Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3088: Malcolm Butler at the Moment he Caught His Game-Winning Super Bowl Interception (PHOTOS)

The context of sport provides a fantastic forum in which to study nonverbal communication. This image of Malcolm Butler captured a fraction of a second after his game-winning interception is no exception. It shows the hero of Super Bowl XLIX with his eyelids opened more widely than baseline - particularly his left eye. This is either due to the emotion of surprise or more likely - a surge of adrenaline (Epinephrine). If this photo were of high enough resolution, we would also see his pupils dilated.

Can you name the other emotional states which cause the eyelids to open more widely?

The most information dense areas of the body with regards to nonverbal communication are the eyes. They display dramatic emotional differences with ever so subtle changes. Humans are the only primates where the sclera ("whites of the eyes") are significantly lighter than the iris (colored portion of the eye surrounding the pupil, e.g. brown, blue, green, hazel, etc.). Evolutionary biologists theorized this contrasting of color aides in allowing just such body language subtlety to be transmitted in conjunction with slight and dynamic variations of the eyelids opening, closing, tightening, etc.

Pay constant and close attention to very slight changes in others' eyelids. You will then begin to notice great detail to which you were once were oblivious.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3087: Idina Menzel & How to Make a Likeable Person More Likeable

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2355:  Adam Lanza's College ID and the  Body Language of Eyes Chronically Wide Open

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2415:  Yanira Maldonado released from Mexican Jail  What's Up with her Eyes?  Atypical Body Language of White & Wide Eyes 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2919: Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama - Friends? - will they Hug it Out? 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2986: Fury (2014 Film) - Brad Pitt, Logan Lerman, Acting & Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2862: Eli Wallach, "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly and Body Language 

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret No. 1261:  True Surprise - Rarely Captured  IMF Director Christine Lagarde 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2728: Mikaela Shiffrin wins Gold at Sochi - Sincere Surprise Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3041: Jim Harbaugh Body Language Tutorial   

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2959: The Hunger Games Mockingjay - What makes Donald Sutherland (as President Coriolanus Snow) look so Evil? Body Language Trailer Tell 

_________________________________________________________________________________

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2122: Eyes White and Wide - Three Body Language Examples with Two Different Emotional Causes

This video has three great nonverbal examples of two different emotions - that to the casual observer may seem identical - but are at opposite ends of the spectrum. The reporter's (Dan) eyes are opened extra-wide at the 0:15 mark, again at 0:16 and again at 0:18 - 19. During all three of these segments, his forehead is also actively contracted (with horizontal furrows) - which is difficult to see with his hat on, but is most clearly visible at the 0:16 mark. In this context this is a strong nonverbal signal of  insincerity and a form of pseudo-surprise. In true surprise the eyes flash widely open - but very briefly - and not repeatedly. If it lasts longer than a second or two - it is false. Sincere surprise also is followed rapidly by a second emotion (later this happens here - see below - but it's not immediate and occurs for a different reason). True surprise will have a rapid and widely open mouth, typically with a vertical oval shape. When this furrowed forehead is seen often - particularly with widely opened eyes - it's a red flag for a personality of insincerity. Steer clear.

The body language of fear for this infant has a significantly different forehead. There is an absence of horizontal furrows (folds) and for the most part it's relatively smooth - but with significant fear - as is displayed by this infant ("Drew the farm kid") - has a wide V-shaped bulging of muscles, the vertex of which meets between the tightly pulled together and downward directed inner eyebrows. Note his eyes are also opened very widely - which is classic for fear.

Interestingly at the 0:30 second mark, Dan the reporter also flashes a microexpression of fear - which unlike his earlier false-surprise-insincerity - IS sincere. He just made a child cry - and he's on live T.V.

At the 0:37 - 0:45 mark the male anchor is simultaneously covering BOTH of his eyes with his notes - usually performed with the hands - this a classic body language sign of empathy based embarrassment and emotional processing. He knows what just transpired, but he's still emotionally processing it. Then he still looks away (rotating his head far to his right) and then expresses a fear-mouth (0:46 - 0:47) - still empathizing with the reporter and/or child).

See also:

Analysis # 1171: Not So Fast Swift .... Taylor's False Surprise

Analysis # 1003: Obama's Dropped Jaw Smile

Analysis # 133: Blake Lively - Surprise or a Smile or Neither?

Analysis # 1261: True Surprise - Rarely Captured - Christine Lagarde

___________________________________________________________________________________

Negotiation Secret # 131: When the eyes are "White and Wide"

This is French tennis player Marion Bartoli at the recent French Open. Notice the "Whites" of her eyes (sclera) are visible on the upper portions of each eye.  During most "normal" activity, about 2 to 3 millimeters of the tops of the iris/cornea are covered by the upper eyelids - from about 10 o'clock to 2 o'clock.  During activities of some extreme emotions, such as surprise and fear, the eyes display this "White and Wide" appearance. These emotional states are both accompanied by adrenaline rushes. Ms. Bartoli's adrenaline is elevated for another reason though - extreme athletic exertion. What are some other examples of this scleral show that we see every day - and should they be raising red flags?

________________________________________________________________________________________