Facial Feedback Loop and Reason to Smile!

I just finished an interview for the Wall Street Journal here is one of the topics I discussed Facial Feedback Loop and reason to smile!

Here is a research quote of the facial feedback loop that explains why I do outside in coaching (change the smile to change how you feel) and inside out coaching (change how you feel to effect the clients smile. )

The facial feedback hypothesis states that individuals can initiate emotions through their facial expression (McIntosh, 1996). If individuals make a specific facial expression, it will illicit the emotion. The facial feedback hypotheses proposes that expression amplify our emotions by activating muscles associated with specific states and the muscles signal the body to respond as through we were experiencing those states. Thus when we simulate the facial expressions normally associated with happiness, we may fell happier. Similarly, the behavior feedback hypotheses assumes that if we move body as we would when experiencing some emotion such as smiling when we are happy, we are likely to feel that emotion to some degree.

Research Strack, Martin, and Stepper (1988) provided a relevant study in support for the facial feedback hypothesis. These researchers utilized the facial simulation procedure in which participants were posed into a certain facial pose. This technique has often been associated in testing the facial feedback hypothesis. Participants were asked to read a set of cartoons and respond by rating how humorous the cartoons were. The condition of the facial-pose simulation was used utilizing a pencil placed between the teeth of some participants. The three conditions of the pencil included between the teeth, lips, or use of the non-dominant hand (Strack, Martin, & Stepper, 1988). Results and ratings concluded that those who held the pencil between their teeth, producing a smile rated that the cartoons were more humorous than those that inhibited the smile.

For more smile research and tools to improve your smile read "SNAP Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma." 

Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com. Also check out Patti's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.

Patti on Nancy Grace Feb. 20th on HLN at 8 p.m. EST

I will be on Nancy Grace tonight, Wednesday, Feb. 20th,  on HLN at 8 p.m. EST  to analyze Jodi Arias’s body language on the stand during the murder trial of Jodi's ex-boyfriend, Travis Alexander.

Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com. Also check out Patti's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.

Here is how body language effects our fascination with the YouTube video phenomenon the Harlem Shake

If you have not seen a Harlem Shake Video then you are in for a wild ride and a lost hour on the internet. In February of 2013 an odd little video of three guys in costume dancing to the Harlem Shake peaked on to the internet. Now everyone has a video and top ten lists of the best, most popular, funniest, Harlem shake videos are all over the internet.

Here is how body language effects our fascination with the  YouTube video phenomenon the Harlem Shake.

Our primitive brain tuned to be hunters and watch for changes in the environment such as movement that indicates possible moving game or predators who could eat us. The videos start with a few people who are still with one person moving in a simple seemingly docile repetitive motion.  Our eyes are designed to go toward movement, and because that  person is the only one moving significantly we focus our attention solely on him or her.  He or she does not look scary but they are interesting and the fact that they are moving in synch with the repetive throb of the music helps hold our focus on that one part of the video.  Suddenly the music changes to a wild mix and the still seemingly safe people are moving wildly and in some videos many more people appear looking wild and fierce. Our brain fires on all cylinders and we are captivated. In fact, it gives us such a hit of adrenaline that we crave more and may spend the next hour looking through top ten lists for new unseen Harlem Shake Hit.

http://www.digitalspy.com/odd/news/a458888/harlem-shake-videos-the-10-best-on-the-internet.html

Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com. Also check out Patti's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.

Don't be "Clued Out" by Your Technology

Patti Wood MA, CSP "The "Gold" Standard of Body Language Experts" January 2012 Newsletter Quick Links Hire Patti Wood for Teambuilding, Presentation Skills, Sales Training and Body Language Get Your Copy of Patti's Success Signals Today! Get Your Copy of Patti's Public Speaking Book Review Easy Speaking Dynamic Delivery Book Also Review Paid To Speak Book About Patti Body Language Blog Body Language Programs & Workshops Book Patti Today! Sign Up for Coaching About Patti Patti Wood, MA, CSP and Body Language Expert Patti Wood is an international speaker, author and consultant to Fortune 500 companies. She reads the body language of politicians, celebrities and other well-known world figures for national media such as CNN and FOX News. Her corporate clients describe her as a dynamic, powerhouse presenter. Did you know that Patti speaks on Improving "Techno" Commun-ication? Would you like your team to know the secrets to improve communication via, e-mail, phone calls, conference calls and video conferencing? Boost Your Company Training Grab your spot on Patti's speaking and training calendar to really take your team, company or business to the next level! Whether you are looking for an incredible speaker, one-on-one coach or a group trainer, Patti Wood will bring humor, business savvy and exceptional tools to YOU! Contact us today! 404-315-7397 If you are interested in a one-day intensive body language workshop, "Selling Yourself" click here Dear Patti, Last night my plane from New York flew through, what the pilot described as some "inclement weather." Later at home, we were awakened by violent storms, the thunder rumbled for hours. The storms have passed, but Peachtree Creek has flooded the basements of the houses across the street in my neighborhood. We have moved cars, the kids are playing ball in the street, and people are driving by taking photographs of our new "lake front" homes. Storms are mighty, but we persevere and play on. This month you can read about cell phones, business meetings and technology and watch TV interviews on the body language of those in the news. Take Care, Patti Patti@pattiwood.net & www.PattiWood.net Don't be "Clued Out" by Your Technology A friend was standing in the lobby of a building talking loudly on her cell phone. She continued her call in the crowded elevator, oblivious to everyone riding with her until she went to step off on her floor and noticed several people glaring at her. She didn't think much about it, but later that day, she went into a meeting and met her new manager, one of the men glaring at her in the elevator. Why did she talk on? Why do we all do it? A strange nonverbal phenomenon occurs when we are connected via phone or electronic device. We feel such an intimate connection to the person we are directly communicating with that we give out nonverbal cues that we would normally reserve for one-on-one intimate space conversations. In addition... continue article Patti's Recent TV Appearances HLN Prime News with Vinnie Politan Patti analizes the nonverbal cues of Joran Van Der Sloot as he pleads guilty to murder in Peru Patti's insights Patti reads the body language of Casey Anthony in a video that surfaced on YouTube recently Patti's insights Patti weighs in on the body language of Justin DiPietro, the father of missing baby Ayla Reynolds Patti's insights HLN with Nancy Grace Body Language read of Casey Anthony "New Tot Mom Diary" Patti's insights HLN ShowBiz Tonight with A. J. Hammer Revealing clues about Casey Anthony's state of mind Patti's insights In Session with Christi Paul and Ryan Smith Patti reveals her insights into the body language of Susan Wright Patti's insights - Part 1 Patti's insights - Part 2 & 3 Check Out Patti's Recent Articles Hollywoodlife.com Patti weighs in on Kim Kardashian's body language while she is in Dubai without Kris Get Patti's insights here! Yahoo.com "Yahoo Sports" Patti's analysis of the body language of Bill O'Brien at the Introductory Press Conference for the New Penn State Head Coach Patti's body language read Patti Wood MA, CSP The Body Language Expert Keynotes & Communication Training Email Us: Patti@PattiWood.net Visit Us Online: www.PattiWood.net Daily Blogs: www.BodyLanguageLady.com & yourspeechcoach.blogspot.com *You can earn a referral fee: Do you know a group that could use an awesome Keynote Speaker or Dynamic Communication training? Call us today for more information or email Patti directly at Patti@PattiWood.net 404-315-7397

Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at http://www.snapfirstimpressions.com. Also check out Patti's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.

Babies' Babbles

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=babies-babbles-linked-to

My 11 month old niece Ava recently got a little Karaoke machine with a plastic microphone. Ava has enjoyed singing – well sort of singing – well let’s say she enjoys putting the entire microphone into her mouth and babbling. This new research study shows a relationship between which side of a baby’s mouth moves first when babbling (the right) and the link to the language centers of the left hemisphere.

Babies' Babbles Linked to Brain's Language Center

BySarah Graham

inShare0

Just a few minutes around a newborn is enough to get anyone babbling like, well, a baby. But just what drives an infant's babbles remains a matter of much debate. Some scientists posit that the sounds result from a baby's attempts to gain control over his mouth, tongue and lips and, therefore, are not related to language. A second hypothesis holds that babbling instead represents a key step on the way to speaking real words. New research published today in the journal Science further supports the latter theory--scientists say they have linked baby babbling to the brain's language-center.

By studying videotapes of 10 babies between the ages of five and 12 months, Laura Ann Petitto of Dartmouth College and Siobhan Holowka of McGill University examined the degree of symmetry between the right and left sides of each baby's mouth. The brain's language center is located in the left side of the brain, which controls the right side of the body. As a result, in adults, the right side of a speaker's mouth tends to open slightly wider than the left (although the difference is imperceptible in everyday conversation). The scientists found that when babies babbled, their mouths opened more on the right-hand side. A nonbabble noise (such as the sound "ahh") resulted in a symmetrical open mouth and a smile caused the left-hand side to open wider. "This discovery is the first to demonstrate left hemisphere cerebral specialization for babies' production of language, just like we see in adults," Petitto says. "This suggests that language functions specialize in the brain at a very early age." She is currently investigating whether the findings could help develop diagnostic tools to determine--even before a baby has uttered his first 'real' word--if he may encounter linguistic problems in the future. "The sooner parents and pediatricians recognize these problems," she says, "the sooner they can begin to treat them." 

Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com. Also check out Patti's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.