Thread by @DrGJackBrown

THREAD: Body Language Analysis No. 4354: Mass Shooting at Pittsburgh Synagogue - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence
#RobertBowers #MassShooting #PittsburghShooting #PittsburghSynagogue #BodyLanguage #BodyLanguageExpert #Nonverbal #EmotionalIntelligence #EQ #Contempt #Disgust

1/ On Saturday, 27 October 2018, during Shabbat services, a mass shooting occurred at Tree of Life (L’Simcha) Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Eleven people were killed and at least six others were injured, two of them critically.

2/ Before opening fire, the alleged shooter, Robert D. Bowers, yelled, "All Jews must die!"

3/ The above image of Robert Bowers is from one of his social media sites. From a nonverbal perspective, we can glean valuable information in its analysis.

4/ While not extreme, Bowers is clearly displaying a blend of disgust and contempt. A primary component of each these emotional displays is revealed in the area above his upper lip and below his nose.

5/ You'll note this 'mustache area' is contracted and tightened (a characteristic of both disgust and contempt). Careful examination, however, reveals it's slightly more tense on one side (here, on HIS right).

6/ In this context, this particular asymmetry is indicative of contempt (which may be also manifested with left side bias). Surprisingly, many will confuse such mild (or even moderate) snarl-like expressions with a type of smile. This is a profound and common mistake.

7/ Flaring of the nostrils is another component of both disgust and contempt, although with contempt the flaring is also more pronounced on one side (again, in this case, Bowers' right).

8/ You'll also note that Robert Bowers is not looking directly at the camera. His eyes are turned toward the camera - but his head is only slightly turned - and a bit also with his torso.

9/ People will look directly with much less frequency toward those they don't trust/believe, don't respect, and/or don't like.

10/ SUMMARY: When screening people for employment or for any other purpose, social media is a valuable tool in predicting their behavior - including with threat assessment.

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11/ Social media often acts as a type of reverse Rorschach test - telegraphing to the world one's most prominent thought-emotions.

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12/ Certainly, individuals who chronically display contempt, disgust, &/or anger (social media or in real-time) will not all commit violent crimes - but, crucially, those who do show these emotions w/ significant frequency will virtually all have impulse control disorder.

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