Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3370: Michael Fassbender and an Under-recognized Body Language Tell (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Graham Norton and his guests never disappoint and the video above is no exception. Kate Winslet's story is hilarious - and both she and Norton example a multitude of body language tells. However highlighted here is one nonverbal signal of Michael Fassbender's - which is very often missed and/or over-generalized.

Note that as Fassbender speaks about an "awful" best-man speech, he rubs his right thigh with his hand. Importantly - this progresses forward to and then includes his knee - and even a bit below the knee (4:14 - 4:15).

This self-touching/self-massage is an example what is termed a Manipulator, Adaptor or Pacifier (aka MAP) and indicates a heightened level of anxiety.  Yet we can further nuance this however - for when the rubbing of the thigh progresses forward to include the knees - this signifies a particular hesitancy towards full disclosure. It's often accompanied by facial blushing and what many would characterize as a "sheepish" smile with similar vocal qualities.

In this example Mr. Fassbender's embarrassment is expressed verbally as well as with his paralanguage - yet in everyday scenarios (e.g., not on a talk show, in front of a crowd, etc.) it's often not obvious at all.

It's important to stress, that although Mr. Fassbender's an outstanding actor and he gets paid very well to "pretend" to the world - when he's just being Michael his body language tells are just as disclosing as everyone else.

This highly specific body language sign is particularly helpful during voir dire, depositions, negotiations, personal relationships, high level vetting, sales scenarios and in interview/interrogation settings.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3369: University of Missouri Protesters Obstructing the Press

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2702: Barack Obama - Anxiety and Non-engagement; Body Language Signals

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3256: Katie Holmes on Jimmy Fallon - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3273: Marco Rubio, The Republican Debate, Monotonous Body Language and Anxiety

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3135: Ariana Grande Does a Spot-On Celine Dion Impression on Jimmy Fallon - Body Language Signals

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3210: Matteo Renzi, Christine Lagarde, Barack Obama and Up-Regulating Alpha Emotions

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3165: Bruce Jenner's 20/20 Interview, Part I 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2701: Cuddling, Romance, Affection and Foot-Shunning
 
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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2657: Keanu Reeves's, "47 Ronin" and a Hesitancy to Discuss - a Key Body Language Tell (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

A fantastic body language tell is displayed in the above video. Keanu Reeves is being interviewed regarding his just released movie, "47 Ronin" by Savannah Guthrie (Today).

Beginning at 2:20, Guthrie asks the accomplished actor, "Well, it's really exciting to watch and I, I was thinking about you because honestly we don't see you that often. You seem to be very choosy about your projects. Is that on purpose? Is that by design?"

Reeves answers, "Yeah. Yeah ...I mean, you know you want to find the right project. You wanna [deep exhale] ummm, yeah, I can just say that. You know."

During the 2:27 - 2:29 segment as Guthrie says, "... about your projects. Is that on purpose? ..." (And probably repeated however camera angle precludes the view), Reeves rubs both of his thighs with each hand forward to and then including the knees. This self-massage, rubbing of the thighs is an example what is known as a Manipulator, Adaptor or Pacifier (aka MAP) and is consistent with a heightened anxiety state. However, when this progresses forward (and downward) to include the knees, there is a particularly hesitancy in full disclosure of the matter being discussed. This evasiveness is clearly expressed verbally in this example of Reeves - however in other scenarios it is not so obvious. This very specific nonverbal tell is particularly helpful during vetting, voir dire, negotiations, depositions, interrogations and interview settings.

This is yet another example of a skilled actor being very easy to read with respect to his body language. And he acts for a living. What other significant tells did you see in this video?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2567: Keanu Reeves, "Man of Tai Chi" and a Beta Posture

Body Language Confidence Secret # 33: Keanu Reeves - Covering the Mouth While Smiling

Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1083:  Brewer's MAPs Flag Foreboding

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2642: Tom Hanks Can't Act Away a Fib - His Body Language Tells a Little Lie

Negotiation Secret # 91: MAPs by Proxy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1869:  One Body Language Signal a President Should Never Display

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2522: Jake Gyllenhaal and Jimmy Kimmel, Part II,  Body Language and Anxiety in Hollywood

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