Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3528: Brothers Prank their younger sister with an ongoing Zombie Apocalypse - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Upon coming out of anesthesia after having her wisdom teeth removed, Millicent's brothers - Cabot, Hudson and Barrett Phillips convinced their temporarily mild-altered sister of an ongoing Zombie Apocalypse.

From a nonverbal communication point, there are many examples of classic expressions and other body language tells. One moment in particular is highlighted here.

This image was captured during 3:33 in the above video - just after the brothers own up to their prank.

Note a touching of one or both hands to their faces -  covering them to varying degrees.  In addition, their eyelids are closed or nearly closed. Each brother is also blushing. This body language cluster is highly indicative of sincere laughter - although this also has components of embarrassment/mea culpa overlapping.

Millicent (3:30) has her gaze fixed on the middle-distance with her eyelids opened wider than baseline to a mild-moderate degree. She also has a very characteristic "slack jaw" configuration - her mandible (jaw) is moderately opened with relatively relaxed. Although here we can see the superior aspect of a some of her lower, front teeth - if her mouth wasn't packed with gauze, we wouldn't see any teeth. This is one of the classic facial expressions signaling emotional processing. Her emotional brain is trying to grasp what her intellect (albeit suppressed) already knows.

I wonder how Millicent is going to get her revenge.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3527: North Carolina's Governor Pat McCrory Statement regarding His Order That "Clarifies" Controversial Gender Identity Bill - Body Language Faux Pas

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3518: Donald Trump's Feminine and Beta Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3517: Before His Walk Back, Donald Trump "There Has To Be Some Form of Punishment" to Women who have Abortions

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3446: Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3418: Mayor Eric Garcetti, The Port of Los Angeles and a Body Language Mistake Leaders Commit Routinely

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3381: Ariana Grande, Flirtatious Body Language and the American Music Awards

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3325: Vladimir Putin, the United Nations, Russian Soil and Confidence Levels

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3423: Australia's Got Talent Promo - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

The above video was released a few days ago as a promo for the 2016 Australia's Got Talent. A very obvious and essentially self-deprecating element of this video is the differential lighting - as well as the disparate facial expressions of this man-boy vs. the others in the superimposed "background". While his face is certainly expressive (à la Jim Carey), it provides for us a useful nonverbal communication exercise - is he sincere?

This moment (0:14) shows his eyelids very widely opened, his forehead relaxed, and his jaw partially opened (with minimal tension). Note also there are no teeth visible.

The emotion captured here is that of a "slack-jawed" emotional shock. Similar to, yet distinct from that of surprise. Emotional shock is significant for a disparity between that which is seen, heard and/or understood by the intellectual brain - however not yet fully processed by the emotional brain. If this was all we saw, it would be a good conclusion that, if acting, he performed this with skillful body language.

This moment was captured at a second later (during 0:15).

Note his eyebrows are pulled down and medially (inward) and while his eyes are opened widely, there is significantly increased tension of his lower eyelids compared with the image above.

His mouth is opened very widely. This is not consistent with a mouth in a state of pure surprise - for there is tension in the lips and the lower teeth are barred. With sincere surprise, the lips are loose and the teeth are rarely visible. Sometimes when surprise is rapidly waning and fear (or occasionally anger) is in a crescendoing dynamic - the teeth will be exposed.

At 0:16, the eyebrows have elevated dramatically once again - and the eyelids are also opened very wide - while his mouth is essentially unchanged compared with that of above.




In conclusion, from a nonverbal exercise (critique) standpoint we can say definitively that this is an actor or a person in a state of melodrama (which is also a form of acting of course - both to others and often to oneself). The second image in particular is a facial-montage which is very rarely seen in a sincere, real-world setting. The mouth also should have changed (along with the eyes) from the second to the third image-moments. When taken in toto, the considerable incongruity indicates acting/insincerity/melodrama (which is probably deliberately intended on the part of the promoters as a way of [at least in part] poking fun at themselves).


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3422: unplanned pregnancy : Deaf husband finds out wife is pregnant - Body Language and Emotional Shock

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3416: LeBron James Catches a Golden State Fan "calling" him a Cry Baby - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3414: Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth and Affection 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3411: Donald Trump's Vulgarity, "Schlonged" and Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3409: Debbie Wasserman Schultz's Reaction to Bernie Sander's Criticism of the DNC 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3407: GOP Debate, the National Anthem and Shades of Napoleon 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2969: Maggie Q, David Letterman, Empathy and Sincerity Quotients 

Nonverbal Communication Quiz-Analysis No. 2967: George Clooney & Amal Alamuddin Wed in Venice - All The World's a Stage - Sincerity level of Smiles

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3422: unplanned pregnancy : Deaf husband finds out wife is pregnant - Body Language and Emotional Shock (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Although this unsuspecting husband does not initially know the contents of the bag or its ramifications - he believes something is up a bit earlier in this video (0:34 - 0:38). A moment later (captured below during 0:51) he knows he's going to be a father. This requires some clarification though - for his expression is classic on of classic emotional shock.

Emotional shock can be thought of as a more dramatic form of surprise, however some emotional experts (including myself) disagree and think of psychological (emotional) shock is significant of a (temporary) disconnect between what the emotional brain is still trying to grapple with - versus what the intellectual brain already knows. Of course, depending on the stimulus, the degree of emotional shock can be quite variable.

Like surprise, his eyes (eyelids) are opened significantly wider than baseline (normal). Also similar to surprise, his mouth is opened. It's crucial that with both emotions (surprise and shock) there is almost never any teeth visible. With classic surprise however, the mouth is opened much wider - in a vertical oval shape. Opening the mouth widely in such a fashion requires active muscle contraction (e.g., Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3106: Amazing Selfie Proposal - Body Language Components of Surprise). It's an important physiological distinction then - that with psychological shock - the jaw drops open (with no muscle contraction) - thus the colloquial, "Slack Jaw" or "Slack Jawed".

After a few seconds (sometimes longer) later, when the intellectual mind and the emotional mind become congruent, this emotional shock is replaced by other emotions (just as with surprise) - here it is replaced by joy-happiness (and of course it may, in other situations anger, fear, sadness, etc. may take its place instead).

Congratulations sir. Cherish every second.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3421: Jennifer Lawrence, Eddie Redmayne and Emotional Comfort

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3412: Affluenza Teen Ethan Couch is on the Run 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3065: Meryl Streep "Not Pretty Enough" To Be In King Kong - The Graham Norton Show - Body Language Tells 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2997: Halloween Haunted Houses - Transitioning from Expressions of Surprise to Fear 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3026: Michael Bublé Brings a Fan (Sam Hollyman) on Stage to Sing 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2143: Meyers and Bailey Leonard - The Illini, The Marine & The Reunion - Emotional Processing & Sincerity 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3417: Freshman Mistakes and Faux Pas Abound - Debates and Body Language  

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3343: Michigan State vs. Michigan, Football and Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Earlier today, Michigan was poised for a minor upset of their in-state rivals Michigan State - when the Wolverine's punter, Blake O’Neill dropped the snap. The ball landed in the hands of Spartans safety Jalen Watts-Jackson, who ran it in for a touchdown on the last play of the game - giving Michigan State the victory.

The woman in the center of the above photo (2:33 in video) is a Michigan fan who's displaying a classic nonverbal signal seconds after the game ended. Although not limited to athletics, within the culture of the sporting world (regardless of the country), this "Hands-on-Head" configuration is very common (in players, fans and sometimes even coaches/managers/owners). It indicates either a significant missed opportunity or, more typically, a loss. In addition it signals emotional processing - for although the intellectual brain knows what has just transpired, the emotional mind has yet to fully adapt to this sudden change.

It's no coincidence that this hands-on-head nonverbal is similar/identical to how captured soldiers are made to stand once they're captured. While in most body language scenarios where the hands/arms are raised are ones with a positive meaning, this is a notable exception.

It's also important to notice this woman's mouth. It's configured in a "slack-jawed" manner - which indicates psychological shock. It shares some similarities with the mouth of sincere surprise (yet it's opened wider horizontally while a surprise mouth typically opens wider vertically). The vast majority of the time, a slack-jawed mouth also displays no teeth. The lips are loose and plump with mild protrusion.

Coaches take heed - for players who adopt this pose on the field or on the sidelines have already psychologically given-up. You've already lost.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3342: Barack Obama regarding whether or not Joe Biden will Run for President

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3295: Jim Harbaugh, Michigan Football and Predicting Violent Behavior

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2992: Michigan State's Football Coach Mark Dantonio, "I can only be diplomatic for so long ..." - Disrespect, Contempt and Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2884: Mario Götze, Germany, the 2014 World Cup final, and the Body Language of Fiero

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3241: Trump - a Hyper-Alpha Donald vs. a Kinder, Gentler Version - Body Language and Likability

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3143: Jay Z's "Tidal" Music Service - An Alpha Dominant Display 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3275: Carly Fiorina, The Republican Debate and Likability (or not) 
 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3156: Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

The second teaser for the upcoming "Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens", was released today. And although the plot is known but a few, there is a moment in this trailer which is spot-on.

Whenever an outstretched hand is offered in assistance - it is nearly always offered palm-up. Indeed, if one desires the other person to truly take one's hand - (literally or metaphorically) - offering it palm-upwards will dramatically increase the odds of such help being accepted.

When a hand is offered, the other person will very often look at it as if had the momentary value of a human face - and with intensity. It's almost as if in these rare moments, the hand acts as surrogate face - and the opened, face-up palm is evanescent equivalent of a smile. The expression on the offering person's face (which cannot be seen on Daisy Ridley's character's [Rey] here) should always be one of sincerity - if it is not sincere (or does not "feel" sincere) - this is a huge red flag - take heed.

Yet this is not the only crucial body language take-hone point in this moment. John Boyega's character's facial expression (Finn) is one of quizzical-urgency. His mouth is agape in a "slack-jawed" configuration of shock (again, the plot is not known here, but if Boyega [and the director - J.J. Abrams] gets it correct, Finn was certainly NOT expecting Rey's help). His eyebrows are vectored downward and drawn together - which is often confused with anger - yet there is no tension in his lower lids, thus Finn is thinking, "WTF!?, Why is she offering to help - I thought she would was going to kill me!"

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3155: Aaron Hernandez found Guilty - gets Life Sentence without possibility of Parole - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3116: Leonard Nimoy and Disbelief - Body Language of Spock

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2683: Alice Eve, Craig Ferguson, Kierkegaard and Free Will, Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3103: Dr. J's reaction to Zack LaVine's "Space Jam" Slam Dunk - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3040: Mourning after the Sydney Hostage Crisis - Sincerity & Empathy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2360:  Bill Clinton and the Body Language of a  "Loose Hand, Palm Up Point"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2818: The Caring Hand, Palms Up and Building Rapport

Negotiation Body Language Secret No. 554: Running for President - Paul's Palms Down Faux Pas

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3147: Kentucky Loses to Wisconsin in Final Four - John Calipari's Body Language (PHOTOS)

The Wisconsin Badgers upset the Kentucky Wildcats in second Final Four game of today's NCAA basketball's tournament. In this image, Kentucky's head coach, John Calipari is shown with both hands on the sides of his face - primarily his cheeks and jaw. His jaw, while partially open - is not characteristic of surprise. This is a "slack-jawed" sign. The entire width of his lower forehead shows mild-moderate contraction (although this is suppressed - particularly on the top half of his forehead - for it has been treated with Botox) and his eyelids are partially closed (loosely) along with his inner (media) eyebrows being directed downward. This body language cluster configuration is indicative of emotional-shock and disbelief.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3146: The Price Is Right - Manuela's Blooper

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3103: Dr. J's reaction to Zack LaVine's "Space Jam" Slam Dunk

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2080:  Ragù Commercial - 10 year old Boy Walks in on Parents

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2055:  Three Wise Monkeys - Hear no evil, See no evil, Speak no evil - Body Language Interpretation vs. Traditional Symbolism 

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