TV Review: Secrets of Body Language - Page 2

For some reason, pop culture icons are included in this special. Paris Hilton’s post-jail “I’m contrite” walk was examined, as was Britney Spears’ body language pre and post what some are now calling her breakdown. It seems a bit cruel to include Britney here, and a bit prurient. Paris’ post-jail walk is said to be an example of media coaching, so its inclusion seems more plausible. There is also a segment dedicated to a Paul Ekman, pioneer of nonverbal study. He found that human facial expressions for seven basic emotions were universal. Those expressions denoted: sadness, happiness, anger, fear, surprise, disgust, and contempt. (He later expanded this list, but seven are discussed in this program.)

We are shown how these facial expressions can flicker across someone’s face in a fraction of a second, perhaps exposing their ‘true’ emotions. The experts in Secrets of Body Language call these "micro expressions." Since public figures often wear a public ‘mask’ in order to gain social acceptability, this flicker can prove very interesting. Which sports figure plead her innocence, but gave all the wrong nonverbal cues and was later found to be guilty? Which two Presidents, threatened with impeachment, insisted upon their innocence although their nonverbal cues insisted otherwise? And how do two parents whose children were missing compare as to sincere hopes for the children’s return? Frame by frame at times, body language and position, facial expression, and those little flickers of contrasting emotion are discussed.

Speaking of which, 38 percent of nonverbal communication has nothing at all to do with facial expressions or body language. What else, then? Vocal inflections. But how reliable are vocal inflections as interpreters? I was less sold when experts claimed they could say whether Lee Harvey Oswald was likely guilty based upon his vocal analysis. An expert examined his vocal tones during his talk in the Dallas police station, in which he begged for a lawyer and claimed no knowledge of the assassination. Something called LVA or Layered Voice Analysis was used. The camera zooms in on a laptop computer and some wavy lines. The expert makes her assertions as to Oswald’s sincerity. Students are also played audio tapes of two parents with missing children - one parent later confessed to murder; the other case, an innocent father sincere in his pleas. Considering that the students sided with Susan Smith (the confessed murderer) and all but two found Mark Lunsford (completely innocent) guilty, I was left dubious about vocal analysis. By contrast, a study showed 70% accuracy in visual indicators in choosing winning political candidates.

Article Author: Brandy

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