Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2439: Michael Jackson's Wrongful Death Suit AEG Live CEO's Body Language During Deposition

The following is a partial nonverbal analysis of a brief segment (2:30 length) of a deposition from Michael Jackson's wrongful death suit. Mr. Dan Beckerman, CEO of AEG Live is being deposed.

"Forward Lip Pursing" is displayed several times during this segment. Here it occurs at 0:06 - 0:08. Forward lip pursing is a signal of clandestine partial or full disagreement. It is displayed by those who, at least in part, are relative alpha personalities and believe their idea/plan is superior.





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During 0:10 - 0:13 the "Inward Lip Roll" is seen. The inward lip roll (ILR) is a sign that the psyche is trying to suppress significant emotion.










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The "Asymmetrical Lip Purse" is indicative of openly (non-secretively) deciding on a course of action. It's as if to say, "I am deciding". One will can see this many times through a brief trip of a grocery store or when people are looking at a menu.

This expression was made famous last summer by McKayla Maroney, the American Gymnast at the London Olympics. Virtually everyone misinterpreted it though - her expression was falsely labeled as:
"Not Impressed" (most commonly) and also "Scowl", "Pouty", "Disgust" or "Contempt". This large, society wide scale and repeated misinterpretation exemplifies the preponderance of ignorance regarding many common (let alone the much needed nuance) of nonverbal communication signals.

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2249:  The Most Misinterpreted Facial Expression of 2012 - McKayla Maroney's "Not Impressed"  Body Language-Facial Expression

At 0:42 Mr. Beckerman's ears elevate upwards (Don't confuse this with a jump in the video due to editing which occurs at 0:44). This is a rarely captured example of a manifestation of a very common emotion.

What does this brief "Ear Elevation" indicate?

What does his extended blink afterwards mean in this context?

Beginning at 0:52 several seconds of a suppressed smile can easily be seen.

Is this a display an example of "Duping Delight" or something else?

At 1:13 to 1:16 Mr. Beckerman displays an example of a "Bitter Smile". This signals regret and when people make this expression they believe, that in real-time they are pushing out a slight smile. Notable is the concave up appearance to the lips/mouth - when during even a modest social smile the lips/mouth should be concave down.

This is one of the best examples of how we as human beings have a profoundly inaccurate ability to assess our own body language-facial expressions when we are in a significant emotional state.

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Negotiation Secret # 42: Brees' Bitter Smile After Disappointment

Another forward lip purse at 1:29

Sideways (asymmetrical) lip purse is seen again at 1:31

At 1:56 - 1:57 Mr. Beckerman rubs his nose for a full two seconds after answering a question.

What does this body language mean?

This gesture is an example of what general class of nonverbals?

Mr. Beckerman closes both eyelids for what is known as an extended blink just after the above noted nose rub.

In this cluster-context what does such an extended blink indicate?








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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2437: Michael Jackson's Wrongful Death Trial Faux Pas Body Language during Testimony byAEG Live CEO Randy Phillips

Randy Phillips the CEO of AEG Live is shown here during his recent testimony of Michael Jackson's wrongful death trial. The configuration of Mr. Phillips hands is that of a "High Conventional Steeple" with a simultaneous mouth cover. A conventional steeple - if displayed very selectively (and essentially choreographed) for short periods of time (a second or two) will transmit emotions of authority, alpha personality and high confidence levels. The trouble is those who use it almost always overuse it and therefore it backfires and sends signals of arrogance as well as patronizing and condescending emotional tones. These are never emotions which, as his attorney, you would ever want the jury to perceive.

Additionally Mr. Phillips' coexisting mouth cover is a variation of a MAP (manipulator, adaptor, pacifier). MAPs very often signal heightened anxiety levels - as is the case here (in the setting of differing facial expressions, what would be some other interpretations of this particular MAP cluster?). Thus Mr. Phillips' body language is displaying significant emotional dissonance - both a hyper-alpha/arrogance - while at the same time that of significant anxiety.

How to behave on the witness stand is an important matter - for the guilty can look innocent and the innocent may appear guilty. And jurors (or judges) will decide with their guts as much or more than their heads.

See also:

Negotiation Body Languge Secret # 361:  Conrad Murray's Fingers and Nostrils

Negotiation Nonverbal Secret # 559: Pointing at a Witness, Conrad Murray's Trial

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2323:  Jodi Arias Murder Trial - The Body Language of Unilateral Regret vs. Contempt 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2343:  Jodi Arias, the Courtroom and the Body Language of Mirroring

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2050:  George Zimmerman's Interview on Fox -  Microexpression of Contempt and Duping Delight

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1897:  George Zimmerman's Reenactment of  Trayvon Martin Shooting

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2411:  Zimmerman's Attorney, Mark O'Mara's - Body Language Faux Pas in Court

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2310:  Oscar Pistorius' Body Language in Court - Part II  Central Forehead Contraction, Frown & Pupil Dilation ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2311:  Reporter Robyn Curnow's re: Oscar Pistorius, Her Body Language shows her Bias

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Negotiation Body Languge Secret # 361: Conrad Murray's Fingers and Nostrils

Doctor Conrad Murray is pictured here at his hearing from earlier today. He received a sentenced of four years for involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson. This image was captured just prior to his sentencing. His interlaced and straightened fingers are strong indicators of anxiety - and more specifically that of frustration and insecurity. Of course, we know the context here - and the idea that Dr. Murray is feeling this way is not a surprise. While his face does not show dramatic signals of anxiety, if you look close you can see nostril flaring. What does this nonverbal indicate? What about the angle of his head/neck tilt? In your everyday life, how often do you miss these subtle but important nonverbal signals?

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Negotiation Secret # 559: Pointing at a Witness

This is J. Michael Flanagan, the defense attorney for Dr. Conrad Murray. Murray is on trial for involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson. Flanagan is a skilled and experienced attorney, but in many cases, I would disagree with his gesture of pointing at a witness (in this case Dr. Thao Nguyen, Cardiologist). In particular, I would steer him away from pointing with his index finger (forefinger). While this body language may certainly make the witness squirm and feel uncomfortable - and this may work to his advantage, he should weigh this against how the jury may feel. Pointing is considered a significant insult in nearly every culture and country around the World. If any jury member has empathy for the witness being questioned, she/he will feel as if they are being pointed at, chastised, and thus falsely persecuted along with the witness. Got empathy? Your jury does.

A better way to point would be with the whole hand, palm up. The fingers and arm should both be extended (but not fully extended, some flexing to the shoulder, elbow and fingers should be displayed) but relaxed. 

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Negotiation Secret # 602: Honesty in Testimonies

We tend to not trust someone the less we can see of them. If they hide body parts when they are asked questions, this should set off alarms in our internal lie detectors. This is accurate for several body parts and particularly true of the hands. Here, Dr. Richelle Cooper is testifying in Dr. Conrad Murray's trial regarding the death of Michael Jackson. Her hands are visible, and with her palms up gesturing, this adds even more to her honest persona - but she has to bring them up fairly high for this to occur. It is possible that their view is even obstructed to some jury members. It would be a great idea for witnesses to testify with a plexiglass top table, or something similar, so that all those in court could see them in near entirety and see their Body Language displayed upon questioning. The same would be apply in depositions as well as voir dire. This would certainly add to the justice process. Those who bear false witness would be much more easily sussed out.

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