Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2626: Rashida Jones's Anxiety regarding YouTube Awards on Jimmy Fallon (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

The multi-talented Rashida Jones was on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" on Thanksgiving. Among other subjects, she recounted her 'crash-like' behavior during the recent YouTube Music Awards. Spike Jonze who had directed the awards, had her give two babies to the Award's hosts - one each to Jason Schwartzman and Reggie Watts. Many felt this to be a bit bizarre. Rashida herself felt significant anxiety about it and she describes this to Jimmy Fallon above.

Note: The one of the original videos has, since the original post, been removed from its online source. The images below however, were captured from this video. 




The accomplished actress who's very accustomed to being on-camera, displayed multiple nonverbal anxiety tells in her recounting of the incident. Below are just three such examples.

In this image (1:56 - 1:57), Rashida can be seen displaying an "Inward Lip Roll" (ILR) which is a significant indication of anxiety - and more specifically the psyche's attempt in suppressing both the inward and outer manifestations of an emotion.

She is of course reaching for her neck in this image as well.

Here Ms. Jones is rubbing her neck (1:57 - 1:58) - a very common body language signal of anxiety. A deep exhalation can also be heard here (1:58).

Here Rashida strokes both sides of her long locks (2:39 - 2:46). It's relatively unusual to see a person used to being on camera display this nonverbal bilaterally - another significant anxiety indicator.






See also:

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. 2621: Matt Smith (11th Incarnation of 'Dr. Who'), Anxiety and American Psycho

Nonverbal Analysis # 1820: What Causes David Beckham's Greater Anxiety -  Barack Obama Teasing Him About His Age or His Underwear?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2281:  Inaugural Luncheon Anxiety  Barack Obama's Body Language  Michelle's Mirroring

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2493:  Jewel in Disguise at Karaoke Bar,  Body Language Cues to Lack of Nervousness 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2530: Tom Coburn, Obamacare and Anxiety - Body Language Tell on a Senator's Face 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2601: "Governor Christie, Are You a Tea Party Republican?" Why His Answer Tells Us Whether or Not He Will Run for President in 2016


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2324: Carrie Underwood regarding alleged Feud with Taylor Swift

In this short video excerpt of an interview of Carrie Underwood, Gayle King asks, "Is there such, is a feud between you and Taylor Swift?" Ms. Underwood's responds, "No, not that I know of - at least." She has been asked this question many times before and was prepared for it - and thus she does a fair job of suppressing her emotions in her response. If this were the truth, her answer should have been "No" or "Absolutely not", or another definitive negative expression, etc. Instead Ms. Underwood adds, "not that I know of" and then spurts out "at least". When the truth is "no" these paralanguage qualifiers are not needed and their presence is highly suspicious for deception.

A few minutes later, Ms. King catches Underwood off-guard when she asks for her favorite Taylor Swift song. Gayle is displaying subtle joy in this image (it is better exampled in the video). She also partially closes her upper eyelids here. This added eye nonverbal is commonly seen in this variety of duping delight - when we catch someone in a moment of deception - part of the "I gotcha" expression.


 

Ms. King also blinks with momentary increased frequency during this same question - and with the blinks being of longer duration. These blink variations are commonly part of a negative judgment  cluster - that of contempt. Her subtle smile is displayed more so in this image.

Here Ms. Underwood is captured in a "smile of deception" - which is of course very common in children whom are caught in lesser-consequence lies. Of course this phenomenon persists into adulthood but it is less obvious. When it becomes partially suppressed with perceived adequate deception on the part of the liar – it becomes what is called duping delight (Ekman).

Here, Underwood says, "My favorite Taylor Swift song, Oh my gosh ....". Touching her neck is a clear nonverbal signal of anxiety.  Repeating the question and the exclamation are both ways of “buying time” in an effort to think of an answer.

This is the moment when Underwood remembers a specific song. She is surprised & excited that she recalls one. Her eyes open wider and her mouth adopts a mild surprise configuration. Her anxiety then drops immediately along with her left hand.

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See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2244:  Taylor Swift's Body Language, Botox &  Anger on 60 Minutes

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2271:  Golden Globe Awards - Best Original Song Adele & Taylor Swift - both Nominated, One Winner  One Body Language of Sincerity  Another of Contempt then a Suppressed Smile

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication # Analysis 1492:  Ben Bernanke's Duping Delight &  Partial Emblematic Slip

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2093:  Ann Curry's Tearful Goodbye -  Matt Lauer's Classic "Tongue-in-Cheek" and Duplicitous Smile

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1897:  George Zimmerman's Reenactment of  Trayvon Martin Shooting

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2150:  Body Language Advice for  President Obama and Governor Romney in Tonight's Debate


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1927: Italy's Fans watching Euro 2012 Final - Expressions of Fear

Italy's football fans in this photo are watching their team playing Spain in the Euro 2012 finals ... with much trepidation. The man on the right has some subtle to moderate body language manifestations of fear. Notice how his neck is slightly taught. Higher levels of fear will result in more extreme contraction and an appearance of "tenting" of the superficial neck muscle known as the platysma (see also: Analysis # 329: The Neck of Fear). While self-touching in general indicates the more general emotion of anxiety - MAPs (Manipulators, Adaptors or Pacifiers) of the face (e.g., woman on the left), neck, chin (man on the right), manumbrium (upper portion of sternum) or the upper torso are more consistent with fear. This man's mouth is also stretched down and backwards at the "corners". Note that we see his bottom teeth exposed - and although subtle, this also highly characteristic of the "mouth of fear" (see also: Analysis # 301: Angela Merkel's Mouth of Fear).

It is important to note the extreme variety of events which people may "fear", even though we often think of this emotion as one indicative of a physically threatening action or other relatively extreme catastrophe.  No so. Empathy and careful observation shows otherwise. Thus, it is very valuable to note these displays in negotiations, the sales processes, and other professional settings.

Spain triumphed in the largest margin of victory ever in a UEFA EURO final, 4-0.

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