This article explains CatFACS, the Facial Action Coding System for cats. CatFACS scientifically codes subtle facial movements and is used to research cognition, emotion and communication in our feline friends.

This article focuses on explaining SCAnS™, a behaviour analysis methodology used to code human behaviour. The Six Channel Analysis System helps to discern potential deception by identifying clusters of behavioural points of interest across multiple communication channels.

This article explains the Facial Action Coding System (FACS), a scientific method that measures Action Units (AUs), unique anatomically based facial movements. It can be helpful in analysing human behaviour and is considered the gold standard for facial movement analysis.

This article examines the emotions contributing to aggression and violence and how recognising corresponding expressions can predict violent events and imminent danger, such as domestic violence. We’ll look at the research on emotion recognition in violent offenders and how brain differences may contribute to emotion recognition deficits, perpetuating violence.

In this article, I combine art and nonverbal communication. If you aren’t interested in art, you can still learn about facial expressions in the first part of the article and skip the challenges. Watch the video introducing emotion and facial expression, then read on and see the diagrams to learn about facial expressions. For creatives and those who are game for a creative challenge, Part Two is a tutorial on creating an emotional expression using clay.

This short video explains why we should smile to feel happy and more positive.

This short video explains where the most compelling evidence for the theory of Embodied Cognition comes from—Botox studies. Your facial expression can trigger emotion.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian resigned with the news of the ICAC’s investigation into whether there was a conflict of interest between her public duties and private interests—relating to her relationship with Daryl Maguire and his corruption scandal. In this article, I analyse Gladys Berejiklian’s body language during her resignation speech.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s nonverbal behaviour and body language, from her latest press conferences, reveal her inner emotion, thoughts and feelings surrounding her relationship with Daryl Maguire. Find out which common nonverbal behaviours were displayed and the meaning behind them.

Most people know from personal experience how powerful a smile can be within communication and relationships. So much so, that it drives them to smile politely, even if they aren’t feeling positive. Having the ability to create a positive experience for others, just from smiling, is profound. But even more powerful, are the beneficial effects on oneself, in terms of health and wellbeing.

It’s been a while (about 12 years) since I picked up a piece of clay and to be honest, I never thought I would. Now, I can’t stop creating and I’m combining two passions into one fun and exciting workshop series. If you’re in Perth, Australia, join me at an upcoming Sculpt and Sip class, for a glass of vino and to learn about emotion and expression, through drawing and clay.

Listen to Sophie Zadeh and Geoff Hutchison (Drive, ABC Radio Perth) discuss Joe Biden’s body language, why people invade personal space, generational differences, why we need touch, and what to do when someone invades our personal space.

Sophie Zadeh's TED-Ed lesson: Are there Universal Expressions of Emotion? The lesson looks at the history of discovery of facial expressions, what expressions of emotion look like, the purpose of facial expressions and why we make facial expressions.

Reading body language, emotion and microexpressions at the Trump-Kim Summit. Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un meet for the first time–we analyse their nonverbal communication signals to tell you what they are really saying.

Courtney Waller interviews Sophie Zadeh about her TED-Ed lesson: Are there universal expressions? They discuss the history of emotion, display rules, animal and human expression, botox on expressions, how to trigger emotions, macroexpressions and microexpressions.

Are you missing an important channel of communication?

Most of us listen to spoken words as we interact with others, but not many people pay conscious attention to what remains unspoken. Words can, and do, convey lots of complex thoughts, theories and feelings, but they are usually filtered and adapted to create a certain impression, giving you, the listener, the 'intended' message. There are lots of reasons for this– to be more amicable, to maintain relationships, to deceive, to conceal emotions, to make others feel better– to name a few. So it's not all bad. Imagine if everybody spoke their thoughts– Ouch! In many situations, however, you could benefit from knowing more and having a good understanding of how the person you interact with really feels, whether it's potential deception in a negotiation or marriage, or when you just want a family member to be more open with you.

Scientists have found that the muscles in our face can produce 30 independent movements– 12 in the upper face, and 18 in the lower face. Working together in various combinations, these muscle movements are capable of creating thousands of expressions. However, most scientists agree that out of all of these expressions, only seven are 'universal'– innate within all of us, regardless of culture. They are...

Yippee, I got the go ahead to share my good news with you! I've been working on a script for a TED-Ed animation and it's finally coming to fruition. The TED-Ed team have brought in the director, animator and narrator/actor to work their magic and bring it to life. This is a huge thrill for me, since I've been a TED obsessive for years. My TED-Ed lesson animation is about emotional expression– universal expressions, so over the next few weeks, I'll be posting some supporting information on the subject on my blog. 

If you aren't already familiar with TED-Ed animations, here's one by Peter Mende-Siedlecki, I think you may find it interesting- it's about first impressions, which are incredibly important for setting us up for successful interactions. It's less than 5 minutes long. 

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of working with Filmmaker, Courtney Waller, from Courtney Waller Productions. Courtney was interviewing me, and of course, we got to talk about my favourite topic; body language.

As a Body Language Specialist, part of my job entails playing back video footage, over and over. This is to audit the body language of people seeking to improve their presence and charisma, seek nonverbal cues that point towards deception or seek interesting nonverbal cues that I can use to educate others on the topic. I'm not usually on the other side of the camera. So it was a little unnerving to think that this was being recorded as a video, with capability of being played back for analysis; a taste of my own medicine.

Sonia's true emotions were of course revealed through her body language. Without a shadow of doubt, she expressed genuine sadness. Absolutely no fakery involved. She was, in fact, battling to suppress this emotion, probably to avoid tears. The sadness expression climaxed as she spoke the words, "I saw the image of a baby, covered in a plastic sheet, with a doll lying beside her, and it rocked me to the very core".