Subconscious Communication® for Detecting Danger® By Chief S.A. Rhoads, Ph.D. Executive Director Subconscious Communication® Training Center POB 670 Fountain, CO 80817 (719) 382-0774 fax (720) 208-0683 email: Steve@spottinglies.com Web: www.spottinglies.com Copyright©, SARhoads, 1989 Subconscious Communication® Detecting Danger® for Survival Conscious Mind: 10% of brain’s capacity Records our experiences Programmable Subconscious Mind: 90% of brain’s capacity Serves as the storehouse/warehouse of our life’s experiences Phenomenological Thought Existential Humanistic Interactive Perception: Definition: Process by which we select, organize, and interpret sensory stimulation into a meaningful and coherent picture of our environment. Perceptions are Influenced By: “Subjective” rather than “Objective” factors We act on what we think the facts are NOT what they actually are! Pressures That Influence Our “Perceptions” Can Be: Internal: We are affected not only by past and present experiences BUT by personal meanings we attach to our perception of those experiences. Internal Factors Include: Needs : Thirst Tired ©Detecting Danger, SARhoads, 1989 Hunger Illness Emotions/Moods: Bad Mood - Negative Emotions Good Mood - Positive Emotions Values: What we Value: Peer Pressure Supervisory Pressure Organizational Values Self-concept : What we think and believe about ourselves We project our self-concept into our perception of others! Beliefs: What we believe about others. We behave in a manner consistent with what we believe to be true NOT necessarily in a way consistent to existing facts! We frequently seek out facts that support or justify our position/ perception rather than accept the way things are! Training and Experiences: What we have been taught How we have been taught How we apply that training to our circumstances EXTERNAL: Perceptions are also influenced by external factors or pressures such as: What we are told What we are shown What we are given Our PERCEPTION dictates our ATTITUDE which controls our BEHAVIOR !!! ©Detecting Danger, SARhoads, 1989 Verbal Signs of Danger/Trouble Primary rules Does the answer equal the question asked? Does what you are hearing meet your expectations for the circumstances? Warning Signals: Strained speech: Stuttering, muttering, mumbling, low hoarse sound Pitch increasing, voice/words breaking Parroting or echoing behaviors Double Speak or repetitive word usage Apparent deliberate indifference/loss of focus on conversation Talking to others as if you’re not present Nervous laughter or giggling at inappropriate times Forced speech/exhalation of air Clearly expressing intentions through “masked” statements Repetitive challenges to your statements or directions Body Language Human communication is a multi-dimensional process involving verbal as well as nonverbal (body language) signals and cues. Verbal communication accounts for only 35% of all communication. The majority, 65%, is nonverbal signals and cues. While verbal and nonverbal behaviors are interrelated and interlocking in nature, verbal communication is easily controlled and structured to conceal true meanings. (Or at least we like to believe so) Nonverbal communication is controlled by the subconscious mind and, therefore, tends to be more spontaneous and less likely to be manipulated, producing "body leakage" and valuable insight into what a person is really thinking or trying to say or not to say. Discrepancies or incongruence between verbal and nonverbal communication may serve as indicators of deceit, anxiety, guilt or remorse. As a very general rule of thumb the left side of the body is more apt to reveal known deception than is the right side of the body. In any given situation, however, either side of the body can reveal deception. Body language is controlled and revealed by the subconscious mind and it is interpreted in the same manner. It is of critical importance that you are aware of your posture and use it to your advantage in the survival setting. When evaluating nonverbal communication the following areas are critical in the relevance of the postures: Context: When did a gesture occur? Before or after critical questioning? Where did it occur? ©Detecting Danger, SARhoads, 1989 Frequency: How often does the gesture occur? How does it change? Intensity: How forceful is the gesture? Range of Motion: Does the gesture flow naturally or is it interrupted? Timing: Is the gesture "on time" with the verbal communication Threat Gestures: Eyes: Violation of 60% rule Stare invasion Gaze Behavior Distant Stare No or minimal eye contact (30% rule) Face/head: Sweating on upper lip or forehead Tightening/Clenching jaw Chin dropping Breathing changes Color of facial skin Eyebrows Flared Nostrils Tight forehead muscles/temple Hands: Clinching/unclinching fists Distraction gesturing Drying hands Wringing hands Knuckle popping Setting of the hands Loosening of the fingers Hand(s) to head Feet: Knee lock or bending of the knees Feet kicking ground ©Detecting Danger, SARhoads, 1989 Feet position Body: Shoulders or upper body tensing or “rolling” forward Weight shifting Confrontational gesture, elbows away from body Setting of the body Aggressive movements toward you Blading to the strong side Obvious contradictions/inconsistencies in body movements Nervousness: Movement Either an increase or decrease in movement Inability to stand or sit still Moving around you Violates your “proxemics” Grooming gestures Deliberate controlled response gestures Proxemics Proxemics is the concept of spatial zones or distances and our perception of them. Controlled by the conscious mind it is our attempt to keep ourself protected within the environment we are in. These spatial zones or distances are typically: Intimate: From the body outward for a distance of 6-18 inches. (reserved for close friends or activities such as comforting, caressing, love-making or protecting) Personal: The distance consistently separating the members of non-contact species. 18 inches to 4 feet. (Just outside easy touching range) Social: 4 to 12 feet Impersonal business and social discourse are often conducted with this spatial frame. Public: 12 feet or more. Keeps people at a comfortable distance and maintains a personal or official style. Spatial area differs from individual to individual, culture to culture. Violation of body space, especially intimate or personal space, produces anxiety or physical reaction unless there is close interpersonal rapport established. ©Detecting Danger, SARhoads, 1989 ***NOTE: Mentally or emotionally disturbed people and cops often have extended distance or spatial zones or needs.*** Three Steps for Emotional/Confrontational Diffusion Emotional Challenge- Rational Challenge- Personal Plea- NOTE It must be noted that the material presented in this program is not an exact science and as an officer you must evaluate ALL the circumstances confronting you. It is possible to see every warning sign imaginable and the suspect will choose not to go forward with an assault. It is further possible to be attacked with no warning at all! ©Detecting Danger, SARhoads, 1989