorder).

Media Inquiries and Group Appearances 

One-on-One and Online Courses Available 

Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com

702-239-8503

See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4281: Michael Cohen's Duplicitous Smile

Body Language Analysis No. 4107 (REPOSTING): Paul Manafort, Robert Mueller, Russian Oligarchs, and Donald Trump

Body Language Analysis No. 4278: Jaws - "You're Gonna Need a Bigger Boat" - vs. A Real Shark Encounter on a Paddleboard

Body Language Analysis No. 4276: Waffle House Hero James Shaw Jr. Meets His NBA Idol Dwyane Wade

Body Language Analysis No. 4275: Rudy Giuliani's Interview on Fox News

Body Language Analysis No. 4268: Benedict Cumberbatch, Schadenfreude, and The Grinch

Body Language Analysis No. 4253: Tiger Woods at The 2018 Masters

Body Language Analysis No. 4249: Will Smith, Sophia the Robot, Robot-Empathy, and Responding in Context

Body Language Analysis No. 4063: The Murder of Laci and Connor Peterson - Scott Peterson (Part 1 of 3)

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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. 3223: Jordan Spieth, the U.S. Open, Annie Verret, Kissing and Body Language (PHOTOS)

The image above shows Jordan Spieth kissing his girlfriend, Annie Verret - after winning the Masters earlier this year. Ms. Verret was noticeably absent from Spieth's victory at the U.S. Open today. Spieth is the first to win the first two of the year's majors since Tiger Woods in did so 2002. And Jordan Spieth won't even turn 22 until next month.

From a body language perspective, it's notable that the World's number one ranked golfer has his eyelids closed in both images. As human beings, we close our eyes during a kiss when true affection is present. Forty percent of the mass of our brain is dedicated to the visual system. In addition, ninety percent of the sensory input is visual. The other four senses must "share" the left-over ten percent. Most every child will tell you that people who are blind will acquire a greater tactile sense. This is absolutely true of course - however few are aware that this phenomenon will also happen immediately with those who have excellent (or any) vision - though to a lesser extent.

When we close our eyes, the blood flow and electrical activity of the visual portions of our brains' diminishes slightly (and immediately). This mild decrease allows greater resources to be redistributed and divided-up between the other four senses - as well as our brains' cognitive and emotional centers. Thus we close our eyes during a sincere kiss because we want to feel it more - we want to drink-in every ounce of emotion. We want to live more deeply. Spieth is shown here kissing two things for which he truly feels deep affection - Annie Verret and the U.S. Open Trophy. The trophy is a surrogate for the accomplishment as well as representing the moment of victory. Like a sommelier tasting fine wine or a lover - he is drinking-in the moment to its fullest.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3222: First Look Promo: Nick's Escape: Fear the Walking Dead: Series Premiere

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3221: Gov. Nikki Haley Choking Back Tears - is She Sincere? Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1855: Sincere Kisses & Closed Eyes

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3068: John Boehner Kissing Nancy Pelosi

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

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

Romance, Marriage and Dating - Body Language Secret No. 609:  Going from High Heels to Flats and then back to Heels

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3068: John Boehner Kissing Nancy Pelosi - Body Language Tells (PHOTOS)

Last week John Boehner was elected by his republican colleagues for his third term as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. One of the most powerful members of the U.S. government and second in line for presidential succession (behind only Vice President Joe Biden) - the Ohio republican is shown in this image kissing the former Speaker, Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) after he once again received the ceremonial Speaker's gavel.

From a body language perspective, the expression on Ms. Pelosi's face is almost a caricature. This is a classic nonverbal moment having elements of both contempt and disgust present.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3067: George & Amal (Alamuddin) Clooney at the Golden Globe Awards - Two Types of Sincere Smiles

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2610: Nancy Pelosi Body Language Tells Us She Fears for Obamacare's Demise

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2442:  Nancy Pelosi's Subtle Contempt Display  Body Language Regarding "Who Cares?" Retort

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2559: John Boehner's Body Language - Microexpression of Contempt vs. Facial Tic

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2318:  John Boehner at Rosa Parks Statue Unveiling  A Body Language Signal of Squelching Tears

Dating & Romance Body Language Secret No. 363:  Simon Cowell, Kissing and Lack of Affection

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1855:  Sincere Kisses & Closed Eyes  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2748: Tatia Pilieva's Brilliant Video "First Kiss" - Body Language of Romance and Affection

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2779: Rep. Vance McAllister Caught on Camera Kissing Staffer - Affection vs. Lust - What their Body Language says (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

U.S. House of Representative, Vance McAllister was recently caught in an embarrassing a potentially career-ending scenario when a video of him embracing and kissing one of his staffers was leaked (Melissa Anne Hixon Peacock). The Louisiana Congressman is not a stranger to controversy as he drew fire earlier this year when he personally invited Willie Robertson (Phil's son) of Duck Dynasty fame to attend the 2014 State of the Union Address. Representative McAllister's office has issued a statement of apology - however to date, no apology has been given by the congressman publicly.

It is impossible to discern any amount of sincerity via a letter drafted on McAllister's (or anyone's) behalf. Apologies, if they are sincere and if they are to be believed must be given directly - in front of a live audience. Apologies must also never be read from a script. Never. This is true whether one is seeking damage control, apologizing from the heart and/or looking for forgiveness.

Note how the positions of the lower half of Peacock's and McAllister's bodies are oriented at ninety degrees. What's more is the Congressman's right foot is pointed away from Peacock. We point our feet, abdomen, torso, face and eyes towards those we love, have affection for and/or respect. This is particularly true when kissing such a person. And while one hip of each is touching, their other hips' are rotated out at right angles. 

This was a kiss and an embrace of lust - and has a very low affection quotient.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2643: Is this Hug More Sexual or Affectionate? Student Suspended One Year for Hugging a Teacher

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2319:  Dennis Rodman Hugging Kim Jong-un ...  Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2317:  "The Rescuing Hug" -  Body Language of Human Touch & Kangaroo Care

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2649: How a Kiss can Change the World - Body Language of Affection

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2:  Body Language of Blake Lively and Penn Badgley  Strongly Suggests an Impending Break-up in Near Future 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2748: Tatia Pilieva's Brilliant Video "First Kiss" - Body Language of Romance and Affection 

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

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

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2768: Gwyneth Paltrow, Chris Martin - and the VERY UNconscious Uncoupling foretelling their Conscious Uncoupling (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Although Gwyneth did not coin the term "Conscious Uncoupling" - she has certainly popularizing it in the last 72 hours. In the moment of this image however, Ms. Paltrow is exhibiting a very strong SUBconscious uncoupling.

Forty percent of the mass of the human brain is dedicated towards vision. In addition, of the five senses - vision accounts for ninety percent of our sensory input. So the human brain is very visually-biased (even for you "non-visual thinkers" out there) - while the senses of touch, taste, smell and hearing have to share the remaining ten percent. When the eyes are shut - a bit less blood flows to these visual brain and therefor a less nutrients including oxygen gets distributed there. The neuro-chemical activity of the other portions of the brain is thus up-regulated while the visual centers are momentarily down-regulated. Our non-visual senses become sharper - as well as the cognitive and emotional functions. This phenomenon occurs very rapidly - almost instantaneously.

When we kiss with our eyelids shut because we want to heighten the emotional experience of the moment. We want to drink in every ounce - every drop of the kiss. And if we kiss with our eyelids closed - the moment - and therefore the relationship has less emotional impact. Granted we all get distracted from time to time - but kisses should not be one of these times. A highly reliable signal of waning of affection or love in any relationship (spouse, child, parent, platonic friendship, etc.) are eyes remaining open during a kiss.

Although the status Coldplay musician Chris Martin's eyelids at this instant are difficult to discern (they are perhaps slightly opened) in this moderate-resolution image, Gwyneth's are certainly opened. Does your spouse kiss with eyes open? Do you?

What other signals (there are several) of low or waning affection are seen in this image?

See also:

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2663: Caroline Wozniacki and Rory McIlroy Engaged - A Body Language Sign of Affection

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2643: Is this Hug More Sexual or Affectionate? Student Suspended One Year for Hugging a Teacher

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2649: How a Kiss can Change the World - Body Language of Affection

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2748: Tatia Pilieva's Brilliant Video "First Kiss" - Body Language of Romance and Affection

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2424:  Giada De Laurentiis on Conan O'Brien  Beautiful Teeth but Insincere Smiles and  Some Body Language Signals of Waning Love 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2502:  A Body Language Sign of True Love & Affection -  A Father Reunited with Young Son Who He Believed died in  Syria Poison Gas Attack

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2767: Barack Obama Meets Pope Francis - The Body Language "Being Beta"

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2748: Tatia Pilieva's Brilliant Video "First Kiss" - Body Language of Romance and Affection (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Tatia Pilieva's video has directed and produced a very viral video - "First Kiss". In it she asks 10 pairs of strangers to kiss. Of course the participants were willing participants and NOT on a date with a lecherous cad. Presumably they were not in relationships as well - and they of course open-minded and romantic personalities. After these hurdles were cleared it is very interesting to note that the typical initial levels of intimacy were bypassed and most truly seemed to develop an immediate level of affection.

In addition there was a multitude of specific body language moments - some of which are discussed below:

Man displaying an "Inward Lip Roll" (ILR) which indicates his subconsciously trying to suppress strong emotions (e.g. excitement, anxiety, some fear).

She configures both of her elbows laterally with her armpit exposed. In this nonverbal cluster-context, this is a very strong indicator of attraction and sexual readiness.

This bilateral display of facial touch to her cheeks indicates a high level of "emotional buy-in" and empathy. It also tells us that her emotional mind is trying to process what her intellect already knows - she's about to kiss a woman she is attracted to and yet just met.

One woman suggests, "Let's look into each other's eyes first" and her partner readily agrees.

Gazing into another person's eyes strongly incites feels of romance and emotional intimacy - as long as the other person does not harbor negative emotions.

One (or here both) hand(s) to the upper sternum (manubrium) is a very reliable indicator of anxiety as well as a high empathy quotient.

Her full palmar contact tells us her feelings are sincere.

Touching foreheads is a nonverbal normally reserved for those who have established levels of affection. It is not primarily - and in many settings never sexual.

This is a very profound point - acting affectionate (not sexual) can truly trigger affection.

This Hair Adjust Behind Ear (HABE) body language is but one example of a MAP Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier). The HABE show that she is trying to "Dial Up Her Alpha" qualities. She is trying to amp-up her assertiveness.

The use of her opposite arm/hand to undertake this maneuver indicates a higher level of anxiety compared vs. if it was performed with the limb on the same side. 

After their kiss, this couple disengages with a mirrored body language of hands behind their backs. It's as if to say, "I'm (politely) done with this and I can't believe we just did that!"

Embarrassment!

He has some anxiety and is trying to figure out if and/or how much she likes his kiss.

Her looking down and away, wrist holding indicates embarrassment while here inward lip roll shows us she's trying to suppress her very positive emotions.

Relaxed, bilateral eyelid closure, head and torso tilt and full palmar contact indicates they are drinking every ounce of good emotion out of the moment.

This is a moment of bliss.






Take home point reiterated: Acting affectionate (not sexual) can truly trigger sincere affection. 

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2748: Tatia PIlieva's Brilliant Video "First Kiss" - Body Language of Romance and Affection

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2445:  Sasha Alexander on Conan O'Brien -  Sexually Provocative Displays 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2456:  Julia Merfeld Trys to Hire a Hit Man to Kill Her Husband -  Sexual Attraction and a Murderous Wife; Body Language and Disinhibition

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2325:  Mila Kunis' interview with Chris Stark on BBC Radio 1 re: Oz the Great and Powerful -  Body Language, Sexual Attraction and Mirroring

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2313: Elisa Lam Video in Elevator at Cecil Hotel - What Her Body Language Tells Us ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1650:  Ozzie Guillen Gets Suspended  by Miami Marlins Team President

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2389:  Tom Cruise, Gerard Butler & Olga Kurylenko on  The Graham Norton Show  Alpha Body Language Behavior -  on The Phone and on the Couch

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2649: How a Kiss can Change the World - Body Language of Affection (PHOTO)

Photo Credit Marco Bertorello

This is an incredible photo examples an incredible scenario of human emotion and the body language which accompanies it. The woman is protesting a high-speed train line in Susa, Italy. She is lifting the face-shield of a police officer to kiss him as a peace offering. Note that both of their eyes are closed. At moments of high affection (such as a kiss) and other affectionate, close head-touching scenarios (e.g. sincere hugs), the eyes will close. The emotional brain wants to drink in" and experience every little bit of the emotion of the moment - and such emotion is heightened by eyelid closure. Forty percent of the mass of the brain is visual. Ninety percent of all sensory input is also visual. Thus when the eyelids are closed there is a transient and subtle blood flow and neurochemical downshift in the visual portions of the central nervous system, while the other senses (taste, touch, smell and hearing) grow temporarily more sensitive - and the cognitive and emotional centers of the brain will also up-regulate. This is natural when tasting a chocolate desert, or often when a singer performs, during intense concentration, at the height of sexual orgasm, etc.

Perhaps the police officer and the woman knew each other prior to the protest. Perhaps not. We do not know his specific orders either. While this would seem to be contrary to law enforcement protocol, it seems she has, by her affectionate display, changed his World-view.

See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 2502:  A Nonverbal Sign of True Love & Affection - A Father Reunited with Young Son Who He Believed died in  Syria Poison Gas Attack

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2535: William Swenson, Medal of Honor and Body Language on the Battlefield (VIDEO, PHOTO)

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1855: Sincere Kisses & Closed Eyes

Body Language Analysis No. 2108:  Rihanna's and Chris Brown's Kiss and Hug  What are they REALLY feeling?

Romance and Dating Secret No. 202: Revealed in a Kiss -  Prince Albert and Princess Charlene 

Body Language Analysis No. 2643: Is this Hug More Sexual or Affectionate? Student Suspended One Year for Hugging a Teacher

Body Language Secret No. 105: Parental Affection and Love

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