Zoey Deutch was recently a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live!promoting her soon-to-be-released film, Why Him?During 0:17 of the above video, Ms. Deutch displayed a good example of a "Jaw Confessional" (along with detailing her teenage obsession with Ryan Seacrest).
A jaw confessional is nonverbal sign characterized by a fast and brief sideways (lateral) movement of the jaw (mandible) - which is indicative of embarrassment. The majority of times, a verbal confession or an apology immediately follows this signal - however on the occasions when no words are spoken - you can be sure embarrassment is being felt and an apology is being contemplated.
When lateral jaw movement is slow and of longer duration - the meaning is a completely different feeling (Do you know what emotion and what other nonverbals accompany this facial expression variation?).
Last week Emma Stone was a guest on Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show. During
the show, Stone and Fallon played a "What am I Lip-Syncing?" game
("Whisper Challenge").
[Note: The original video has, since the original post, been removed from its online source. The images below however, were captured from this video.]
After guessing Fallon's rendition of Bruce Springsteen's Born in the USA (2:46), stone began laughing, bent far forward - while almost putting her head between her knees.
She eventually sat up and most people would say she appeared to be laughing sincerely. Yet Emma is an actress - so could Stone be fooling us? Could her laughter be feigned?
If we flash back a few seconds earlier (2:53 - 2:55), we notice that Emma Stone's (right) ankle bends inward (medially) in what is known as the "Weak Ankle Sign". This turning or bending in of the ankle is an extremely common behavior during sincere deep laughter. While it is more commonly displayed by women in high-heeled shoes, it is certainly seen in those wearing "flats" and it's also seen in men.
Intriguingly, the weak ankle sign is also displayed during crying (Both laughing and crying are emotional phenomena of "release" - occasions when we [temporarily] let others see feelings which we otherwise "hold in").
Time Magazine named Donald Trump as the "2016 Person of the Year". When conducting the cover photo shoot of President Elect - the Time photographers also took pictures of Trump's inner circle.
The message communicated here by Steve Bannon's body language is certainly not to be ignored.
Trump's Chief Strategist right hand is being held in a variation of the "Double-L" configuration. This is called the Double-L because of two simultaneous right angles - one made by the index finger and middle finger - and the second between the thumb (not visible) and the index finger. This is one example (and a classic one at that) of a "Critical Evaluation" expression. Although Bannon may be partially listening, he doesn't like what he's hearing (and he's forming a plan). His left hand covering his right further amplifies his tone of critical emotion.
The slightly downward angle (forward bending) of his head and neck are yet another components of this Nonverbal Critical Evaluation Cluster.
Bannon's eyes are not looking at the camera - but fixed at middle distance - signifying focused thought, contemplation and planning. He's not fully present.
It's also profoundly important to note that Bannon's middle finger is covering his lips. This is an example of what is know as a "Partial Emblematic Slip". Here the "Emblem" is the middle finger (when extended, the meaning of which is universally recognized). It is termed "Partial" because here it's not being used in the "Full Bird" form (e.g., held high in front of the body with the middle finger extended and isolated). The "Slip" terminology is included because it's subconsciously initiated (or occurring at the edge of consciousness) - rather than fully conscious and deliberate. In addition, the finger position over his lips indicate his desire for the other person to "shush".
Summary: This image of Steve Bannon coveys a classic critical evaluation cluster with an additional component of subconscious profanity. He wants the person with whom he's interacting to stop talking . Moreover he's contemplating a specific "counter-punching" tactic.
While some people may find Trump's pose"artsy" - from a nonverbal point of view, the image on Time's cover is particularly unusual in several ways.
We don't look directly at people who we don't like, don't believe or don't trust - and this body language is exemplified here in the extreme. Trump's lower body is pointed in the opposite direction. His abdomen is rotated a bit - and his torso a little more - yet they are still pointed approximately 90 - 100 degrees away from the camera.
On this cover we are getting Trump's proverbial "Cold Shoulder". And although such a hand position (as Trump shows here) is natural and common when rotating in a chair - it still conveys a closed-off emotional tone.
Mr. Trump's face is configured in one of his common default expressions - that of a combined anger and incredulity.
It's also very intriguing that Trump's chair is quite obviously worn and damaged. Although it's not part of him or his clothing - here the chair very strongly acts an extension of the President-elect. This is a visual metaphor, a nonverbal analog and most certainly is not accidental.
Summary: This pose, image and chair are very poor choices on the part of President Elect Trump. Its nonverbal message is: "I don't like you, I disrespect you, you're an afterthought and I've turned my back on you."
Despite having told his story hundreds of times (having occurred in December of 2015), last night while recounting his story once again on Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show, the comedian displayed multiple nonverbal tells indicative of anxiety. One cluster in particular is dissected here.
Beginning at 2:14, as Harvey says "... I don't know what the hell I was thinkin' about man. I was - it was the most gut-wrenching walk - I've ever had in my life - and I went back out there ...", Mr. Harvey squeezes his index finger, middle finger and ring finger of his left hand with his right hand. He also moves his legs together and apart several times (most notable between 2:16 - 2:18). This body language cluster is reminiscent to many of a young boy who has to use the bathroom. It indicates a high level of anxiety - and moreover, the fact that Harvey displays this nonverbal signal a year later tells us that Steve Harvey's overall empathy level (his "Empathy Quotient") is significantly higher than most.
Harvey was, to a degree, emotionally re-living the Miss Universe Oops moment as he told his story. This phenomenon is amplified for some people after they've experienced much more difficult life event(s) resulting in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - which in part manifests in an unfortunate re-living and thus emotionally re-experiencing of the inciting event(s) in type of repeating loop.
Most politicians believe they have good poker faces, yet few do - and VP Elect Mike Pence's is particularly poor. This short video segment from earlier today contains many tells - two of which are highlighted here.
Beginning at 0:03, the future Vice President says, "Ah, we're excited ta, we're excited to have Dr. Carson - ah, as our ah, intended nominee - of, for ah, Housing and Urban Development. We're looking forward to anothervery
productive week - in the transition and setting a historic pace and,
ah - ah, I'll be spending some time in New York this week - and be
spending some time in, ah, here in the Trump Tower ..."
Note during 0:11 - 0:12, Governor Pence lifts his briefcase with his middle, ring and little finger of his left hand - while his thumb and forefinger (index finger) adjusts his jacket in a pseudo-buttoning maneuver as he says, "... We're looking forward to another ...".
This false buttoning/jacket adjustment is a strong signal of anxiety - yet we can slice this nonverbal MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) even thinner. The movement (which, of course, was never a legit attempt to button his jacket) of both his arm and brief casemomentarily covering his torso, is a classic blocking maneuver. Pence feels emotionally uncomfortable with respect to the cabinet choices and/or cabinet position selection process - signaling a strong contrast with his own words. Anytime there is disparity between verbal and the nonverbal messages - it's the nonverbal signals which always tell true feelings.
A second later, as he says, ".... very .... ", Mike Pence's eyebrows and forehead elevate while his eyelids simultaneously close in an extended blink. This is an unnatural movement - as these closely juxtaposed tissues are pulling in opposite directions. Such an eyelid/eyebrow incongruity in is a strong signal of insincerity.
Summary: Vice President Elect Mike Pence feels significant anxiety with the cabinet member selection process and/or some of the specific people picked.
Vice President Elect Mike Pence was a guest on This Week early today. Host George Stephanopoulos pressed the Indiana Governor regarding President Elect Donald Trump's claim of millions cases of voter fraud. From a body language perspective there's an excellent example in this interview of an often seen yet rarely discussed classic facial expression - the "Rationalization Rapport Empathy Expression" (abbreviated R2E2).
During 2:47 - 2:48 in the above video, as Pence says, "... the, the connection ...", (during the sub-sentence "... and ahhhh, I, I think ahhh, I think the, the connection that he made in the course his campaign is a reflection of that ...") - Pence displays a classic R2E2 expression (captured below).
The R2E2 is a nonverbal facial expression which can last for very short duration (for a fraction of a second as a "Microexpression" or "Near-Microexpression") - however it may also be present for longer time periods (in this example it last for approximately 0.9 seconds). Most body language rookies will confuse the R2E2 with the expression (and thus also the emotion) of disgust - yet these two nonverbals have completely different meanings.
It's important to note that while every emotionally-healthy person displays the Rationalization Rapport Empathy Expression on occasion - when it is seen, and especially when it's displayed more often frequently, you would be well-advised to contemplate each of the following:
What do my instincts tell me of this person's motive(s) in this moment?
Does this person seem like they believe what they are saying?
On what idea/opinion (very specifically), are they trying to persuade me?
What is my "gut feeling" of their sincerity in this moment?
If I could pick one emotion of theirs to describe the moment, what would it be?
Are my own emotions causing me to be biased?
Do I feel as if they are putting extra effort into trying to sell me on their idea or opinion?
Does it seem as if they showing me their "Achilles Heel" too easily?
Is there a specific weakness of theirs which is being discussed?
A very high percentage of the time, people who are displaying the R2E2 are trying to rationalize - AND are trying (subconsciously and consciously) to get you to CO-rationalize. They're trying to convince you (as well as their own psyche) of an idea or opinion in which they do not themselves' believe (or don't fully believe). Be careful when you see the R2E2 Expression - because it's seen when others are trying too hard to gain your rapport, trust and empathy.
Summary: Although every human being displays the R2E2 on occasion - but when you see it used too frequently (or during a particularly crucial portion of a conversation) - fed flags have been raised (Can you see them?).
The term "Manspreading" is a relatively recently coined colloquial for what, in more technical nonverbal terminology, is referred to as the "Seated Crotch Display". Manspreading usually describes, but is not limited to, relatively crowded public setting such as a subway, bus or airplane.
The seated crotch display is seen much more commonly in males for several reasons. The Shape of the human pelvis tends to favor a mildly larger angle of the thighs in men vs. women - although this is in no way explains the more extreme manspreading angles very commonly exampled by men. External genitalia is another reason for larger seated thigh angles with men - but again, only a mildly larger amount of thigh separation is necessary to accommodate this difference in anatomy.
When for example, several heterosexual men - who happen to be co-workers are seated around a table (if, say they're at lunch and exists good rapport and even friendship) - the vast majority of time, men will sit exhibiting a considerably wide-angle crotch display. This is very similar to a sub-troop of young, friendly chimpanzees or gorillas beating their chests while displaying dominance yet in the midst of playing. In this context, a seated crotch display is essentially a default normal setting in most men.
Intriguingly, during a business meeting, men will typically sit in a manspreading fashion in a (subconscious) effort to assert dominance - yet they'll be completely oblivious to the fact they're behaving offensively to their women co-workers.
Men (much more commonly than women) will also subconsciously sit in a seated crotch display when they are sexually attracted to someone in the immediate vicinity - or when they are feeling sexual while on camera, on stage, etc. Thus in these contexts, a seated crotch display serves as a subconscious signal of sexual readiness and for a potential partner to reciprocate advances - e.g., "I'm giving you a green light, please proceed in kind."
Women will tend to sit with their legs closer together because they have been strongly socialized and taught very specifically to do so - with at least one objective being the avoidance or at least minimization of any unwanted advances from men. Also, because the vast majority of human cultures are highly patriarchal - most societies consider the act of a seated crotch display in a girl or woman to be very "unladylike". Unfortunately, as one of the participants in this video said (beginning at 2:22), "Women are expected to be small, quiet and almost invisible - whereas men can be these boisterous slobs and it's all good." Such misogynistic beliefs certainly contribute to the gender disparity of this particular body language display.
High vs. low confidence levels (and Alpha vs. Beta personalities) also contribute to manspreading (or not). When we feel less confident we all tend to sit with our thighs a smaller angle and when we're feeling more confident this angle tends to increase. This dynamic is more obvious with men because of the extremes in leg position during times of confidence is high. Of course, there are many other nonverbal displays signaling relative confidence levels - this is but one.
Autism Spectrum Disorders occur at a significantly higher rate in men - thus a portion of those who manspread have this as a reason for their diminished sensitivity to the importance of others' personal (intimate) space.
A significant share of those who sit in a manspreading fashion can be classified as having Narcissistic Personality Disorder. They have relatively low (or perhaps nonexistent) empathy quotients - and therefore not only just don't care about the people sitting next to them, but they want to deliberately invade another person's personal and intimate spaces.
Summary: While Manspreading (aka Seated Crotch Display) is a behavior with many contributing factors - we would all be well-advised to dial up our empathy when seated in crowded areas.
Bryan's hand and arm positions before the altercation were (naturally) quite active - indicative of a high alpha configuration.
As he wash holding/blocking the man's right hand with his left hand, Bryan simultaneously strikes or slaps the audience member (0:15).
Here the moment is viewed from another angle.
Immediately afterward, as he walks away, Bryan then pulls-in his left hand for a prolonged period. His right elbow is also not high alpha (not pointed out) - but also pulled in toward his torso. This is a profound beta body language switch - immediately following a hyper-alpha, high adrenaline state (hitting/slapping another person) as well as his preceding high-alpha state of dancing/performing on stage.
The immediate switch to a significantly beta body language (and thus also a beta emotional tone) tell us that Bryan thought he was wrong to hit or slap the man. He feels guilty. If, in that moment, he felt he was correct and justified in his actions, Luke Bryan would have maintained his high-alpha body language (swagger).
An interesting detail here is that as Bryan strikes or slaps the man - there is no "thunk" or sound of impact - as the microphone was in his right hand (his striking hand). Moreover Bryan's singing voice is not diminished despite the fact that the microphone is momentarily away from his mouth (0:17). These observations are highly suggestive that Luke Bryan was lip syncing this song.
Many have misidentified Mitt Romney's emotions in this moment.
From a nonverbal perspective, Mr. Romney's facial expression is highly characteristic for an amalgam of both Anxiety (which most people are able to discern) and Regret (which most people cannot detect).
What are the features on the Romney's face which indicate Regret? Which demonstrate Anxiety?
