Former FBI Agent Explains How to Read Facial Expressions | WIRED

Former FBI agent and body language expert Joe Navarro is back, this time to breaks down the non-verbal ways we communicate using facial expressions. What does it mean when we scrunch up our noses or show tension in the glabella? Joe also goes deep into chirality, and equates this concept with some of the most quizzical of human expressions.

Check out Joe's book "The Dictionary of Body Language"




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Former FBI Agent Explains How to Read Facial Expressions | WIRED

[jerry]

Me: *Smiles*

FBI Agent: *This guy is a virgin*

[adriaaan.n]

That man needs his own channel bcoz we obviously need more of him

[ocean]

Man, I want a MasterClass on this. He only scratched the surface and it’s really interesting.

[emmaleehettiarachchi]

his kid like: "i didnt eat the last chocolate!"
FBI dude: "your eyes, your eyebrows, your smile-"

[mobilestew]

I feel bad for his kids. They could never lie to him

[teshurahpunter]

I hope he does a follow up about the people showing two different emotions simultaneously. That was interesting.

[gen]

Me: *blinks*

FBI Agent: This guy is 15 years old, Japanese, has one brother, and his house number is 872.

[chaitalydas]

Me, as a writer, trying to explain my characters with more details : *WRITE THAT DOWN . WRITE THAT DOWN*

[A.F.Whitepigeon]

I wish he had explained why heroes' masks cover their eyes and villains'' masks cover their mouths, along with the greater cultural effects of that trope.

[chegeny]

I would say his face isn't blank. He shows interest in who he is speaking with. He's paying attention, allowing people to feel relaxed. That would be important to get an arrogant, defensive suspect to open up.

[shRekK]

"There were times I would look at a face and there was just something odd about it..."
My face : 👁👄👁

[Maeshalanadae]

Reasons for a couple of these points:

Not being able to see the full face of a person can often be a major obstacle to determining aggression, hostile intent, and more importantly, self-confidence in the encounter. As for angle of view, we feel uncomfortable with the direct gaze because it relays tunnel focus, and again, tunnel focus is predatory behavior.

[LangTheBigWang]

Chirality is such an interesting concept! I've noticed myself speaking with someone who's expressions didn't quite fit their emotional and verbal responses, but it seemed like just a feeling (which often turned out to be true). I'm happy I can now put a name to it!

[georgeisfullyamazing]

i’ve spent years learning about body language, macro and micro expressions and deception on a whole. this is the first time i’ve heard it discussed in a video-conferencing context. fascinating.

[GrimFowler]

Im on the autism spectrum, and I've basically had to teach myself to read faces, and sometimes, peoples faces really don't match what they are saying or doing, and it really disturbs me at times, and this video wouldve made that soooo much easier. Im 30 now, and im pretty good at reading people, but these videos with this man are really rounding my ability out, and helping me avoid overthinking people

[damara]

"We look at the hair first"
*laughs in hijabi*

[mage]

"FBI agent explains how to read facial expressions"
Buddy just ask anyone with unstable parents

[TanTheTitan]

I’m about to invite my friends over and just look at them

[alienangel]

I'd love to see an interaction between him and some autistic people (as one myself). Many of us tend to talk in monotone with no facial expressions at all, and limited body movement. Everyone is different, but myself and other people with autism also tend to be very truthful, although if I am telling a lie my expressions don't change. On the other end, I can't tell what another person is feeling because I can't read their faces for subtle cues, unless they are overtly acting angry or laughing. This video is a great opportunity for me to try to read faces!

[jenb]

Not only does Joe provide an abundance of fascination information but he also has an impressive vocabulary.