On 7 August 2018, the CW network announced they are casting Ruby Roseas Batwoman (whose alter ego is fictional character Kate Kane). It's a role she has dreamed of acting since childhood. Shortly thereafter, Ms. Rose received harsh criticism which asserted "wasn't lesbian enough", "wasn't Jewish" (in the comic series, Kane's character is Jewish), and "lacked the acting skills" to play Batwoman. Yet, Ruby Rose came out as lesbian when she was twelve years old. Ms. Rose has quit Twitter following this backlash.
The day after CW's Batwoman series announcement, Ruby Rose was a guest on Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show.
One particular nonverbal display during this interview is worthy of a closer look.
At 1:21 in the above video, Ruby Rose briefly looks upward as she groans. Just afterward she says, "I said I wouldn't do that". Earlier in this exchange, she spoke of her fear of and need to avoid tears.
Momentarily and forcefully gazing straight upward is a little recognized, yet quite common dynamic we all occasionally display when we are trying to keep from crying. This nonverbal mechanism is subconsciously driven. Ruby Rose's desire to suppress her tears was sincere.
Representative McCarthy's initial announcement (to other members of the U.S. House of Representatives) was apparently not recorded - or it's not been released. The video above shows the California republican standing to the left (our right) of his wife - Judy, during his first public statement regarding his decision to withdraw from the race for the Speakership.
Beginning at 0:53 in the video, a reporter asks, "... You said at 8:00 am that you're going run for the Speakership - why change it at noon? What happened in those four hours?"
Rep. McCarthy answers, "Ya know, we had our conference and, um, - there's calls into The District - I, I don't want making voting for Speaker a tough one. I don't want to go to the floor and win with 220 votes. I think the best thing for our party right now - is that you have 247 votes on the floor. If we're going to be strong - we gotta be one hundred percent united (1:21)..."
A partial nonverbal analysis of this segment is included below.
0:56 - 0:58
Judy McCarthy displays an inward lip roll as the reporter says, "why change it at noon? What hap ...."
This is highly significant for emotions indication she's far from her emotional baseline and is attempting to prevent the outward display as well as the inward growth of an emotion.
0:58
Rep. McCarthy displays a tongue jut as the reporter says, "... those four ..."
This is significant for the thought-emotion of, "I've been caught" or "I've been bad".
McCarthy's downward gaze as well as his forward head and neck tilt (in this context) may indicate deep thought and introspection - or shame.
0:59
As McCarthy says, "Ya know ...
Judy McCarthy, anticipating her husband's answer, displays a hard swallow.
A hard swallow is significant for higher levels of anxiety (watch the video to appreciate the dynamics of this display).
At 1:01, during the last syllable of the word "... conference ...", the Congressman exhibits a nose rub with his right index finger (forefinger).
A nose rub/scratch indicates a high level of anxiety, and in this specific verbal-paralanguage-nonverbal cluster, it's highly suggestive of deception.
Note Mrs. McCarthy is beginning to look down and to her right.
Still during 1:01, Judy McCarthy is now looking further down to her right. This direction of gaze is highly correlated with strong emotions - very often with sadness, grief and regret.
During 1:02 - 1:05, 1:17 - 1:20, 1:38 - 1:39, Judy McCarthy looks directly up and holds her gaze there. This is a very common nonverbal phenomenon seen when a person is trying to suppress strong emotion - including the squelching of tears.
In conclusion, nonverbal analyses of Kevin McCarthy and Judy McCarthy show that the real reason for the Representative's withdraw from pursuit of the Speakership, is one other than he conveyed verbally - and, in addition, Mrs. McCarthy knows the true cause for this sudden change.
This website serves as an objective reference source for the science and art of Body Language/Nonverbal Communication. In an effort to be both practical and academic, many examples from/of varied cultures, politicians, professional athletes, legal cases, public figures, etc. are cited in order to teach and illustrate both the interpretation of others’ body language as well as the projection of one’s own nonverbal skills in many different contexts – not to advance any political, religious or other agenda.
During her interview Ms. Lawrence sings a bit of Cher's song, Believe. Liam Hemsworth's reaction provides a great example of a particular nonverbal behavior cluster.
As Jennifer starts to sing, Liam begins to blush and continues blushing heavily throughout much of this video. People who blush more often, deeper and/or for longer durations - have more sincere overall personality profiles. What's particularly noteworthy in this scenario is Hemsworth is blushing for another person - rather than himself. This additionally indicates his empathy quotient is relatively high and while of course we can be embarrassed for people whom we don't know (or are barely acquainted) - we tend to blush more for those with whom we have affection (of course such affection may be platonic or romantic).
These following four very common nonverbal signals often co-existent with facial blushing and are captured in these two moments:
1. Clasping and often rubbing together of the hands (one type of a MAP [Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier])
2. Dorsiflexion of the feet (rocking up on the heels)
Both of these body language displays are general indicators of anxiety, yet in this context they more specifically act as Empathetic Embarrassment Amplifiers.
Here we see two additional nonverbal signs that further accentuate his feelings of embarrassment for JLaw-Katniss:
3. Short-lived upward gaze
4. Rubbing of the anterior neck
Thus in this brief video, by evaluating the Aussie Actor's body language, we can tell two things with a high degree of confidence - Liam Hemsworth's overall sincerity level as well as his empathy quotient are both upstanding. In addition (and not surprisingly) Hemsworth has significant affection for Jennifer Lawrence.
The failure of the Obamacare Website and the cancellation of millions of health insurance policies has left the woman known as "Obamacare Girl" feeling maligned and bullied. This brief interview demonstrates several common nonverbal pre-crying displays. Such signals of sadness may or may not be successful in suppressing tears.
At 2:01 Obamacare Girl (Adrianna) briefly breathes through tightened and narrowed lips. This particular "Tight-Lipped Breathing" is characterized by one (or multiple shallow and) rapid breath(s) and is very commonly seen in anticipation of a significant emotional event (here crying on national television and sharing her story with millions) and has an unpredictable outcome feeling for those displaying this nonverbal. This tight-lipped breathing along with increased and shallow respiration rate, also is associated with increased adrenaline, rapid pulse and a rise in blood pressure. Some may confuse it with the "puffer fish" which occurs both before, but more commonly after a significant event; however the puffer fish (which is usually just a few or even a single expiration) brings on a lower pulse, deeper and slower breaths as well as lower blood pressure.
The puffer fish lowers anxiety while tight-lipped breathing (TLB) is associated with increased anxiety - and thus often is a harbinger of a crying-emotional release.
At 2:02 Adrianna can be seen very briefly "pulling in" her central cheeks in what is a very evanescent "False Mastication like" display.
This is a very common anxiety indicator and is also subconsciously used in an attempt to suppress crying.
We see an increase reflectivity in Adrianna's eyes in this image (2:04) which indicates more tear-film from the expressing of "crying tears".
It is very common to gaze upward prior to crying in an effort to suppress sadness and tears.
Chin dimpling, seen here - also see at 2:04, is also a very common crying harbinger.
Subtle chin dimpling is seen displayed at 2:11 along with mild-to-moderate jaw jutting.
Although a jaw jut is seen usually in the context of anger, it may also be occur to stave off an emotional display of tears.
Adrianna also sports widely opened eyelids - which is is also common in the moments just prior to crying and near-crying.
At 2:12 we see Adrianna in a specific facial expression termed an "Inward Lip Roll" (ILR). It is the psyche's attempt to suppress an escalation of emotion - both internally and in body language. The ILR is more commonly seen in the setting of anger and also on occasion to suppress joy-laughter.
After using profanity and giving Miami Dade Judge Jorge Rodriguez-Chomat the bird earlier this week, Penelope Soto apologized - which is shown in the above video. In the midst of her apology she displays three common body language signs commonly seen in an effort to avoid tears. Her apology is very sincere.
Evidence of rapid bouncing movement of her lower limbs can be indirectly seen as her whole body bounces up and down. Similar movements of the hand & arms are also very common.
Ms. Soto's Inward Lip Roll (ILR) is a common nonverbal signal the psyche is trying to suppress displaying emotions - most often anger, and sometimes laughter-joy, embarrassment, etc. - but here it is the overwhelming emotional release associated with tears which often come with a sincere apology.
In addition Penelope looks up dramatically. This extreme upward gaze often happens just prior to or during the early stages of a tearful emotional moment.
There is other very telling body language seen in this video. Can you spot it?
