Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2590: Rob Ford's Apology - was he Sincere? and other Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Earlier today Toronto Mayor Rob Ford admitted to smoking crack cocaine "about a year ago". The video above includes his subsequent apology later in the day. The following is a body language analysis of some of its highlights.

At 0:25, just after Ford says, "Folks I have nothing left to hide", he displays a microexpression of regret on the right side of his mouth (Don't confuse this with a contempt microexpression or that of "duping delight").

After saying, "I kept this from my family, especially my brother Doug" (1:27) the Toronto Mayor exhibits an "Inward Lip Roll". The inward lip roll (ILR) is an outward manifestation of the psyche's attempt to prevent the escalation of emotions. Most of the time these emotions are negative (here sadness - though often it is anger) but on occasion it is subconsciously utilized for laughter (joy) suppression.

Mr. Ford was pressing hard on his lips during the ILR. In this image, the continued blanching of his lips can be seen. This phenomenon is normal - however in this case it persists longer than usual and thus may be a symptom of a medical condition (such as partial carotid artery occlusion, anemia and others). He should be evaluated thoroughly for these.

At 2:09 Rob Ford's nonverbal display takes on that of the "Puffer Fish" - which has a physiologic and physiologic calming effect and is seen most commonly after, but sometimes before a particularly stressful event. This puffer fish nonverbal occurred immediately after the Mayor apologized.

In the context of any apology, it is reasonable and expected to ask if it is sincere. A crucial body language component of an apology is the appearance of a "Central Forehead Contraction". However, it is very important that there is no element of a smile with a CFC - not even a subtle or suppressed one for that has a VERY different meaning.

Mr. Ford has undergone Botox treatments in his forehead with a concentration in the center forehead. This is common and politicians in particular use this to avoid appearing angry. At such times as these - and many others when sincerity is called for, Botox will interfere with the expression of a CFC and therefore with sincerity and its projection. His expression is considerably suppressed here. Never the less, if one looks carefully, a CFC can be seen here at 1:57, just after he says, "... apologize ..." 

At 1:59, Rob Ford says, "... apologize ..." again and despite heavy Botox use, his central forehead contracts once more.

At 2:04 as he says the word, " ... I'm ..." (within the sub-sentence, "... and I'm sssso sorry.") - we see his central forehead again contract.

Whenever accessing for sincerity, one should always determine if the verbal message, the nonverbal message and the vocal qualities (paralanguage) are aligned. It they are congruent - sincerity is present. If not - it's Red Flag Time. In this apology they are highly congruent. Rob Ford is sincerely sorry.

Of course no one would endorse Rob Ford's use of crack cocaine and many may think under the circumstances he should resign - however the Mayor of Toronto's apology is absolutely sincere.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2589: Toronto Mayor Rob Ford Admits to Smoking Crack Cocaine - Body Language of the "Head Torque"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2412:  Ingrid Loyau-Kennett, the Woolwich attack  and the Killing of Lee Rigby

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2406:  Tight Lipped Breathing -  Anticipatory Anxiety & Winning a Million Dollars

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1122:  Tiger, Pebble Beach and the Puffer Fish

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2578: Obamacare Website Apology - Sincere vs. Insincere?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2441:  Paula Deen's Apology - What Does Her Body Language Say?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2462:  San Diego Mayor Bob Filner -  Sexual Harassment, Body Language and Foreheads

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2305:  Carnival Cruise Line CEO, Gerry Cahill's Apology Sincere or Insincere?  What his Body Language Says ...

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2589: Toronto Mayor Rob Ford Admits to Smoking Crack Cocaine - Body Language of the "Head Torque" (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Rob Ford admitted today that he has smoked crack cocaine. Recently the Toronto Police Department has said that it has video of the embattled Mayor of Toronto smoking crack. The video has not been made public yet and Mr. Ford who is calling for its release has stated he's not seen it either.

During the 0:19 to 0:21 segment of the above video Mr. Ford displays a distinct body language movement known as the "Head Torque". The head torque is comprised of a turning and rotating away with the head and neck with a subsequent turning back toward the person being addressed - leading with the top of the head first. This nonverbal dynamic has a distinct twisting or torqueing motion associated with it (hence the name) - and reminds some people of a dog or horse pushing and object with their head.

A head torque nonverbal has distinct adamant, alpha, frustrated, and mild-to-moderate anger emotional components associated with it - in addition to saying, "I'm going to do what I have to do" or "I'm going to 'take my medicine' " emotion message to it.

What other valuable nonverbal displays do you see in this video?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2401:  Toronto Mayor Rob Ford Denies Crack Cocaine Allegations - Is He Telling the Truth?  His Body Language says ...

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

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. 2452:  Marion Bartoli, Wimbledon and Short Dresses -  Body Language of an Apology-Confessional

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2582: Jay Carney Dismisses (and is Embarrassed by) Low Obamacare Enrollment Numbers

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2314:  Naomi Watts Pre-Oscar Interview and her  Body Language of the "Jaw Confessional" and the Sincerity Quotient

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2424:  Giada De Laurentiis on Conan O'Brien  Beautiful Teeth but Insincere Smiles and Some Body Language Signals of Waning Love

 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2401: Toronto Mayor Rob Ford Denies Crack Cocaine Allegations Is He Telling the Truth? His Body Language says ....

Although it has not yet surfaced yet, a phone video of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford allegedly smoking crack cocaine exists. Staff of the Toronto Star has purportedly viewed it and feel it is authentic. The person possessing the video reportedly wants tens of thousands of dollars in exchange for the video.

The video above shows Mayor Rob Ford denying the allegations. Regardless of whatever words the "script" or "memo" he is holding contains, no innocent man needs a script to declare his innocence. Deception needs to memorize. Truth speaks from the heart. From a nonverbal standpoint, his memo serves much the same function as a young child's blanket. It is a MAP surrogate (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) and is a strong signal of high anxiety in this context. MAP surrogates are slightly more refined forms of self-touching.

His body language also betrays the lie as evidenced by the Mayor's relative lack of eye contact. Both in extended looking at his memo and prolonged looking down at noise on the floor provide subconscious excuses for looking away - and down - from his audience. We don't need to see the video. Rob Ford is guilty of smoking crack cocaine.

What other nonverbal signals demonstrate Mr. Ford is lying? Asking for forgiveness? Frightened?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2377:  Coachella 2013 & Lie Witness News  Hilarious and a Valuable Body Language Lesson

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2328:  Senator Rand Paul's Body Language -  Pens, Lies and Filibusters -  Finger to Mouth Surrogates

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2156:  Barack Obama's Body Language at Al Smith Charity Dinner -  Comedy, White Lies and Facial Touching MAPs

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2364:  Kim jong-un Tells a Lie to His Generals  North Korea, Body Language and Third Rate Vetting

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1962:  Mimi Beardsley Alford is Telling the Truth about John Kennedy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2033:  Lie Detection, Sergey Lavrov and Syria

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