At the end of the Democratic Convention later this week, Debbie Wasserman-Schultz will resign as chair of the DNC. This morning at the breakfast meeting for the Florida delegates she was heavily booed. The image above was captured during that meeting.
Although we can't see her mouth, from a nonverbal perspective, we know Ms. Wasserman-Schultz is feeling deep sadness. She knows she's made a big mistake - as the contents of her and others' emails at the DNC are being "submitted to a candid world" via WikiLeaks.
When emotional pain or physical pain is significant (either for oneself or for others via empathy), the central forehead is contracted and elevated (elevated CFC). Charles Darwin was the first to describe this in the scientific literature, nicknaming it "The Grief Muscle".
Note also the considerable contraction and tension of Rep. Wasserman-Schultz's lower eyelids. Along with this, her entire eyebrows (as a unit) are lowered - simultaneous with the elevation of the inner (medial) portions of her eyebrows.
In addition the muscles on the upper "bridge" of the nose and between the eyelids are also contracted.
Ms. Wasserman-Schultz is NOT covering her mouth and nose to prevent others from seeing her tears. The reason we configure our hands in this manner during times of such pain is a epiphenomenon of emotional processing. The logical brain knows what is transpiring - but the emotional brain has not yet fully grasped what is happened.
See also:
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3633: David Duke's Duplicity & The US Senate
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3409: Debbie Wasserman Schultz's Reaction to Bernie Sander's Criticism of the DNC
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3595: LeBron James, Disbelief and Emotional Processing
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3485: Chris Christie's Facial Expressions standing behind Donald Trump - Bad Body Language on Super Tuesday
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3333: Did Bill Clinton ask Donald Trump to Run for President?
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3614: Daniel Radcliffe, Imperium and a Subtle Body Language Tell
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3568: Hillary Clinton, (Low) Likability, Rapport (Destroying) and Body Language
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3625: Donald Trump Introduces Mike Pence as his "1st Choice" VP Pick (Not!)
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