Former FBI Agent Explains How to Read Body Language | Tradecraft | WIRED

Summary

Joe Navarro, a former FBI agent with 25 years of experience, shares insights on nonverbal communication, often referred to as body language. He dispels common myths, such as crossed arms indicating deception, and emphasizes the importance of observing behaviors like facial expressions, posture, and gestures to understand a person's true feelings. Navarro's expertise in reading nonverbals was crucial in his career, from catching spies to assessing suspects' reactions in high-stakes situations like poker games, where body language can reveal more than facial expressions.

Takeaways

• 😌 Nonverbals are any form of communication that does not involve words, including body language, dress, and how one walks.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Joe Navarro, a former FBI special agent, used nonverbal cues to catch spies and understand their intentions.
• 👀 Security measures often rely on observing nonverbal cues, such as how people look through peepholes or who they look at while using an ATM.
• 💑 People often select their mates based on non-verbal cues, indicating the importance of these signals in interpersonal relationships.
• 🙅‍♂️ Common myths about nonverbal cues, such as crossed arms indicating a defensive stance, are often misunderstood and not necessarily accurate.
• 🤔 The way people look or process information can be misinterpreted as deception, but it is not a reliable indicator of lying.
• 🤥 The belief in a 'Pinocchio effect' where physical behaviors like nose touching or mouth covering indicate lying is scientifically unfounded.
• 👮‍♂️ Law enforcement, including espionage work, relies heavily on observing nonverbal behaviors to gather intelligence and assess suspects.
• 🌟 Observing minute details in behavior, such as how someone holds flowers, can reveal cultural backgrounds and potentially uncover deception.
• 👥 In law enforcement, building rapport and observing behavioral changes during conversations can lead to suspects revealing crucial information.
• 👀 The importance of observing nonverbal cues extends to everyday interactions, such as noticing changes in posture or facial expressions to understand someone's state of mind.
• 👥 Handshaking is a significant nonverbal interaction in many cultures, serving as an initial bonding moment and a way to gauge initial impressions.
• 🎲 In poker, observing players' nonverbal cues can provide insights into their psychological state and potential strategies, beyond just their cards.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Joe Navarro's career with the FBI?

Joe Navarro's main focus during his 25-year career with the FBI was catching spies, particularly within the national security division, where he worked on understanding and neutralizing specific targets.

What does the term 'nonverbals' refer to in the context of the script?

In the script, 'nonverbals' refers to any form of communication that is not verbal, such as body language, how one dresses, and how one walks, which can reveal a person's thoughts and feelings.

Why is it a misconception to believe that crossing one's arms is a sign of blocking behavior?

Crossing one's arms is often misunderstood as a blocking behavior, but according to the script, it is actually a form of self-soothing, akin to a self-hug, rather than an attempt to block out someone or something.

What does the script suggest about the effectiveness of humans in detecting deception?

The script suggests that humans are generally poor at detecting deception and that common indicators such as throat clearing, nose touching, or mouth covering are not scientifically or empirically linked to lying.

How did Joe Navarro use nonverbal cues to identify a potential spy in one of his cases?

Joe Navarro identified a potential spy by observing how the individual held flowers, which was a nonverbal cue indicating the person's Eastern European origin, as opposed to the typical American way of holding flowers by the stock.

What is the significance of the first touch in most western cultures, as mentioned in the script?

The first touch in most western cultures, such as a handshake, is significant because it is the first time our bodies release bonding chemicals that influence our perception of liking or disliking another person.

How does Joe Navarro describe the importance of observing nonverbal cues in poker?

Joe Navarro describes the importance of observing nonverbal cues in poker as a way to gather 'poker intelligence' by looking for behaviors indicative of psychological discomfort or reactions to a stimulus, which can provide insights into a player's state of mind.

What is the purpose of observing nonverbal cues at the beginning of a poker game?

Observing nonverbal cues at the beginning of a poker game allows players to collect information about each other's psychological state and potential discomfort, which can be useful throughout the game.

How does Joe Navarro explain the concept of 'self-soothing' in relation to nonverbal cues?

Joe Navarro explains 'self-soothing' as a nonverbal behavior where individuals engage in certain actions, such as shuffling chips in poker, to help manage their emotions and make it through a situation.

What does the script suggest about the effectiveness of observing nonverbal cues at double speed?

The script suggests that observing nonverbal cues at double speed can be useful because critical nonverbal behaviors become more apparent and stand out, making it easier to identify and interpret them.

Why is it important to look around rather than just at cards or community cards in poker, according to the script?

It is important to look around in poker to observe the reactions of other players to the cards, as these reactions can provide valuable nonverbal cues that may reveal their strategies or feelings about their hands.