Post: #1

I find this image interesting. The woman has eyebrows pulled up and together, which is the body language for fear. But the rest of the face is purposeful mask.

Possibly you could say the mouth is pulled unsymmetrical to show contempt, making it a blended emotion display: Large fear and small contempt.

For those newbies unfamiliar with what I'm referencing: The seven basic emotions body language:
http://www.humintell.com/2010/06/the-sev...know-them/

Post: #2

Very interesting link.

In what ways has studying body language has improved your pickup? I've read a bit on it, but never made a concerted effort to study it. Any tips on where to begin? Thanks.

Post: #3

I *was* plowing through http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002NGO5IC, but then I took a detour to read Bang! Columbia.

The interesting points so far:

Facial expression is consistent worldwide. There was a belief in Charles Darwin's time in Europe that "people far away" (ie China) were so different that they would frown when they were happy and smile when they were sad. Having spent three years of his life sailing around the world, Darwin knew this was bullshit from first hand experience, and wrote http://bearsite.info/General/Philosophy/...nimals.pdf , first establishing the universality of some facial expressions. Further studies has shown him right while expanding on his list.

Facial expressions of emotions are universal. But so is the ability to mask and hide true feelings. Public masking of emotions and hiding their expression is very strong in some cultures. Japanese students by themselves on hidden camera showed fear when shown medical surgery films. When in a group, they all masked their fear expression from the others as best as they could.

It's considered rude to stare at people's faces all the time looking to read their emotions. It implies intimacy.

Facial expression and emotion are so hardwired it also can work backwards. Moving your face into the facial expression of an emotion will often make you feel that emotion, at least faintly. As can seeing the expression on someone else.

Real emotions are often blends. For instance, people enjoying watching a scary movie will have elements of both fear and joy on their face at the same time. And while it seems obvious that the stronger the facial expression the stronger the emotion, no one knows how to prove that in a laboratory yet.

As for PU, mostly I'm detecting fear and sadness more (despite the person trying to mask them), which gives me an upper hand (better able to put out the not-giving-a-shit vibe) and more confidence --I'm better able to pick up that they're now afraid/sad I'll leave/stop talking to them/not continue further.

Before I used to consider seeing obvious fear or sadness on girl's faces when chatting them up as a failure sign and move on. Now I more see it a sign of their low-self esteem (and low ability to mask) and continue contact. I still prefer best the girls who show surprise and joy when I talk to them, but now I'll only move on if I'm getting anger. Contempt and disgust I've only seen done playfully, not genuinely so far, but I'm using them deliberately (and playfully) a lot more in my own expression back.

Post: #4

(08-02-2011 01:48 AM)Blackhawk Wrote:  As for PU, mostly I'm detecting fear and sadness more (despite the person trying to mask them), which gives me an upper hand (better able to put out the not-giving-a-shit vibe) and more confidence --I'm better able to pick up that they're now afraid/sad I'll leave/stop talking to them/not continue further.

Before I used to consider seeing obvious fear or sadness on girl's faces when chatting them up as a failure sign and move on. Now I more see it a sign of their low-self esteem (and low ability to mask) and continue contact. I still prefer best the girls who show surprise and joy when I talk to them, but now I'll only move on if I'm getting anger. Contempt and disgust I've only seen done playfully, not genuinely so far, but I'm using them deliberately (and playfully) a lot more in my own expression back.

That's really interesting, going to get a copy of that book.

I suppose can help with deciding what do when facing last minute resistance; ie. is she serious or just putting up token resistance? Or any other situation where what she says is likely to differ with what she really means.

Post: #5

I think her expression makes sense because the scenario the ad is describing is:

Girl:You love fantasy football more than me!
Guy: Yeah, I do love fantasy football more than you!


Then the girl gets all bent out if shape, shows fear and contempt for her guy

Thats how I interpret that picture