Showing posts with label Manchester. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Manchester. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Body Language Analysis No. 3948: The Manchester Bomber, Nonverbal Communication, Threat Assessment, and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)


The image above (and the cropped close-up below) shows one of the few currently available photos of Salman Abedi - the alleged perpetrator of the recent bombing during at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England. Tragically, 22 victims were killed and at least 120 others were injured.

Note the expression on Abedi's face - it's a mixture of both Contempt and Disgust. The elevated "snarl" appearance on HIS left side (e.g. the well-defined nasolabial fold [the furrow running from the side of the nose to the corner of the mouth]), is particularly emblematic of Contempt. His mid-face tightness (in the "mustache area") is consistent with both of these emotions (although also more accentuated on his left - ergo contempt). His "droopy eyelids", while perhaps longstanding (e.g., congenital ptosis) - here serve as an amplifier of contempt and disgust. Abedi's backward head tilt also acts to intensify each of these emotions.

As human beings, we all occasionally feel - and thus display each of these feelings - but hopefully not very often or too intensely.

However, those who make such facial expressions frequently have a dramatically increased likelihood of having impulse control disorder (colloquially known as a "short temper"). Therefore in the context of significant disagreements, these individuals will tend to use physical force and outright violence to solve problems - rather than dialog, diplomacy, and reason.

Moreover, if we evaluate the real-time behavior and/or social media behavior record of the people who perpetrate terrorist activity or mass-shootings - we will observe a dramatic frequency of disgust and contempt - as well as anger (often there exists a mixture of these emotions)

With this in mind, it's not surprising that a senior person at the mosque which Abedi attended (the Manchester Islamic Centre aka Didsbury Mosque) reported that Salman Abedi looked at him with a "face of hate" after the imam gave a sermon denouncing terrorism and preaching against ISIS.

Summary: Careful observation of Nonverbal Behavior plays a crucial role in Threat Assessment and preventing violence. The perpetrator of the 2017 Manchester Bombing, Salman Abedi, is yet another example of an individual who exhibited such body language red flags. And while certainly not all of those who display chronic expressions of anger, contempt, and/or disgust will perpetrate terrorist activity - they will virtually always have impulse control disorder (thus you don't want to date them, hire them, be hired by them, vote for them, etc.).

My deepest condolences for all those who have suffered in this horrific event.



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See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 3947: Benjamin Netanyahu's reaction to Donald Trump's statement, "I never mentioned the Word or Name 'Israel' "

Body Language Analysis No. 3945: Donald Trump's Anxiety - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence

Body Language Analysis No. 3943: Donald Trump hugs James Comey

Body Language Analysis No. 3941: H.R. McMaster’s Press Conference, Part II — Donald Trump, Russia & Classified Information

Body Language Analysis No. 3933: Sally Yates Testimony before Senate Judiciary Committee

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3912: Keri Russell's Schadenfreude, Matthew Rhys' Fear, and a Hesitancy to Disclose

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3870: Paul Ryan's Response to Donald Trump during President's Speech before The Joint Session of Congress

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3843: 84 Lumber Super Bowl Ad - "The Entire Journey"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3802: Amanda Nunes, Ronda Rousey and UFC 207


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Monday, February 8, 2016

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3459: Miscues on the Introductions to New Hampshire Republican Debate - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

As with all debates, there were literally thousands, if not tens of thousands of body language moments during Saturday night's Republican debate in Manchester - just three days before the 2016 Primary in New Hampshire.

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

Below are but four body language moments which occurred during the introduction. Apparently the applause was so loud, that several of the candidates didn't hear their names being called. Ben Carson was the first to make this mistake.


While waiting, Ben Carson made the profound mistake of standing in a configuration that no Presidential Candidate should ever do during a debate (or indeed anywhere with the rare exception of a religious ceremony, meeting a major religious figure, a wedding, a funeral, while at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, etc.).

As seen in this image, while waiting for his name to be called (and it already had been) - Dr. Carson is standing with his feet together while his hands are held in a fig-leaf variation. This stance carries with it an extremely beta emotional tone. Not only will this send signals of acquiescence to his opponents, but it also will down-regulate the all the alpha qualities of confidence, strength, assertiveness, etc., which are needed during a such a high level political debate (or any debate). It's impossible to believe any debate coach or body language expert ever recommended this behavior to the brain surgeon. The damage done by this nonverbal faux pas cannot be over-emphasized. There's simply no way a person who stands in this manner will ever win a high-level debate.


When Jeb Bush passes by Donald Trump, Bush of course, touches Trump's upper arm. Most of the candidates committed this or a very similar intimate space invasion - which in almost any other setting should be strongly discouraged - yet here it serves to help disturb their opponents and displace them from their emotional "game face" baseline.


Here the former Florida Governor displays a classic, Social Fear Face - which is nonverbally shouting, "I'm glad you guys screwed up and not me."

It's important to note that those who display this expression for others (even here, Bush for his own opponents) have higher empathy quotients.





After Bush passes him, Trump displays a classic contempt display with a component of regret.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3458: Marco Rubio and Donald Trump Shake Hands at Debate

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3449: Natalie Portman's Hands 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2322: Jeb Bush & Matt Lauer - Which one is the Narcissist? Body Language Red Flags

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3434: Donald Trump and the Verbal vs. Nonverbal Disparity

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3274: Chris Christie, Rand Paul, The Republican Debate and National Security

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3253: John Kasich Formally Announces His Candidacy for President

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3446: Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Body Language

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

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