Last week, the New York Times released a six and a half minute surveillance video of Stephen Paddock.
Paddock killed 58 people and injured 851 others perpetrating a mass shooting in Las Vegas on 1 October 2017.
Channel 13 KTNV (Las Vegas) recently asked me to analyze the video from a behavioral and body language perspective.
Included above is my extended interview regarding Paddock's behavior displayed in this particular NYT-released video (included below) in the days leading up to the shooting.
During a guest appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live last month, Matthew Perry recounted a story from his childhood. He asserts that he and a friend "beat up" Justin Trudeau - the current Prime Minister of Canada. This allegedly occurred when Justin's father, Pierre Trudeau was also Prime Minister.
Yesterday, Justin Trudeau - perhaps in the spirit of April Fool's Day - challenged Matthew Perry (Chandler) to a rematch via Twitter.
But was Matthew Perry telling the truth?
Perry's mother, Suzanne Marie Morrison, was Pierre Trudeau's press secretary - thus the two boys almost surely met and perhaps knew each other - even quite well.
Yet note that during his story of this childhood incident, from 0:57 - 1:04, Matthew Perry, is pulling on/rubbing his right earlobe with his right thumb and index finger. The ear rub/ear pull MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) is a significant nonverbal anxiety indicator - and this one, in particular, is one of several which are highly correlated with deception. Moreover, the timing of this nonverbal tell - when correlated with his words/verbal language - makes his claim even more suspect.
The most common reason (by far) we scratch, rub, or touch our face is anxiety. Yes, "the itch is real" - but the itch/irritation is caused by the release of neurotransmitters/neurochemicals (e.g., the neurotransmitter natriuretic polypeptide b [Nppb], or a similar/related molecule) which themselves arise from anxiety.
Summary: While we cannot say with 100% confidence that Matthew Perry is lying about his claim that he and a friend beat up Justin Trudeau when they were children, there is at least, a very high likelihood that an important component of this story is completely untrue or greatly exaggerated.
On 25 September 2016, Michael Flynn was a guest on NBC's Meet The Press. And although at the time of this article, NBC had removed the original video from that specific episode, the clip included above is a CNN segment which contains a portion of that original interview. Many people are finding Flynn's statement here (in addition to Donald Trump's which immediately follows it and is also included) as particularly ironic - while others view it as more of a foreshadowing - or a form of a Freudian slip.
Beginning at 0:57 and on through to 1:13, Michael Flynn says, "The l- [stutter] very last thing that John Podesta just said is, 'No individual too big to jail'. That should include people like Hillary Clinton. I mean five people around her have had, have been given immunity to include her former Chief of Staff. When you g- [stutter] are given immunity, it means you probably committed a crime."
Followed by Donald Trump (1:16 - 1:21) during his candidacy, "... And if you're not guilty of a crime, what do you need immunity for? Right?"
What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of Michael Flynn.
At many times during this short segment, Michael Flynn's forehead
and eyebrows elevate in very quickly but for short duration. In
addition, and more importantly, Flynn's left eyebrow also elevates unilaterally - multiple
times and rather dramatically.
A nonverbal novice or even
a person with a relatively moderate level of body language experience
may identify these multiple, short-lived, rapid reactions as examples of
"Microexpressions" - more specifically, microexpressions displaying
doubt/disbelief/incredulity. Yet these facial movements are NOT
Microexpressions. They are, rather, examples of tics - and more specifically, "Simple Motor Tics".
If one views previous videos of Michael Flynn - it's clear this behavior is longstanding. Additionally, these movements are a bit too frequent and strong - to be characteristic of microexpressions (somewhat of a nonverbal analog of a staccato).
Tics are described as "unvoluntary"
or semi-voluntary - for they're not by definition involuntary. They are
often characterized as a voluntary response to an unwanted and
premonitory urge - that is, as an "irresistible urge, which must eventually be
expressed". Tics may increase as a result of emotional states which are
negative, such as anxiety, frustration - as well as positive emotions,
like anticipation or excitement. They can even arise out of boredom.
Conclusion: This nonverbal behavior of Michael Flynn is NOT a microexpression, as it may appear to some. Rather this is a facial tic - more specifically a longstanding simple motor tic. Although tics can increase in frequency with anxiety, this does not suggest necessarily that Flynn was nervous (or lying) in this scenario - since even boredom or excitement may also increase tic behavior.
Tune in next week (or sometime soon) for his testimony. Same Bat-time, same Bat-channel.
If you're ever sitting across from a person in any kind of a negotiation, sales, interrogation, cross-examination setting, etc., and he displays this same body language as Donald Trump is in this image - then he's showing you see his cards.
The specific position of the President's hand is indicative of critical evaluation. Mr. Trump does not like what he is seeing and/or hearing.
Additionally, Trump's torso, head and eyes are not facing directly at the person to whom he's looking/listening/speaking - rather these are all oriented obliquely. We don't look directly at those whom we don't respect, don't trust or don't like.
Yet the most crucial nonverbal tell in this image is revealed by the President's lips. In this moment, Donald Trump's expression displays an excellent example of what is known as a "Forward Lip Purse" - and it's also one of the most information-dense nonverbal signals.
Anytime a forward lip purse is made, the person displaying it believes that they are the alpha relative to those with whom they're interacting. Said another way, they perceive everyone else as a relative beta.
The forward lip purse is also a signal that they either have a clandestine disagreement and/or a clandestine plan. Those who make the forward lip purse are usually voicing no disagreement or a very minimal one - yet they are thinking in terms of tremendous disagreements. Thus this is a profoundly valuable signal of a large disparity between what is thought and what is spoken.
Moreover, because they are in an alpha mental-emotional alpha, those displaying a forward lip purse also believe that they have a high chance of success, once their plan in implemented.
Vogue continues its 73 Questions Series with Selena Gomez. Creatively, Vogue films these 'interviews' in a single shot (without cutaways) - and although we hear the interviewer, we never know his name or see his face - which allows
us to, much more easily, put ourselves into his shoes. And although she was surely aware of the specific questions prior to the Q & A, a careful look at Selena's body language gives us a deeper glimpse into her psyche.
One question which causes Ms. Gomez to reflect deeply is asked at 3:19:
Interviewer: Where do you see yourself in - ten years?
Selena: [deep inhalation and exhalation] Hopefully happy.
As the interviewer asks the question, Selena takes a deep inhalation - then, as she is exhaling (also deeply), she looks down-to-her left. Her eyelids are partially closed during this time (3:22).
After she says, "Hopefully Happy" (3:23), Selena displays several extended blinks (longer duration) as her mouth transforms into a classic expression which is an amalgam of both regret and anger.
This final image, from 3:24, shows Selena with the primary emotion (expression) of anger. Notice, in particular, the thinning of her lips - with her mouth taking on a more horizontal orientation. There's also a partial closure of her eyelids with a tension in her lower lids. The region above her upper lip and below her nose is also taught.
Summary: Selena Gomez has significant regret for her past and anxiety for her future. She also briefly felt anger during this interview - which was probably directed at the person whom she feels is the cause of her regret.
The above video contains a portion of The Bergen Record interview - and the image below is isolated from 0:29, just prior to Ms. Conway saying, "What is the existing investigation about?".
While Ms. Conway does have a somewhat prominent jaw, she does not have an underbite (Mandibular Prognathism). You will note during this (and many other) interviews, when she feels particularly confident - in an alpha emotion-mental tone - her jaw juts out, in a forward direction (and is quite noticeable). This Alpha Jaw Thrusting is a signal of high adrenaline and it's one of many hyper-confident (hyper-alpha) body language displays. It's virtually never seen when a person is in a beta emotional state.
In the context of a negotiation, sales, or any interaction, the presence of alpha jaw thrusting can be a profoundly valuable nonverbal tell. Often a person's words may seem as if they view you as a peer - and that your interests' and their interests' are equal. Yet in such settings, be sure to ALWAYS correlate their verbal and nonverbal behavior - for when you see frequent and prominent jaw thrusting, it may very well be telling you - that although the other person may be "saying all the right things" - their body language is telling you what they're truly thinking and feeling.
Jimmy Kimmel (beginning at 6:01): Did you q, quiz him? Did he answer questions?
Brie Larson: He did.
Jimmy Kimmel: Yeah?
Brie Larson: I mean he didn't give any spoilers.
Jimmy Kimmel: Oh, he didn't?!
Brie Larson: Which I think - is what you're supposed to do when you're a bachelor.
During 6:06 - 6:07 as well as 6:08 - 6:09, as Brie Larson says, "... is what you're supposed ...", and again when she says, "...bachelor ...", she displays asymmetrical blinking several times.
Asymmetrical blinking is characterized by one eyelid closing while the other remains partially open and/or re-opens while the other remains mostly closed. This very often occurs several times in rapid succession, but it may happen more slowly.
The asymmetrical blink is somewhat similar to an eye roll - for they both indicate, at least in part, the emotion of Contempt. An asymmetrical blink, however, encompasses other emotions as well: Sarcasm, Feigned Disbelief and Pretentiousness.
Ms. Larson is being somewhat playful here, so in this context, her emotional display is a form of, "A play within a play".
Eye rolling and an asymmetrical blink also differs in the level of consciousness at which they occur. An eye roll is primarily a conscious phenomenon (and dips a bit into the edge-of-consciousness realm) - whereas an asymmetrical blink occurs a bit deeper - mostly at the edge of consciousness and slightly into the subconscious.
Summary: An Asymmetrical Blink is a nonverbal mixture display of Contempt, Sarcasm, feigned disbelief and Pretentiousness. Whenever you see it, know also it's occurring with a component of insincerity (and remember, in this example, Larson is being deliberately hyperbolic in her 'acting' within an interview.
Historically, watching any Speaker of the House's responses to any President's speech when the President is of the opposing party - is always very telling (and entertaining). For even when they're trying to suppress their facial expressions, politicians (contrary to popular belief) are only human. Yet when the Speaker and the President are of the same party and we see similar nonverbal signals - such behavior is particularly predictive.
Beginning at 59:04, President Trump continues, "...The time for small thinking is over. The time for trivial fights is behind us. We just need the courage to share the dreams that fill our hearts. The bravery to express the hopes that stir our souls. And the confidence to turn those hopes and dreams to action. From now on, America will be empowered by our aspirations, not burdened by our fears --- inspired by the future, not bound by the failures of the past --- and guided by our vision, not blinded by our doubts..."
Beginning at 59:13, just after Donald Trump says, "The time for trivial fights is behind us" - and then continuously during The President's next three sentences ("We just need the courage to
share the dreams that fill our hearts. The bravery to express the hopes
that stir our souls. And the confidence to turn those hopes and dreams
to action" [lasting until 59:27]) - Paul Ryan displays a classic and quite pronounced suppressed smile. This smile is quite out of context - and here it's a truncated form of Ryan laughing AT the President, rather than laughing WITH him. In common colloquial, this is often referred to as a "Smirk".
Note also that Speaker Ryan displays "Hard Swallows" during 59:18 and again at 59:20 - indicative of significant anxiety and difficulty maintaining his composure.
Another intriguing nonverbal phenomenon is displayed at 59:27, as The Speaker of The House changes his head tilt from his right to his left. This dynamic of changing one's head tilt is often used as a catalyst in order to assist in curtailing an unwanted expression (e.g., to further suppress the emotion - and very much analogous to "biting one's tongue").
Summary: Paul Ryan was very much suppressing a sincere smile (smirking) at Donald Trump's statement of, "The time for trivial fights is behind us" during the President's Speech to The Joint Session of Congress last week.Paul Ryan's Body Language says, very clearly, that he does NOT believe Donald Trump's 'Trivial Fights' are behind him.
Notice Mr. Romney's tendency to speak out of the right side of his mouth many times during this entire interview. Whenever you see this particular nonverbal speech pattern over a prolonged period - you should immediately think of the following more probable causes:
1. Medical Condition - Such as injury, birth deformity, stroke, facial palsy or other similar condition.
2. A Smile - More typically an insincere smile, although a sincere smile may be asymmetrical, particularly while beginning or if being suppressed.
3. A small minority of individuals have a life-long pattern of continually speaking in an asymmetrical fashion regardless of the scenario (Habit/Tic-like Behavior/Idiosyncrasy).
4. Acquiescence/Resignation/Regret - this is extremely common and nearly as commonly it's not interpreted accurately.
5. Contempt or Anger - People can display contempt or anger (usually somewhat suppressed) over the lengthy exchanges.
6. Swagger/Machismo - This etiology is somewhat more common with men. It's also seen with those individuals who are comfortable asserting their (relative) alpha status, talent, power, etc., over others. It's a signal of high confidence and tends to be more common in celebrities, athletes and others whose professions' requires dominant and highly competitive emotional tones.
7. Deception/Insincerity - This is the most common cause on this list, and almost never understood when it's displayed.
To differentiate between all of these causes, one must carefully observe all the other nonverbal signals (as well as paralanguage) occurring simultaneously (or nearly so). Taking this into account, what is the associated etiology of Gov. Romney's asymmetrical speaking? (Hint: it's not the first four.)
One fascinating nonverbal sign is the phenomenon of exaggerated mouth and lip movement. There are few examples more demonstrative of this body language principle than those which regularly are seen on the face of President-Elect of the United States. What follows is a partial body language analysis of Donald Trump's recent statement on his transition and his policy of his first 100 days.
When a person uses exaggerated mouth and lip movements they feel that they are THE DOMINANT person in their current (real-time) interaction group. They view themselves as THE ALPHA - and everyone else is beta. When it's a conversation between that person and one other - the group is only two. When a person is being televised or with an anticipated high-volume internet audience - the group is of course many times larger.
If Donald Trump truly wishes to build rapport and gain influence with those people who may be "giving him a chance" to lead - he should dramatically reduce his exaggerated lip and mouth movement. Maintaining such amplified speaking dynamics will repel the majority of people (all but those whom already agree with him).
Question: What else serves to amplify this nonverbal mouth-lip hyperbole?
Answer: The relative lack of movement of the rest of his face - particularly his forehead (Mr. President-Elect, stop getting Botox treatments on most of your forehead. It makes you less expressive and inhibits your ability to feel empathy - or elicit similar feelings in others). When such an important part of one's face is effectively paralyzed, it helps to contribute to over-action of the lips and mouth.
Moreover, the camera should have been adjusted to a wider angle allowing Mr. Trumps entire upper body - including his arms and hands to be visible. The more we see of a person, the more we tend to like and trust them. If we only see a person's face - this rapport is much more difficult. Indeed, he would do well to consider giving a good share of any of his Oval Office speeches from a standing position (with a thin, minimal lectern). This would tend to project strength, decisiveness and assertiveness - while sitting behind a desk (particularly with no hands or arms visible) projects tentativeness, defensiveness and a lower confidence level.
Graham Norton asked Matt Smith to tell of his encounter with a certain wasp. Smith then told his story of how he was stung on his "nackers" whilst in the midst of sex.
The image below (from 2:39 in the video) was taken during the one of the multiple comedic climaxes. Note that Ms. Foy has both hands on her face - and Mr. Smith, with his hands covering his face, is in a somewhat similar position. While there is certainly a significant component of embarrassment present in this moment (e.g., both are blushing - and Smith's eye contact has momentarily dropped to zero) - this is also another profoundly important nonverbal predictor of future (and past) behavior conveyed here.
When recalling, witnessing, hearing, etc., a story with a significant emotional component (here pain, embarrassment and humor) - those individuals who cover their faces (usually with hands however sometimes with the arm, a hat, etc.) have both higher empathy quotients as well as higher sincerity quotients. Thus this behavior does not only tell us about real-time emotions - but it's also an accurate predictor of these overall personality traits.
Conan O'Brien had Ashton Kutcher as a guest on his show last night - and among other things Kutcher spoke about the name of his daughter (Wyatt) and possible names for their unborn son (due date in the next 2-3 weeks). What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of two related moments.
While Kutcher did not say the name that he and Mila Kunis have chosen - Conan did ask him about it - and at 0:37, Just after Kutcher says, "... so I think we have a name", he places his right index finger over his mouth (lips) as he also looks away from Conan (image above). In this moment he is quite literally shushing himself.
Conan then says, "Was there a name - that you came up with - but it got nixed? ... that you th, think is cool?"
Kutcher responds, "Yeah, I had, I - there was a rallying cry - from a collective that believed in the name 'Hawkeye'."
At the beginning of this response Ashton Kutcher, stutters, while placing the ends of his fingers over (in front of) his mouth (during 0:41 - 0:43). This is another related body language tell signaling a "hesitancy to disclose".
Ashton Kutcher is an alpha male - and he's certainly confident in most of his actions and words. But he's not overly confident - he's not arrogant. Thus while most of the time his nonverbal signals project emotional comfort, assertiveness and other alpha qualities - speaking with fingers or hands in front of (or touching) one's mouth is a lower confidence illustrator (if touching the mouth, these gestures then become classified as MAPs [Manipulators, Adaptors, Pacifiers]).
Such a variety behavior is a good example of a "real-world", everyday mix. The fact that he (or anyone), with some frequency, displays a bit of beta behavior (yet primarily alpha) is also sincere and helps to make Kutcher likable, approachable - and from a Hollywood standpoint - more bankable.
