Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2787: Korean Ferry Sinking, Empathy and Emotional Processing - Body Language (PHOTOS)

The recent tragic sinking of the Korean Ferry gives an unfortunate window into a particular nonverbal behavior which few people understand. Covering of the mouth during moments of extreme sadness is not an attempt to prevent people from seeing us becoming emotional or to quiet the sound of our sobs. It is a subconsciously driven body language phenomenon signaling our emotional brain is processing a dramatic event and its ramifications. While the logic and intellect may know what has transpired - the emotional brain is having trouble grasping the events and it's trying to catch up.

This mouth covering often occurs very rapidly. Sometimes other portions of the face (e.g. cheeks or eyes) are also involved - or they are alternatively the primary areas being occluded - however the mouth is much more common.

Those who cover their mouths (or cheeks, eyes, etc.) when hearing and/or seeing dramatic news have significantly higher empathy quotients compared with those who don't display this nonverbal signal.

Blessings and condolences to the families and loved-ones of the victims of this tragedy.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2579: Brandon Bryant Body Language of Disgust and Empathy - Confessions of a Drone Operator

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2669: Sara Bareilles and the Body Language of the Rationalization Rapport Empathy Expression

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2720: Ireen Wüst - A Gold Medal, Emotional Processing and Empathy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2618: Learning of Kennedy Assassination - Body Language of Sudden Facial Touching

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2512:  Matthew Cordle's YouTube Confession  and the Death of Vincent Canzani  "I Killed a Man" - What His Body Language Tells Us ...  It's NOT what you think!

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2699: Reince Priebus and the Republican Get it All Wrong While Trying to Win Woman Voters - Got Empathy? 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2786: Jewish Community Center Shooter - Frazier Glenn Cross, Jr - A Very Common Body Language Display of "Hate Crimes", Mass Shootings and Terrorism

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2720: Ireen Wüst - A Gold Medal, Emotional Processing and Empathy (PHOTO)

Rapid mouth covering is a body language consistent with a high empathy quotient. It is seen during moments of high surprise and disbelief - either with something very wonderful or very awful. Those who rarely do exhibit this and other gestures have relatively low empathy.

This phenomenon results from an emotional overload and is a nonverbal signal that the brain is rapidly processing new data. The emotional brain is essentially playing catch-up to what the logical brain already knows.

This image shows Ireen Wüst (Netherlands) during her gold medal award ceremony for the 3000 meter speed skating event. She became the first openly gay athlete to medal at the Sochi Olympic Games.










See also:

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1138:  Jennifer Hudson's Whitney Houston Tribute

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1212:  Sudden Mouth Covering

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2719: Julia Mancuso at Sochi Olympics - Body Language of a Heightened Adrenaline State

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2663: Caroline Wozniacki and Rory McIlroy Engaged - A Body Language Sign of Affection

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2661: Second Suicide Bombing in Russia in 24 Hours - Body Language of Leaders 

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Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1212: Sudden Mouth Covering

When rapid mouth covering occurs, it's a nonverbal signal of an acute realization of an extreme amount of surprise-disbelief. This can be either incredibly good or very bad information (there may be components of both present though) suddenly delivered leading to an emotional overload.  It is a body language sign that the emotional brain is attempting to process an abrupt change of events. Those who rarely exhibit this nonverbal, tend to have low empathy quotients.

Sara Wood's husband, Scott, a marine passed away in November 2011 from injuries suffered in Iraq. This image captures the emotion of the moment - when the Dan Wallrath and Operation Finally Home gave Ms. Wood and her son, Landon a home.

See also: Secret # 221: Hillary's Empathy

See also: Secret # 22: Inspiring Confidence vs. Looking Vulnerable

See also: Secret # 21: Surprise + Fear + Empathy

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