We have fun evaluating faces and gestures on this blog, but what if lawyers could use these tactics to decipher the emotions of jurors and witnesses on trials?
Now they have a course to teach them just that!
“Reading Microexpressions of Emotion for Attorneys”
What other occupations do you think would benefit from this kind of teaching?
Police, Customs Agents, Immigration Agents, Secret Service, FBI, CIA and more. This could be especially helpful for the CIA because it beats torture and water boarding.
If this was modified to understand how people feel, as opposed to only detect lies, this could be used positively by teachers. I’m sure there could be more uses…
Benjamin
October 13th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Wow, I’m the first to reply? Eh, probably not by the time I’m finished.
I think school teachers could benefit from it.
I also think ministers and lay-ministers (from any faith) could benefit from it enormously. It could promote a refreshing level of honesty and transparency for any open-minded community of faith.
Benjamin
October 15th, 2009 at 6:39 am
Thanks, Yaf, for the clarification (emotions rather than lies). I heartily agree.
I should add that today’s school administrators could use both versions of the course. They deal with bullying, bomb threats, drugs, sexual harassment claims, gangs, and such diverse groups as teachers, parents, and students.
Ekman has a whole list of applications in his book “Unmasking the Face”… but I’m sure it will be interesting to hear grassroots feedback.
Jeff Cook
October 16th, 2009 at 6:47 am
I personally am developing a course for tutors and teachers based on the same principles. I hope to implement it into next years teacher/tutor training.
We will primarily focus on reading signs of attention, inattention, anger, and contempt.
fbi police judges lawyers prosecutor
i would think everyone. to some extent. no one likes to be lied too.
I think a lot of people from all professions would benefit from learning microexpressions and being able to read emotions in others in general.
This seminar for the American Association of Justices will be headed by Dr. David Matsumoto, an expert in the field of microexpressions.
You can check out more about him and the products he offers at his website:
Anthony
November 6th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Teaching guys to pick up chicks.
Claireify
November 21st, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Great technique for lawyers. Also, I think knowing how to read micro expressions would be the ultimate skill for any manager in any industry. And every parent of a teenager (or even younger) could use this tool. It would be especially helpful for Human Resources personnel but I would hate to think about the mistakes they might make and lose a good candidate. AND if the employee or potential employee knew that the technique was being used, it might be intimidating. Maybe it’s something you just keep to yourself.
Paula U
November 25th, 2009 at 4:57 am
Ministers especially Hospital Chaplains need this. I know it may sound strange but everyone lies to the chaplain. I was a chaplain resident for a full year and I was often put in the position of trying to determine if a patient was lying to get my help and sympathy or telling the truth. This situation turns serious when the patient is in the hospital after a fight or criminal act like spousal abuse or a rape has occured. Car accidents, parental misdeeds. . . a chaplain sees all of theee–and they all think that if they can get the chaplain on their side it will be a plus for their case. In addition to these situations there are cases when famly members go to extremes to keep an elderly parent alive–despite the patient being in pain–not because they love them, but because the entire family is living off the patient’s retirement check. If the elderly parent dies, then the rest of the family loses the monthly check and they will have to get a job. I know this sounds awlful, but it happens. And it was an nurse who overheard the family taking about needing granny’s check–I had believed them. Being able to read faces would have helped me give quality to pastoral care to those who really needed it and know which family members and patients just wanted my sympathy.
Corrections. I am the Disciplinary Chairman for an Alaska prison. When I hold a hearing it would be good to be able to “read” the inmates faces better. Usually the BS stands out, but some of these guys are pretty good. Not to mention the stone cold sociopaths.
Stephanie
December 11th, 2009 at 9:54 am
I think that Child Protective Service workers and child advocates could benefit from this as well.
Teaching lawyers to read facial expressions, and then have the ability to form conclusions based on the faces of witness and the jury would greatly help the legal system. Lying in court would have the oppurtunity to be almost completly eliminated, or at least decreased. Solutions for cases will also be able to come sooner because the lawyers will know how the witnesses and the jury are really feeling, and if they need to do anymore persueding to still win.
David Woolliscroft
January 24th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
Just what we need even more BS for the lawyers to get the ‘guilty’ off if they can pay enough and prevent justice for society or an even playing field for the less well off
yaf
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