George Bush Expressions about Saddam Execution

In this 60 minutes interview in 2007, (at around 4:40 in the clip) George Bush reacts to questions about seeing Saddam Hussein's execution on the internet. He is showing microexpression for happiness. Microexpressions are involuntary responses when you are trying to conceal emotions. Happiness is indicated by the upturned corners of the mouth, but also by slight lowering of the skin between the eyebrow and upper eyelid.

During the interview Bush says "I though it [the execution] was discouraging"

When asked about Saddam's execution on the internet: "You didn't want to see him go through the trap door?" Bush responds "Yes, I didn't want to see." Then he makes this microexpression, pictured above, that indicates happiness.

Asked If he got any satisfaction out of the execution Bush said: "I'm not a revengeful person. I'm glad he received the justice he was due." His facial expression after this statement is shown above.

What do you think?

MicroExpression: Sadness

This is the face of an Air Force official after he was asked if they ever get it wrong when making missile strikes from unmanned drones. This is a sadness microexpression. If you watch the clip it's quick, he's trying to hold it back. It's about 16 seconds into the clip.

Obama's body language

46 seconds into this press conference about the stimulus plan, in the middle of a statement about the people of Elkhart, Indiana, Obama quickly flashes a microexpression that indicates contempt, a smile on one half of your face (captured in photo above). "The people who have lost them [their jobs] have no idea what to do, or who to turn to."

Contempt is an intense feeling or attitude of regarding someone or something as inferior, base, or worthless. The connotation of contempt is repulsive, but a more nuanced definition is "my way is better than your way."

Other examples of microexpressions can be found here and here.

MicroExpressions: contempt and scorn

Since I have been studying micro-expressions, I see them frequently. Here is a recent example: Jim Cramer called the Obama Budget the "Greatest Wealth Destruction By a President". Rober Gibbs, Obama's press secretary, was asked to respond (video below). At 11 seconds, he flashes a micro-expression for scorn (disgust and anger). Watch the first video on Paul Ekman's site and he explains it with an example of Kado Kaylin. Gibbs also shows the contempt micro-expression at 35 seconds. He then validates the expressions and admits he is concealing the way he really feels by saying "This is where I have to probably be careful."






Scorn at 11 seconds


Contempt at 35 seconds

John Thain and micro expressions

I have been interested in micro-expressions, facial expressions that last only a fraction of a second that indicate emotion, since I read blink, and more recently after watching the show Lie to me (which is based largely on the work of Paul Ekman). Today I was watching WSJ report and John Thaine, the recently ousted CEO of Merryl Lynch, was interviewed and he really gave himself away. On this clip watch as he says "I would first say I was surprised", then a quick grin flashes across his face. I'm not exactly sure what it means, but I suspect he was not surprised at all and that he's quite pleased with himself for pulling a fast one on Bank of America.

There is another point in the interview where Maria Bartiroma asks him about about them loosing 15 billion dollars in the 4th quarter, and he says "Well Maria as you know over the course of the year" he then pauses and does a half smile that indicates contempt.

I had been skeptical, but this is the first time I have actually spotted a micro expression.







contempt

5 tips to get out of speeding and traffic tickets

I just got out of a traffic ticket. I have probably been pulled over 30 times and I've only gotten 5 tickets. The key is to show them respect because most cops deeply crave respect. Why else would they take a low paying, dangerous job?

1) It helps to have a decent car, one with no dents, that is clean on the interior, that doesn't have any offensive bumper stickers. Hopefully, you are dressed well and don't have any outstanding warrants. You can't convey respect to the cop if he doesn't respect you in the first place. One flip side to this is, if your car is really a piece of junk they may have pity on you and assume you can't afford the ticket.

2) If it's night, cut on your interior lights. This shows you have nothing to hide, and puts them at ease. It also shows respect in that you are considerate of their situation, walking up to a stranger that could be armed or have warrants.

3) Roll down you window and put your hands in plain sight. Often I put one hand outside the window and the other on the steering wheel. This also puts them at ease. Also, by showing this deference they may assume that you know a cop.

4) Address them as "officer." Don't call them dude or bro.

5) When they ask you "Do you know why I pulled you over?" Go ahead and confess. Tell them the truth... "I was speeding. You caught me." "I am running late." "I need to go to the bathroom." "I wasn't paying attention." Cops hear a lot of bullshit, and most of them are good at sniffing it out. If you give them lip or attitude they will become defensive and give you a ticket or worse, but if you are respectful the only way they have to further fill their need for respect is to be magnanimous and let you off.

As the situation unfolds you may find other ways to show respect or feed their egos. Another idea is to be sure to pull over far enough so they don't have to stand in the road. A lot of girls, say they cry to get out of tickets. I doubt that would work for men. I haven't tried it. Some times you are going to get a ticket. Usually when I get tickets, it's in a trap, and the cops barely speak to me. I assume they are trying to fill a quota.

I learned some of these techniques intuitively, and from listening to police. However, later I found the general idea is well articulated in the book "How to win friends and influence people."

Do you know any ways to get out of a ticket?

There is one more way, don't speed : )

Practical uses for psychological research

Here is a post from guy kawasaki's blog
I found a great article called "10 Practical Uses for Psychological Research in Everyday Life." It explains how to detect lies, make your smile more attractive, persuade people, avoid getting scammed, and reduce your cholesterol level.
To make your smile more attractive smile slowly and tilt your head in the direction you are looking or toward your partner.