Body Language & Emotional Intelligence: Vetting

Showing posts with label Vetting. Show all posts

Friday, December 11, 2015

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3400: Amy Poehler, Jimmy Fallon, Visual Recall and "Truth or Truth" - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

It's both entertaining and highly instructive to watch actors when studying body language. Why? Because it demonstrates that nonverbal behavior is so deeply ingrained, even professional actors/entertainers cannot suppress their real thought-feelings for long (and are typically no better than average at lying when they're "out of character")

In the video above, beginning at 2:55, Amy Poehler says, "... I'd like you to tell the truth. Truth or truth?"

Jimmy Fallon: "Well okay, truth."

Poehler: "What's in your pocket right now?"

Fallon then makes a suppressed smile, tilts his head slightly, begins to look up to his left, blinks (bilaterally) and then a looks up to his left for about 1.1 seconds (during 3:07 - 3:08) and then he blinks with both eyes once again during the realignment of his gaze back toward Poehler.

"A CD case of Bon Jovi's 2005 album, 'Have a nice day' - but inside is Green Day's 'Dookie' CD."

He then pulls the CD out his pocket revealing he had in fact, told the truth.

If this had been a high level vetting, a deposition, Voir dire, negotiation, interview, etc., Ms. Poehler would do well to know that with the large majority of those who are right-hand dominant (as is Fallon), eyes that suddenly look up to their left during the mental process of visually recalling a person, event, object, etc.

If this had been a high-stakes person-to-person communication scenario, Poehler would have done well to note the timing and context of her question in relationship to this brief but telling momentary eye movement. While this behavior is not seen 100% of the time during visual recall, if a person is "normed" for this nonverbal, it's predictive value rises significantly.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3399: Donald Trump, a Bald Eagle and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3229: Amy Poehler, Seth Meyers and a SNL Reunion - REALLY!?! - a Body Language Trick of Comedians

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3334: Kevin McCarthy, Judy McCarthy and the Representative's Decision to Withdraw from Pursuing the Position as Speaker of the House - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3272: Donald Trump, Megyn Kelly, Deception and Misogyny

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2745: Vladimir Putin Deception regarding Crimea

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3358: Hillary Clinton on Stephen Colbert - We Let the Banks Fail Next Time - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3351: A Body Language Signal of Sincere Affection

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Thursday, April 11, 2013

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2364:
Kim jong-un Tells a Lie to His Generals
North Korea, Body Language and Third Rate Vetting

In the midst of this news video is a short video clip showing the Kim jong-un speaking with some of his generals. This video was released, of course, by the North Korean government. When making threats of nuclear war they should strongly reconsider whoever performs the vetting of their video though - for the young tyrant displayed deceptive and anxiety ridden body language. And such does not good propaganda make.

During the 0:41 - 0:43 segment of this video, Kim jong-un is shown scratching his left ear with his left hand while he is speaking. Making a declarative statement or answering a question with an accompanying ear rub, touch or scratch (a body language example of a Manipulator, Adaptor or Pacifier - aka MAP) is highly indicative of a lie. Moreover this bearer of ballistic missiles has his head, neck and eyes directed downwards as he displays this self-touching display. These nonverbals when clustered simultaneously - are a lock for lying.

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Sunday, January 6, 2013

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2257:
Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian People and Spotting a Sociopath
Another Naked Emperor

The above image was taken today immediately after Bashar al-Assad gave his first public speech in since June, 2012. Although the photo is relatively low resolution and somewhat difficult to see, the detail of a central forehead contraction (CFC) is indeed displayed on the Syrian President. His mouth is configured in what is an attempt at a smile (Pseudo-Smile) yet it falls short of even a fair "Social Smile" from a nonverbal analysis perspective. His mouth is more consistent with the emotional tone of fear - although he is attempting to smile.

Occasionally everyone displays a central forehead contraction together with a "mouth smile". Such smiles are never sincere. This is a body language absolute. Moreover those who go beyond occasionally using this expression and example it chronically - as Bashar al-Assad very often does - should be highly suspect of sociopathic behavior. Obviously, given the indiscriminate carnage this "leader" has dealt to over 60,000 people in less than two years - many can draw this conclusion without any nonverbal knowledge. However approximately 4% of the adult population are sociopaths. Few will wreak such trauma as al-Assad, and yet they will still do great harm. Can you spot them before you: Hire them? Do business with them? Pick them for your jury? Vote for them? Date them? Marry them? Let them babysit?

How are your vetting skills?

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Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Nonverbal Communication Application # 2012:
Mitt Romney and Vetting the V.P. ....
or an Attorney, a Physician, a C-Level Executive,
a Juror, a Suspect, etc. ...

In this "CBS This Morning" interview Charlie Rose asks GQ magazine contributing Editor Jason Zengerle, whether he believes a Nonverbal Communication/Body Language Expert should be used to as an adjunct to Mitt Romney's Vice Presidential Vetting Process. With the very personal nature of the questions asked during such a process, and the strong desire to climb the political (or corporate) ladder, there is a very strong tendency to lie. It is also very common for alpha personalities whom have reached a certain level of success to a belief that they won't get caught as well as the greater ability to, and habit of rationalizing deceit. This is particularly true for those with a greater amount of formal education. Thus an expert in nonverbal communication is a very helpful addition to the vetting process as well as any other high-risk/high-value, face-to-face truth vs. deception scenario - such as an important interview, a criminal investigation, a legal deposition or jury selection.

See also:

Analysis # 2051: Mitt Romney regarding Campaign Finance Rules - Near-Microexpression of Disgust

Analysis # 2063: Mitt Romney and Ed Miliband - Under Used and Backfiring Uses of Hands

Analysis # 2035: Mitt Romney's Body Language Amplifier - (it works on the rest of us too)

Analysis # 1553: Ann & Mitt Romey's Body Language at NRA Meeting

Analysis # 1062: Mitt Romney in London - Speaking out the Side of His Mouth - Anxiety-Insincerity or Worse

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This website serves as a reference source for the art and science of Body Language/Nonverbal Communication. The views and opinions expressed on this website are those of the author. In an effort to be both practical and academic, many examples from/of varied cultures, politicians, professional athletes, legal cases, public figures, etc., are cited in order to teach and illustrate both the interpretation of others’ body language as well as the projection of one’s own nonverbal skills in many different contexts – not to advance any political, religious or other agenda.

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