Sunday, May 31, 2015

Nonverbal Communication No. 3201: Nazi War Criminal Oskar Gröning - Dissecting Body Language in Court (PHOTO)























Oskar Gröning is currently in the midst of a trial for war crimes. He was a former Nazi and SS junior squad leader at Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II. Please read further about his background - yet not until you've evaluated the photo for its nonverbal behavior content - what follows is this analysis.

Asymmetric Forehead: At first glance we see that Gröning's left forehead is contracted - but upon a more careful inspection - and comparison with multiple crossed-referenced images - we see it's the his right side of face (including his forehead) that has suffered a facial nerve (peripheral cranial nerve VII) palsy. Thus his left side is not contracted so much as the right side of his face is considerably hypo-functional. This asymmetry gives the false-appearance of a nonverbal signal of disbelief. Can you name any politicians who have this same phenomenon - and therefore are chronically projecting incredulity (and losing votes with their electorates and influence with their colleagues)?

Lateral Lip Purse: This facial configuration displays an open (non-secretive) choice contemplation. This is usually expressing a dichotomous thought-process (e.g., Should I choose A or B? Is he right or wrong?, etc.).

Elevated Central Forehead Contraction (along with inner eyebrows): - This indicates emotional pain or physical pain experience directly for oneself - or for another via empathy. It's extremely important that these interpretations must have congruent mouth expressions - with this in mind, is Gröning's mouth consistent with his central forehead display and any of these types of pain? If you believe the allegations of WWII Nazi war crimes, does this change the way you interpret this particular nonverbal signal cluster? Do sociopaths feel emotion pain for themselves? Do they feel it for others?

Eyes fixated on a person without a corresponding head-turn/rotation: We do not tend to fully turn towards something/someone that/whom we do not like, do not respect or do not believe.

This particular hand configuration clustered with the other nonverbal signs indicates a critical evaluation.

In summary Oskar Gröning has evaluated someone/their testimony/statement/behavior, etc. during his trial for WWII war crimes, weighed what they had to say or do - and is in sharp disagreement with it or its ramifications/consequences. This brings him emotional pain (almost surely for himself, not for another person/persons).


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3200: Martin O'Malley announces Candidacy for 2016 Presidential Race - Body Language of Emotional Processing

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2976: Joseph Goebbels - Hitler's Propaganda Minister Showed this Chronic Display - Body Language Tells

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret No. 1933:  Iran's Aggression and their Military's Salute -  A Visual Metaphor of WWII & Nazi Fear

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3142: Mike Pence - Governor of Indiana interview with George Stephanopoulos & the Religious Freedom Restoration Act - What Makes Gov. Pence Look Worse?

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret No. 1267:  John McCain, Sarah Palin and Bell's Palsy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2987: Tristan Thompson Kisses Sideline Reporter Allie Clifton

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2540: Rep. Darrell Issa 'Snaps' at Reporter - Was His Anger Real or Fake? Body Language and the Forward Lip Purse

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Saturday, May 30, 2015

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3200: Martin O'Malley announces Candidacy for 2016 Presidential Race - Body Language of Emotional Processing (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





Martin O'Malley, a former Governor of Maryland, announced his candidacy for the 2016 Presidential election today in Baltimore. In the above video at 1:07 Governor O'Malley continues, "... and that is why today, to you and to all who can hear my voice, I declare that I am a candidate for President of the United States - and I - am running - for you ..." Immediately prior to his declaration (1:06 - 1:07), O'Malley wipes his forehead with his right shirt sleeve. No doubt his forehead was sweating - for it was warm and he, of course, has understandable anxiety. However this nonverbal MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) can be further nuanced - for this arm is also covering both eyes and indeed most of his face. It's considerably rare for anyone with even a moderate amount of public speaking experience, let alone a former governor and now presidential candidate to display this level of facial touching in the midst of a speech or press conference (and never recommended). This bilateral eye cover is an example of emotional processing. Said another way - his emotions are somewhat overloaded with the enormity of the moment, and although his intellect has planned for this event - his emotional brain is playing catch-up.























See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3199: Losing wrestler's sportsmanship wows crowd - A Common Body Language Sign of Anxiety

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3104: 2016 Presidential Candidate Hopeful Gov. Scott Walker - and a Body Language Signal which a Leader should NEVER adopt

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3177: Carly Fiorina Announces her Candidacy for the 2016 Presidential Race - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2783: Hillary Clinton asked again about 2016 - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2855: Hillary Clinton, 2016 Presidential Race and Duping Delight

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3199: Losing wrestler's sportsmanship wows crowd - A Common Body Language Sign of Anxiety (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





This short and currently viral video is a beautiful example of what here is termed "sportsmanship" - yet more accurately described - this act is demonstrating empathy. Malik Stewart, immediately after his loss in the 2014 Minnesota Wrestling State Finals (120 weight class) - hugs the father of his opponent and the State Champion (Mitchell McKee) - because McKee's Dad is battling cancer. As he mentions, Malik also lost his father several years ago.

Those individuals who are moved to actively suppress or display their tears while watching this video (even if they're lucky enough to have never lost a loved-one) have higher empathy quotients vs. those who remain relatively emotionally-neutral.

From a body language perspective, Mitchell McKee, Malik Stewart - and Josh Prokosch (Stewart's Coach) all interviewed in the above video - display an extremely common anxiety tell. They all rock back and forth, shifting their weight from one leg to another as they speak to the reporter. In addition, each of these athletes also display other anxiety-nonverbal signals. Did you catch these more subtler tells?

Photo & video credit: Vanessa Schlueter




Mitchell McKee

















Josh Prokosch

















Malik Stewart













See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3198: Sepp Blatter, FIFA, Subtle Fear & Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2831: "Walking Contest", Anxiety, Mirroring and False Intimacy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3078: Tom Brady, Deflategate, Deception and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2533: Angela Merkel's Low Steeple "Trademark" - A Major Body Language Mistake

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2914: François Hollande, Anxiety and Dialing up his Alpha

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1876:  Noomi Rapace, Anxiety & False Mastication 

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret No. 1209:  Even Putin has Anxiety - False Tie Adjust

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Friday, May 29, 2015

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3198: Sepp Blatter, FIFA, Subtle Fear & Body Language (PHOTOS)




















Sepp Blatter defeated Jordan's Prince Ali bin al-Hussein and was re-elected today as president of FIFA. This will be his fifth term and comes amid great scandal. Although he was not arrested with other high-level FIFA officials earlier this week on charges of bribery, wire fraud, money laundering and racketeering - some have speculated that before the dust settles - Sepp will join them.

Many misidentify this facial expression. In this moment Blatter is feeling fear. It is mild, even somewhat subtle - yet fear it is. Very often one emotion is mixed-in with another, two or even more - what other(s) is the FIFA President feeling in this photo?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3197: FIFA, Sepp Blatter and the Pseudo-Prayer

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3196: José Maria Marin, FIFA Corruption and Body Language of the "Forward Lip Purse" 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1696:  George Zimmerman's Testimony -  Fear, Incredulity, Regret & Contempt

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3135: Ariana Grande Does a Spot-On Celine Dion Impression on Jimmy Fallon - Body Language Signals of ....

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Thursday, May 28, 2015

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3197: FIFA, Sepp Blatter and the Pseudo-Prayer - Body Language (PHOTOS)






















With the exception of religious practices and some cultures' greetings and farewells - the holding of hands together in a prayer-like manner (most commonly when speaking) is termed a "Pseudo-Prayer". This body language is an example hyper-alpha nonverbal signal. The beta personality simply doesn't display it. As with all alpha (or hyper-alpha) signals, those who use it - will often over-use it (indeed this occurs the majority of the time). The pseudo-prayer projects strong feelings of arrogance, condescending emotional tones and patronizing attitudes. 

Shown above in the pseudo-prayer configuration is FIFA President, Sepp Blatter - who is running for re-election amid corruption and scandal against challenger and Jordanian Prince Ali Bin al-Hussein.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3196: José Maria Marin, FIFA Corruption and Body Language of the "Forward Lip Purse"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2738: LeBron James - Black Mask vs. Clear Mask, Body Language of Trust

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2606: Brett Farve Displays Body Language of Fear about any Son Playing Football

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3181: Cristiano Ronaldo defends Japanese boy on TV - Body Language of Deception

Nonverbal Communication Relationship Secret No. 33: Grief and Affection in Japan

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret No. 1181:  Helle Thorning-Schmidt & her False Praying Gesture

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Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3196: José Maria Marin, FIFA Corruption and Body Language of the "Forward Lip Purse" (PHOTOS)

























U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch was introduced today on the World stage. José Maria Marin (pictured above) along with other top FIFA officials were arrested in the early morning hours at the Hotel Baur au Lac in Zürich. He was one among fourteen indicted today on charges of money laundering, wire fraud, bribery and racketeering in connection with an extensive investigation by the American FBI.

Most can see that José Maria Marin is angry in this photo. His eyebrows are pulled together and directed downward. His eyelids are partially closed in a manner consistent with mild-moderate anger (What happens to the eyelids during extreme anger/rage?). His nostrils are also mildly flared along with the typical associated mid-facial tension. Yet what nearly every will completely overlook - is Marin's forward lip purse.

A forward lip purse is made by those who have a clandestine plan or a clandestine disagreement. They will voice little or no opposition - however they will be harboring significant discord. A lip purse is always made by a person who feels he's a relative alpha to another's beta personality. They virtually always have a plan that they're not sharing - and they also believe they have a strong chance of success.

When you see a forward lip purse - it's a HUGE red flag - take heed.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication No. 3195: Kinky Boots, Jeopardy, Body Language & Sheepishness

Body Language at The FIFA World Cup  Fiero after Accomplishment

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3056: Jeb Bush Interview - 14 Dec. 2014 - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3164: Johnny Depp's portrayal of Whitey Bulger in "Black Mass" trailer - Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3118: Leonard Nimoy, Spock and the Vulcan Hand Signal/Salute

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Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Nonverbal Communication No. 3195: Kinky Boots, Jeopardy, Body Language & Sheepishness (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





In this current viral video of a recent Jeopardy episode, this contestant can be seen in the midst of a cluster of facial expressions and other body language which can be described as "Sheepish" or embarrassment. 

  • Partial, suppressed Sincere Smile
  • Components of Regret (Lateral configuration left mouth)
  • Mild Elevated Central Forehead Contraction (Elevated CFC)
  • Inner (medial) Eyebrow Elevation
  • Facial blushing
  • Palms-Up Hand
  • Extended Arm towards Alex Trebek
  • Shifting stance from weight equal on both legs to an asymmetrical, one leg (In this context, this is a form of "shrugging" with the lower extremities with an anxiety component as well.)
  • Looking Down-to-his-Right



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See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3194: U.S. Senator Thad Cochran Marries Longtime Aide Kay Webber

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2778: April Fools Prank, Embarrassment and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3042: Kevin & Molly's Photo Booth Proposal

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3188: "Sending my friend into the wrong house" Viral Video - How We Hold Our Arms When We're Embarrassed ... and Running

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Monday, May 25, 2015

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3194: U.S. Senator Thad Cochran Marries Longtime Aide Kay Webber - Body Language (PHOTOS)






















This Memorial Weekend, Mississippi Senator Thad Cochran married his longtime (since 1981) assistant, Kay Webber. Rose Cochran - the senator's former wife, passed away in December 2014 after 13 years in a nursing home where, unfortunately, she suffered from dementia. In his effort to gain election to the U.S. Senate last year, Cochran's republican primary challenger, Chris McDaniel, accused Cochran of having an affair with Ms. Webber - an allegation which Cochran then denied.

The above image was taken in 2008 and although we don't know the full context of the moment - from a body language perspective it is very telling.

Senator Cochran is trying to smile - and many body language novices may indeed call this expression a "social smile" - however there's a mild (approximately a 3 on a 1-to-10 scale) yet significant fear display on his face. Do you see the specific nonverbal component this subtlety?

In stark contrast, Ms. Webber's face displays moderate disgust (about 4 out of 10). The cluster of her mid-face tension (above her upper lip and below her nose) as well as the flaring of her nostrils is unmistakable. 

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3193: Kim Jong-un, Submarine Ballistic Missile Test, Photoshop and Body Language

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret No. 1106:  Subtle Fear Display of al-Assad

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3079: Tom Brady, Deflategate - Part Deux

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3187: Supergirl & Stanislavsky Skill - First Look - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2833: Edward Snowden & Neck of Fear - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2390:  Charles Ramsey Interview & Cleveland Kidnappings -  Sarcastic Disbelief, Disgust and Exclamation 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2603: Sarah Palin's Body Language - She Feels Disgust toward Pope Francis and ... She Tells a Fib 

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Thursday, May 21, 2015

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3193: Kim Jong-un, Submarine Ballistic Missile Test, Photoshop and Body Language (PHOTOS)


























I wish I would have seen this image when it was first released by North Korea about 10-11 days ago. It purports to capture Kim Jong-un and a senior unidentified military commander witnessing a test firing of a missile from a submarine. North Korea also stated that they have made significant advancement with respect to miniaturization of nuclear warheads such that they could be launched by this or similar weapon systems (which they've claimed before - and it's been questioned by experts). This of course worries many people.

On Tuesday, senior U.S. military officials announced that this image was Photoshopped - and that North Korea is in fact, NOT yet capable of launching ballistic missiles from submarines.

Several nonverbal signs suggest that this image was tapered with:

Note Kim Jong-un's body orientation - his shoulders, torso, abdomen, hips and lower extremities are all angled significantly away from the missile and its alleged ocean-exit. We point our bodies towards that which we respect, are attracted to and/or towards that which commands our interest and focus. The orientation of Kim's body strongly shouts significant nonchalance - not such a national event of importance and pride.

The angle of Kim's left arm is wrong. Not only is it obviously too low (missiles don't accelerate that quickly when they first ocean-exit or launch, so Kim and the other man would not have difficulty keeping up with their pointing as it ascended) - but his finger/hand/arm are pointed too far to the right of both the missile and its ocean-exit point. However much more significantly - PEOPLE DON'T POINT AT EXPECTED EVENTS (surprises, yes - or if they see something amiss or out of context, yes - but not expected events like this) - it's unnatural and feigned. Look at the image below of Lyndon Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson and many surrounding them at the launch of Apollo XI (The first mission to land astronauts on the Moon). While a good number of them are shielding their eyes from the Sun - NO ONE IS POINTING! Also, note that their bodies are entirely oriented (feet, hips, torso, neck/head) at the Saturn V - although it was more than three miles away. North Korea's rocket is a certainly a smaller one, however Kim is allegedly much closer. Anyone expecting the missile launch would not point and would be completely (their entire body) turned towards it.

What may seem insignificant to some - is very indicative of a ruse in this context - the relaxed right hand of Kim's. If he were truly pointing at a significant event (also very loud, and close and potentially dangerous) with one hand/arm - his other hand would not be relaxed - it would show significant tension and be touching his upper chest (sternum, over his heart, etc.) and/or significantly closed. It would not be relaxed. Again - this screams of a casual-indifference - and thus it's feigned.




















See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3192: Jimmy Kimmel Chokes-up in his Tribute to David Letterman - a Body Language Signal of Crying Suppression & Sincerity

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3131: Kim Jong-un, his Uncle Jang Song-thaek and a Warning sign of Potential Violence - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3108: Kim Jong-un Haircut & mirroring his Deceased Dad - Kim Jong-il

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3186: Kim Jong-un, Hyon Yong-Chol, Intimidation and Arm-Movement


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Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3192: Jimmy Kimmel Chokes-up in his Tribute to David Letterman - a Body Language Signal of Crying Suppression & Sincerity (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





In each of the three moments captured in the images below, Jimmy Kimmel is suppressing tears while describing what David Letterman and his show meant to him. When attempting to squelch such emotion, one common nonverbal signal is a jaw jut clustered with a dimpling of the chin. In addition the lips will often take on an appearance as seen here - thinned and sometimes with a concave-down configuration such that a novice of body language may indeed mistake this for anger or bitter regret.

It is also very noteworthy that at each of these moments of more intense emotional display - when his face was more tense - so were Kimmel's hands - for then they were held the together in a very common example of a MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier). This is another example of body language in the midst of attempting emotional suppression (ergo the descriptor "pacifier" [Navarro]). It's a very common nonverbal phenomenon - that when the mouth and mid-face develop tension - the hands will also display it.

This was a classy tribute on Jimmy's part. Said another way - and from a nonverbal perspective, Kimmel's sincerity quotient was very high. There are many times when such emotion is feigned - but this was NOT one of them (When was the last time you were fooled?).

Thank you David Letterman.




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See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3191: Prince Charles and Sinn Féin Leader Gerry Adams Shake Hands

Nonverbal Communication No. 3100: Bill Belichick on David Letterman

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3185: Julia Roberts Recalls Her First Interview with David Letterman - a Body Language Indicator of Sincere Laughter

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2774: David Letterman Announces His Retirement

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Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3191: Prince Charles and Sinn Féin Leader Gerry Adams Shake Hands - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





Earlier today Prince Charles shook hands and met with Gerry Adams. Adams is an Irish Republican Politician and President of Sinn Féin. He is the first member of the British Royal Family to meet with leadership of Sinn Féin while in the Republic of Ireland.



This image captures Prince Charles as he is approaching Mr. Adams. While it may very well have been tea time and the Prince may have desired some caffeine - here his hands should have absolutely not been holding anything. This moment was most certainly highly choreographed - however on the chance that Mr. Adams was standing in an unanticipated location, Prince Charles should have immediately handed the cup and saucer off - so that both hands were empty upon initiating any greeting or handshake. Holding any object in front of the chest or abdomen upon meeting another person is an example of a MAP surrogate (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) - and indicates a low degree of emotional comfort. The drink and its container act as an insulator/blocking agent from that which gives the Prince anxiety. Moreover it also telegraphs disrespect and a low priority nature to the meeting.

Gerry Adams is displaying body language known as a "Fig Leaf" or "Genital Guarding". In this context it is indicative of either lower emotional comfort - or respect shown to a recognized alpha by a self-acknowledged beta (e.g. a former U.S. president would also stand similarly next to a current president during a speech - or me, if I were also meeting Prince Charles). Thus on occasion (a small minority of the time) the fig leaf is an example deliberate, conscious etiquette behavior. What other nonverbal displayed here by Mr. Adam tells us which of these two is correct in this moment?























See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3190: Taylor Swift's Body Language of Feigned Surprise

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2258:  Prince Charles worried about Harry?  What his Body Language Says

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2348:  Prince William, Alpha Personalities & Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2494:  Prince William Interview on Fatherhood and Baby George Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2202:  Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton and the  Body Language of the "Fig Leaf"

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Monday, May 18, 2015

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3190: Taylor Swift's Body Language of Feigned Surprise (PHOTOS)





















Taylor Swift cleaned up last night at the 2015 Billboard Music Awards with eight trophies including "Top Artist". This was no surprise to most - including Swift. The image above was captured earlier this year at the iHeartRadio Music Awards. In this moment she is feigning surprise. During sincere surprise the mouth opens significantly more than is seen on Ms. Swift - taking on a vertically-oriented oval appearance. Moreover, the teeth are rarely if ever visible - and NEVER to this degree. In sincere surprise the lips cover the teeth. Here Taylor Swift is indeed faking surprise.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3189: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang & U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry - Body Language - and Contrasts between Obama & Putin

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3097: Buddies at the Grammys? What Does Kanye West REALLY Think of Taylor Swift? Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2244:  Taylor Swift's Body Language, Botox & Anger on 60 Minutes

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3096: Kanye West's Body Language at the 2015 Grammys

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3151: Barack Obama and Raúl Castro Shake Hands - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3077: Barack Obama, The 2015 State of the Union Address Part II & What John Boehner Doesn't Believe
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Sunday, May 17, 2015

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3189: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang & U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry - Body Language - and Contrasts between Obama & Putin (PHOTOS)























Chinese Premier, Li Keqiang has met with United States Secretary of State, John Kerry the past two days (pictured above). Secretary Kerry has also met with Xi Jinping - the Chinese President. And while there is certainly contention on the issue of China's territorial claims and island-building in the South China Sea, the above two diplomats enjoy a good rapport. Note they are angled in towards each other - each with their torsos rotated and their far legs crossed over their near and pointed towards each other. They both are leaning towards the other (Li Keqiang more so) - as well as leaning forward - with their backs away from the chair.

Contrast this with the image below of Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin captured just outside of Moscow in July of 2009. This moment was, of course, well before the annexation of Crimea or the separatist movement in Ukraine came to a head and before the downing of the Air Malaysia Flight 17 over Ukraine - yet Putin's body language posture spoke/continues to speak volumes. His hyper-alpha "man-spreading"/seated crotch display is very much a body language expression of dominance. Moreover he's not directing his lower body toward Mr. Obama - in very deliberate non-acknowledgment of the then, newly elected American leader. President Obama is rotated both in upper and lower body towards Mr. Putin. Obama's back is away from the chair, leaning forward. Vladimir is having none of it. He's got his back against the chair and is slouching. This is very similar to what we would expect a defiant high-school boy being reprimanded by his principle/headmaster and (internally) saying, "I'm here because I have to be, but you are beneath me." Putin's elevated central forehead contraction with a trace mouth pseudo-smile is screaming incredulity, contempt, arrogance and dismissive emotional tones.


Both the Chinese and the Russians are shrewd diplomats - and certainly, one photo does not foreign policy make - yet body language does not lie. The Chinese will no doubt take a firm stand on the South China Sea and various other issues - however they want to get along. They want diplomacy. Vladimir simply doesn't care.


























A Reminder: This website serves as an objective reference source for the science and art of Body Language/Nonverbal Communication. In an effort to be both practical and academic, many examples from/of varied cultures, politicians, professional athletes, legal cases, public figures, etc. are cited in order to teach and illustrate both the interpretation of others' body language as well as the projection of one's own nonverbal skills in many different contexts - not to advance any political or religious agenda.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3188: "Sending my friend into the wrong house" Viral Video - How We Hold Our Arms When We're Embarrassed ... and Running

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3134: Ted Cruz to Announce his Candidacy for 2016 Presidential Race - Why He Will Never Win - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2317:  "The Rescuing Hug" -  Body Language of Human Touch & Kangaroo Care

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2511:  Barack Obama & Vladimir Putin  Handshake at 2013 G20 Meeting

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2436:  Vladimir Putin next to Barack Obama -  2013 G8 - Body Language
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Saturday, May 16, 2015

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3188: "Sending my friend into the wrong house" Viral Video - How We Hold Our Arms When We're Embarrassed ... and Running (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





In this currently viral video, a guy sends his friend - who hasn't yet been to his house - to the wrong address. He told him to come on in - he'd be upstairs on the Xbox. His friend, soon discovering something amiss, rapidly leaves the house - runs down the driveway, up the street and around the corner. All the while the instigator who is filming the prank watches from across the street can be heard giggling.

This incident and video provide a great body language teaching moment. When fear is present, but relatively low - and it is embarrassment that is the more prevalent emotion - when running away, we tend to keep our elbows straight and not bend them as much as we would when fleeing during higher levels of fear. And while the embarrassed friend certainly does bend his arms/elbows in a manner more consistent with a conventional running configuration some of the time - this "unbent-elbow/straightened arm running" form of body language prevails.



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See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3187: Supergirl & Stanislavsky Skill - First Look - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3135: Ariana Grande Does a Spot-On Celine Dion Impression on Jimmy Fallon - Body Language Signals of ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3146: The Price Is Right - Manuela's Blooper

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2997: Halloween Haunted Houses - Transitioning from Expressions of Surprise to Fear

Nonverbal Communication No. 3110: Scarlett Johansson gets invaded by John Travolta - An Awkward Moment from the 2015 Oscars - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3165: Bruce Jenner's 20/20 Interview, Part I - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2313: Elisa Lam Video in Elevator at Cecil Hotel - What Her Body Language Tells Us ......

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Friday, May 15, 2015

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3187: Supergirl & Stanislavsky Skill - First Look - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





Has the whole World gone super-hero crazy? Apparently. "Supergirl" comes to the small screen this September (CBS) starring Melissa Benoist as Supergirl aka Kara Zor-El aka Kara Danvers. On Tuesday a teaser/first look was released. What follows is a partial body language analysis.


(0:49) Winslow "Winn" Schott (Jeremy Jordan) displaying (left-sided) mouth of fear and neck of fear after he gets politely dissed by Kara Danvers (unbeknownst to him as yet, Supergirl). This very short-lived nonverbal display is known as a microexpression (or here, more accurately a near-microexpression). Jeremy Jordan nails this post-rejection moment and suggests he's, at least here, a Stanislavsky-skilled actor.



(1:17) Asymmetrical or Unilateral Eyebrow &/or Forehead elevation

This display indicates deception - Jimmy (err, ah, James) Olsen he does not believe his own statement. Of course Mehcad Brooks is acting, however - if this were a real-life situation and a person made a statement - and primarily or only one eyebrow and/or side of the forehead elevates - then it indicates a disbelief in their own statement - and thus deception.



(1:52) Kara Danvers/Kara Zor-El/Supergirl (Melissa Benoist) is trying to express significant frustration with regards to her job to her step-sister Alexandra "Alex" Danvers.

While pulling a shirt/sweater/top/jacket down (butt cover) after one stands up is extremely common - and most often subconsciously initiated - it's not done during moments far from emotional baseline. Kara is (supposed to be) considerably frustrated. If Melissa were completely in character (e.g. Stanislavsky-skilled) and truly frustrated, she wouldn't have performed this sweater adjust (or - if this moment were real-life).



(3:10 - 3:12) Calista Flockhart as Cat Grant, projects her character's hyper-alpha, arrogant and narcissistic qualities with high nonverbal nuance in this short video teaser. One example is having her arms spread widely on her desk. Her right hand is amplifying these emotions even further by its placement in a palm-down configuration.




See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3186: Kim Jong-un, Hyon Yong-Chol, Intimidation and Arm-Movement

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2586: Harrison Ford in "Ender's Game" - Microexpression and Macroexpression of Regret - Harrison's Brand and the Stanislavski Method

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3149: Edward Snowden on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: Government Surveillance (HBO) - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3079: Tom Brady, Deflategate - Part Deux

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2306:  George W. Bush trapped in Room -  Body Language's Microexpression of Fear

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2791: Sofia Vergara, Threesomes and Fear - Body Language & the Fading Gigolo


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Thursday, May 14, 2015

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3186: Kim Jong-un, Hyon Yong-Chol, Intimidation and Arm-Movement - Body Language (PHOTO)





















It seems being a high government official in Pyongyang is a bit dangerous. Late last month, the North Korean Defense Minister, Hyon Yong-Chol was executed. Kim Jong-un wants to be feared. As hundreds were made to watch, he was reportedly killed and his body was obliterated by anti-aircraft guns.

Whether it's an attending physician at a teaching hospital surrounded by "his" residents and medical students, a CEO circled with yes-men ... or a tyrannical leader - when an alpha personality is accompanied by his or her subordinates, there is a very significant drop-off in the amplitude, frequency and speed of the subservients' arm and hand movements. This is a very noticeable behavior pattern - regardless of the culture or country. This same phenomenon is even seen in great apes, lower-order primates as well as with other mammals. In more alpha personalities or alpha contexts the upper arm in particular will extend further from the torso - and do so more often. Faster rates of upper limb moments in the dominant personalities are also more common. Hands tend to be more open in those with power while people whom are lower in the pecking-order will tend to keep their hands more closed.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3185: Julia Roberts Recalls Her First Interview with David Letterman - a Body Language Indicator of Sincere Laughter

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2807: Barack Obama at 2014 White House Correspondents' Dinner

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3091: Vladimir Putin has Asperger's Syndrome according to Pentagon Report

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2580: Angela Merkel's Fingers, Emotions and Mobile Phone

Dating & Romance Nonverbal Communication Secret No. 1010:  Rashida Jones - What Makes the Twinkle in Her Eye?

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