Body Language of Triumph Will Be on Display at Olympics

HealthDay – 1 hr 12 mins ago THURSDAY, July 26 (HealthDay News) -- As Olympians take to the world stage in London this week, watch the body language of the gold medalists for clues to their feelings of triumph and pride.

Those athletes who throw their arms above their head, clench their fists and grimace -- a universal expression of triumph -- are not to be confused with those expressing pride by tilting their head back, holding their arms out from their body and smiling, researchers say.

"We found that displays of triumph include different behaviors to those of pride, and occur more immediately after a victory or win," David Matsumoto, a professor of psychology at San Francisco State University, said in a university news release. "Triumph has its own signature expression that is immediate, automatic and universal across cultures."

One of the differences between triumph and pride is seen in the face, Matsumoto said.

"When someone feels triumphant after a contest or challenge, their face can look quite aggressive," he said. "It's like Michael Phelps's reaction after winning the 2008 Olympics. It looks quite different to the small smile we see when someone is showing pride."

In conducting the study, the researchers showed people from the United States and South Korea pictures of judo athletes from 17 countries who had just won a medal match at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. Research has shown that South Korean culture downplays individual achievement and displays of emotion.

The participants consistently labeled the pictures of grimacing or yelling athletes with their arms raised and fists clenched as triumph. Meanwhile, the photos of athletes with their arms out at their sides, hands open and head tilted back were labeled as pride. The athletes in the "pride" photos, the researchers pointed out, were also smiling.

The study also showed that expressions of triumph occurred, on average, four seconds after the athletes won a match. Displays of pride, however, occurred an average of 16 seconds after the match ended.

Expressions of triumph are an immediate reflection of a person's success, the study's authors explained. Expressions of pride, on the other hand, come later since they reflect how the athletes feel about themselves.

"Watch that immediate reaction in the first few seconds after an athlete has won their medal match -- no matter what the sport is -- and you'll see this triumph response from athletes all around the world, regardless of culture," Matsumoto said.

Expressions of triumph, the authors concluded, may have played a role in evolution by helping people in early societies demonstrate their status or dominance.

The study will be published in the September issue of the journal Evolution and Human Behavior.

More information

The University of California at Santa Cruz more information on nonverbal communication.

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San Diego Plastic Surgeon Launches Spanish Language Website

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May
2012San Diego Plastic Surgeon Dr. John Alexander, II, has launched a Spanish version of the website AlexanderSurgery.com to better service all of his Spanish-speaking patients. Dr. John and his father Dr. John Alexander, Sr., together have been serving the San Diego area since 1996.

San Diego, CA (1888PressRelease) May 19, 2012 - New site meant to help bridge the language gap for those who are more comfortable reading in Spanish.

San Diego, California (May 2012) - Alexander Cosmetic Surgery (http://www.alexandersurgery.com), a premier San Diego plastic surgery destination, has recently launched a new Spanish language version of its website. Dr. John T. Alexander, II, and his father, Dr. John T. Alexander, Sr., have been practicing plastic surgery together in San Diego since 1996. The practice has served the San Diego community for over 40 years.

"San Diego is a spectacular, diverse city and we continue to make efforts to reach out to all its various communities," says Dr. Alexander, II, who is fluent in both Spanish and English. "It's now easier than ever for Spanish speakers to learn more about the full range of cosmetic services offered through Alexander Cosmetic Surgery."

With the launch of their new Spanish language website at http://es.AlexanderSurgery.com, the practice can now better serve all of San Diego's cosmetic surgery needs. Visitors interested in accessing the Spanish language version of site can go to the aforementioned URL or simply navigate to the main website, where they can click on the "Espanol" link in the upper right of any page. This link automatically converts all text and links to Spanish.

"Everyone at Alexander Cosmetic Surgery does their best to keep things simple for our patients, whether it's creating another version of our website or walking a patient through a procedure step by step," notes Dr. Alexander, II.

The plastic surgeons at Alexander Surgery are renowned for their high-quality results and advanced surgical skills. Because both father and son are involved in the practice, patients can expect a consistent level of excellence. The practice offers a wide variety of cosmetic services for both women and men. Many of today's most popular cosmetic procedures and treatments are offered, along with several services unique to Alexander Cosmetic Surgery.

One such service is the QuickLift, a groundbreaking procedure that tightens loose skin in the cheeks, jaw line, and neck but in a less aggressive way. The QuickLift, first performed in California by Dr. Alexander, II,in 2004, delivers extraordinary results similar to a conventional facelift with less complication and a faster recovery time. Alexander Surgery is the only practice in San Diego licensed to perform the QuickLift.

"We look forward to serving patients throughout the San Diego area with a wide range of cosmetic needs," adds Dr. Alexander, II. "With services including breast enhancement, body contouring and facial sculpting, our goal is to become a trusted provider of all the cosmetic treatments each patient needs."

Alexander Cosmetic Surgery (http://www.alexandersurgery.com) has been San Diego's leader in facial rejuvenation and cosmetic plastic surgery since 1964. Led by father and son duo, Drs. John T. Alexander, M.D., and John T. Alexander II, M.D., F.A.C.S., J.D., the clinic has a history of patient dedication and care, while leading the way with innovative treatments. Alexander Cosmetic Surgery was San Diego's first anti-aging clinic with the use of ENERGENEX

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Government readies new contraceptives language

Reuters – Fri, Mar 16, 2012 WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Obama administration on Friday is expected to propose official language laying out its plan to accommodate the moral concerns of religiously affiliated institutions that oppose birth control, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The announcement of a new "Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking" would not alter President Barack Obama's adopted policy requiring access to free employer-sponsored health insurance coverage for women's contraceptives, the sources said.

But it is expected to outline proposed regulatory language and provide analysis for public comment covering religious institutions that self-insure and other aspects of the accommodation that the White House announced on February 10, according to the sources.

The administration last month adopted a new rule under the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that requires employers to provide coverage with free birth control for women.

Churches and other places of worship are exempt. But the rule currently on the books applies to religiously affiliated hospitals, universities, charities and other institutions.

The policy set off a firestorm among Catholic authorities and other social conservatives, which Obama sought to quell by promising changes that would place the onus of paying for contraceptives coverage on insurers instead of religiously affiliated employers.

Administration officials have said for some time they expected to propose regulatory language articulating the president's compromise.

One source said the issue of self-insured religious institutions was one of the key questions that needed to be addressed.

Word of Friday's expected announcement followed weeks of behind-the-scenes meetings between administration officials and a range of stakeholders including Roman Catholic bishops, who oppose artificial contraception and want the current policy rescinded.

The announcement is likely to be followed by a period of public comment.

The administration's current policy does not come into force for religious employers until August 1, 2013.

(Additional reporting by Anna Yukhananov; Editing by Peter Cooney)

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U.S. government readies new contraceptives language

Reuters – Sat, Mar 17, 2012 WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Obama administration on Friday is expected to propose official language laying out its plan to accommodate the moral concerns of religiously affiliated institutions that oppose birth control, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The announcement of a new

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