Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2045: Disgust in New Delhi

A clear facial-body language expression of disgust can be seen on the woman in the center of this image (wearing the white & yellow). The most prominent feature is bilateral flaring (dilation) of the nostrils (when only one nostril is dilated - think contempt). Her lower lip (more prominently) and upper lip (typically less noticeable) are both raised and protruding - which is also a very common manifestation of this emotion. Additionally, other portions of her mid-face are tightened - particularly the "mustache area" above the upper lip - as well as the accentuated nasal-labial furrows on the each side of her nose. Also present in this nonverbal cluster is the lowering of her eyebrows with a relaxed forehead. Dynamic Chin wrinkling is also very characteristic and can be seen here. Partial closure of the eyelids is also very commonly displayed but often overlooked as a component of the contempt facial cluster.

If this photo were a close-up, we may also be able to see dynamic "crows' feet" laterally to each eye along with furrows created by active muscle contraction of the corrugator supercilii muscles on the "bridge of the nose".

Disgust, like contempt, whether it's in New Delhi or New York may be felt towards a person or group of people - but disgust can also be directed towards non-living things .... like the rain.

See also:

Analysis # 1496: Tiger Woods' Disgust & Biofeedback

Analysis # 271: Disgust with very little Mouth Component

Analysis # 273: Anger and Disgust in Azerbaijan

Analysis # 72 & 73: Christine Lagarde's Disgust & Incredulity

 

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 # 457: A Contempt Amplifier

Analysis # 1816: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Contempt & Mary Richardson Kennedy's Social Smile 

Secret # 1450: Rick Santorum's Contempt and Frown - The Proverbial Twisted Smile

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Negotiation Body Language Secret # 392: Christmas Cheer - Kate Middleton's and Prince William's Suppressed Smiles

This photo of Prince William, Prince Charles and Kate Middleton (Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge) attending Christmas Day services at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Norfolk, Sandringham, shows both William and Kate with different mouth configurations, yet with similar eyes. The newly weds both are wearing suppressed smiles. Most people don't realize that a sincere, felt smile is not present unless a characteristic appearance of the eyes occur (Ekman). In order for a smile to be true, there must always be a dynamic and partial eyelid closure. And yet it is not this simple....

Some will tell you to look for "crows feet" when assessing "eye smiles" - but I caution against this for several reasons. After one reaches their mid-thirties, most everyone has some degree of crow's feet. Moreover an increase or decrease in these wrinkles are difficult to qualify, let alone quantify when the face is moving. A much more accurate and dynamic eye metric for identifying sincere smiles - is to look for eyelid closure. There is essentially no variance in iris size from person to person, so along with how much white of the eye (sclera) is visible - this adjacent anatomy serve as excellent yardsticks to quantify eyelid closure.

For a sincere smile though - simple partial eyelid closure is not enough nonverbal. There are different muscles used depending on the emotional reason for this action (See Secret # 353: Brad Pitt's Eyes - Sincere and Insincere Smiles). Sincere smiles must always have the characteristic concave-up furrow on the lower eyelids as well as their partial closure - as seen here very well on Prince William and to a somewhat lesser extent on Kate. Both are trying to suppress their sincere, felt smiles.

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