Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3175: Box of Lies with Scarlett Johansson - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Always entertaining - AND a great laboratory for nonverbal communication - Jimmy Fallon's and his "Box of Lies" - recently showcased his deceptive ability against the very talented Scarlett Johansson. What follows is a partial body language analysis.

2:14

Unilateral Eyebrow and forehead elevation

This nonverbal sign telegraphs that Fallon does not believe Johansson. While not the only indicator of incredulity, it is often quite subtle and commonly presents in a microexpression or near-microexpression.

3:14

Lateral Lip Purse

A highly under-appreciated body language sign, the lateral lip purse tells us that Honest Consideration is taking place (e.g., "What should I choose, A or B?" - with no deception).

What facial, nonverbal modifier of the lateral lip purse completely changes its meaning?

6:45

Self-Righteous Head Wiggle (This body language cannot be appreciated in a still photo, please watch the video to view the dynamics of this nonverbal).

The Self-Righteous Head Wiggle (SRHW) is a high frequency (subtle in this example), side-to-side movement of the head (often accompanied by similar jaw and torso movements) indicative of High Confidence and Alpha Emotional Tones.

7:09

What nonverbal signals does Jimmy Fallon display in this moment (as well as just after & just prior) which tell us that he's figured out Scarlett Johansson's deception - AND (like a good host) makes the decision to lose this round?





See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3174: Prince William & Kate Middleton welcome their Princess - Body Language Tells

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. 2506:  Barack Obama, the Self-Righteous Head Wiggle and  Retaliation Against Syrian Poison Gas Attack

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3142: Mike Pence - Governor of Indiana interview with George Stephanopoulos & the Religious Freedom Restoration Act - What Makes Gov. Pence Look Worse?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3168: Connor McDavid on 2015 NHL Draft Lottery Day

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2900: Lionel Messi and the Lateral Lip Purse

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3169: Baltimore Deputy Police Commissioner Jerry Rodriguez regarding the Death of Freddie Gray 

Nonverbal Communication No. 3110: Scarlett Johansson gets invaded by John Travolta - An Awkward Moment from the 2015 Oscars

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Nonverbal Communication No. 3110: Scarlett Johansson gets invaded by John Travolta - An Awkward Moment from the 2015 Oscars - Body Language Tells (PHOTOS)

John Travolta provided a very awkward moment at the 2015 Oscars.

From a body language perspective there were two huge faux pas by the two-time best actor nominee when he encountered Scarlett Johansson.

Never approach a person from behind. In all but very few scenarios, such a maneuver is rarely endearing and even those who love us other will often become rapidly unnerved. Of course if there is no true affection, such an action is even more offensive.

Not only does he spring a sneak-attack, Travolta also touches Johansson on her mid abdomen. This is of course an intimate area for which Travolta had no invitation - and particularly true in such a public setting as the Academy Awards and when Scarlett recently had her first child.

Johansson's face reveals more than a little bit of anger here. Can you spot its subtle signs?

Those who are skilled and have a good amount of mindfulness can sometimes not react or at least slow down with their response with their arms or hands for a few moments in these and similar social situations. It's very difficult to do though. Such adept arm and hand control in turn tends to engender more control of the rest of the body. Yet even the untrained eye can look at Scarlett Johansson in these photos and feel their back stiffen along with hers.

Because of the rapidity and clandestine nature of Travolta's sneaky kiss & semi-embrace, Johansson did not really have much time to turn her head. Yet she could have responded more (her stomach was touched first providing a warning). A "Side-Eye" is telling. We do not look directly at someone who we don't respect, don't believe or we dislike.

Notice Johansson's head is also tilted away from Travolta. This subtle signal is a definite distancing phenomenon and is often seen in couples months or years prior to a break-up or divorce.

If you look carefully, you can also see Scarlett's lips and jaw shifting away from Travolta.

Given the context, John Travolta's action tends to strongly suggest narcissism (Surprise).



See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3109: Why Chris Christie Will Never Win The White House in 2016 (or the Republican Nomination) - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1779:  Girl with a Pear Earring, Johannes Vermeer, Scarlett Johansson & Emotional Dissonance - Pain & Concern mixed with Flirting, Sexuality & Attractiveness

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3105: Joe Biden, Ashton Carter & Stephanie Carter - Vice President Encroaches into New Defense Secretary's Wife's Intimate Space

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2995: 10 Hours of Walking in NYC as a Woman - Catcalls, Street Harassment, Body Language, Personal Safety & Threat Assessment

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2563: President Obama's Subtle Anger - Body Language of Government Shutdown & the Debt Ceiling

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2894: Maria Kirilenko, Alex Ovechkin and Subtle Body Language of ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2811: Jason and David Benham are Dropped from HGTV - Body Language of Subtle Contempt, Anger & Disgust

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3068: John Boehner Kissing Nancy Pelosi
 
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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1779: Girl with a Pear Earring, Johannes Vermeer, Scarlett Johansson & Emotional Dissonance - Pain & Concern mixed with Flirting, Sexuality & Attractiveness

The Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer was amazingly gifted, particularly with his use of light. He is most recognized for the masterpiece,"Girl with a Pearl Earring". In her 1999 historical novel of the same name, Tracy Chavelier re-introduced the painting to popular culture and in 2003 it was made into a movie starring Scarlett Johansson who bears an uncanny likeness to Johannes' subject.

The Girl with the Pearl Earring is also known by the metaphor, "The Dutch Mona Lisa" - and while many would argue that the earring itself is the focal point of the painting, it is really the lovely Scarlett's and her doppelganger's eyes and mouth. 

In both Vermeer's original and the recent movie redux, there are elements of emotional dissonance present. The original model's eyebrows are slightly elevated medially (central eyebrows) indicating a trace amount of emotional (or physical) pain. However, the image of Johansson (below) does not display this nonverbal - her central eyebrows are directed slightly downwards. In contrast to these subtly sad-painful & concern/concentration expressions, both Scarlett's character and the original are looking back at us, over their shoulders with heads lowered slightly - and thus upward gazing eyes. This configuration also makes the eyes appear larger. This combination (cluster) body language is particularly flirtatious and universally attractive to men and also engenders a male protective instinct (Pease). The slightly parted lips in both images - as if she (they) are about to speak - is also especially sexually provocative.

Johannes Vermeer had the advantage of choosing to pain slightly larger pupils than may have been present. Larger diameter pupils are universally attractive and had Scarlett Johansson had her pupils medically dilated or if the image was computer-modified to make her's look larger, this would have increased the actress's "attractiveness quotient".

Another contrast between these two versions - is seen in their shoulders, this time with the modern version being more provocative. Johansson's left shoulder is raised while the original's is not. The raised shoulder in this context is more attractive and flirtatious. If her shoulder was also bare, an even greater level of sexuality would be expressed.

See also:

Secret # 2020: The Art of Looking Flirtatious

Secret # 33: Classically Flirtatious

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