I had a thought reading the book, “Manwatching (Autonomic Signals Chapter),” that involves the stress adrenal flood that is described really well in this book and discussed and expanded on in the book by Marc MacYoung and Rory Miller (see bibliography). When I read about the reddened face I had, in the past, made the assumption that a reddened face along with other attack indicators I was in deep doo-doo. Now, it may mean otherwise if what I am getting from this book can be reliable in a SD situation. I make some assumptions and consider the pallor indicator at least another one of many to at least consider. Would a red faced blustering shouting stopping around menacing person actually be a signal to take it down a notch and seek other means of avoidance, escape and deescalation, etc.? Here is what I am getting from the study:
In a fighting situation much the same kind of changes occur from the adrenal flood, i.e., the sympathetic nervous system kicks in. Much of the bodies tell’s when the adrenal flood hits in a dangerous situation are discussed in the book, “In the Name of Self-Defense by Marc MacYoung,”
If fear and aggression are mutually blocking each other, and the aroused individuals can neither attack nor flee, their threat displays are typically accompanied by many of the Autonomic Signals given in Mr. MacYoung’s book. It is valuable to note the color of the threatening man’s face. If he is pale, he is more dangerous that if he has reddened. Pallor is part of the action system, and it means that he is ready either to fight or to flee. If he is pale and approaching menacingly, he really is likely to attack. If he has turned bright red, it means that hs has already experienced the parasympathetic backlash and is no longer in the pure state of “Readiness-to-attack.”
“Reddening indicates the results of in impotent internal struggle which explodes in curse and roars and which may seem alarming, but is in reality a case of his ‘Bark being worse than his bite.’”
This is about the Autonomic Nervous System’s two sub-systems used in even of situations that trigger our “Fight or Flight” response. Like the concept of “YIN-YANG” where duality rules the universe that same rule runs our bodies as well. In this case the two sub-systems, i.e. the sympathetic nervous system and its yin side the parasympathetic nervous system.
These two sub-systems of the autonomic nervous system usually remain in balance complementing one another until a situation arises that triggers the amygdala there by the sympathetic nervous system where we get the “Adrenal Stress Flooding.” When the flood occurs it puts the parasympathetic nervous system in a sort of neutral state until it is needed when the danger passes and it works to bring our bodies back into a balanced state.
“When the flooded body does not expend its chemical enhancements for danger in survival mode then the opposite system starts to kick in trying to bring back balance but finds that path difficult because of the still active and flooding sympathetic nervous system that has not expended in action. It thereby creates a state of ‘Physiological Turbulence.’”
When you, along with other tells, see the reddened face and blustering actions it may mean that the attacker has decided somehow that physical violence is not a real good choice and at that juncture the two systems start to combat one another to return to a balance state creating that pallor and activity. It may be a sure sign along with other signs that your defense, to remain in the SD circle/square, needs to deescalate and an attempt to stabilize the situation and/or use that opportunity to leave, etc., is needed.
Just like that pale pallor along with certain moves like moving into range, assuming an attack posture and other signals means his attack is coming and you need to act, now. This is not all inclusive as you will discover when you read the bibliography listing that follows:
Bibliography:
MacYoung, Marc. "In the Name of Self-Defense: What It Costs. When It’s Worth It." Marc MacYoung. 2014.
Goleman, Daniel. "Emotional Intelligence: 10th Anniversary Edition [Kindle Edition]." Bantam. January 11, 2012.
Miller, Rory. "ConCom: Conflict Communications A New Paradigm in Conscious Communication." Amazon Digital Services, Inc. 2014.
Miller, Rory and Kane, Lawrence A. "Scaling Force: Dynamic Decision-making under Threat of Violence." YMAA Publisher. New Hampshire. 2012
Miller, Rory. "Force Decisions: A Citizen's Guide." YMAA Publications. NH. 2012.
Miller, Rory Sgt. "Meditations of Violence: A Comparison of Martial Arts Training & Real World Violence" YMAA Publishing. 2008.
Miller, Rory Sgt. "Facing Violence: Preparing for the Unexpected." YMAA Publishing. 2011.
Elgin, Suzette Haden, Ph.D. "More on the Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense." Prentice Hall. New Jersey. 1983.
Elgin, Suzette. "The Last Word on the Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense" Barnes & Noble. 1995
Morris, Desmond. “Manwatching: A Field Guide to Human Behavior.” Harry N. Abrams. April 1979.
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