Body Language & Emotional Intelligence

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2374:
Tom Cruise on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
and Body Language of Emotional Dissonance

In the everyday world, it is common for people to be experiencing two (sometimes competing) emotions simultaneously. This phenomenon is known as emotional dissonance. Yesterday, Tom Cruise appeared on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" to promote his new movie "Oblivion". In the above video Cruise provides a great example of emotional dissonance. Near the end of this clip, when Fallon reveals a "raw egg challenge" for Cruise - Katie Holmes' ex shows us three rapidly overlapping nonverbal displays. These are highlighted in the images below:

Beginning at 5:28,
just after Jimmy says, "... raw egg ..." Tom's jaw juts out. This is a strong and reliable signal of anger. We also can see an inward lip roll (ILR). The inward lip roll is one body language signal our subconscious reveals when it is trying to prevent the outward display of emotions. While the ILR is usually associated with negative emotions, it is also often seen when a smile and/or laughter is being suppressed.

A few seconds later, we see Cruise's Jaw still jutting out - with the inward lip roll (ILR) from a front/oblique view. Cruise is experiencing two emotions during the moment of this image. While his jaw jut continues to display anger, he is also displaying a sincere, but suppressed smile. Search your memory you probably can recall being angry and laughing at the same time. The most telling signal of Cruise's sincere smile is his partially closed eyes with a dynamic lower lid, concave-up furrow - which is ALWAYS required if the smile is sincere. The actor's forehead is also relaxed - also an absolute during a true smile. Tom's mouth however is not open - consistent with his jaw jut & inward lip roll; however if you look at his cheek muscles, they are bunched up (contracted) - which contributes to and coexists with the eyelid changes of a sincere smile.

Here, the jaw jut is waning as is the inward lip roll - although they both can still be seen. Cruise's suppressed mile is still very evident as well. This image is captured during a prolonged lid closure and is one body language signal of emotional processing. This is a sign that although the intellect understands - the emotional brain is still playing catch-up and trying to grasp the situation.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2039: Fight Outside Florida Courtroom - Jaw Jut Prior to Violence

Nonverbal Communication Secret # 47: Jaw Jut and Mid-face Tightening - Pete Carroll

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2268: Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Kathryn Bigelow & Jessica Chastain - Body Language at the 2013 Golden Globe Awards

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2365: Lindsey Vonn & Tiger Woods - Body Language at the Masters

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2210: Body Language Signaling of an Attempt to Control Emotional Escalation & Display - The Inward Lip Roll

Flirting and Romance Secret # 39: Cameron Diaz & Tom Cruise - Affectionate vs. Non-Affectionate Hug

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1916: Katie Holmes & Tom Cruise are getting a Divorce - What Body Language Metric could have Predicted this Back When They Were Dating?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1921: Who was More Dominant - Tom Cruise or Katie Holmes?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2332: Instinctive Body Language, Comforting an Infant & Empathy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2327: What is meant by "Eye Contact"? A Body Language Fundamental

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Friday, April 19, 2013

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2373:
We Feel Contempt towards
Boston Marathon Bombing Suspect Dzhokar Tsarnaev
What Does His Body Language Reveal?

At the time of this post, Dzhokar Tsarnaev is reportedly surrounded by police in Watertown, Massachusetts. His older brother Tamerlan Tsarnaev was killed in a shootout last night. The two are suspects in the Boston Marathon Bombings earlier this week.

Update 2112 hours EST, 19 April 2013 - Suspect Dzhokar Tsarnaev is alive and in custody.

We certainly feel contempt towards these brothers and their actions - but what do the nonverbal clues displayed in this image reveal about Dzhokar Tsarnaev's emotions? Most beginners and even some with a fair amount of experience in body language will say that in this image, the younger Tsarnaev's expression is consistent with contempt. Two particular characteristics that would make many think this is his left nostril appears to be flared and his lids are partially closed.

If we look at older photos of Dzhokar Tsarnaev however - we see his eyelids are all partially closed more so than normal. He has longstanding "droopy eyelids" - probably since birth and medically this is classified as "congenital ptosis" (born with droopy eyelids). In addition, his downward gaze naturally engenders a further closing of his upper eyelids. Thus when a person feels and displays contempt (as well as disgust and mild-moderate anger), it is natural and expected for the eyelids to partially close (think classic Clint Eastwood here - particularly for an anger example). But since Dzhokar Tsarnaev has congenital ptosis - this steers us to a false conclusion (and for those who have congenital ptosis, this is one reason very valid to get cosmetic surgery). Most body language sources don't discuss this "contempt amplifier" component of partial eyelid closure with regards to disgust or contempt - or the false positive signals of congenital ptosis may send - but they are all very important issues when assessing this negative nonverbal expression.

The camera angle also makes Tsarnaev's left nostril look dilated. This is another false positive. A flared (dilated) nostril is a crucial component in the expression of contempt. Yet this is another false positive. Thus although we feel strong contempt towards Dzhokar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev - if indeed these alleged perpetrators are guilty, and because we feel such strong empathy and compassion for those who have suffered in the bombings and subsequent associated crimes - we are naturally biased to see negative expression on his face. This image does not display contempt - rather it is a neutral expression.

Note:

This is not a political post or an opportunity to rant (nor are any of mine). Rather it is a forum for teaching body language/nonverbal communication. After all, it's a great exercise in objectivity to do one's best - when we look at those whose actions/alleged actions we despise (as we all do) without strong bias. Human beings see what we want to see. Guarding against such tendencies makes us better stewards in any society that values fairness and justice

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Thursday, April 18, 2013

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2372:
Boston Marathon Bombing Suspects -
A Common Pre-Crime Body Language Pattern

Today the FBI released video (above) and images (below; for more & higher resolutions photos please visit the FBI site) of the suspects in the Boston Marathon Bombings. As is displayed here, a common nonverbal pattern often seen just prior to the committing of a crime is walking in single file. If these two suspects pictured here are indeed perpetrators, this could of course be an attempt at deliberate disassociation. However there is an additional strong subconscious ideology which contributes to this body language pattern - as it is seen across many crime scenarios. It is particularly common in moments prior to robberies when the soon-to-be criminals walk in a store in a rapid, single file manner rather than the semi-shoulder to shoulder configuration or some close similar approximation which friends routinely adopt. Keep this in mind when assessing for threats. A few seconds could save your life.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2371:
Barack Obama & Anger in the Rose Garden -
POTUS's Body Language & the Gun Laws

Today the U.S. Senate voted down a bill that would have acted to expand background checks prior to the purchase of a gun. Subsequently President Obama gave a speech in the Rose Garden. Above is a video clip from that speech. At the 0:23 second mark he begins, "...Ninety percent of the democrats in the Senate voted for that idea. But it's not going to happen. Because ninety percent of republicans in the Senate just voted against that idea." Just after this segment, during the 0:35 - 0:37, the President's facial expression is highly indicative of anger-frustration.

This particular body language seen at this moment has several components centered around the mouth-jaw-lips-chin and the tissue adjacent to the lips. Clenching the jaw is a nonverbal which is highly consistent with anger. The masseter muscles which close the jaw can be seen contracting here. The Presidents lips also grow very thin as the tissue is stretched in a straight horizontal line - this is also very indicative and highly reliable sign of anger. In addition Mr. Obama's lips also are rolling inwards - however unlike the conventional and completely expressed "Inward Lip roll" (ILR) - due to his tightly closed jaw, the lips cannot be fully "rolled in"; subsequently the tissue adjacent to his lips, particularly his lower lip gets "bunched up" (peri-lip bulge). Another finding here is a bit more difficult to see, but even though this video and image below are not high definition, a dynamic wrinkling-dimpling of the skin on his chin can still be visualized.

The President's eyebrows are also pulled together and down - a signal of anger which is recognized by most people if prompted. However most people are fully present enough and are not observant enough to look for this nonverbal.

Much less recognized is the slight narrowing of the distance between the President's upper and lower eyelids and a coexisting tightening of the eyelid muscles, the orbicularis oculi (pars palpebralis) - most easily seen on the lower eyelids.

This video, like most, is chocked-full of body language - but just looking at POTUS's mouth-lips-jaw-chin we see four nonverbal configurations clustered together and are strong indicators of anger-frustration.

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Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2370:
Donald Trump on David Letterman -
A Body Language Signal of Arrogance and Narcissism

Donald Trump appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman about three weeks ago. Throughout much of the interview (in above video), Trump's default hand position was a "Conventional Low Steeple" (pictured below). This hand configuration should be used very sparingly - just for a second or two - and essentially choreographed into the speech or conversation at moments of particularly important points. In such cases it projects power, assertiveness and an alpha personality. However most people who use this body language end up over-using it and thus it sends signals of arrogance and condescension. So when it's used excessively or even moderately this nonverbal backfires and is patronizing - and is also highly correlated with narcissistic personality disorder.

If you're a CEO, billionaire or leader of any kind, projecting arrogance and hyper-alpha attitudes do not work in your favor. Everyone know you can fire them, buy them or intimidate them - thus adopting body language of rapport rather than one which builds walls will get you to your goal more effectively.

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Monday, April 15, 2013

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2369:
Pat Toomey Announces
Boston Marathon Bombings on Senate Floor -
Body Language of Sincerity and Empathy

Today on the Senate floor, Pat Toomey (R - Penn) announced the bombings at the Boston Marathon. At the beginning of the video above, Senator Toomey says, "I would like to begin by ah, actually taking a moment to ah, inform the members of this body ah people who maybe listening, if you weren't aware, ah it appears that a tragedy has struck at the Boston Marathon ..."

At the 0:02 second mark Senator Toomey rubs his nose with his right hand just after he says, "I would like to begin by ah ..." Of course very few people would ever "like to" make such an announcement - particularly in such a setting. However leaders must lead and free societies this does not include keeping people uninformed. So strictly speaking, although he was by no means lying in the classic sense, when he said, "I would like to begin ...", this was false. He would have much rather the tragedy not have taken place. He is emotionally processing the event. So this is an interesting example of a form of a lie - a manner of speech, when no deception was intended. Yet the nonverbal display of the nose touch/rub signals us that in fact a falsehood was uttered. Ironically in this context - this "white lie" is a display of sincerity.

Senator Toomey's two jacket adjustments (during 0:05 - 0:06) in body language nomenclature are known as "Self Preening". In this cluster context they indicate a relative lack of comfort.

Pat Toomey displays a right cheek touch at 0:17 - another significant anxiety tell.

Throughout this entire short video, one or both of Pat Toomey's hands are in his front pants pockets. This nonverbal signals low comfort and withdrawal. When a person is configured in this manner during speaking - it tells us he would rather not be talking. Most everyone would feel similarly in his shoes.

In addition, throughout much of this video the Senator's central forehead is contracted (CFC). When the central forehead muscles contract (with the peripheral forehead relaxed) with simultaneous painful, sad (as Toomey does) or fearful mouth expressions - this indicates pain. Such pain is either emotional or physical and being experienced directly or felt secondarily via empathy. People who display such clusters have high empathy quotients. Pat Toomey is feeling sincere empathy for the victims.

Interestingly and a very valuable tell (not seen here) are those who display the CFC in the context of a smile (even a subtle one). We all do this occasionally, however when such nonverbal behavior is observed often - it is a huge red flag. Stay away from those who use the "CFC + smile" body language chronically - they are not to be trusted.

My condolences to the victim's and their loved-ones.

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2156: Barack Obama's Body Language at Al Smith Charity Dinner - Comedy, White Lies and Facial Touching MAPs

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2033: Lie Detection, Sergey Lavrov and Syria

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2208: President Obama & Mitt Romney in the Oval Office - Multiple Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2074: Mitt Romney and Senator Kelly Ayotte What Body Language Tells?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2310: Oscar Pistorius' Body Language in Court - Part II Central Forehead Contraction, Frown & Pupil Dilation ...

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2042: Syrian Government Defector - Nawaf al-Fares

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1910: Natasha Smith Sexually Assaulted in Tahrir Square - Post Assault Interview

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Sunday, April 14, 2013

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2368:
John Kerry & Xi Jinping in Beijing to Discuss North Korea -
Body Language of Anxiety & Assertiveness

As you may have heard, Kim jong-un and others in the North Korean Government are creating a bit of tension for South Korea, the United States, China and Japan. John Kerry has recently made multiple visits between Seoul, Tokyo and Beijing in an effort to show American strength & support - as well as to bring a more united front in an effort to solve the problem.

In the video above, the U.S. Secretary of State is shown adjusting his left shirt cuff (0:53 - 0:54). Such "False Cuff Adjusts" are common nonverbals which demonstrate anxiety. More specifically these are signals of an increase in assertive emotions. When you see this MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) - know that the psyche of the person displaying it is "dialing up their alpha". John Kerry is obviously an alpha male, however there are times when all alphas need to amp it up.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1698: Susan Rice, Bashar Ja'afari & Kofi Annan's Six Point Peace Plan for Syria

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1459: Geithner Gets His Alpha On

The false cuff adjust is predominantly a male body language display. Alpha females in traditionally male roles will exhibit it as well. A more common female analog example (also seen in gay males) is the "Hair Adjust Behind Ear" (HABE).

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1770: White House Correspondents' Dinner - Lindsay Lohan's Body Language

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 345: Dialing Up Her Alpha

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1411: Dialing Up Her Alpha - Dana Perino

A few seconds later, Xi Jinping, is shown with a dramatically high blinking frequency. Blink rates vary from person to person and should always be gauged against pre and post lower stress moments & contexts. The important take home point here is that a relative and substantial increase in blinking should raise your body language alarms. During the 0:55 - 0:58 segment, the President of China's blink rate is significantly high by any standards and although depending on the other nonverbals present (as well as verbal and paralanguage tells) other emotional tells may be gleaned - here it is a general indicator of anxiety.

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Saturday, April 13, 2013

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2367:
North Korea, Jay Carney and
Body Language Tells from the White House Press Room

Yesterday Jay Carney downplayed the possibility that North Korea has any capability of deploying a nuclear warhead on a ballistic missile. In this video the While House Press Secretary is displaying body language clusters of high confidence and the belief that he is in the right. He is the senior person in the room and he knows it. He is the alpha dog.

At two times in this video (0:00 - 0:03 and 1:21 - 1:24) he shows us the pseudo-prayer. This high alpha display is amplified by additional up and down chopping motion. These displays are relatively brief (3 seconds each) and it should always be so (3 seconds is even too long), lest they have the opposite effect and backfire - projecting arrogance and a patronizing mindset.

At several times Mr. Carney goes up on his toes (e.g., 0:05, 0:13, etc.). Although in other contexts it indicates joy-happiness, in this cluster context it signifies a very high level of confidence. More Alpha behavior. It is helpful to think of these nonverbals as body language exclamation points.

Exaggerated mouth movements, above and beyond what is normally needed to pronounce words is also a common signal of over-alpha behavior. Jay Carney exemplifies this multiple times (e.g., 0:02, 0:24, 0:43, etc.).

The pseudo-prayer with hand chop, the up on toes maneuver and the exaggerated pronunciation mouth movements are all nonverbals seen in the context of high alpha personalities - when they are the most powerful one in the room or immediate area. However, if Barack Obama walked in, despite having no change in his stance on the issues at hand, Carney - then would suddenly become a junior-alpha and thus would not display any of these characteristic body language tells.

Multiple other great nonverbal tells were displayed in the White House Press Room yesterday. Did you spot the microexpression of empathy Jay Carney projected towards the North Korean people at 1:55 - with a very brief central forehead contraction (CFC) clustered with a slight frown? How about several contempt displays (one of these was particularly atypical)?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2282: Jay Carney and the Dominant Spider - White House Press Secretary's Body Language re: National Labor Relations Board Vacancies

Nonverbal Communication Analysis #2291: A Tight Fist and Tension in The Face - Jay Carney's Body Language as he defends Chuck Hagel's performance during Senate Confirmation Hearings

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2228: Jay Carney's Body Language - Contempt disguised as a Sniff .... for Republicans' Solutions to the Fiscal Cliff

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1515: White House Press Secretary Jay Carney's Numerous Microexpressions and Subtle Displays of Contempt

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2313: Elisa Lam Video in Elevator at Cecil Hotel - What Her Body Language Tells Us ...

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2136: Some Body Language Highlights from First Obama - Romney Presidential Debate in Denver

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2042: Syrian Government Defector - Nawaf al-Fares

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Friday, April 12, 2013

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2365:
Lindsey Vonn & Tiger Woods -
Body Language at the Masters

The above image of Lindsey Vonn was taken yesterday at the Masters, where her boyfriend Tiger Woods is three strokes off the leader (Jason Day of Australia) going into Saturday's play. While the inward lip roll (ILR) is a body language signal of general anxiety, more specifically it is a sign that the psyche is trying to suppress a more outward display of emotions. Although most of the time the specific emotion being squelched is negative - most commonly anger, it can also be a subconscious mechanism to suppress laughter or joy. In such cases it can be part of a "duping delight" display. The other nonverbals with which it is clustered will help to differentiate the underlying emotions.

What emotion is Lindsey Vonn suppressing here?

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2364:
Kim jong-un Tells a Lie to His Generals
North Korea, Body Language and Third Rate Vetting

In the midst of this news video is a short video clip showing the Kim jong-un speaking with some of his generals. This video was released, of course, by the North Korean government. When making threats of nuclear war they should strongly reconsider whoever performs the vetting of their video though - for the young tyrant displayed deceptive and anxiety ridden body language. And such does not good propaganda make.

During the 0:41 - 0:43 segment of this video, Kim jong-un is shown scratching his left ear with his left hand while he is speaking. Making a declarative statement or answering a question with an accompanying ear rub, touch or scratch (a body language example of a Manipulator, Adaptor or Pacifier - aka MAP) is highly indicative of a lie. Moreover this bearer of ballistic missiles has his head, neck and eyes directed downwards as he displays this self-touching display. These nonverbals when clustered simultaneously - are a lock for lying.

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This website serves as a reference source for the art and science of Body Language/Nonverbal Communication. The views and opinions expressed on this website are those of the author. In an effort to be both practical and academic, many examples from/of varied cultures, politicians, professional athletes, legal cases, public figures, etc., are cited in order to teach and illustrate both the interpretation of others’ body language as well as the projection of one’s own nonverbal skills in many different contexts – not to advance any political, religious or other agenda.

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