Dr. Abbie Maroño

Body Language & Nonverbal Communication Expert

Dr. Abbie Maroño is a behavioral and social scientist based in Orlando, FL. She is acknowledged by the U.S. Department of State as a top 1% expert in her field and has delivered specialized behavioral analysis training to representatives from 29 U.S. federal agencies, including the U.S. Secret Service, FBI, and Department of Homeland Security. Dr. Abbie is the creator of The Upper Hand, a proprietary framework for understanding human decision-making and influence. After delivering this training, the U.S. Secret Service recognized her expertise with an award for outstanding contribution to their forensic services. Dr Abbie earned her PhD in psychology from Lancaster University and became a Professor of Psychology at 23, now serving as Director of Education at Social-Engineer, LLC, specializing in behavior analysis. She contributes regularly to Forbes, Court TV, and Apple News and has been featured on BBC News, Fox News, WIRED, and Forbes Breaking News.

Education

Lancaster University, UK, PhD in Psychology

Professional Achievements

Top 1% Extraordinary Abilities in the Sciences, United States Department of State
Outstanding contribution to forensic services, United States Secret Service
Creator of The Upper Hand, a proprietary framework for understanding human decision-making and influence
Outstanding Reviewer Literati Award, Journal of Criminal Psychology
Highly sought-after expert witness, retained for high-profile cases, including lawsuits involving A-list celebrities

Favorite Piece of Advice

Every dream is achievable, but only if you’re willing to work for it and make the necessary sacrifices. Success isn’t magic, it’s math. You have to decide how much you want it compared to what you’re willing to give up for it. Once you know that, it’s about creating a plan, taking action, and being prepared for the opportunities you’re working toward.

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Forum Comments (1)

What should I say when asked "what are your salary expectations?"

Be confident but not dominant. Try to show them that you are collaborative but also stand your ground. Be patient, calm, and polite. This will ensure they are receptive to you.

Q&A Comments (1)

How do I greet someone I'm meeting for the first time?

The best way to start any first meeting is always with a smile. We actually make judgments about how trustworthy someone is in just 33 milliseconds. In less than a second of seeing someone’s face, our brain decides whether that person feels safe or not. So your smile really matters. When you give a genuine smile, it triggers oxytocin in the brain, which tells the body’s fight response, “Hey, this person’s safe, everything’s fine.” Smiling creates an instant sense of connection and trust.

Co-authored Articles (1)

A Guide to the Different Types of Smiles & What They Really Mean

Learn which smiles convey happiness, attraction, & contemptWhile we tend to associate smiling with happiness, smiling is actually a complex gesture that can express a wide range of emotions like agreeableness, attraction...