Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2728: Mikaela Shiffrin wins Gold at Sochi - Sincere Surprise Body Language (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

Mikaela Shiffrin won a Gold Medal in Sochi today. She is the reigning World Cup and World Champion in Slalom - and has become the youngest person ever to win Gold at an Olympic slalom event. Shiffrin is shown in the above image (L) earlier today next to Silver Medalist Marlies Schild (Austria).

The surprise on Shiffrin's face is sincere. Note how widely her eyes are opened here. Her mid-face is also stretched as her mouth and eyes are opening very wide. When people feign surprise they will open their mouth somewhat widely - however this is nearly always with a greater horizontal component. However, notice how Mikaela's mouth is open more widely VERTICALLY. Moreover her teeth are not visible. Although there are exceptions (when other emotions are co-existing) neither upper nor lower teeth are almost never visible during SINCERE surprise - thus if teeth are visualized - the surprise is almost always fake.

Congratulations Mikaela!

See also:

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1171:  Not So Fast Swift ....  Taylor's False Surprise

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2653: Carey Mulligan - Blunted Surprise and ... Body Language on Jimmy Kimmell, Part I

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1261:  True Surprise - Rarely Captured  IMF Director Christine Lagarde

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2727: "I am a Ukrainian" Video - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2719: Julia Mancuso at Sochi Olympics - Body Language of a Heightened Adrenaline State 




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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2723: Bode Miller's Interview after His Super G Bronze at Sochi - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Bode Miller won a bronze medal in the Men's Super-G yesterday. He is the oldest medalist in Olympic history and the most decorated in American alpine skier ever.

Bode Miller lost his brother Chelone last year to complications from a seizure and in the interview above, he tears up and cuts his interview short. NBC's Christin Cooper has received flack for pushing Miller too hard here, and yet Miller has come back in her defense.

From a body language perspective, this interview provides a good example of one setting of what is termed, the "Inward Lip Roll" (ILR). The inward lip roll is seen when the psyche is trying to prevent the crescendo of emotions from straying far from baseline - first outwardly and thus secondarily on the inside as well.

Most of the time, an ILR is seen in the context of negative emotion (sadness, anger, disgust, etc.) - although sometimes the inward lip roll is seen to suppress joy/laughter when for some reason the person does not want it to be displayed.

Multiple times throughout this interview, Bode Miller displays an ILR, to no avail, in order to try and suppress sadness progressing to tears.

My condolences and congratulations to Bode Miller.





See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2722: Charles Hamelin & Marianne St-Gelias's Kiss after his Gold Medal - A Paramount Body Language Signal of Affection

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2721: Vladimir Putin at U.S. Hockey Victory over Russia at Sochi Olympics - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2719: Julia Mancuso at Sochi Olympics - Body Language of a Heightened Adrenaline State

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2404:  Internal Lip Roll and other Body Language  associated with Suppression of Sadness 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2576: Chris Brown's Body Language - a Signal of Psyche's Suppressing Emotions ... and Anger and .... 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2652: Justin Timberlake and Jimmy Fallon on Saturday Night Live - Trying to Suppress the Laughter

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2722: Charles Hamelin & Marianne St-Gelias's Kiss after his Gold Medal - A Paramount Body Language Signal of Affection (PHOTO, VIDEO)

Canadian Short Track Speed Skater Charles Hamelin is seen here kissing his girlfriend and fellow skater, Marianne St-Gelais at the Sochi Winter Olympics. Hamelin has just won a Gold Medal in the 1500 Meter. While their bodies are certainly not in the optimum position for kissing or most displays of affection, one nonverbal in particular is very telling.

Forty percent of the mass of the brain is dedicated to the visual system and ninety percent of all sensory input is dedicated to sight. Hearing, touch, taste and smell - collectively account for only ten percent of incoming sensory data. When the eyes are shut, a slight redistribution of blood flow and electro-chemical activity of the brain is redirected to these other four (non-visual) senses - as well as cognitive and EMOTIONAL centers of the brain. We close our eyes during kissing, hugging and other affectionate displays because we want to drink in every last drop of emotion. As feeling creatures this is a natural and normal process when the emotion is SINCERE (most mammals do so as well). When there is a lack of sincerity - the eyes remain open - for there is no desire to amplify the sensory or emotional experience (ergo a relative state of apathy). The opposite is happening here however. In this moment Hamelin and St-Gelais are human beings in love first .... and Olympians second.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2721: Vladimir Putin at U.S. Hockey Victory over Russia at Sochi Olympics - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2720: Ireen Wüst - A Gold Medal, Emotional Processing and Empathy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2719: Julia Mancuso at Sochi Olympics - Body Language of a Heightened Adrenaline State

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2669: Sara Bareilles and the Body Language of the Rationalization Rapport Empathy Expression

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2715: Olympic Figure Skater Ashley Wagner and her Body Language display of.... 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2714: Justine Dufour-Lapointe Wins Olympic Gold in Sochi and Brandishes Swagger - Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2643: Is this Hug More Sexual or Affectionate? Student Suspended One Year for Hugging a Teacher



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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2720: Ireen Wüst - A Gold Medal, Emotional Processing and Empathy (PHOTO)

Rapid mouth covering is a body language consistent with a high empathy quotient. It is seen during moments of high surprise and disbelief - either with something very wonderful or very awful. Those who rarely do exhibit this and other gestures have relatively low empathy.

This phenomenon results from an emotional overload and is a nonverbal signal that the brain is rapidly processing new data. The emotional brain is essentially playing catch-up to what the logical brain already knows.

This image shows Ireen Wüst (Netherlands) during her gold medal award ceremony for the 3000 meter speed skating event. She became the first openly gay athlete to medal at the Sochi Olympic Games.










See also:

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1138:  Jennifer Hudson's Whitney Houston Tribute

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1212:  Sudden Mouth Covering

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2719: Julia Mancuso at Sochi Olympics - Body Language of a Heightened Adrenaline State

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2663: Caroline Wozniacki and Rory McIlroy Engaged - A Body Language Sign of Affection

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2661: Second Suicide Bombing in Russia in 24 Hours - Body Language of Leaders 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2719: Julia Mancuso at Sochi Olympics - Body Language of a Heightened Adrenaline State (PHOTO, VIDEO)

Julia Mancuso is shown here in the slalom portion of the super combined alpine skiing event of the 2014 Sochi Olympics. The American Skier went on to win a bronze medal in the event.

From a body language perspective, note how her jaw is protruding forward. This is termed a "Jaw Jut" and is a very common manifestation of a elevated adrenaline state. This nonverbal is of course no surprise here - within the context of World-class athletic competition. Yet in the everyday world a jaw jut very commonly accompanies another emotional state - that of extreme anger. In fact when this body language is seen - there is a high likelihood that the hands will be configured in fists as well as a dramatically increased chance that the anger will quickly escalate to violence. This tendency is particularly true in men.

Thus when you see a jaw jut it is a warning of a possible/probable pending attack. Take heed of this valuable threat assessment sign and move away. Seconds count.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2718: Obama: "I can do whatever I want" Body Language with French President François Hollande

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2715: Olympic Figure Skater Ashley Wagner and her Body Language display of....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2714: Justine Dufour-Lapointe Wins Olympic Gold in Sochi and Brandishes Swagger - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2259:  Game Show Killer Rodney Alcala Gets Two More Sentences - His Body Language Warning Signs

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2039:  Fight Outside Florida Courtroom -  Jaw Jut Prior to Violence

Negotiation Secret # 315:  Jaw Jut - Heightened Potential for Violence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2576: Chris Brown's Body Language - a Signal of Psyche's Suppressing Emotions ... and Anger and ....


What body language displays do you see in the video below?




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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2715: Olympic Figure Skater Ashley Wagner and her Body Language display of.... (PHOTOS)

In this image, U.S. figure skater Ashley Wagner is shown just as she views her scores for the short program in Sochi, Russia Yesterday. The Olympic skater was not pleased with the judges' opinions. Nonverbal displays of anger are evident in the simultaneous lowering and pulling together of her eyebrows. Less often observed by most is the tension in her lower eyelids and the slight closing of her eyes.

Ms. Wagner's facial expression also has a trace component of contempt. Note her mid-face tightening is slightly greater on her left resulting in dilation of her left nostril, a subtly more defined left nasal labial furrow and a trace more elevation of her left upper lip vs. her right side (e.g. one more upper tooth is visible on her left).

Asymmetrical facial displays (here contempt) tend to be biased to one side, idiosyncratic to each person and are independent of hand dominance.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2714: Justine Dufour-Lapointe Wins Olympic Gold in Sochi and Brandishes Swagger - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2061:  David Cameron Defends London Olympics against  Mitt Romney's Remarks -  Alpha Dominance and Illustrators -  Matching Hands and Feet as Sincerity Amplifiers

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2088:  McKayla Maroney's Expression - Everyone Got it Wrong  2012 Olympic Vault Silver Medalist

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2077:  The Body Language of a Russian Face-Plant 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1829: Dara Torres Interview with Piers Morgan - Embarrassment, Visual Recall, Sexual Anticipation Lip Biting & Sincerity Quotients 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1858:  What the Eyes Do - Transitioning from Mild to Severe Anger 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1863:  Sharapova's Lips of Anger

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2714: Justine Dufour-Lapointe Wins Olympic Gold in Sochi and Brandishes Swagger - Body Language (PHOTOS)

Justine Dufour-Lapointe won Canada's first Gold Medal of the Sochi Olympics today. In this photo (close-up below) the Champion freestyle mogul skier is celebrating with a nonverbal facial sign commonly displayed with the swagger of victory (and of course often seen outside the arena of sports). Because this (female analog of) "Machismo" facial expression also has similar components of asymmetry, it is commonly mistaken for contempt - yet it is a very different emotion. Note how the right side of Justine's mouth is opened wider and her right eyelids are partially closed vs. her left side. Somewhat less asymmetrical is her mid-face contraction component - which is slightly more prominent on her right side.

The mouth component of this emotion is commonly seen in isolation and is referred to as "Mouth Swagger".

Amazingly Justine's sister finished with a Silver Medal and another sister Maxime finished 12th in this same Olympic event.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2680: Chris Christie's State of the State Address - Body Language Swagger and Sincerity

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2651: Peyton Manning sets a Single Season Touchdown Record - Body Language at Press Conference

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2670: Janet Yellen Confirmed by Senate for Federal Reserve Chair - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2650: Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Pardoned by Putin, is Released from Prison, One Important Thing His Body Language Tells Us

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2506:  Barack Obama, the Self-Righteous Head Wiggle and  Retaliation Against Syrian Poison Gas Attack 
 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2661: Second Suicide Bombing in Russia in 24 Hours - Body Language of Leaders (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

With the second suicide bombing in less than 24 hours in Volgograd (formerly Stalingrad), Russia and the Winter Olympics in Sochi just five weeks away, tensions are understandably very high among the Russian people and the Russian leaders. In the video above, which is partially translated, several Russian officials are interviewed and below is a partial body language analysis.

One very important take home point here is that the vast majority of nonverbal signals cross all ethnic and cultural barriers.

Take the time to watch the video as the nuance of these body language displays must be seen in dynamic context in order to be best learned.


At 0:21 this microexpression of regret is displayed by Olga Golodets (Deputy Prime Minister of Cultural Affairs) - primarily displayed on the right side of her mouth (do not mistake this expression with contempt - for although she may have contempt - in this very moment she feels regret, see below for contrast).

With what other body language is also being displayed here?

About a second later (0:22) Ms. Golodets displays regret once more - this time her display is more symmetrical (left is roughly equal to right). Regret may be both unilaterally or bilaterally manifested.

Later in the video at 0:50, Vladimir Markin (Investigative Committee Spokesman) displays a clear yet very brief expression of contempt. This fleeting signal is thus also a microexpression.

The Chechen separatists, particularly the followers of Doku Umarov who encouraging his co-believers "to their utmost to derail" the Olympics are the primary group suspected in these terrorists activities.


My deep condolences to the Russian people, especially to the families and loved-ones of those killed and wounded. 

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1890:  Eric Holder has (Emotional) Contempt toward Darrell Issa -  while Rep. Issa is Very Excited to be Seeking  "Contempt of Congress" against Holder

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2312:  Bruce Willis' Body Language -  Contempt vs. Suppressed Smile vs.  Pseudo Smile vs. Sincere Smile

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2408:  Sen. Kelly Ayotte's Anxiety & Regret via  Senators Graham & McCain -  Republican Body Language in Response to  President Obama's National Defense University Speech

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2647: Vladimir Putin regarding Edward Snowden, What Does the Russian Leader Think? 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2519:  Vladimir Putin Speaks Syria,  Chemical Weapons and Disarmament -  Body Language just after his New York Times Op-Ed

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2511:  Barack Obama & Vladimir Putin  Handshake at 2013 G20 Meeting 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2586: Harrison Ford in "Ender's Game" - Microexpression and Macroexpression of Regret - Harrison's Brand and the Stanislavski Method 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2660: Chris Weidman after Anderson Silva UFC 168 Fight - Body Language "Duping Delight" Tells

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2646: Does Barack Obama Want to Go to the Sochi (Russia) Winter Olympics? What His Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

This video gives us a great example in the evaluation of a nonverbal cluster - that is, several body language signs occurring simultaneously or in close temporal proximity. A cluster is truly a nonverbal sentence".

It begins with President Barack Obama saying, "Ahhh ya know me attending Olympics particularly at a time when we got all the other stuff that people been talking about is going to be tough, although I would love to do it [hard, dry swallow]. I'll be going to a lot of Olympic Games post-Presidency ... um ..."

During 0:07

An extended blink (a form of gaze aversion) along with a partially suppressed smile - aka Duping Delight (Ekman) begins a body language cluster which tells us what Mr. Obama really feels about going to Sochi, Russia for the upcoming Winter Olympics.

During 0:09 - 0:10

Here the President makes a "Hard Swallow (and Dry)" as he looks down - away from his audience (more gaze aversion). Both nonverbal changes are very common in the midst of deception.

During 0:11 - 0:12

The index finger (aka forefinger) point (disguised here as a bit o' "awe shucks" swagger) is a major nonverbal faux pas - and one President Obama rarely commits. One thing this tells us is that he was (for a few seconds) off his game with respect to his body language. This temporary disinhibition was due to anxiety brought about by his previous lie. He very probably will be going to many Olympics in the future - however he has no desire to be back in Russia and in the company of Vladimir Putin. Note his suppressed smile/duping delight has re-appeared.

It is also an interesting statement analysis observation that Mr. Obama uses poorer (extemporaneous) word selection during these few seconds (we all do when we lie). Grammar, syntax and word choices all grow worse during deception.

In summary, the President was fibbing when he said he would love to go to the Sochi Olympics.

What else did you notice in President Obama's last press conference of 2013?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2595: Barack Obama's Emotional Dissonance, Low Confidence and the "Turtle Retreat" - He Does Not Want To Be There

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2602: Barack Obama at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2593: Barack Obama, Insurance Cancellations and Signals of Low Confidence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2511:  Barack Obama & Vladimir Putin  Handshake at 2013 G20 Meeting

Negotiation Secret # 140:  Duping Delight Microexpression  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2236:  John Boehner & the Fiscal Cliff Plan B Failure - Body Language of Duping Delight

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2411:  Zimmerman's Attorney, Mark O'Mara's -  Body Language Faux Pas in Court

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2312:  Bruce Willis' Body Language -  Contempt vs. Suppressed Smile vs.  Pseudo Smile vs. Sincere Smile

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2586: Harrison Ford in "Ender's Game" - Microexpression and Macroexpression of Regret - Harrison's Brand and the Stanislavski Method
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