Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2439: Michael Jackson's Wrongful Death Suit AEG Live CEO's Body Language During Deposition

The following is a partial nonverbal analysis of a brief segment (2:30 length) of a deposition from Michael Jackson's wrongful death suit. Mr. Dan Beckerman, CEO of AEG Live is being deposed.

"Forward Lip Pursing" is displayed several times during this segment. Here it occurs at 0:06 - 0:08. Forward lip pursing is a signal of clandestine partial or full disagreement. It is displayed by those who, at least in part, are relative alpha personalities and believe their idea/plan is superior.





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During 0:10 - 0:13 the "Inward Lip Roll" is seen. The inward lip roll (ILR) is a sign that the psyche is trying to suppress significant emotion.










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The "Asymmetrical Lip Purse" is indicative of openly (non-secretively) deciding on a course of action. It's as if to say, "I am deciding". One will can see this many times through a brief trip of a grocery store or when people are looking at a menu.

This expression was made famous last summer by McKayla Maroney, the American Gymnast at the London Olympics. Virtually everyone misinterpreted it though - her expression was falsely labeled as:
"Not Impressed" (most commonly) and also "Scowl", "Pouty", "Disgust" or "Contempt". This large, society wide scale and repeated misinterpretation exemplifies the preponderance of ignorance regarding many common (let alone the much needed nuance) of nonverbal communication signals.

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2249:  The Most Misinterpreted Facial Expression of 2012 - McKayla Maroney's "Not Impressed"  Body Language-Facial Expression

At 0:42 Mr. Beckerman's ears elevate upwards (Don't confuse this with a jump in the video due to editing which occurs at 0:44). This is a rarely captured example of a manifestation of a very common emotion.

What does this brief "Ear Elevation" indicate?

What does his extended blink afterwards mean in this context?

Beginning at 0:52 several seconds of a suppressed smile can easily be seen.

Is this a display an example of "Duping Delight" or something else?

At 1:13 to 1:16 Mr. Beckerman displays an example of a "Bitter Smile". This signals regret and when people make this expression they believe, that in real-time they are pushing out a slight smile. Notable is the concave up appearance to the lips/mouth - when during even a modest social smile the lips/mouth should be concave down.

This is one of the best examples of how we as human beings have a profoundly inaccurate ability to assess our own body language-facial expressions when we are in a significant emotional state.

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Another forward lip purse at 1:29

Sideways (asymmetrical) lip purse is seen again at 1:31

At 1:56 - 1:57 Mr. Beckerman rubs his nose for a full two seconds after answering a question.

What does this body language mean?

This gesture is an example of what general class of nonverbals?

Mr. Beckerman closes both eyelids for what is known as an extended blink just after the above noted nose rub.

In this cluster-context what does such an extended blink indicate?








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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2249: The Most Misinterpreted Facial Expression of 2012 -McKayla Maroney's "Not Impressed" Body Language-Facial Expression

The most misinterpreted facial expression of 2012 was indeed McKayla Maroney who is shown here (with the facial expression in question) during the medal ceremony for the gymnastics Vault. The World-Class gymnast won a silver medal at the London Olympics in this event  (Ms. Maroney, of course, also contributed to her team's Gold medal performance). Although there can be no doubt that she is disappointed not to have won a gold in the vault - which based on her peak 2011 achievement when she won the World Championship in the vault was what she and many expected - her asymmetrical lip purse facial expression in this image was and continues to be dramatically misinterpreted. And that's what body language is all about - accurately discerning what a person is feeling-thinking in real-time.

Most everyone, including the press has completely misinterpreted her facial expression. Examples of these MISTAKES include of course "not impressed", contempt, disgust, pouty and scowl. There are multiple memes of her all over the internet and she has made the most of this mass misunderstanding (demonstrating a great self-marketing understanding). McKayla has even posed with Barack Obama in the Oval Office - where she and the President memed herself. However few if any of these memes even remotely resemble(d) the body language-facial expression which this world class gymnast's language displayed that day on the medal platform in London.

McKayla's asymmetrical lip purse expression in this Olympic moment is a classic nonverbal indicative of openly (non-secretively) deciding on a course of action. There is no disgust, contempt, sadness, scowl, pout, anger or any of the other negative emotions falsely assigned being displayed here. The next time you're in a restaurant, look around at those who are gazing at their menu's - or in any grocery store - you'll see a multitude of examples of McKayla's expression in a short time.

This is yet another example of how body language, emotions and motives are completely and routinely misinterpreted. The Emperor's New Clothes in a 21st century, internet-viral scale. 

See also:

Analysis # 552: Another Course of Action & Rashida Jones' Mouth

Analysis # 551: Openly Weighing a Decision

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2088: McKayla Maroney's Expression - Everyone Got it Wrong 2012 Olympic Vault Silver Medalist

McKayla Maroney is shown here during the medal ceremony for the gymnastics Vault. The World-Class gymnast silvered in the London Olympics in this event which contrasts somewhat to her peak 2011 achievement when she was World Champion in the vault (Ms. Maroney, of course, also contributed to her team's Gold medal performance). Most everyone, including the press has completely misinterpreted her facial expression. Examples of these MISTAKES include disgust, pouty and scowl. There are multiple memes of her all over the internet further demonstrating this absolute lack of understanding - including the tumblr site: "McKayla is not impressed". However, none of these interpretations of this 16 year-old's body language are even remotely close.

McKayla's asymmetrical lip purse expression is a classic nonverbal indicative of openly (non-secretively) deciding on a course of action. There is no disgust, contempt, sadness, scowl, pout, anger or any other negative emotion being displayed here.

This is yet another example of how body language, emotions and motives are completely and routinely misinterpreted.

See also:

Analysis # 552: Another Course of Action & Rashida Jones' Mouth

Analysis # 551: Openly Weighing a Decision

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