Nonverbal Communication: Worried Frown in Assorted Politicos

[liveonearth]

I keep noticing these frowns in the news. When the lips are turned in just a little bit, the person is only moderately bothered. When a person's lips are stretched wide and folded inward until you can't see the lips at all, they are extremely troubled and insecure. This tight grimace with no lip visible and the edges turned down is the ultimate sign of disgrace. These facial expressions are universal because they are controlled by the limbic system. Monkeys make the same faces for the same reasons.


note: too bad the pix don't stay up, huh? I just deleted some image links that were defunct but more will become so over time. June 2010


And here are more insecure lip configurations:
Very bothered:




Acting like he's OK with roasting:

Moderately bothered:






Notably, I could not find any images of Palin looking insecure at all. Mostly she appears relaxed and sure. Notice that in this image she is "steepling" her hands, which is a gesture of strength and confidence:


This frown shows confidence with displeasure; lips not turned in, rather still full and relaxed.

This is a less secure frown, see how the lips are tightened and trying to disappear.

And finally, just one totally disrespectful and hilarious image for anyone who doesn't like the juxtaposition of photos in this post:

Comments

[neptunia67.livejournal.com]

I like the last one best! :-D

[1bigguy.livejournal.com]

That's really interesting stuff. I think that body language book will be next on my list after I'm finished reading this one (http://www.amazon.com/Brain-That-Changes-Itself-Frontiers/dp/0143113100/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1230863062&sr=8-1)

[liveonearth.livejournal.com]

The Brain that Changes Itself. Is it good? Scientific or lay level?

[1bigguy.livejournal.com]

The book is really good! I'm fining that I'm having to read it in short bursts so that I can really take in the implications of neuro-plasticity.

It's written largely at the lay-level but for me not having read much about neuroscience, there's a great mix of theory, experimental design, case history, and commentary on the implications of experiment and case that it keeps me fascinated with every paragraph.

[hausfrauatu.livejournal.com]

I think that the lack of distressed facial expressions by Sarah Palin was disturbing. I know that electoral politics is performance, but it was odd and femme-bot like for her to be so damned perky all of the time. I think that is part of the reason she taken less seriously the longer she stayed around. She didn't reflect the situations around her.

I think that was the last thing people wanted after,"What? Huh? What problem? I'll be at my ranch..."

[liveonearth.livejournal.com]

Palin IS sort of disturbing. She is either entirely clueless about how ignorant she is, or she is an incredibly good actress. Either way, I don't want her representing ME on the world stage.