Body Language Analysis No. 4379: Katie Bouman, Black Holes, and Emotional Processing - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

Katherine Bouman has become the public persona for the first-ever imaging of a Black Hole. She's an American imaging scientist and an incoming assistant professor of computing and mathematical sciences at CalTech. Her Ph.D. thesis was titled, "Extreme imaging via physical model inversion: seeing around corners and imaging black holes".

As a member of the Event Horizon Telescope team, Dr. Bouman helped capture this first image of a supermassive black hole - at the center of Messier 87 (Also known as M87 - a truly gargantuan galaxy composed of a trillion stars - centered approximately 53.49 light years from Earth). This image is profoundly symbolic and significant in the history of science - for the photo matched the theory - and thus, was just what astronomers expected.

This photo, from Katie Bouman's Facebook post, is captioned, "Watching in disbelief as the first image I ever made of a black hole was in the process of being reconstructed".

From a nonverbal perspective, what does this photo of Katie Bouman tell us?

Although we can only see a portion of her mouth, it does seem to be configured in a true, sincere simile. Her left mouth corner - and a hint of her right corner - are both directed primarily upward and also laterally.

Another crucial component of a true smile is seen displayed by Dr. Bouman's cheek muscles (zygomaticus major). These contracted and vectored upward as well.

If her hands weren't covering her mouth, we'd only see her upper teeth.  

We can see that Katie Bouman's upper and lower eyelids are partially closed. Moreover, her lower eyelids each have a dynamic, concave-up furrow present. This evanescent finding is required of a true, sincere smile (a Duchenne Smile).

A seldom noted, but crucial part of a sincere smile is a non-contracted forehead. Note that Dr. Bouman's forehead is relaxed.

Dr. Bouman is also blushing. While not a required element of a true smile of joy-happiness, when accompanying the above-described characteristics - blushing is a sincerity amplifier.

As noted previously, Katie Bouman's hands are covering her mouth. This mouth covering is a signal of emotional processing. Said another way, while the logical portion of her brain knew what was happening - the emotional part of her brain was a more than a bit overloaded processing the event and its the ramifications.

Fascinatingly, during moments of dramatically good, bad, or surprising news - the covering of one's mouth - which often occurs rapidly (along with covering of portions of the cheeks and/or nose) - not only tells us the person's emotional characteristics in that moment - but this dynamic also speaks to a significant part of that person's overall character. Those who exhibit this behavior will have significantly higher sincerity and empathy levels.

Yet, Katie Bouman is displaying some emotional dissonance here. For this photo was taken at the moment when the first (of many) images of the M87 Supermassive Black Hole were being compiled. These were eventually amalgamated into the complete picture (shown above) which we've all since become familiar. In this early stage of this scientific moment, Dr. Bouman, naturally, had some anxiety - which is, in part, manifested with her straight, intertwined fingers. In this context, the collective positions of her upper and lower arms, along with her shoulders - which are all drawn inward and covering her chest - is an anxiety amplifying cluster.

SUMMARY: Katie Bouman's smile is a true, sincere smile of joy-happiness. She's also experiencing some (quite expected) anxiety - as well as some emotional processing during the unfolding of this historical event.

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See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4378: William Barr questioned regarding The Mueller Report

Body Language Analysis No. 4377: Donald Trump, "These aren't people, these are animals"

Body Language Analysis No. 4376: Jacinda Ardern and Donald Trump - a Study in Contrasts

Body Language Analysis No. 4375: Donald Trump, Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, and Security Clearances

Body Language Analysis No. 4374: Nancy Pelosi's Clap-Back to Donald Trump during the 2019 SOTU

Body Language Analysis No. 4373: Matthew Whitaker's Press Conference regarding Robert Mueller's Investigation

Body Language Analysis No. 4332: Richard Nixon, Nikita Khrushchev, and The Kitchen Debate

Body Language Analysis No. 4295: Elizabeth Holmes, Theranos, and Red Flags

Body Language Analysis No. 4254: Tony Robbins, Nanine McCool, and the #MeToo Movement

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Body Language Analysis No. 4223: Donald Trump to Republican Senator, "You're Afraid of the NRA" - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

President Trump has flip-flopped regarding his stance on gun control in the last several days. However, to say that he, "Surprised everyone" during a meeting at the White House on Wednesday 28 February - would be a dramatic understatement. What follows is a nonverbal analysis of one key moment of that meeting.

DONALD TRUMP (continuing at 2:22): ... It doesn’t make sense that - I have to wait 'til I’m twenty-one to get a handgun, but I can get this - weapon at  - eighteen. I dunno [up-talking]. So I was just curious as to what you did in your bill? You don't address it.

PAT TOOMEY: We didn’t address it, Mr. President, but I think we -

DONALD TRUMP: You know why? ‘Cause you’re afraid of the NRA, right?

After President Trump's retort to Senator Toomey, Trump smiled.

Trump's smile was a sincere smile (aka a Duchenne Smile). This particular emotional expression is a rare event for Donald Trump - truly quite unusual. All politicians' smile - yet they are uncommonly sincere - and with President Trump, sincere smiles are extremely unusual.

Note all the components of a sincere smile are present in the above image (from 2:36 in the video):

• Eyelids Partially Closed
• Dynamic, concave-up Furrow in each lower eyelid
• Relaxed forehead muscles
• Only upper teeth visible (a trace of his lower teeth can be seen due to the elevated camera angle)
• Primarily Upward-vectored cheek muscles and mouth

Summary: Donald Trump took sincere pleasure - experiencing a moment of rare true joy-happiness - in his act of calling-out Pat Toomey, a Republican Senator - on camera - saying that Toomey was "afraid of the NRA".


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Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com


See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4222: Saoirse Ronan, Lady Bird, and Embarrassment Anxiety

Body Language Analysis No. 4220: President Trump's Reaction to Governor Jay Inslee ("We need a little less tweeting here and a little more listening")

Body Language Analysis No. 4219: Ivanka Trump's Reaction to Question regarding Donald Trump's Sexual Assault Accusers

Body Language Analysis No. 4217: Chadwick Boseman, Black Panther, Anxiety, and Alpha Up-Regulation

Body Language Analysis No. 4188: Donald Trump Gets Booed at Davos for Calling the Press "Fake"

Body Language Analysis No. 4147: Alabama Senator Richard Shelby regarding Roy Moore

Body Language Analysis No. 4126: Jeff Sessions' Joking regarding Kislyak/Russia

Body Language Analysis No. 4099: Lee Harvey Oswald, Jack Ruby, and Jim Leavelle

Body Language Analysis No. 4037: Charlottesville Protester Quits Boston University after Death Threats


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Body Language Analysis No. 4135: What Makes Markle's Eyes Sparkle? - The Emotional Intelligence of Twinkling Eyes (PHOTOS)

Earlier today, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their engagement. They are to be married in the spring of 2018.

But besides Harry, what makes Markle's Eyes sparkle?

In order for a person's eyes to "Twinkle" - multiple conditions must be met. After the requirement of medically healthy eyes, by far and away the most crucial component for a "Twinkle in the Eye" - is that of a Sincere Smile.

And - the most fundamental element for a smile to be sincere - is that the eyelids must ALWAYS be partially closed. Indeed if you want to initiate a true smile, begin with your eyes - never with your mouth.

However, not all partially closed eyelids are created equal. The lower eyelids of sincere smiles will possess concave-up furrows. These are natural, healthy, and temporary changes which take place during the dynamics of a sincere smile (and should never be photo-shopped or surgically removed). Intriguingly, the eyes of mild-to-mild anger will also have partially closed eyelids - but crucially, these lower eyelids are tense and tightened with no deep furrows.

One important phenomenon occurring when the eyelids partially close - is the tear film (a very thin layer [itself made of three sub-layers]) briefly becomes thicker. This "deeper" liquid/tear layer thus increases the albedo (as well as the libido) - and momentarily increases the amount of sparkle. This phenomenon often gives rise to a second, or even a third foci of reflected light on the surface of the eye (cornea).

A smile of true joy-happiness must also be accompanied by relaxed (non-contracted) forehead muscles. Indeed, a telltale signal of some false/feigned smiles - is they are often accompanied by a partially or dramatically contracted forehead.

Teeth need not be exposed in order for a smile to be sincere. It's common for a partially suppressed smile to show none. Fascinatingly, such smiles will often more easily evoke smiles in others. When teeth are showing however - if the smile is sincere, the lower teeth will either barely be seen, or more typically - not seen at all. Exceptions to this rule do occur however - such as in the second image shown above: when the camera angle is looking down (or from the point-of-view of a taller, relatively closely positioned person). Another occasion where bottom teeth may be visualized in the context of a sincere smile is when it overlaps with sincere laughter (Sincere laughter often exposes all/most teeth, thus when crescendoing toward, or decrescendoing from an episode of sincere laughter - the lower teeth will be revealed).

When a true smile occurs - the cheek muscles pull primarily upward. From the point-of-view of the person who's smiling, this upward-pull will be felt more in the inner (medial) cheek muscles (closer to the center of face) versus with an insincere/feigned smile - which is felt more laterally (more so out toward the sides of the face). This difference in direction of the cheek movement with false smiles also gives rise to the classic - and very fake, "say cheese smile" (again insincere, exposing lower teeth - and importantly, canceling out the sincere "smiling with the eyes" component).

In the second image, Meghan Markle is shown in black and white - and, because her eyes (irises/irides) are brown, it's difficult to detect her pupil size. In the other photos, it's easy to see her pupils are either small or smaller-to-medium sized. When it comes to increasing twinkling though - larger pupils, because they provide a greater background and more dramatic color contrast - will give rise to a greater "sparkle factor".

Additionally, all things being equal, when our pupils are larger we are judged by others (who are not consciously aware of our pupil sizes) as more likable and more attractive. This is why restaurants considered more romantic will have darker lighting - because it increases pupil size. It's important to stress that sexual attraction also plays a part here - for it also increases the diameter of pupils.

Candlelight brings an additional "Twinkle Factor". The light from a candle is and always changing, millisecond to millisecond - giving rise to an extra dynamic nature to the sparkling.

The angle of the light source also influences the amount of twinkling. If the light is diffuse - or comes from behind the subject, there is essentially no reflection off of the eye. However, if the light is from a source in front of the subject (which, of course, is often the case in a photo), the twinkling is much greater. 

Subjectivity also plays a role in how much twinkling we see. Frida Kahlo famously said, "Take a lover who looks at you like maybe you are magic." If we are in love with the person - we will truly (but subjectively) "see" (perceive) more twinkling. To a lesser extent, this also influences our judgment if we find the other person attractive or simply likable. 

Summary: The "Twinkle in the Eye" we see/perceive/feel in another person is influenced by the presence of:

1. Partially closed eyelids
2. Concave-up lower eyelid furrows
3. Cheek muscles moving upward (not outward)
4. A Relaxed Forehead
5. Mouth component of "smile" must be sincere
6. Medically Healthy Eyes
7. The type of light source
8. The angle of the light source
9. Larger vs. Smaller pupils (e.g., the level of ambient light)
10. The presence or absence of sexual attraction
11. The presence or absence of affection and love

Congratulations to Ms. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. May you both stay forever young at heart.

Media Inquiries and Group Appearances 

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Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com

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See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4134: Hope Hicks, Emotional Intelligence, and Communicating Nonverbally

Body Language Analysis No. 4132: Drake's Tattoo of Denzel Washington

Body Language Analysis No. 4130: Norah O'Donnell and Gayle King regarding Charlie Rose

Body Language Analysis No. 4128: Roy Moore's youngest accuser, Leigh Corfman - Interview

Body Language Analysis No. 4116: Carey Mulligan and American Accents

Body Language Analysis No. 4097: Andre Agassi, Boris Becker, and a Tennis Tongue Tell

Body Language Analysis No. 4067: 2017 Emmys - Melissa McCarthy's Reaction to Sean Spicer Doing Melissa McCarthy Doing Sean Spicer

Body Language Analysis No. 4007: Donald Trump, Robert Mueller, and Anthony Scaramucci's First Press Conference

Body Language Analysis No. 3996: Donald Trump Jr.'s and Natalia Veselnitskaya's meeting

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Body Language Analysis No. 4118: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump meet at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

Donald Trump routinely tries to assert dominance on virtually all occasions - and this year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in Da Nang, Vietnam was no exception.

In these images, the American President can be seen shaking hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin. While President Trump is approximately 6 inches (15.24 cm) taller than President Putin, bowing is not considered proper etiquette in either Russia or in the States. Donald Trump often commits the nonverbal faux pas of bowing/bending down to men and women of shorter stature (e.g., he makes this same mistake with German Chancellor Angela Merkel). This dynamic is patronizing and demeaning.

President Trump also repeatedly touched President Putin's upper arm as well as his back - which, while making Trump feel more alpha - it loses him Vladimir's favor. While superficially, this behavior appears as affectionate/friendly - it's a feigned subroutine - and one of Trump's habitual attempts at dominance.

Given Mr. Trump's actions, it's thus very curious that Mr. Putin is displaying a sincere smile. It's particularly noteworthy that Mr. Putin is blushing. Blushing is NOT required in order for a smile to qualify as sincere. Intriguingly however, while you may NOT share another person's emotions, agree with their motives, or welcome their actions - if they ARE blushing in the midst of a smile, their smile is ALWAYS sincere.

In this context, Mr. Putin's blushing likely indicates:

• Deception
• Clandestine Motives/Plans
• Difficulty Containing Excitement

Less likely causes include:

• Embarrassment
• Anxiety
• Friendship

Summary: Blushing is involuntary and uncontrollable. Outside of the context of romance/physical attraction (of course, neither of which are applicable here), blushing is a sure signal showing something is amiss. Blushing during a smile always conveys the sincerity of the smile - but beware, for this phenomenon is very often disparate with the simultaneous verbal message (e.g., an incongruity between the nonverbal and verbal communication).

Group Appearances and One-on-One

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Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com

See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4117: Roy Moore, Sexual Misconduct, and The US Senate

Body Language Analysis No. 4115: Donald Trump, South Korea, and The Texas Church Shooting

Body Language Analysis No. 4112: Donald Trump's Interview on Sharyl Attkisson's "Full Measure"

Body Language Analysis No. 4110: Yuli Gurriel "Apologizes" to Yu Darvish for a Gesture of Prejudice During The World Series

Body Language Analysis No. 4104: Walter Cronkite Reaction to JFK Assassination

Body Language Analysis No. 4078: Toddler Steals Prince Harry's Popcorn

Body Language Analysis No. 4035: Hope Hicks, Jared Kushner, and Phone Tells

Body Language Analysis No. 3992: Angela Merkel's Eye Roll for Vladimir Putin's Mansplaining

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3881: Donald Trump Snubs Angela Merkel's Handshake in Oval Office

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Body Language Analysis No. 4058: Cara Mund, Miss America 2018 - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

Ms. Cara Mund of North Dakota was named the 2018 Miss America a few hours ago. The above image shows her along with some of the other contestants.

You'll notice Cara Mund and a good share of her colleagues are "smiling" in a particular manner - with their lower teeth exposed. However, these smiles are not sincere (aka a "Duchenne smile").

A sincere smile (with a few, minor exceptions) should not display any bottom teeth. It's important to stress that this does not imply that these women are overall, insincere people. But if we want to project sincerity in the moment (and shouldn't we all?) - and more importantly, to truly be sincere - then we should all endeavor to use the "control panel" of our emotions and moods - our face.

You may remember from picture day in elementary school when the photographer said, "say cheese" - which, of course, exposed our lower teeth. For many of us, this event is when cross-wiring of false smiling began. And yet if you never had such a school picture experience, no doubt you've fallen for this misinformation by simple diffusion.

With the exception of smiling in the context of laughing (either crescendoing to, or decrescendoing  from sincere laughter) or with certain visual perspectives (tilting one's head down, a downward looking camera angle or taller person) - displaying lower teeth while smiling is emotional hyperbole. It's melodramatic overkill. It shouldn't be done.

What has made this problem even worse in the past thirty or forty years - is with the near ubiquity of orthodontics and teeth whitening in many countries - some people feel the need to let you see all thirty-two of their teeth. Although they may not be aware of it, they're very much saying, "I'm just pretending to like you".

If you want to project a true, sincere smile - and one that will even make you feel joyful simply by forming it, try the following technique:

1. Think of some activity, event, or person who truly brings you joy.

2. Don't smile with your mouth - smile with your eyes. That is to say - smile with your eyes first - and your mouth will follow. Also, don't try to smile with your eyes and mouth simultaneously.

3. Once you're smiling with your eyes (the most important part of any sincere smile) - your lower face will naturally form a "mouth smile".

4. Only after the first three steps are accomplished, try retracting your jaw (pulling it backward). Although this fourth step is not necessary, you'll find it often deepens and prolongs smiling.


Congratulations Ms. Cara Mund.


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Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com


See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4057: Steve Bannon's "60 Minutes" Interview

Body Language Analysis No. 4055: What Does Jessica Chastain Feel For Matt Damon?

Body Language Analysis No. 4053: Donald Trump Regarding DACA - "I Have a Love for These People"

Body Language Analysis No. 4051: Predicting Kim Jong-un's Behavior

Body Language Analysis No. 4041: Former Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak regarding Secrets from Donald Trump

Body Language Analysis No. 4011: Anthony Scaramucci's First UK Interview

Body Language Analysis No. 3979: Ivanka Trump, "I Try to Stay Out of Politics"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3905: Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid, and Deep Joy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3814: Claire Foy's recounting of Meeting Kate Winslet


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Body Language Analysis No. 4029: Charlottesville, Heather Heyer, and Sincerity - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

Heather Heyer was counter-protesting against the White Nationalists on Saturday afternoon in Charlottesville, Virginia. She was killed when a car driven by James Alex Fields deliberately sped into a crowd. At least nineteen other people were injured.

In the image above, Ms. Heyer can be seen displaying a sincere smile. Many people erroneously believe that sincere smiles must include teeth being displayed. Heather's smile is an excellent example of a sincere smile - yet where no teeth are visible.

The most crucial component of any sincere (Duchenne) smile are the eyes. The eyelids should ALWAYS be partially closed - AND there must ALWAYS be a temporary, concave-up furrows present in the lower eyelids. Heather Heyer's picture includes both of these features.

(Sometimes the lower lid furrow is reduced with Botox treatments - which is not the case here.)

Also, notice that Ms. Heyer's forehead is not contracted, but relaxed - which is another required element of a true, joy-happiness smile.

Heather's cheek muscles, along with the corners of her mouth, are vectored primarily upward. In distinction, with insincere smiles (aka social, acted, feigned) - there is a primary lateral (sideways) direction of the mouth's corners - and while the cheek muscles may contract - they barely move upward.

Whether or not teeth are visible is the least important component of any true smile - and, again, the exposure of teeth is NOT required in order for the smile to be sincere. Moreover, when teeth are visible - they should only the upper teeth (exceptions to this rule include a downward angle of the viewer/camera - or if the person is either beginning to, or just finishing with sincere laughter [for the lower teeth are exposed during sincere laughter - just not with sincere smiles]).

Notice too, that Ms. Heyer's head is tilted slightly to her left - and it's leaning somewhat forward. In this context, these features are "Sincerity Amplifiers". That is to say, a tilting and forward leaning of her head and neck up-regulate the warmth of her smile. These are green light signals - further "allowing us in" to a person's heart and mind. They are features which build rapport over and above that of a (baseline) sincere smile.

My deep condolences to the loved-ones of Heather Heyer. Stay strong.


See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4028: Donald Trump's Response to Charlottesville Violence, "On Many Sides"

Body Language Analysis No. 4026: Aubrey Plaza, Ingrid Goes West, and Emotional Intelligence

Body Language Analysis No. 4024: Donald Trump Threatens "Fire and Fury" to North Korea

Body Language Analysis No. 4022: Jessica Alba's Rules for Naming Her Baby 

Body Language Analysis No. 4018: Alexis Bledel and "The Handmaid's Tale"

Body Language Analysis No. 4010: Lisa Murkowski Responds To Donald Trump's Criticism

Body Language Analysis No. 3992: Angela Merkel's Eye Roll for Vladimir Putin's Mansplaining

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3921: Kim Jong-un, North Korea, Alpha Status, and Clapping

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3875: Children Interrupt Dad During BBC News interview

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3857: Taunting a Snowplow Driver - Belleville, Ontario


Group Appearances and One-on-One
Online Courses Available 
702-239-8503
Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com


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Body Language Analysis No. 4002: Justin Trudeau Meets His Namesake - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

In this image below and accompanying video, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is holding two-month-old Justin-Trudeau Adam Bilal. His parents, Afraa Hajj Hammoud and her husband Mohammed Belal are Syrian refugees. They named their son as a tribute to Trudeau.

"For me he is wonderful and compassionate," said Mr. Belal - "I hope all leaders, whether Easterners or Westerners would be like him."

Many smiles are not sincere - but rather various forms social smiles. But in the image below, the child's mother - Afraa Hajj Hammoud - is displaying all the components of a Sincere Smile (Duchenne Smile):

• Relaxed (uncontracted) forehead
• Partially closed eyelids
• Temporary concave-up furrows in each lower eyelid
• Upward vectored cheek muscles
• Only upper teeth visible 

Yet there is another display here which adds to the emotional richness of this moment. Notice Afraa Hajj Hammoud's head and neck are tilted. In the context of a sincere smile - simultaneously tilting of the head represents a sincerity amplifier.


Group Appearances and One-on-One
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Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com

Photo Credit: Adam Scotti


See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4001: Jodie Whittaker, Dr. Who, and Flirting from a TARDIS

Body Language Analysis No. 3999: Donald Trump Jr., A Russian Lawyer, and Another Person in the Room

Body Language Analysis No. 3997: Donald Trump Jr., Natalia Veselnitskaya, and a Microexpression

Body Language Analysis No. 3995: Vladimir Putin, Emmanuel Macron, and the G20 Group Photo

Body Language Analysis No. 3993: Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and subordinate Behavior

Body Language Analysis No. 3986: Anthony Kennedy, The Supreme Court, and Predicting Empathy

Body Language Analysis No. 3983: Female Kurdish sniper fighting IS narrowly cheats death

Body Language Analysis No. 3944: Dwayne Johnson, The 2020 Presidential Election, and The Rock Dialing Up His Alpha

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3909: North Korea's Parade - Projecting Power and Control



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Body Language Analysis No. 4000: Garbiñe Muguruza, Wimbledon, and Sincerity - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

Earlier today Garbiñe Muguruza defeated Venus Williams for the 2017 Woman's Singles Title at Wimbledon (7-5, 6-0). It was Ms. Muguruza's second major title after her 2016 French Open Victory. Venus Williams has appeared in nine Wimbledon finals, winning five - and has a total of seven major titles.

In the image above (close-up below) is Garbiñe Muguruza celebrating her win on centre court. Most people would say, particularly given the context of this moment, that she is smiling. Yet she's not showing any teeth. And you'd be surprised at the prevalence of the belief that if a person is not showing teeth - then their smile is not a sincere one (aka a "Duchenne Smile"). But this is a FALSE premise - for no teeth need be showing for a smile to be a sincere one.

Notice Ms. Muguruza's expression:

1. A relaxed (non-contracted) forehead
2. Partially closed eye lids
3. Concave-up furrows in her lower eyelids
4. Her cheeks are primary vectored upward (with a minor/secondary lateral component)
5. No teeth are showing

The first four are REQUIRED components of a sincere smile, while the fifth is not. Garbiñe Muguruza is thus suppressing the mouth component of her smile. However, if teeth were showing, they should only be the upper teeth (with the exceptions being: lower teeth can be displayed during the crescendoing to, or when decrescendoing from sincere laughter - or an elevated camera/viewing angle or downward tilted head).

Nuancing Ms. Muguruza's nonverbal signs even further we see:

6. Blushing
7. Dimples (left side not visible)

While blushing is NOT required for a smile to be sincere, if you have any doubt - and you DO SEE blushing - its presence serves to verify sincerity.

Dimpling is somewhat similar to blushing in this manner - although not with such high reliability. That is to say, most of the time - when a person who dimples (aka a "dimpler") displays her/his dimples - then their smile is sincere. However, there is a subset of "dimplers who will dimple during insincere moments and with more negative emotions (e.g., regret, bitterness, etc.).

Group Appearances and One-on-One
Online Courses Available 
702-239-8503
Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com

See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 3999: Donald Trump Jr., A Russian Lawyer, and Another Person in the Room

Body Language Analysis No. 3997: Donald Trump Jr., Natalia Veselnitskaya, and a Microexpression

Body Language Analysis No. 3995: Vladimir Putin, Emmanuel Macron, and the G20 Group Photo

Body Language Analysis No. 3993: Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and subordinate Behavior

Body Language Analysis No. 3991: Donald Trump's and Vladimir Putin's First Meeting and Handshake

Body Language Analysis No. 3970: Kamala Harris and Jeff Sessions, Part II - Deception, Alpha, and Beta Behavior

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3918: The Image of Kim Jong-un He Most Prefers the World to See - and What It Tells Us

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3872: "Fearless Girl" Statue in Manhattan's Financial District

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3829: Mary Tyler Moore - Flirtatious, Sexy, Alpha Female Smile


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Body Language Analysis No. 3978: Keanu Reeves, Chuck Spadina, Sincerity, and Empathy - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Chuck Spadina, er, ah, Keanu Reeves was recently a guest on Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show. As with any accomplished actor, when they're not "in character" - e.g., when Keanu is just being Keanu - their body language betrays their true feelings - just like you, me, and the person down the street.

One commonly overgeneralized and/or misunderstood nonverbal display is when a person covers their mouth while smiling and/or laughing.

While there may be a component of embarrassment present - this is also a nonverbal tell that there are overall personality traits of both high sincerity and high empathy.

In such cases, the smile is virtually always one of high sincerity as well (although the smile may often be partially suppressed) - AND there is blushing present.

Summary: Covering one's mouth when there is a smile (or laughter) present is highly consistent with both high empathy and high sincerity quotients. People with pretentious, arrogant, and egocentric personalities rarely, if ever, display this gesture. This action is a valuable nonverbal tell which will help you foresee their behavior at other times - e.g., predicting overall personality traits - not just in that moment.

Additionally, blushing always signals a sincere (Duchenne) smile - although it's commonly partially suppressed.


Group Appearances and One-on-One
Online Courses Available 
702-239-8503
Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com


See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 3977: Anthony Kennedy - One Signal You Never Want to See From a Judge During Your Testimony

Body Language Analysis No. 3975: Travis Kalanick and Sheryl Sandberg - and Uber's Need for Empathy, Sincerity, and Emotional Intelligence

Body Language Analysis No. 3973: Alex Jones, Megyn Kelly, and a Fundamental Insincerity Tell

Body Language Analysis No. 3971: Elon Musk, Amber Heard, Affection, and Ownership

Body Language Analysis No. 3969: Vladimir Putin Offers James Comey Asylum

Body Language Analysis No. 3967: Jeff Sessions' Testimony, Microexpressions, and Duping Delight

Body Language Analysis No. 3958: Vladimir Putin interview with Megyn Kelly

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3905: Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid, and Deep Joy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2900: Lionel Messi and the Lateral Lip Purse - Body Language Tells


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3867: What Makes the Twinkle in Her Eye? Emma Stone, Romance and Flirting - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

What makes Emma Stone's Eyes Twinkle? The etiology of "Twinkling Eyes" is a multifactorial and fascinating phenomenon.
 
The first, and by far the most important, component for a sparkle in the eye - is that of a smile, and it must be a sincere smile.

A "high sincerity quotient" smile must have eyelids which are partially closed - it's an absolute requirement. It's also a profoundly important distinction that all "partial eyelid closure" does not necessarily yield smiles - and the remainder of the face must always be taken into account. Recall Clint Eastwood in "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly". His acting expression was often that of mild to moderate anger.

When there is a momentary partial closure of the lids, this action squeezes the very thin layer of fluid on the surface of a healthy cornea and conjunctiva (the "tear film") onto a temporarily smaller surface - ergo this thin fluid becomes a bit "deeper" for a few moments. This extra fluid "depth" acts as a more efficient mirror and reflects light with greater efficiency - giving her eyes a "twinkling" effect.

After careful examination of the image below, you will see two light reflections in each of Emma's eyes - one on the cornea, near (over) the center of each pupil - and another just above the margin of each lower lid - where the tear film has a bit more depth - giving us an extra "sparkling" source.

Another requirement for a true, Joy-Happiness Smile is the short-lived, dynamic, concave-up furrow in the lower eyelids.

A Sincere smile must also have a relaxed (non-contracted) forehead. Indeed a forced and insincere smile is easily and often betrayed by an elevated and furrowed forehead.

Another requirement of a sincere smile is that if any teeth are showing (sometimes no teeth are showing during a sincere suppressed smile), they must be only the upper teeth (the exceptions being sincere smile-associated laughing, a high camera/visual angle or a downward tilting of the head/neck).

When sincerity is present, the cheek muscles will primarily vector upward - and not as much out to the sides. False smiles pull the corners of the mouth out laterally, rather than upward. Thus the mouths of fake smiles are often opened wider (left to right) than those of true smiles.

In this image, Emma Stone is outside - therefore her pupils are smaller with the bright sunlight. If she were inside, her pupils would be larger. Large pupils make a larger, darker, highly contrasting background for the light reflection - and make the twinkle more visible (e.g., a lighter color against a darker, larger background is much easier for other people to see).

Besides the relative darkness (which is one reason why dimly lit restaurants feel more romantic) - both affection (of a non-sexual nature) as well as sexual attraction are two other very common causes for larger pupils. Greater attraction equals larger pupils - and larger pupils leads to more sparkling.

Another cause of an increased or decreased "Twinkle Factor" is the angle of the light source. Without light there can be no twinkle - so to get a greater reflection, the light must be positioned behind the observer (e.g., if your partner is looking at you, the light source must be behind them [but not directly, lest it will be blocked by their head]).

Of course it the light is too bright, this will irritate the eyes as well as contract the pupils - which is one reason why candles engender eye twinkling (candles are dimmer than artificial light). Moreover, if a candle is used as a source of light - the constant changing amplitude of the flame (e.g., flickering) will amplify the tinkling effect - giving an extra dynamic quality to the eyes.

The level of love must always taken into account. Frida Kahlo once said, "Take a lover who looks at you like maybe you are magic." The presence or absence of love makes a portion of the "twinkle" subjective. Much like beauty, some of the twinkle depends on the other set of eyes - the eyes of the beholder.

Summary: In short, a "twinkle"/"sparkle" in the eye is influenced by...

1. The eye portion of a sincere smile (which always has partial eyelid closure and greater reflectivity)
2. The mouth portion of a sincere smile (aka "Duchenne" Smile) with upward vectored cheeks
3. A Relaxed Forehead
4. Medically Healthy Eyes
5. The type of light source
6. The angle of the light source
7. Larger vs. Smaller pupils (e.g., the level of ambient light)
8. The presence or absence of Affection and Love


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3865: Jeff Sessions and Al Franken - Senate Judiciary Committee during Sessions' Confirmation Hearing

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3863: Kellyanne Conway, Disrespect and The Oval Office

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3861: Emma Stone, The Oscars and Sincerity

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3858: Milo Yiannopoulos resigns from Breitbart with "Apology"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3672: Jessica Alba, Swass, Body Language and Emotional Intelligence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3512: Emilia Clarke, "Me Before You" and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3812: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone & La La Land - Backstage Interview Golden Globes 2017

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2802: Emma Stone & Jimmy Fallon Lip Sync Battle - Body Language Tells


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