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?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2231: A Common Facial Expression of Mass Killers - Using Body Language as a Threat Assessment Tool

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1861: Bashar al-Assad's Denial and Deception

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2212: Barack Obama warns Bashar al-Assad, A Body Language Signal of Conviction

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2227: Sincerity and Insincerity regarding  Suicide Death of Jacintha Saldanha

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 882: Bashar al-Assad's Chronic Insincerity

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2140:  Joran van der Sloot's going to be a father -  Body Language Signs of Chronic Insincerity

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1912: Ann Curry's Tearful Goodbye Matt Lauer's Insincerity 






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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2093: Ann Curry's Tearful Goodbye - Matt Lauer's Classic "Tongue-in-Cheek" and Duplicitous Smile

In this video of Ann Curry's tearful goodbye, Matt Lauer gives her a kiss on her left temple at the 4:19 mark. Freeze frame at 4:20 - 4:21. There is a fantastic example of two body language tells here - a duplicitous smile as well as a classic "Tongue-in-Cheek".

Whenever a person is smiling out of one side of their mouth and frowning out of the other side, a red flag should be raised and the alarm horns should blare. This pseudo-smile/pseudo-frown is never to be trusted. Such "false smiles/frowns" share similarities with a partial emblematic slip as well as expressions of "duping delight" (Ekman). A Body Language Expert was not needed to detect the extreme awkwardness of this scene, however there are innumerable occasions when such nonverbal signals will be displayed and the emotional tone of a conversation is not nearly so evident. Look for this duplicitous body language and it will give you warning as to true intentions. This will prevent heartache, financial and time loss, major hassles ... and it may even save your life. Matt Lauer was not saddened by Ann Curry's departure - he was overjoyed.

Also at the 4:20 - 4:21 mark, Lauer also displays another betrayal of his true feelings - the "Tongue-in-cheek". It helps to view this particular moment in full-screen mode. Clustered with his other specific nonverbals seen here, his tongue-in-cheek tell indicates a self-righteous, "I just won the game" emotion. This shows without a doubt that Lauer fancies himself as a puppet master - and he had foreknowledge and very well may have orchestrated Ann Curry's departure. When different nonverbals are seen coexisting with the tongue-in-cheek (not seen here) it has different meanings. Again, not a surprise to those who have followed this event - but like most body language - it is missed in the everyday world. Don't miss it.

See also:

Analysis # 1912: Ann Curry's Tearful Goodbye and Matt Lauer's Insincerity 

Analysis # 2089: Ann Curry's and Matt Lauer's Very Awkward Reunion

Analysis # 1905: Ann Curry's Smile and Sincerity Quotient

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2089: Ann Curry's and Matt Lauer's Very Awkward Reunion

In this incredibly awkward reunion of NBC's Ann Curry and Matt Lauer, it obvious to all how uncomfortable this is for Ann. Matt's attempt at being warm-and-fuzzy fails miserably. If you squirm when you watch it, you've got some empathy for the former Today Show's co-host. 

Matt obviously has read up on body language since Ann's departure. Note their lower limb directions. Ann's feet and legs are pointed away from Lauer. Moreover, her legs are crossed away from him - while Matt's are crossed towards Ann. Curry's torso is leaning distinctly away from Lauer as she both consciously and subconsciously distances herself from her former co-host. Her thin-lipped and tight "pseudo-smile" at 1:04 exemplifies anger and an attempt at polite tolerance. Lauer is rebuffed. Who could blame her?  

See also:

Analysis # 1912: Ann Curry's Tearful Goodbye Matt Lauer's Insincerity 

Analysis # 1905: Ann Curry's Smile and Sincerity Quotient 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1919: The Asymmetrical Smile - we all use this Body Language .... but Mitt Romney displays it too often

Mitt Romney displays here a classical body language example of the Asymmetrical "Smile". Moreover, not only is his left side not smiling, it is frowning. Neither is the right-side of his mouth for that matter. This is a "Pseudo-Smile". In addition, the Presidential candidate's lips are thinned - indicating a component of anger component. Along with his left-sided frown side - these nonverbals reflect Mitt's true emotional tone. 

We all make this expression from time to time (and variations of it), and more than we realized. But when you're running for President, you need to extricate this expression from your routine. Mr. Romney uses this facial expression far too much and in the context of verbal disparity. Said another way, his words are positive, but his expressions (this and others) are negative. When the verbal and nonverbal messages are contradictory - it sends feelings of cognitive and emotional dissonance to audiences and the public at large. It also indicates the former Massachusetts Governor is truly feeling such dueling emotions. To the public, this makes him "feel" more like a politician - and less like the guy next door which he should be - in truth and in projection. If Mitt Romney wants to become President, he must solve this problem. The same is true for you - even is your subjects are more mundane and for much smaller audiences.

See also:

Analysis # 1139: How Not to Build Rapport

Analysis # 1003: Obama's Dropped Jaw False Smile

Analysis # 1009: A Sure Sign of a False Smile

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

Analysis # 1915: Mitt Romney's Response to Supreme Court's Decision on "Obamacare"

Analysis # 1863: Sharapova's Lips of Anger

Analysis # 531: Sarkozy's Mouth Tells Us What He's Thinking

Analysis # 771: Ann's and Mitt's Affectionate Hug

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

Rick Santorum is showing us a classic body language display of contempt in this image. Any unilateral smile is highly suspicious for this very toxic emotion. The "squinting" or partial closure of the former U.S. Senator's right eye is highly congruent with contempt and taken together with his unilateral "one-sided, pseudo-smile"- clinches this emotional diagnosis. Notice that neither of Santorum's lower eyelids have the required concave-up furrow characteristic of all sincere smiles (See Secret # 353: Brad Pitt's Smiling Eyes - Sincere and Insincere Smiles). Note also that the squinting lid and contempt-mouth findings occur on the same side of Santorum's face. 

What is most intriguing and a brilliant nonverbal tell here - is that the left side of Rick Santorum's mouth is frowning. The right side of his face is displaying contempt and left side of his face is signalling sadness. This is the proverbial "Twisted Smile".  Regardless of your speaking ability, your resume', your platform or your looks - you won't win votes or get people to follow your lead with this facial expression.

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Negotiation Body Language Secret # 457: A Contempt Amplifier

Salman Rushdie is displaying classic contempt in this photo with this asymmetrical "pseudo-smile" - note how the left corner of his mouth is elevated. The left nasal-labial furrow (the crease which runs from the side of the lower nose past the sides of the mouth) is deeply indented along with the concomitant bulging (contraction) of the cheek. This is also accompanied by a dilation of his left nostril. Collectively this is classic nonverbal cluster for the emotion of contempt.

The primary take home point here is in reference to Mr. Rushdie's eyes - Salman's upper eyelids are very "droopy". The medical term for this is "ptosis". They have been this way for at least 25 plus years and so for him this is probably congenital issue. Congenital ptosis is a relatively rare problem - however in most scenarios we wouldn't necessarily be knowledgeable about someone's medical history. Unfortunately this bilateral lid position accentuates the emotional signal of contempt. The vast majority of the time when you observe a partial (or complete) prolonged lid closure - aka "Slow Motion Blink" it's a strong signal of arrogance/condescension/contempt. 

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Negotiation Body Language Secret # 705: R2E2, Pseudo-Smiles and Bonding Beguiles

There are many types of pseudo-smiles and this photo of Jemima Marcelle Khan is a great example of but one. With a sincere smile, the bottom teeth should not be visible. At the very least, if you see any of the lower sixteen, there is a component of forced behavior or an attempt to exaggerate the smile. Hugh Grant's ex's nose and her perinasal area in this particular example is also not characteristic of a sincere, felt smile. It is however, very consistent with the emotion of disgust (Ekman). This particular false-smile nonverbal is a favorite of actors and those in the public eye because most find it fairly easy to replicate on-demand (Pease).

Another variation of this facial expression (here disgust, but also may appear similar to disgust - especially the nasal/perinasal disgust-like changes) is often seen when a person is trying to convince another of their point-of-view. In these scenarios, the mouth component is often less pronounced. It represents an attempt to build rapport and empathy, e.g. - when the expressor feels the need to convince another (or themselves). When you see it displayed - know it as a signal of rationalization taking place. I call it the "Rationalization-Rapport-Empathy-Expression" (R2E2), (Brown, 2011). While it is usually quite evanescent, and it can be as brief as a classically described microexpression (less than 0.5 seconds), it more typically lasts somewhat longer (1 - 2 seconds). Along with the pronounced nose-wrinkling and false-smiling mouth, there is an exaggerated partial eyelid closure (aka "squint" or "squinting") and bunching of the cheeks.

When these R2E2 facial changes occur, there is often an additional, brief and simultaneous "leaning forward" towards the other person(s) (Brown, 2011). This temporary closure of the interpersonal space suggests greater friendship-intimacy-trust and it's a further subconscious attempt at building rapport.

Often times there is a component of the R2E2 that's directed at oneself just as much (or more), than what's focused on others. When you see this nonverbal, rationalization is taking place - often because full confidence is lacking - and thus often a component of manipulation is occurring. 

The R2E2 is displayed by either sex, but is slightly more common and more pronounced in women and gay men.

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