Ben Carson has now stepped into an Anti-Muslim limelight - a door which Donald Trump walked through two days ago. Since the seventeen (now sixteen) candidates began seeking the republican nomination - some have taken the tactic (or out of sincerity) of being anti-Trump, while others have tried to ride his coat-tails (or simply truly shared Donald's ideology). A few of these examples are more obvious while many are not - and these are very important distinctions to make.
Pundits and others have inquired along these lines with respect to Ben Carson's statement earlier today on Meet The Press. Was the retired neurosurgeon truly sincere (or was he trying to ride the Trump train?) when Chuck Todd asked him, "So do you believe that, ah, Islam is consistent with the - Constitution?"
Ben Carson responded, "Ah, No I don't. I do not. I, I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation. I absolutely would not agree with that."
Answer: Yes. Ben Carson meant what he said - regardless of what Trump thinks. He is sincere.
Although Ben Carson has agreed with Trump on multiple issues in what appears to many to be tactical decisions in an attempt to climb in the polls - this Anti-Muslim stance of Caron's is indeed sincere.
Sincerity is a congruently between one's stated opinions and their true feelings. Politicians are famous for their chronic insincerity. A person may very well be sincere regarding a subject which you find reprehensible - or an opinion you hold dear. Ben Carson's nonverbal signals, his verbal language and his paralanguage are all congruent in this video segment. That's not to say Carson's sincere all the time (no one is) - but here the man meant what he said.
Can you dissect all of Carson's components of sincerity? Can you suss-out the B.S. as well as you think you can?
See also:
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3315: Carly Fiorina, John Kasich and the Ten Dollar Bill - Republican Debate Body Language
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3311: Ben Carson to Donald Trump - "He's an Okay Doctor" - Trump's Body Language Faux Pas
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3287: Hillary Clinton, Email Servers and Crisis Management
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3247: Barack Obama's Response to Question regarding Revoking Bill Cosby's Presidential Medal of Freedom
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2928: Oscar Pistorius, Hugging, Affection and Sincerity
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2951: Miss America 2015 - Sincerity, Surprise and Botox
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3233: Chris Christie formally enters the 2016 Presidential Race - What about his Body Language?
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