Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2117: The People of Libya - Recognizing Subtle Emotions

How adept are you at recognizing subtle emotion? Virtually everyone can identify extreme anger, severe disgust or maximum fear. But it's amazing how many otherwise socially-skilled professionals mistake moderate, let alone minimal emotional manifestations.

The ability to discriminate subtle and evanescent emotions gives you an extreme advantage - whether it's in business, government or in your personal life that very few people possess. As you de-focus from the upper picture of this woman's eyes - to her face - then to an even wider view - did you change your nonverbal diagnosis? Now that you've seen all three - what does her body language tell you about her emotional tone? Are you sure?

See also:

Analysis # 2111: Mitt Romney on Libya Embassy Killings - Multiple Displays of Contempt

Analysis # 2116: Michele Bachman's Hands and Seeing between the lines

Analysis # 1890: Eric Holder has (Emotional) Contempt toward Darrell Issa - while Rep. Issa is Very Excited to be Seeking "Contempt of Congress" against Holder

Analysis # 1824: Mexican Political Candidate Natalia Juarez - Subtle Contempt

Analysis # 1055: The Subtle Lip Purse

Analysis # 114: Subtle Emotional Test

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Negotiation Body Language Secret # 519: Fear in the Candle Light

In this image, you can see some mild to moderate fear expressed in the woman's face on the right. Along with many other migrant workers, she attended a candlelight vigil demonstration in Hong Kong. Their goal was equality and respect. Notice her mouth - it is subtly drawn laterally (towards her ears). Her jaw is slightly dropped and the bottom teeth are exposed while the top teeth are not visible. Her eyelids, while they certainly could be opened wider, are opened wider than normal. Note the eyebrows too - they are raised and subtly drawn together. All these signals together signify a nonverbal beacon of fear - perhaps a 3.5 to 4.0 (on a 0.0 to 10.0 scale). Virtually anyone can recognize extreme fear. But it should be your goal to also recognize moderate, mild and indeed subtle degrees of any emotion. You would be very surprised at the percentage of otherwise educated and accomplished adults who cannot identify this or other less extreme emotional signals.

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