Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2763: Richard Nixon, My Lai Massacre - Conscious and Subconscious Body Language Display (VIDEO, PHOTOS)


Recently documents have surface which implicate the Nixon administration and perhaps Richard Nixon himself in efforts to sabotage the Courts Martial of Lieutenant William Calley, Captain Ernest Medina and others involved in the My Lai Massacre.

The murder of between 374 - 504 innocent civilians by U.S. troops in 1968 had become a public relations nightmare for his administration.

In a document recently uncovered in H.R. Haldeman's handwriting, the Nixon associated euphemism, "Dirty Tricks" is seen - as well as "discredit witness", "not too high a level" and "keep working on the problem" were used. It may never be known whether Nixon himself gave orders or what ultimately was carried out, but in the words of James Rife a senior historian at History Associates, Inc. - "I would not characterize [Haldeman's note] as a smoking gun, but it's pretty strong."

The image above of President Nixon demonstrates him at a moment of emotionally contradictory body language. So what's really going on here?

His "Thumbs Up" gesture is very nearly universal nonverbal emblem of optimism and good intent. This is a very conscious display. However one look at Mr. Nixon's face and we see a very significant disgust expression - which is very subconsciously driven. This is not emotional dissonance. It's is a lie. The President wants to falsely project a positive emotional tone - but what is deliberately displayed by his hand is trumped by the "leakage" of his true feelings on his face.

Whenever two nonverbals are in disparity - and if one is subconscious and the other is conscious - it is the subconscious one which betrays a person's true feelings.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2134:  A Watershed Body Language Moment:  Nixon - Kennedy Debates 1960

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2616: John Kennedy and Richard Nixon Handshake at Kennedy Inaugural Address, One Body Language Maneuver to Counter a Dominance Display

Nonverbal Communication Negotiation Secret # 323:  I am Not a Crook!

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2761: What Specific Dance Qualities makes a Hetero Man Attractive to Women? The Body Language of Dancing

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2150:  Body Language Advice for  President Obama and Governor Romney in Tonight's Debate

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2750: Oscar Pistorius, Reeva Steenkamp and Lies - Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2762: Pepsi Max's "Unbelievable" Bus Shelter Video - Body Language






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