Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2650: Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Pardoned by Putin, is Released from Prison, One Important Thing His Body Language Tells Us (VIDEO, PHOTO)

Mikhail Khodorkovsky was just released from prison in Russia. Along with two members of the band "Pussy Riot" and thirty members of a Greenpeace protest ship, Vladimir Putin pardoned Khodorkovsky on three days ago. The former Oil Tycoon landed in Berlin on Sunday.

After spending almost ten years in prison, Mikhail Khodorkovsky displays a somewhat ironic body language tell. However as with all ironies, they cease to be ironic when you dig deeper. Mr. Khodorkovsky is a confident man.

At multiple times during the above video (best exampled during 1:51-1:55), Mr. Khodorkovsky displays a somewhat subtle example of the nonverbal signal known as a "Self-Righteous Head Wiggle" (SRHW). The self-righteous head wiggle is one form of nonverbal swagger. A similar body language display may also be seen in the jaw and/or torso. These may occur in conjunction with the SRHW or they may be seen in isolation.

The self-righteous wiggle nonverbal signals, as their names imply, are high frequency side-to-side movements of the head/jaw and or torso. It is important to not confuse these with the head wag of "no" (although negative words may be spoken). Those who display the SRHW feel that they are alpha. In addition to their high confidence, they also feel very passionate about the subjects which are usually verbalizing - although it is not uncommon to see this body language without any verbal message.

It is interesting to note that the frequency and volume of the spoken word often increase during the SRHW display. A forward motion component (in addition to the side-to-side movement) is often seen as well - which adds a reprimanding/scolding layered meaning. A backward motion is seen when there is added disgust and/or incredulity.

If the self-righteous head wiggle (or any other alpha nonverbal) is over-used (which occurs often and is very easy to do), it will destroy rapport. Most of those displaying alpha signals are not very self-aware thus such habits will back-fire. However Mikhail Khodorkovsky's (subconscious) use of the SRHW is subtle and will be missed by all but the most astute observers.

What other nonverbal signals do you see displayed in this short video?

See also:

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2647: Vladimir Putin regarding Edward Snowden, What Does the Russian Leader Think?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2506:  Barack Obama, the Self-Righteous Head Wiggle and  Retaliation Against Syrian Poison Gas Attack

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1552:  The Self-Righteous Head Wiggle & The Buffett Rule

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2398:  Self Righteous Head Wiggle, Alpha Behavior &  First Drone Flight Off of an Aircraft Carrier

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1923:  Hillary Clinton's Body Language re: Syrian Government -  The Self-Righteous Head Wiggle

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1918:  Vladimir Putin - Pointing with Pen Surrogates, Sharp vs. Blunt

________________________________________________________________________________

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2608: Ryan Ferguson's Release From Prison - and the Self Righteous Jaw Wiggle (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Ryan Ferguson was released last week from prison. He had served 10 years for a murder he did not commit. In this interview here by George Stephanopoulos, Ryan is seated next to his father, Bill Ferguson.

During the 2:21 - 2:32 segment, Bill can be seen moving his jaw (mandible) back and forth in what is known as a "Self-Righteous Jaw Wiggle". Here we see it in isolation, however this highly characteristic nonverbal is usually clustered with the either the "Self-Righteous Torso Wiggle", the "Self-Righteous Head Wiggle" - or both.

This body language is subconsciously directed and indicative of a high-alpha emotional tone and is nearly always accompanied by a definitive and assertive statement. It is displayed by those who feel they are in a position to carry out their plans (whether they be open and straightforward as in this scenario ... or  clandestine as in others). This example is somewhat unusual and rarely captured because the person speaking is not the same person who is displaying the body language - yet this demonstrates that "father and son are of one mind".

Congratulations Ryan.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2561: President Obama's Self-Righteous Jaw Wiggle

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2598: Benjamin Netanyahu's Body Language regarding Iran Nuclear Proliferation and Negotiations

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2492:  Jared Remy Arrested for Murder of His Girlfriend -  Three Jaw Signals in a Cluster,  Thee Body Language Meanings

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1923:  Hillary Clinton's Body Language re: Syrian Government -  The Self-Righteous Head Wiggle

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2464:  Gen. Martin Dempsey (Chairman U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff) Sen. John McCain and The Self-Righteous Torso Wiggle Body Language on Capitol Hill

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2577: Bill Clinton and Terry McAuliffe - Alpha and Beta Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2605: President Obama and Health Insurance Cancellation Fix - and an Alpha-Beta Hybrid Body Language Illustrator

________________________________________________________________________________

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2140: Joran van der Sloot's going to be a father - Body Language Signs of Chronic Insincerity

It (almost) goes without saying that, chronic insincerity is to be strongly avoided - yet can we spot it when it is staring us in the face? If these people were so easy to see, then there would be no Bernie Madoffs or Jeffrey Skillings ... or Joran van der Sloots. Van der Sloot is of course infamous first for the alleged murder of Natalee Holloway and later for pleading guilty to the Murder of Stephany Flores. He currently is serving a 28 year sentence in Peru for killing Flores. It was announced today that he's going to become a father.

Forehead muscular contraction, particularly contraction of the central forehead (CFC) in the presence of a mouth "social" smile (note this is only a "social smile" not a sincere smile - thus of course there is no eyelid/eye component) is a powerful nonverbal warning and should always send up a big red flag. Everyone occasionally projects this body language/facial expression - it's those who display it chronically that we should strongly avoid.

Central Forehead Contraction is a nonverbal seen when there is physical or emotional pain - either for oneself or felt for another person(s) or animal(s) via empathy. However in this context the CFC should always accompanied by a congruent mouth expression - of pain, fear or sadness. When a CFC is displayed along with a smile, however insincere, partial or subtle - it is insincere. In some contexts it is also seen as a body language signal of incredulity and/or arrogance. In a fantastic example of a display of emotional dissonance, the conscious mind is trying to project empathy where none exists. The subconscious mind thus "leaks" out their true emotions - and a warning.

Take home point: Those who display a chronic central forehead contraction in the presence of even a subtle mouth smile are to be avoided - for chronic insincerity equals sociopath behavior.

See also:

Nonverbal Analysis # 1915: Mitt Romney's Response to Supreme Court's Decision on "Obamacare"

Nonverbal Analysis # 1439: Central Forehead Contraction & Inward Lip Roll - Devon Davis & April Davis

Nonverbal Analysis # 2124: This Body Language-Facial Display Should always make you suspect "Insincere"

Nonverbal Analysis # 1570: Shiva, a Signal of Empathy and the Subcontinent

Nonverbal Analysis # 2056: Aurora, Colorado Mass Shooting - Similarities in Body Language with other Mass Killers


_____________________________________________________________________________________

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 717: Barry Bonds and the Obstruction of Justice

Federal prosecutors want Barry Bonds to go to Prison. They are seeking a sentence of 15 months for the former San Francisco Giants star. The charges stem from his obstruction of their investigation into BALCO, steroids, human growth hormone and other performance enhancing substances and their illegal sale and distribution to professional athletes.

The most common reason for a nose "itch" is not a rash, a nasal hair or allergic rhinitis - it's anxiety. This is also true for similar sensations elsewhere on the face and neck. There are many reasons for anxiety however, and deception is but one - but it's a very common one. Depending on the particular area touched/rubbed/itched/etc., the other nonverbals it is clustered with, the paralanguage and the statement analysis/language analysis - if you know what to look for, your ability to detect lies is very significantly enhanced.  

Everyone tells "white lies". The next time you tell one, or even think about telling one - if you're self-aware (everyone thinks they are - but this is true for very few) - you'll notice that somewhere on your face or neck will probably itch. You may be like Barry Bonds or Megan Fox (See Lie Detection Secret # 652: Megan Fox has got an Itch) and scratch your nose, you may be like Jon Corzine (See Negotiation Body Language Secret # 339: When a Lie is Heard or Told) and scratch next to your ear. It can even work in reverse, for if you hear or see something you believe to be deception, as Angela Merkel does here (see Negotiation Secret # 29: Eye Rub when some else is speaking - Angela doubts Vladimir) - you'll have similar sensations and may rub your eye like the German Chancellor.

Remember, there is no one body language signal for detecting a lie. Many things must be taken into account (see above) - including the honest person who experiences anxiety associated with being falsely accused. Paul Ekman calls this the "Othello error" after the character in the Shakespeare play of the same name, who falsely reads his wife's (Desdemona) signs of anxiety as that of guilt.

___________________________________________________________________________________