Patti's Rough Notes from CNN and HLN Interview on Zimmerman's Body Language

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Overall I see Zimmerman; defiant at times angry, upset andpained to have here is parents testimony.
See my notes below on how chained handcuffs may affect bodylanguage and make anyone angry. There is only one small piece of tape showinghis sitting down so you can see the handcuffs.
In Courtroom, at beginning of bond hearing, Zimmerman is defiantand angry.  With the facial musclesaround the mouth held tight he appears to be showing classic signs of anger heis biting down hard, and thrust the chin up and forward.  This body language says, “Don’t mess with me.”In body language we go forward with are bodies to attack. When someone ispumping themselves up to fight they may as Zimmerman is doing here, push theirchests up and out and lead with their jaw.
CNN video tittles“Zimmerman’s dad” He has gashes on head”
As Zimmerman listens to his dad describe his injuries hisshoulders are back head is up. One of the few times he blinks normally. Lawyer tweaksquestions of Zimmerman’s father, “Did you see any pictures of that? Zimmermandoes an eyes shutter closing his eyes to the situation.
Zimmerman is pained to have his father questioned.  When the defense attorney repeats thequestion you see (time code: 31 to 32) Zimmerman’s head go down and his whole facesto scrunches us in pain like a child about to cry.

In other tape today

Zimmerman also shows other classic anger signals. Anger – Angershows pull your eyebrows down and together so the inner corners of your eyes godown and towards your nose then you stare so that your upper eyelids and yourlowered eyebrows meet now press your lips together tightly lips appear verythin.  When someone is about to attacksignal of a pressed lips tend to precede arms going out to attack. Zimmermandoes lips presses of anger as well as lip puckering in distaste
There are contextual situational reasons that we may seesome of the emotions in Zimmerman for example he is in chained handcuffs. Inresearch on anger when physiologist are trying to create the emotion of angerin subjects they produce anger by holding the arms of the research subject sothey cannot get free. If we are prevented from doing what we want to do, inthis case Zimmerman wishes to defend himself, also when we feel that someone istrying to deliberately hurt us or denigrate us in any way the natural responseis anger or fear. And if we are fearful a way stress response freeze flightfight fall or faint o reduce the fear and feel stronger is to become angry.Anger increases the heart rate produces adrenaline.
Also anger calls forth Anger. The Prosecuting attorney is veryskilled. His voice is incredulous and angry and he attacks Zimmerman with hisquestions. Specifically asking about Zimmerman about saying he was sorry.  
As he comes in the courtroom and sits with the handcuffs.
Asked his name he reply’s  “George Michael Zimmerman” on head forward andchin up imperious shoulders back.
We see him take a breath micro facial cue . “as his lawyersays” anything he says, see his lips close on NBC NEW. Time stamp 17. showinghe wants to keep something in, slight indication what is coming out next is notthe truth.  
I wanted to say, I am sorry,for the loss of your son,  I did not knowhow old he was I thought he was a little younger than I am. I did not know thathe was armed or not’ All addressed with his head to the lawyer his heartstraight forward. When prosecuting attorney said (time :37 “ no to the mother and father CNN 10:54 in courtroom.His nose flares, his brow leaps to  upsee the folds and his eyebrows went up asymmetrically his lips purse indistaste in slight anger. See how his chin stays up. He is confident.

Prosecutor says, “You told that to the police,” Zimmerman:58presses his lips up and gives an asymmetrical grimace (Neocortex logical brainand emotional limbic brain in conflict. / note his eyes he glares. He is mad,but trying to suppress it and he feels caught in the lie. “Who did you make that statement too?” Zimmerman replies,“Aahhhh” shakes his head no again as Prosecutor says, “I believe you gave fivestatements total” (Time code 1:21) He shakes his head no while saying, “Yes sirI am sorry, all the names blend together. Has micro facial cue again eyebrowsup big smirk asymmetrical revealing anger and fear then purse. 
“I don’t remember exactly what verbatim,” His paralanguageis more abrupt he gives a vocal strike on the word verbatim. He gives an eyeblock (time code 1:40)
Time code 2:10 time on the clock10:56. You left a messagefor them to tell them that. Zimmerman furrowed brow lips again pursed indistaste.
Prosecutor, “Why did you wait so long to tell Mr. Martin”Zimmerman at time code  Zimmerman reply’sin soft submissive voice, “I don’t understand the question, I am sorry.” (timecode 2:17) But he follows it wish a lip press of frustration, and a tonguethrust (sticking out his tongue to attack the prosecutor) showing he doesunderstand the implication of the question and is mad>  

Body Language baseline in the First Court Appearance Ratherthan have what I normally see the turtle head bow their head erect posture,facial musculature stoic
Squirrel in the headlight Fear response especially when hefirst walks in White and Wide Increased sympathetic nervous system activity andelevated adrenaline anyone would have that, blinking increased.
Baseline Zimmerman’s body Language before First CourtAppearance Turtle head bow their head erect posture, facial musculature stoic.

Squirrel in the headlight Fear response especially when hefirst walks in White and Wide Increased sympathetic nervous system activity andelevated adrenaline anyone would have that, blinking increased.
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Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at http://PattiWood.net. Also check out the body language quiz on her YouTube Channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.