Behavior Scientist Says He Thinks Vladimir Putin Is ‘Trying To Sell Contagious Anger’

Although he is a former KGB operative with advanced interrogation training, even Russian President Vladimir Putin can’t stop his body language from giving away what he’s really thinking. On Monday’s episode of Dr. Phil, Scott Rouse, Mark Bowden, Chase Hughes, and Greg Hartley, collectively known as The Behavior Panel, take a closer look at Putin’s televised address to Russian citizens just before that country’s invasion of Ukraine. “I think he’s trying to sell contagious anger,” says Hughes, a behavioral scientist and bestselling author. “Based on his audience, he wants to make whatever emotion he’s feeling very contagious to those people.” Mark Bowden, also a bestselling author and body language and human behavior expert, says that in his speech, Putin uses metaphors to dehumanize the people of Ukraine. “The moment you can frame people as not human, you can wage war on them, and people shouldn’t be so bothered,” he says. Watch the video above to hear more of The Behavior Panel's evaluation of both Vladimir Putin and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky. And later, listen to their assessment of actor Jussie Smollett and a recent courtroom outburst. Dr. Phil airs Monday – Friday. Check your local listing to find out where to watch. WATCH: ‘I Hope Other People Watching Our Story Don’t Make The Same Horrible Mistake I Made’ TELL DR. PHIL YOUR STORY: Have a story in the news?