Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3651: Micheal Phelps, Chad le Clos and the Power of the "Game Face" - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

Much has been made regarding Michael Phelps' facial expression prior to the 200 Meter Butterfly Semifinal. Chad le Clos, who bested Phelps for the Gold Medal in the London Games by 0.05 seconds, was displaying what might have been at least a portion of his typical warm-up by air-boxing. The South African swimmer was doing this in front of Phelps - as well as the others he would race. Many who watched this felt that Phelps' expression was a direct reaction to his rival - yet it's not that simple.

Those who are not accustomed to participating in athletic endeavors may believe that the purpose of adopting a particular facial expression or body configuration in these settings is to "Psyche-out" their opponents. Such intimidation motives are true - and yet this is not its sole purpose.

The "Game Face" is also used to achieve both a mental and an emotional state in the person displaying it. Thus by changing one's face and body to various alpha configurations - it truly changes the brain and body chemistry (i.e., increases adrenaline) in a manner which engenders a more optimal performance. Chad le Clos did this by air boxing, while Michael Phelps accomplished this same thing by facial expressions.

Of course this is only a glimpse into these Olympians pre-swim rituals, but along with letting us peek into their competitive minds - it also serves as a reminder that we too can change our body chemistry and emotion moments by altering our own nonverbal behavior. The value of such nonverbal practice has a profound and practical value adding to the emotional intelligence in virtually every real-world scenario far afield from the swimming pool or the football stadium.

In this semifinal, Phelps took second and le Clos was third. Phelps went on to win the 20th Gold Medal of his Olympic career in the final, while le Clos finished fourth.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3650: Donald Trump: "Although the Second Amendment people maybe there is, I dunno" - Veiled Threats & Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3644: Eric Trump, Humayun Khan, Sexual Harassment and Patronizing Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3640: Khizr Khan’s DNC Speech, Donald Trump & Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3618: Salma Hayek regarding Donald Trump

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3597: David Cameron, The Brexit and Suppressing Emotions

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3564: Kanye West, Ellen and Beta Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3445: Harrison Ford Re-enacts 'I Love You' Scene from Star Wars - The Graham Norton Show

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3534: Taylor Swift's (Vogue's) Rapid-fire 73 Q & A Session


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3582: Brock Turner's Dad Draws Outrage of "20 Minutes of Action" - Lack of Empathy and No Remorse - Body Language (PHOTOS)

This is Brock Turner and his father Dan Turner. Brock Turner was Stanford University student and swimmer who raped an incapacitated, intoxicated, fully unconscious woman behind a dumpster on January 18, 2015. Two men caught him in the act and chased him down. They held him there until the police arrived.

Brock Turner was convicted of three sexual assault charges although he was initially charged with five different felonies: one count of raping an intoxicated person, one count of raping an unconscious person, one count of assault while attempting to commit rape as well as two counts of sexual penetration with a foreign object.

The maximum sentence he could have received was 14 years. Prosecutors recommended that he receive a six-year prison sentence - however Judge Aaron Persky gave him a 6 month sentence after saying, "A [longer] prison sentence would have a severe impact on him" and that "I think he will not be a danger to others".

In a letter to the Court, Dan Turner said his son Brock, “has never been violent to anyone including his actions on the night of January 17th 2015,” as well as, "That is a steep price to pay for 20 minutes of action out of his 20 plus years of life."

In the image above we can see the younger Turner with his eyelids opened wider than baseline, nostrils flared, his lips slightly pursed, his mid-face tightened - indicative of fear. And although this is a still image, the blurriness of his Adam's apple suggests movement and a hard swallow consistent with fear's dry mouth and throat.

Dan Turner has his head and neck rotated towards his son with his right eyebrow and forehead raised while his left brow and forehead are lowered. This nonverbal cluster indicates disbelief and incredulity.

Neither man in this image displays any nonverbal signs of empathy or remorse.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3581: Hillary Clinton, Likability and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3579: Donald Trump, Trump University Lawsuit, a Judge's 'Mexican heritage'

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3564: Kanye West, Ellen and Beta Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3534: Taylor Swift's (Vogue's) Rapid-fire 73 Q & A Session

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3493: Reince Priebus regarding Ben Carson's anticipated endorsement of Donald Trump

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3481: Gordon Ramsay Tries Girl Scout Cookies for the First Time

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3435: US Sailor captain Apologizes to Iran

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

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