why don’t you watch the video and listen to the expert, or give us your credentials as an expert?
I taught university-level classes. Good professors prepare their lecture, not just the words but the presentation. They dress the part they are trying to play. That’s why many professors have a mirror in their office. It is used to practice in front of.
Do I really have to cite the use of rehearsal and coaching of a witness by a legal team? It’s as old as trials by jury. Good legal teams will ALLWAYS prepare their witness. They choose the clothing, coach the witness how to sit and what things to avoid as well as what to say and how to say it. Using a vocabulary that is understandable to the jury. Sentence length. The speed of speaking. Don’t speak in a monotone. Keep answers simple. Provide answers that sound definite but still have wiggle room. All of these are things used by people that train witnesses and public speakers.
This process often includes body language. Don’t sit with your arms crossed over your chest. Don’ lick your lips. Don’t look at the floor or the ceiling. Don’t stare at the jury the judge or other witnesses. Don’t pop your knuckles. Don’t slouch, sit straight but not bolt upright. Depending on what emotion is trying to be conveyed any of probably 2 dozen other things.
Even professions like pastors and school teachers receive training on how to present their material. It is just really basic stuff. In a court it isn’t just what’s said, it is how you say it and how you look when saying it.
The presentation has nothing to do whatsoever with the truth of the material but can make all the difference in the world as to whether the material is believed.
The whole look Ms. Ford presented was probably choreographed, the mommy-glasses, The inexpensive looking dress, and flat pancake makeup with neutral lipstick. They were trying to make Brett Kavanaugh look like an elite, snooty, member of the hated aristocracy and Ms. Ford to look like a poor, abused housewife. The whole event was staged Ms. Ford’s legal team to engender sympathy if not belief.
Lastly, why the anger? I said I don’t believe her.
But, I would not expect her to not show up unprepared. You don’t think that liars practice lying, that pick-pockets don’t hone their skills? It isn’t only the upright that practice.
Anyone who has done any public speaking uses rehearsal, coaching and controlling body language as part of the job and that requires preparation. Coaching her to give the answers that strengthened her case is neither immoral or unethical it is done by all sides all the time.
It would have only been surprising if this hadn’t been done.
For a good discussion on how these techniques are used in a different setting. Especially the 7 ways false teachers (Lawyers overlap this area a great deal)control an audience:
The only book dealing with wittness coaching on Amazon is, unfortunately, in German. But read the English summary. It makes my point that this is common practice.