Expressions of Fear (03:49)

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Facial cues are hardwired into every human brain and can indicate a variety of feelings and emotional reactions. Psychology Professor Dr. David Matsumoto discusses the evolutionary history of the human mind and survival instincts. Facial expressions are often linked to a survival response.

Studying the Feet (03:12)

Former FBI special agent Joe Navarro spent his life studying body language in the Behavioral Analysis Program and determined feet placement is often more accurate than facial expressions. Feet unconsciously orient toward where the person wishes to go; this is part of the limbic system.

Human Nature (04:24)

Dr. Lillian Glass is currently a body language and communications expert, but she began her career as a speech pathologist. She watches people on the Santa Monica Pier and describes what a couple's body language says about their intimate relationship.

Universal Facial Expressions (03:19)

Neurologically, the body expresses what is happening in our minds before we are able to verbally express it. All humans have a cognitive and expressive set of nerves known as the facial action coding system. There are seven universally recognized facial expressions: fear, anger, disgust, contempt, sadness, surprise, and joy.

Psychological Comfort (03:03)

Matsumoto went to the Olympic Games to photograph Judo competitors' facial expressions throughout their match and found that at blind Paralympics the Judo competitors made the exact same facial expressions. Many of these blind competitors were born blind; therefore, Matsumoto believes everyone is born with these basic facial cues.

Detecting Deception (03:37)

When thinking about deception, Navarro looks at the levels of comfort and discomfort in the individual; the former FBI agent goes on to explain the different movements people make that portray their emotions. The concept of micro-expressions began with Darwin’s book “The Expression of Emotions in Man and Animals.”

Ensuring Public Safety (05:01)

Lauren Stover Director of Public Safety and Security for the Miami International Airport began training all airport employees, no matter what their role, in basic human behavior detection for additional security enforcement. Navarro explains hand movements are either welcoming or aggressive.

White and High Stakes Lies (05:56)

Forensic Psychologist Dr. Stephen Porter studies human interaction and the different methods of deception. Using Bill Clinton as an example, Porter explains liars are often calm and direct. Porter and his team conducted the largest scale study of high stakes deception; a video of murdered Penny Boudreau is used during lessons on human behavior.

Studying Walking (03:18)

Gait analysis has recently become utilized within the psychology world; the way we walk reveals our intentions, state of mind, and physical health. Psychology professor Dr. Nikolaus Troje explains body language is often more honest than facial expressions because it is more difficult to fake.

Body-Based Intervention (06:00)

American Psychologist Amy Cuddy is renowned for her Ted Talk which focuses on her research into “power poses” and how the body reacts to powerful body language. A very new area of research is called embodiment which psychologists hope to use as an intervention for certain mental disorders such as PTSD.

Future of Human Behavior Analysis (06:39)

At the NEMO Science Center there is a display that helps children understand facial expressions. Roberto Valenti, Chief Technology Officer at SIGHTCORP, is working on a project that is teaching computers how to understand human body language and facial expressions. This technology is currently being applied to market research.

Credits: Body Language Decoded (01:06)

Credits: Body Language Decoded