Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3853: Tom Hiddleston, a School Play and Eddie Redmayne - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

It seems that once upon a time, Tom Hiddleston and Eddie Redmayne were in a school play together. In this video, Hiddleston recounts the childhood experience.

Although we often tend to think of them as 'good liars' - for we want them to suspend our disbelief - when they are not 'in character' (when they are 'in their own skin') actors are no better at fooling us than the average person.

In the first few seconds of the above video, Hiddleston develops anxiety when Graham Norton brings up the subject of the school play. Tom rapidly becomes embarrassed - evidenced by his blushing (easy to see despite the orange-red background) and a sincere smile - albeit a suppressed one.

In this image captured above Hiddleston displays relaxed forehead muscles, partially closed eyelids, lower eyelids with concave-up dynamic furrows, upward vectored and contracting cheek muscles. And yet none of his teeth are on display, for his lips are tighten while he tries not to laugh (or fully smile).

Hiddleston is also reaching for his nose.

The most common cause for touching of one's face is anxiety (regardless of its degree or the specific cause) - and the vast majority of times (98+%), we are not even aware we're doing so.

While the touching of the nose may be correlated with deception - this is not true for all hand-to-nose contact. When the nose is pulled or pinched between the thumb and forefinger (index finger) it too indicates anxiety - but more specifically it signals a 'dialing up of alpha qualities'. The psyche recognizes the need for an up-regulation to stronger, more assertive qualities - and the action of this MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) helps us to do so. It's analogous to a slap in the face or a splash of cold water causing one's emotions to be 'jump started' and thus redirected.

The nose pinch/nose pull is but one many examples of alpha up-regulators. What others can you name?


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3852: Donald Trump's Impromptu Press Conference - Part II - "Are they friends of yours?"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3850: Benjamin Netanyahu, Donald Trump and Michael Flynn - Press Conference

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3848: Donald Trump's and Justin Trudeau's Handshake

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3836: President Trump nominates Judge Neil Gorsuch for The Supreme Court

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3821: Alicia Keys Sings for Charlie Rose - Sincerity Amplifiers

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3510: Lindsey Graham - The Senator Picks His Poison: Ted Cruz vs. Donald Trump

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3485: Chris Christie's Facial Expressions standing behind Donald Trump - Bad Body Language on Super Tuesday

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3451: Angelique Kerber defeats Serena Williams in Australian Open


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3555: Enter 007 - Tom Hiddleston will be the Next James Bond - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

During his recent guest appearance on The Graham Norton Show, Tom Hiddleston's behavior - particularly his nonverbal displays - revealed that he's in the final running for the next version of James Bond.

The first two images below display Mr. Hiddleston's body language while fielding questions to his role as another spy in "The Night Manager". The remaining three images are in reference to James Bond. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis.

0:31  -  False Sock Adjust (with his right hand) along with Blushing, a Sincere Smile and Suppressed Laughter

This cluster of nonverbal behavior is highly consistent with anxiety and in this context, deception as well.  

0:34  -  Social Fear Face (Partial Fear Mouth)

Neck of Fear
(his left)

Hissing Inhalation

He's choosing his words very carefully (although his body language betray his true thought-emotions).

1:11  -  False Tie Adjust

This MAP Surrogate, is but one example of an Alpha Up-regulator (often seen when a person in an anxiety state is trying to "dial-up" their alpha behavior).

1:43 - 1:46, With his ankles crossed (low emotional comfort) and fingers intertwined (additional lower confidence - a variety of a seated fig leaf), Hiddleston also is crossing and uncrossing his thumbs - all betraying the anxiety, low confidence and protective emotional tone of deception.

1:52 - 1:53, Hiddleston shows an aborted mouth covering along with arm blocking (via a unilateral, partial self-hugging) in addition to blushing and sincere smiling with suppressed laughter and continued ankle crossing. This cluster of nonverbal, displayed upon the suggesting of a yodeling James Bond, is particularly telling.

Despite being an accomplished actor, when he's just being himself, Tom Hiddleston can't suppress his anxiety and low emotional comfort. This body language tells us that along with additional episodes of The Night Manager, Mr. Hiddleston is in negotiations for the role of James Bond - despite his verbal denial (did you catch his stuttering and the other paralanguage tells?).


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3554: Paul Allen, Steph Curry and the "Slack Jaw"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3552: Hillary Clinton, Body Language and variations on the Pistol Steeple

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3547: Kate Middleton on Cover of Vogue's 100th Anniversary Issue 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3541: Chris Christie's Wife - Mary Pat's, Reaction to Donald Trump's "Woman Card" Comment

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3531: Helen Mirren, Subways, Sincerity, Empathy and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3477: Henry Cavill Asks Children - Batman or Superman?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3454: Donald Trump - Buying the Farm after 2nd Place Finish in Iowa Caucuses 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3322: Pope Francis and Barack Obama - Respect, Deferential Behavior and Body Language



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