Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3116: Leonard Nimoy and Disbelief - Body Language of Spock (PHOTOS)

Today's post is a tribute to Leonard Nimoy. Although best known for his role as Spock in the original Star Trek series, he was also a film director, poet, singer and photographer. Beloved by many and a sort of living metaphor for our attempts at objectivity - as a fictional character with a Human mother and a Vulcan father, he always sought to suppress his emotions.

The image above is a classic facial expression of Spock, often preceding or following the spoken word, "Fascinating". A unilateral raised eyebrow is a highly characteristic nonverbal signal of disbelief. And while this is one of the most common facial configurations of incredulity, it's not the only one. What others can you name?

Thank you Mr. Nimoy. You have the helm.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3115: Giuliana Rancic apologizes to Zendaya Coleman comment made regarding her dreadlocks at the Oscars - that she "smells like patchouli oil and weed" on "Fashion Police" - Is She Sincere?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2556: Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen and Star Trek - Even Great Actors Leak Body Language Tells 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2392:  Zoë Saldaña on Jimmy Kimmel -  Rapport Builders, Alpha Behavior & Dominance Displays 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2683: Alice Eve, Craig Ferguson, Kierkegaard and Free Will, Body Language Tells  

Negotiation Secret No. 67: Incredulous Cluster - Aleksandar Djorovic

Negotiation Secrets No. 335 & 353: Incredulity with Contempt - Amanda Knox Redux 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis  1696:  George Zimmerman's Testimony -  Fear, Incredulity, Regret & Contempt

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3033: Reaction to Grand Jury's Decision regarding Eric Garner's Choke Hold Death 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2743: Liz Wahl Resigns on air from RT-America ("Russia Today") News Network - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Yesterday Liz Wahl, an American news anchor for the RT-America (Russia Today) resigned. Here is the portion of her statement which accompanied her on-air resignation:

“...Last night RT made international headlines when one of our anchors [Abby Martin] went on the air and said Russian intervention in Crimea is wrong. And indeed, as a reporter on this network I face many ethical and moral challenges - especially me personally coming from a family whose grandparents, my grandparents came here as refugees during the Hungarian revolution - ironically to escape the Soviet forces. I have family on the opposite side - on my mother's side - ah, that sees the daily grind of poverty. And I'm very lucky to have grown up here in the United States” 

(She told RT-America's viewers this immediately after a report claiming the new Ukrainian government, the leaders of which help to ousted pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych, is made up primarily of neo-Nazis and fascists.)

Ms. Wahl went on to say,  “I’m the daughter of a veteran. My partner is a physician at a military base where he sees every day the first-hand accounts of the ultimate prices that people pay for this country. And that is why personally I cannot be part of a network funded by the Russian Government that whitewashes the actions of Putin. I am proud to be an American and believe in disseminating the truth and that is why after this newscast I’m resigning.”

During the 0:59 - 1:02 segment (image below), just as she says, " ... Russian Government that whitewashes the actions...", her left eyebrow elevates as Ms. Wahl's left forehead contracts. This is a classic nonverbal display of disbelief (What are some other body language signals of incredulity?).

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2742: Vladimir Putin on the Crisis Ukraine - Thin Slicing Levels of Anger - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1696:  George Zimmerman's Testimony -  Fear, Incredulity, Regret & Contempt

Negotiation Secret # 67: Incredulous Cluster - Aleksandar Djorovic

Negotiation Secret # 72 & 73: Disgust & Incredulity

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