An Interpretation of WIRED’s “Former FBI Agent Explains How to Read Body Language” YouTube Video
By: Michelle Lin
Tags: Nonverbal Communication, Psychology, Body Language, Human Behavior

Former FBI agent and body language expert Joe Navarro breaks down the various ways we communicate non-verbally. What does it mean when we fold our arms? Why do we interlace our fingers? Can a poker player actually hide their body language? ~WIRED (May 21, 2019)

Body language, the study of nonverbal communication, the moment where we accidentally fake a smile to then be analyzed by others searching for our motives. None to fear, the secrets of body language shared aren’t really secrets. In fact, those secrets don’t necessarily lead to a more accurate interpretation of body language.

The information that Joe Navarro shares in the video is actually very general information with an emphasis in busting myths and huge misinterpretations that lead to highly inaccurate interpretations.

“…and empirically there’s just no Pinocchio effect[,] and people who prattle that and say[,] well we can detect deception because the person touches their nose or covers their mouth[.] [T]hat’s just sheer nonsense” (2:17–2:25).

It is true that most of us look to the upper right or left to indicate deep thought. It is true that most of us compress our lips when we feel bothered. However, every body language sign varies upon the scenario — regardless of what kind of fixed meaning we give certain gestures to be.

For example, when interpreting politicians’ body language, we cannot solely rely on the fixed definitions we give certain gestures, movements, etc. that may have been true for other cases (every case is different). In that case, we would then combine all the types of body language together to form an interpretation, rather than to use one indicator for the entire interpretation.

What Joe Navarro explains about body language are starter observations to help with basic interpretations, not complex ones. Complex interpretations typically involve more types of gestures, positions, movements, etc. using a bit of every one according to the situation present. At its best, body language is a tool to guide interpretation, not a direct roadmap to the exact hidden motive.

At the mention of body language interpretations, let’s delve deep into what Joe Navarro’s body language tells us in the video.

At 6:51 to 6:55 (6 minutes and 55 seconds), into the video, Joe Navarro’s sitting position is presented with his left foot underneath him and his right foot taking a firm stance. From around 6 minutes and 51 seconds, Navarro’s head is tilted backwards and slightly tilted to the side with his body slightly leaned backwards in his chair. His hands moving around indicate that he is in the process of explanation while his attitude tells us that he is being careful in crafting his words (with his head tilted backwards and to the side, his body leaning backwards, his one feet under the chair and the other standing firmly on the ground).

If you were to imagine testing the water temperatures for a swim in the pool, Navarro’s feet, back to the chair, and head show us that he is being cautious about how much he reveals to people about body language. If we were to then rewind to 3:37 to 3:38, his right hand goes from in the air to back to his left hand, slightly squeezing them together (with his left hand reassuring the right). At 3:39, his right leg moves a little bit, readjusting his position. At 3:55, Navarro’s body position slightly moves a little bit again, this time, his entire sitting position. Altogether, this indicates nervousness and for the fact that he feels slightly uncomfortable. For almost the entire video, Navarro’s sitting position is the same — one foot under the chair and one foot standing firmly on the ground.

Logically, if a person used to worked for the FBI, they cannot reveal all the body language secrets in one video — they can only reveal the very general. Revealing all the body language secrets would only make it easier for people with sinister motives to copy such stances to appear innocent, harmless, etc. that the people who do use the exact same methods would discover that their ways no longer apply.

For a person to truly learn how to interpret body language well, they would need to go way beyond from the general and into deeper studies to ensure greater accuracy. However, I trust that Navarro knows way more than he explains, except that he can’t say everything he knows.

Sources:

“Former FBI Agent Explains How to Read Body Language | Tradecraft | WIRED”. YouTube. May 21, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jwUXV4QaTw&t=44s