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. 3152: Hillary Clinton First Campaign Ad - "Getting Started" (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

To no one's surprise, Hillary Clinton launched her candidacy for President today. Between Mrs. Clinton's official campaign and outside super-PACs, estimates of $2.5 Billion in donations are realistic. Yet despite this very substantial funding, Hillary's very first ad included some stunningly novice nonverbal faux pas.
 

This image is the very first frame from the very first scene featuring Mrs. Clinton (at 1:31).

Why on Earth is her back to the camera? This is about as basic as body language gets - turning your back to anyone projects disrespect, non-importance, destroys rapport and loses votes.

In this second Hillary-scene within the same ad, Mrs. Clinton is in a conversation with a gentleman in a restaurant or public gathering. Notice her torso - as well as her hips and feet although they're not visible, we clearly can see they're all pointed substantially away from him. This sends strong signals of low importance, disrespect and low mental-emotional engagement. It's essentially saying, "I'm here in body, but not in mind" and "I'm only here because I have to be here." (A Marshawn Lynch impersonation?).

A common over compensatory side-effect of such feigned and insincere presence is staring. Note that Hillary's eyes are locked on his - which does not "feel" natural (even to a child). Eye contact within the context of a healthy conversation has a random-movement pattern to it - and should for about 60-70% of the time, be centered around the other person's eyes, but not staring at them (Exceptions for this include romantic moments, other times of high affection - or during portions of an apology - of which none apply here). Moreover Hillary's upper eyelids are opened significantly wider than her normal baseline. This adds to the staring effect and projects a feeling of anger (What's another possible cause to her very-widely opened eyelids?).

Hillary's arm and shoulder are also blocking any sincere conversational-connection (which any good ad person should be attempting to engender within the context of a political advertisement). So although we're NOT this guy - we are feeling a vicarious rejection via Hillary's cold shoulder. Ouch.

Any candidate for high office will not win unless a majority of the electorate feels they are "likeable" - and a huge portion of such likeability has its foundation in body language. This is not to say leaders must pander or be weak in any way. But we simply want to - and need to like our leaders. To feel this way is fundamentally human. And if we feel they aren't respecting or liking us, we're not going to give them our votes. 

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See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3151: Barack Obama and Raúl Castro Shake Hands - Body Language

Negotiation Body Language Secret No. 483:  Tiger & Zach Johnson - handshake on the 18th - not so fast

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2765: Obama, Romney, Russia and Facial Asymmetry - Contempt at The Hague

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3134: Ted Cruz to Announce his Candidacy for 2016 Presidential Race - Why He Will Never Win - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3106: Amazing Selfie Proposal - Body Language Components of Surprise

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3056: Jeb Bush Interview - 14 Dec. 2014 - Body Language Tells

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2897: Fifty Shades of Grey - Part II - Warning Signs & Threat Assessment (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

This is the second post regarding the recent movie trailer release of "Fifty Shades of Grey". Dakota Johnson is casted as Anastasia "Ana" Steele - and she does a very good job in this trailer portraying a naive college woman. In stark contrast, Jamie Dornan, who plays Christian Grey, as pointed out in Analysis No. 2894 - has the body language of a sociopath in this trailer.

To reiterate somewhat, the central forehead contraction (aka "CFC" - even when seen in trace amounts) when seen simultaneously with any degree of "mouth smile" is consistent with contempt, incredulity or arrogance. This is not the only nonverbal consistent with these three emotional states. Moreover every human being feels these from time to time. However when the CFC is together with any degree of a "mouth smile" is seen chronically - this is consistent with sociopathic behavior. It also signals very low (or nonexistent) empathy and insincerity. Be warned.

Another nonverbal signal that is present in this very brief segment of this film - are eyelids that are opened wider than normal on a chronic basis. Like everything in the world of body language, specific body language signals must never be interpreted in isolation. Eyes that are opened wider than what for that person is considered baseline (and of course the heights of the upper eyelids varies from person to person and with age) may be seen with higher levels of anger (rage), surprise, shock, and fear. They also can be seen during moment of emphasis during conversation and in such context are a type of nonverbal "illustrator".

Some eyelids are opened wider than normal on a chronic basis however, either very frequently throughout the day or even nearly constantly. This is even indoctrinated in Hollywood from the mad genius (think "Doc Brown" on the "Back to the Future" movies) as well as in almost innumerable animations. Curiously though, this sign is largely ignored in the medical community - even though most would call the appearance "creepy", "weird", or "scary". There are of course some medical conditions which cause the eyelids to be retracted and have this "white and wide" appearance (such as hyperthyroid conditions). These are relatively easy for a physician to exclude however. When a physiologic or other traditional medical condition cannot be found - physiological diagnoses should be diligently sought.

Christian Grey - the character portrayed by Jamie Dornan - is of course a young, wealthy entrepreneur. He is not entitled to be crazy or chronically angry however - nor is anyone of course regardless of their financial status. Note Grey's/Dornan's upper eyelids are opened wider than what is normal. Of course this is only an actor playing a fictional character - but if you see this nonverbal signal displayed chronically or outside the setting of anger (rage), surprise, shock, fear or illustration of emphasis - consider it a red flag. You've been warned. Stay away.

Ted Bundy

James Holmes

Marshall Applewhite

Adam Lanza



























See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2747: Adam Lanza's Warning Sign - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2503:  Fort Hood Shooter and his Tell-Tale Body Language  Common to many Mass-Killers -  Nidal Malik Hasan gets the Death Penalty

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2828: Elliot Roger, Isla Vista/U.C. Santa Barbara Mass Shooting & Threat Assessment - Body Language and Threat Assessment

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2357: Why is this Image so Sexy? Body Language of "Hide & Seek"

In this posed picture a beautiful woman is looking at "us" through the mane of a horse sculpture. Most people will find this to be a particularly sexy image. And while she is certainly attractive to begin with, several nonverbals increase her appeal. In particular, this partial view of her face somewhat emulates the peek-a-boo games we all played as children. This same behavior is ubiquitously carried over into teenage years and adulthood and is a routine component in the process of flirtation and romance. A slight shift in positioning by either party will "cover" her eyes - only to be "uncovered" once more with another small adjustment. A similar effect is also achieved with the brim of a hat, via hair hanging down in front of one or both eyes, etc.

During such flirtations, care should be taken not to look too long, where it becomes a stare. As long as eye contact is made and held for a second or two, then is broken and re-established for another brief moment the message usually gets through. During the second eye contact it is also very helpful to display a smile - either sincere one or a good "social smile". 

Additional mysteriousness and thus allure is added in this photo because a good share of this beauty's face is covered by sculpture or by shadow. It is natural to want to know what we cannot see. This spurs our curiosity and her attractiveness. 

Photo credit: Sassan Knight


See also:

Romance, Flirting & Dating Body Language Secret # 1893:  Nonverbal Communication of the Facial Platter

Romance, Flirting & Dating  Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1752: Wearing Red and Sexual Attraction  - What are You Marketing?

Flirting and Romance Secret # 12: Being a Sexual Being 

Flirting and Romance Secret # 21: The Romantic Height Ratio

Dating & Romance Body Language Secret # 2020:  The Art of Looking Flirtatious

Dating & Romance Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1010:  What Makes the Twinkle in Her Eye? 

Romance, Marriage and Dating - Body Language Secret # 609: Going from High Heels to Flats and then back to Heels

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2203:  A Body Language Metric of Intimacy and Affection -  How Do YOU cuddle?

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Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1211: Tiger's Eyes - Subtle Signal, Severe Anger

In this video of Tiger Woods during a recent interview, there is a great example of a subtle signal of severe anger, aka rage. While some have called this a "Stare Down", it is much more nuanced - and the value is in the details. At the 0:52, Alex Miceli a writer from GolfWeek, asks Tiger if it was true that he was considering at one time joining the Navy SEALs at the height of his golf career (referring to Hank Haney's Book, The Big Miss).

The natural position of Tiger's upper eyelids are slightly lower compared with those of most people - that is, he has a mild amount of what is termed "congenital ptosis"(in the colloquial, he has slightly "droopy" eyelids). Thus when there is a change in position of his eyelids, we have to take this detail into account. 

With mild to moderate anger, there is a coming together of the eyelids (that is, the lower eyelids elevate and the upper eyelids are lowered). In common slang, this is often called a "squint" (although a squint can mean different things depending on the context and the other body language it is clustered with, for this discussion, think Clint Eastwood in, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly). However in severe anger - aka Rage, the opposite occurs and the upper eyelid elevates while the lower eyelid pulls down (retract). This movement of the lids allows more "whites of the eye" (sclera) to be revealed. Again, Tiger Woods' upper eyelids, in a resting/relaxed state are lower than most people's, but in the seconds after the Navy SEAL question is asked, Tiger's upper lids elevate - indicating considerable anger (particularly at the 1:13 mark). His increased sympathetic nervous system activity and increased adrenaline is of course, unconscious. Tiger's mid-face tightening is also consistent with anger. He subsequently gets a handle on his negative emotion and his smiling even helps to diffuse it.

See also: Secret # 779: What Does Staring Indicate?

See also: Secret # 457: A Contempt Amplifier

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Negotiation Body Language Secret # 779: What Does Staring Indicate?

A question I often hear is: What does staring mean? The answer is not as straight forward as some would like it - for its meaning is dependent on the other body language signals with which it is coupled. When someone is staring at you (not to be confused with someone staring "through you" aka "The Thousand Yard Stare"), six common meanings should spring to mind. Not in any particular order they are: anger, intimidation display, sexual attraction, curiosity, intense concentration or an attempt for a person who is lying to try and look honest/sincere. Intriguingly, a person who is lying may also have diminished eye contact (see Secret # 335: What does "eye contact" really mean?).

This video of a young girl (Sofia) at the Wellington Zoo in New Zealand, shows how staring commonly sets off primal instincts - even across species. It is common for a person (or large felines, dogs, etc.) to go into "protective mode" (flight, fight or freeze) - when being stared at. Instincts often assume the worst, - with the original emotion being completely misinterpreted. Here Sofia's curiosity is being mistaken as a threat. This happens on varying levels in human-to-human interactions billions of times daily. What have you misinterpreted today?

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