Unilateral Contempt: A-Rod Demonstrates the Look of an Arrogant Asshole

I was stopped in my tracks by the above picture in today's New York Times.  It was part of this article where the renowned psychologist Paul Ekman analyzed A-Rod's "micro-expressions" during a 2007 60 Minutes interview to glean hints of whether A-Rod was lying or telling the truth about his steroid use.   (Check-out Ekman's Telling Lies to learn about the impressive research methods and how he applies them; it is also the science beneath the -- rather lame -- Fox TV series "Lie to Me.")

I had such a strong reaction to the above picture of A-Rod (the middle of the three in the article) because I realized that it captured the exact expression displayed by one of the biggest -- perhaps the biggest -- asshole I have ever worked with in my life.  He flashed that look constantly to those around him, often mixing it with an even more explicitly hostile glare (Sorry, no more details... to protect both the innocent and the guilty).  Ekman's called this microexpression "unitlateral contempt,"  which he defined as "a tightening and raising of the corner of the lip that can indicate arrogance or a feeling a moral superiority."   Ekman then adds "He does them very frequently ... It doesn't fit with anything he says."   Ekman adds that more research is needed to determine if this is just a tic do to the stress of being on TV or something he does routinely and is a true indication of arrogance or a feeling of moral superiority.  But, following my earlier post, it appears there is some evidence to support the headline indicating the A-Rod is an A-hole in the New York Post. )

In other words, some of the most rigorous psychological research suggests that this is the look flashed by someone who is, at least temporarily, acting like an arrogant asshole.  And if people -- like my former co-worker -- do it across times and situations, it suggests that they are certified arrogant assholes.  I would love to see A-Rod's score on the ARSE by the way!

I am curious, do others have the same reaction this microexpression that I do?

Comments

[Melanie]

When I first saw A-Rod's "apology," I noticed strange facial movements--pursing his lips at odd moments, for example, that, to me, seemed like he was either lying about when he stopped using steroids, or just full of it, in general. I was struck by how insincere he seemed. I am appalled that the baseball world has welcomed him back, as though screwing over the sport and other ball players for one's own benefit was somehow excusable if you happened to become some sort of a legend in the process. Yuck! Madonna can have him!

[adora]

Yes, I have seen it many times!

[Hayli @ RiseSmart]

My dad, anytime anyone disagrees with him. It's the "You're entitled to your opinion and you have the right to be wrong" look.

[Theresa]

I do think that certain workplace bullies can have that expression, and do recall some. However, there are also workplace bullies who are clinical - they are not just jerks, they are actually classified as corporate psychopaths. I am in one of these situations. I think these are the most dangerous kind, because they are unstoppable. You may have already seen this description:
http://tinyurl.com/95975

[Patricia]

Yes, I do. My parenting experience also suggests that the expression also can be read as "Put me down for a nap or get ready for me to need a WHOLE BUNCH of 'time outs'. I'm not kidding." ;)

[wintersweet]

Well, it's *almost* close to a rueful expression, but you're right--I've seen it many times on ex-president George W. Bush's face! I'm allergic to it too.