Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3772: Mitt Romney Meets with Donald Trump - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





Mitt Romney dined with Donald Trump and RNC Chairman Reince Priebus last night at a restaurant in Manhattan. Afterward, Governor Romney gave a short statement to the press which is included in the above video.

Notice Mr. Romney's tendency to speak out of the right side of his mouth many times during this entire interview. Whenever you see this particular nonverbal speech pattern over a prolonged period - you should immediately think of the following more probable causes:

1. Medical Condition - Such as injury, birth deformity, stroke, facial palsy or other similar condition.

2. A Smile - More typically an insincere smile, although a sincere smile may be asymmetrical, particularly while beginning or if being suppressed.

3. A small minority of individuals have a life-long pattern of continually speaking in an asymmetrical fashion regardless of the scenario (Habit/Tic-like Behavior/Idiosyncrasy).

4. Acquiescence/Resignation/Regret - this is extremely common and nearly as commonly it's not interpreted accurately.

5. Contempt or Anger - People can display contempt or anger (usually somewhat suppressed) over the lengthy exchanges.

6. Swagger/Machismo - This etiology is somewhat more common with men. It's also seen with those individuals who are comfortable asserting their (relative) alpha status, talent, power, etc., over others. It's a signal of high confidence and tends to be more common in celebrities, athletes and others whose professions' requires dominant and highly competitive emotional tones.

7. Deception/Insincerity - This is the most common cause on this list, and almost never understood when it's displayed.

To differentiate between all of these causes, one must carefully observe all the other nonverbal signals (as well as paralanguage) occurring simultaneously (or nearly so). Taking this into account, what is the associated etiology of Gov. Romney's asymmetrical speaking? (Hint: it's not the first four.)
























See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3771: Tom Hanks Reenacts Iconic Forrest Gump Scene

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3689: Times Square Kiss on V-J Day

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3769: Fidel Castro and Nikita Khrushchev 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3746: Alicia Keys, Questlove, Krispy Kremes and Connecting the Dots 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3527: North Carolina's Governor Pat McCrory Statement regarding His Order That "Clarifies" Controversial Gender Identity Bill - Body Language Faux Pas 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3532: Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant and The Graham Norton Show

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3576: Marco Rubio's Endorsement of Donald Trump

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


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Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3771: Tom Hanks Reenacts Iconic Forrest Gump Scene - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





During his recent guest appearance on The Graham Norton Show, Tom Hanks was asked to re-enact one of his more well-remembered scenes from his Oscar Winning performance in Forrest Gump (Hanks also received another best actor Oscar in the film Philadelphia).

From a body language perspective, it's profoundly illustrative to observe such skilled actors when they're "just being themselves" - and this example is no exception.






















When Graham Norton asks him to re-enact the line from the film Forrest Gump - Tom Hanks (Sitting next to Mo Farah) immediately (and very briefly) touches his right eye with his right hand (2:21) as he squeezes his right thigh with his left hand (lasting about 2-3 seconds), an instant before he says "I would - be happy to do it, but you must show the lady with the cue card - because otherwise people will think I've actually memorized this so ...."






















Hanks then proceeds to squeeze his left thigh for a longer duration.

Real-life often has a mixing of several simultaneous emotions. When Mr. Hanks touched his right eye, this was (subconsciously) signaling his telling of a little lie ("I would - be happy to do it ...") - but also at the same time, he was feeling anxiety about the act of delivering the line - thus his thigh squeezing.

Although professional actors "pretend for a living" (lying within the social contract of acting) - they're of course only human. Therefore their true selves (true emotions) are constantly "leaking" through - and are easily seen - if you know what to look for. The same is true in the every day world (for the other 99.99% who are not nearly as skilled as Hanks) - and their deception signals also leak through and are easily spotted - if you know what to look for.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3770: Fidel Castro, Ed Sullivan and Mirroring

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3768: Cuban Leader Fidel Castro Dies

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3765: Conjoined twins Jadon and Anias McDonald - See each other directly for the first time

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3763: Matt Smith, Claire Foy and Where NOT to be stung by a Wasp - Body Language, Emotional Intelligence and Predicting Empathy 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3707: The Presidential Debates Part III - Donald Trump v. Hillary Clinton and Sniffing

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3674: Drake Presents Rihanna with Vanguard Award - 2016 MTV Video Music Awards 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3634: Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, the Democratic National Convention, Emails and Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3563: Ariana Grande, Lip Stick, Microexpressions and Body Language 


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Monday, November 28, 2016

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3770: Fidel Castro, Ed Sullivan and Mirroring - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)




























This image of Ed Sullivan and Fidel Castro was taken on 11 January 1959 in Cuba. It was only ten days after Castro's forces overthrew President Fulgencio Batista. Castro would be officially sworn in as Prime Minister of Cuba on 16 February 1959.

From a body language perspective, it's easy to see that both of these men have their arms folded across their chests (as well as several other variations with the surrounding men). Unbeknownst to Castro, this was one of Ed Sullivan's default body language configurations. And if we could travel back in time in our collective DeLoreans, we'd counsel Mr. Sullivan that his arm crossing didn't build him rapport with his audiences. On the contrary, arm crossing is a rapport destroying nonverbal. Excluding the possibility of relatively low temperatures (thus a person trying to stay warm by decreasing their body surface area), arm crossing is not only a significantly beta behavior (in most settings) - but more specifically it projects a low level of emotional comfort, low confidence and  defensiveness. It can be thought of as a method of "Emotional Blocking".

Arm Crossing body language can also be seen when feelings of hostility and/or impatience are present, which, although these are both certainly rapport destroying behaviors - in certain scenarios these emotions can simultaneously be forms of alpha behavior.

Novices of nonverbal communication may be aware of the phenomenon of mirroring. Mirroring is one tool we all naturally use when we're in strong agreement with another person, have affection for them - or with those to whom we're are sexually attracted (these last to circumstances are not suggested here). Mirroring of another person's body language can be performed deliberately (consciously) - or as it's seen much more often, occurring naturally (subconsciously).

Great care must taken when deliberately mirroring another person - so that it's not performed too exactly (whether with respect to another person's exact physical form - or mirroring too precisely in time [performed immediately after another person changes their body language]) - lest they become aware of possible manipulation or clandestine intent.

In addition, many mirroring novices will mimic negative nonverbal behavior without realizing it (as Fidel Castro is doing here) - thus they not only don't build any rapport - they destroy it.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3769: Fidel Castro and Nikita Khrushchev

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3767: Joseph Gordon-Levitt on playing Edward Snowden - but How Do Tom Hanks and Gemma Arterton feel?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3764: Donald Trump's "A Message from the President-Elect"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3558: Mila Kunis Nixes Ashton Kutcher's choice regarding Their Baby's Name

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3756: Amy Adams, Anxiety and Hesitancy to Disclose 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3387: Daniel Radcliffe, James McAvoy, The Graham Norton Show and Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3514: Casting Rey - The Force Awakens Bonus Features - Daisy Ridley's Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3522: Felicity Jones in New Star Wars Trailer: "Rogue One" - Body Language Tells 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3403: "Johnnie Walker - Dear Brother" Commercial

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3295: Jim Harbaugh, Michigan Football and Predicting Violent Behavior

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Sunday, November 27, 2016

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3769: Fidel Castro and Nikita Khrushchev - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTO)


This image of Fidel Castro and Nikita Khrushchev was taken during Castro's visit to The Soviet Union in May of 1963 (about 7 months after the Cuban Missile Crisis).

From a nonverbal perspective, this is a very illustrative moment - for although Castro was significantly taller that Khrushchev (Some sources report Fidel was 6'3" [1.91 m] to Nikita's 5'3" [1.60 m] although in most photos Castro appears to be only 7 or 8 inches taller [17.8 cm - 20.3 cm]), the Soviet leader's hand is positioned on top of the Cuban's - and moreover it was Khrushchev (the Alpha) who lifted Castro's (the Beta) hand - not the other way around.

This Hand-on-Top configuration (as well as the dynamic act of lifting another person's hand) are together very classic body language displays of dominance on the part of the stronger Khrushchev to his subordinate Castro.


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See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3768: Cuban Leader Fidel Castro Dies - the Double-L and Critical Evaluation

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3765: Conjoined twins Jadon and Anias McDonald - See each other directly for the first time

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3763: Matt Smith, Claire Foy and Where NOT to be stung by a Wasp - Body Language, Emotional Intelligence and Predicting Empathy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3761: Mitt Romney, Donald Trump and the Secretary of State

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3720: The 2nd Presidential Debate - Donald Trump v. Hillary Clinton

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3694: Donald Trump, Jimmy Fallon and Messing Up Hair

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3659: Ryan Lochte's "Today Show" Interview regarding Alleged Rio Robbery

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret No. 1162: Ahmadinejad, Napoleon, al-Assad and Dominance 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3530: Justin Trudeau, Quantum Computing and Body Language


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3768: Cuban Leader Fidel Castro Dies - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)




























Fidel Castro (Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz) died yesterday. Mr. Castro was a Cuban revolutionary leader and politician (a Marxist–Leninist and Cuban nationalist) who governed the Republic of Cuba - first as Prime Minister (1959 to 1976) and then as President (1976 to 2008).

Each of the two images included here show a very common nonverbal signal known as "The Double-L". It is one of many which characterizes the thought-emotion of "Critical Evaluation". The Double-L is named so because of the two simultaneous right angles (or relatively so) made between the thumb and the forefinger (index finger) - and another similar angle between the forefinger and the middle finger (although this configuration is not fully visible here in either photo).

In the image above, notice also Fidel is not looking directly at the person to whom he's speaking. His head is turned so that his eyes have to also turn in order to fixate on his subject. We often don't turn our heads (or bodies) directly toward a person we don't like, don't trust (believe) or don't respect. This cluster of body language behaviors (Head-Turn, Eye-Turn, Double-L) are all congruent and thus amplify each other.

Very often when the Double-L is used, there's a disparity between what is being said aloud - vs. the person's true thoughts and feelings. Thus it's helpful to think of this particular critical evaluation signal as saying, "I'm not buying what you're selling, but I'm not going to say so (or I might say it in an indirect manner)".

The image below is a study in contrast - as well as one of deception. Note that Castro is in the midst of blowing a kiss with his right hand - yet with his left hand he's configured in a Double-L. The act of blowing a kiss is a very conscious and affectionate (or feigned-affectionate) act, while the Double-L is nearly always subconscious (and signals negative emotions). Whenever there's such conscious-subconscious nonverbal disagreement - it's the subconscious body language which always telegraphs the true thought-feelings.























See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3767: Joseph Gordon-Levitt on playing Edward Snowden - but How Do Tom Hanks and Gemma Arterton feel?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3764: Donald Trump's "A Message from the President-Elect"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3762: Mike Pence responds to 'Hamilton' Cast Message

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3760: Rory McIlroy's "Little Interviews"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3738: Gary Johnson Loses His Temper

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3693: Grace VanderWaal Wins America's Got Talent Season 11

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3654: Hope Solo Calls Swedish Team "Cowards" after US Loss in Rio

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2635: Raúl Castro and Barack Obama Shake Hands at Nelson Mandela's Memorial

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3504: Raúl Castro Lifts Barack Obama's Arm at Press Conference


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Friday, November 25, 2016

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3767: Joseph Gordon-Levitt on playing Edward Snowden - but How Do Tom Hanks and Gemma Arterton feel? - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





Joseph Gordon-Levitt played Edward Snowden in the 2016 Oliver Stone film Snowden. During his recent guest appearance on The Graham Norton Show Mr. Gordon-Levitt spoke about meeting Snowden's parents at the premier. Gordon-Levitt's voice cracked as he choked up a bit - and as can be expected there was a multitude of great body language examples contained in this encounter. Several strategic nonverbal reactions of fellow guests, Tom Hanks and Gemma Arterton are highlighted in this post.

Beginning at 1:50, Graham Norton asks, "And isn't there some hope that Obama ahhh, might, one of the last things he does, might be to pardon him?"

Gordon-Levitt says, "I, I mean yeah, there's, there's a lot of ah, important, and, and influential human rights groups like Amnesty International and the ACLU that, that have appealed to President Obama to, to pardon Edward Snowden because, you know, ultimately what he did was, was a great service to the country and the World. Um, you know ..."





















The image above was captured at 2:10 just after Gordon-Levitt says "country" within the sentence, "... ultimately what he did was, was a great service to the country ..."

Gordon-Levitt's body configuration of his feet flat on the floor, his legs moderately spread apart, his left hand pointed-in and palm down on his thigh, his right hand palm-down on his knee and his jacket unbuttoned - an example of an alpha-beta hybrid cluster (not too alpha, and not too beta) however a bit more toward the alpha end of the spectrum. This shows high confidence and sincere conviction to his statement regarding Edward Snowden.

Look at Tom Hanks' however - his face is consistent with that of disgust as well as a bit of a "WTF?" expression.

It's also profoundly telling that both Tom Hanks and Gemma Arterton are both not-so-subtly leaning away from Joseph Gordon-Levitt.






















Moreover, if you look at Tom Hanks' hands - they are displaying a variation of what is termed a "Pistol Steeple". This body language is a metaphor for a firearm - and signals a high level of critical evaluation of either Gordon-Levitt's opinion regarding Edward Snowden, Snowden himself - or both. It's helpful to think of this as Hanks "shooting down" Gordon-Levitt's statement.





















As Gordon-Levitt says, "... and to the World ..." Gemma Arterton tilts her head and neck back as she continues to look at him speaking. This is also indicative of critical evaluation and is very demonstrative of the old idiom, "Looking down your nose at him".

Summary: Although Tom Hanks and Gemma Arterton may very well like Joseph Gordon-Levitt as a person or actor - their nonverbal displays show very clearly that neither are fans of Edward Snowden.

It's noteworthy to point out as well, that despite the fact that Arterton and Hanks are both very accomplished actors, they are only human. Thus not only do their true feelings "leak" out all the time during such interviews (despite what they may say verbally) - but also their body language when they're acting on camera is not always accurate.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3765: Conjoined twins Jadon and Anias McDonald - See each other directly for the first time 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3763: Matt Smith, Claire Foy and Where NOT to be stung by a Wasp - Body Language, Emotional Intelligence and Predicting Empathy 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3761: Mitt Romney meets with Donald Trump 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3759: Nicole Kidman's and Jimmy Fallon's Almost Date Redux 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3739: Hillary Clinton's Statement regarding FBI Probe

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3709: Kate Middleton - The face you make when you’re married to a prince but you meet Justin Trudeau

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3563: Ariana Grande, Lip Stick, Microexpressions and Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3525: Kristen Bell Slaps a Reporter On "The Boss" Red Carpet (This was a PR Stunt)


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Thursday, November 24, 2016

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3765: Conjoined twins Jadon and Anias McDonald - See each other directly for the first time - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)



















Conjoined twins Anias (left) and Jadon McDonald were successfully separated after a 27 hour surgery about 6 weeks ago. Thankfully they are making a record recovery. And although in the past, they could see each other in a mirror or via photographs (and even each others hands) - the image above captures the moment when, after their surgery, they first looked at each other directly.

(Empathy-test side bar: You should be in tears right now)

From a nonverbal perspective, many would confuse Jadon's and Anias' expression with that of surprise, it's not - rather it is that of emotional shock/emotional processing.
























Note both Jadon's and Anias' mouths - each is partially open, but not widely so. The mouth of true surprise is opened wider - in a vertically-oriented oval shape (but also show no teeth). The mouth of emotional shock/emotional processing is characterized by relaxed jaw muscles (temporalis, internal pterygoid and masseter) - which give rise to the colloquials - "Mouth Agape", "Drop Jawed" and "Slack Jawed". Although they are very young, and almost no one has lived through a similar experience, almost everyone can put themselves in their proverbial shoes. Their intellectual brains rare suddenly recognizing a profound new fact - yet their emotional brains have yet to come to terms with the new course of events ("I can't wrap my brain around it").






















When comparing the facial expression of emotional processing/emotional shock to that of surprise - the eyes behave similarly to the mouth. For while with the former the eyes are certainly opened wider than baseline, they are not opened as wide as with sincere surprise. On the surface, this may appear to some to be a simple matter of degrees, it's not. Although their Venn diagrams overlap, Emotional Processing/Emotional Shock is a different emotion than that of surprise.  





















Another important distinction between these two feelings is that Emotional Shock/Emotional Processing is much longer-lived, while sincere surprise is the most short-lived of all emotions. True surprise will last only for a second or two - and importantly, will be rapidly replaced by another emotion (fear, anger, sadness, joy, etc.)




See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3764: Donald Trump's "A Message from the President-Elect"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3762: Mike Pence responds to 'Hamilton' Cast Message

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3760: Rory McIlroy's "Little Interviews"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3756: Amy Adams, Anxiety and Hesitancy to Disclose

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3720: The 2nd Presidential Debate - Donald Trump v. Hillary Clinton

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3705: Hillary Clinton v. Donald Trump Presidential Debate - Trump: I'm 'smart' for paying no taxes

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3672: Jessica Alba, Swass, Body Language and Emotional Intelligence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3633: David Duke's Duplicity & The US Senate

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3578: Megan Fox, Body Language and Dismissive Emotions


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Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3764: Donald Trump's "A Message from the President-Elect" - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





One fascinating nonverbal sign is the phenomenon of exaggerated mouth and lip movement. There are few examples more demonstrative of this body language principle than those which regularly are seen on the face of President-Elect of the United States. What follows is a partial body language analysis of Donald Trump's recent statement on his transition and his policy of his first 100 days.

When a person uses exaggerated mouth and lip movements they feel that they are THE DOMINANT person in their current (real-time) interaction group. They view themselves as THE ALPHA - and everyone else is beta. When it's a conversation between that person and one other - the group is only two. When a person is being televised or with an anticipated high-volume internet audience - the group is of course many times larger.

If Donald Trump truly wishes to build rapport and gain influence with those people who may be "giving him a chance" to lead - he should dramatically reduce his exaggerated lip and mouth movement. Maintaining such amplified speaking dynamics will repel the majority of people (all but those whom already agree with him).

Question: What else serves to amplify this nonverbal mouth-lip hyperbole?

Answer: The relative lack of movement of the rest of his face - particularly his forehead (Mr. President-Elect, stop getting Botox treatments on most of your forehead. It makes you less expressive and inhibits your ability to feel empathy - or elicit similar feelings in others). When such an important part of one's face is effectively paralyzed, it helps to contribute to over-action of the lips and mouth.























Moreover, the camera should have been adjusted to a wider angle allowing Mr. Trumps entire upper body - including his arms and hands to be visible. The more we see of a person, the more we tend to like and trust them. If we only see a person's face - this rapport is much more difficult. Indeed, he would do well to consider giving a good share of any of his Oval Office speeches from a standing position (with a thin, minimal lectern). This would tend to project strength, decisiveness and assertiveness - while sitting behind a desk (particularly with no hands or arms visible) projects tentativeness, defensiveness and a lower confidence level.

























 See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3763: Matt Smith, Claire Foy and Where NOT to be stung by a Wasp - Body Language, Emotional Intelligence and Predicting Empathy 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3761: Mitt Romney meets with Donald Trump

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3759: Nicole Kidman's and Jimmy Fallon's Almost Date Redux 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3741: Bryan Cranston, Benedict Cumberbatch, Weddings and Tears

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3587: The Orlando Mass Shooting, Omar Mateen and Warning Signs

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3574: Selena Gomez's Body Language Reaction to Fans in Montreal

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3357: Justin Bieber leaves/walks off the stage in Oslo

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3754: Donald Trump, Mike Pence and Paul Ryan

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3591: Jo Cox, The Brexit and Sincere Smiles


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Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3763: Matt Smith, Claire Foy and Where NOT to be stung by a Wasp - Body Language, Emotional Intelligence and Predicting Empathy (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





As usual, drinking milk (or anything) while watching The Graham Norton's Show is definitely NOT recommended (lest it exit through your nose). This episode with David Attenborough, Claire Foy and Matt Smith was no exception.

Graham Norton asked Matt Smith to tell of his encounter with a certain wasp. Smith then told his story of how he was stung on his "nackers" whilst in the midst of sex.

The image below (from 2:39 in the video) was taken during the one of the multiple comedic climaxes. Note that Ms. Foy has both hands on her face - and Mr. Smith, with his hands covering his face, is in a somewhat similar position. While there is certainly a significant component of embarrassment present in this moment (e.g., both are blushing - and Smith's eye contact has momentarily dropped to zero) - this is also another profoundly important nonverbal predictor of future (and past) behavior conveyed here.

When recalling, witnessing, hearing, etc., a story with a significant emotional component (here pain, embarrassment and humor) - those individuals who cover their faces (usually with hands however sometimes with the arm, a hat, etc.) have both higher empathy quotients as well as higher sincerity quotients. Thus this behavior does not only tell us about real-time emotions - but it's also an accurate predictor of these overall personality traits.
























See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3762: Mike Pence responds to 'Hamilton' Cast Message 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3760: Rory McIlroy's "Little Interviews"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3558: Mila Kunis Nixes Ashton Kutcher's choice regarding Their Baby's Name

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3747: Jake Gyllenhaal, Dark Chocolate, Body Language and Emotional Intelligence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3736: Newt Gingrich and Megyn Kelly re: Donald Trump

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3699: The Tulsa Police and the Shooting Death of Terence Crutcher

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3676: Colin Kaepernick Says He Be Sitting Down During the National Anthem

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3619: Lone Protester, Baton Rouge Police and Body Language and Emotional Intelligence


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3762: Mike Pence responds to 'Hamilton' Cast Message - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





No doubt you've heard - on Friday night Mike Pence attended the Broadway musical Hamilton.

After the Tony-winning performance was completed, Brandon Victor Dixon (the actor playing Aaron Burr) read a statement to Vice President-Elect Pence:

We have a message for you, sir. We hope that you will hear us out. Vice President-elect Pence, we welcome you, and we truly thank you for joining us here at Hamilton: An American Musical. We really do. We, sir, we are the diverse America who are alarmed and anxious that your new administration will not protect us, our planet, our children, our parents, or defend us and uphold our inalienable rights, sir. But we truly hope this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and to work on behalf of all of us, all of us. … We truly thank you for sharing this show — this wonderful American story told by a diverse group of men, women, of different colors, creeds, and orientations.

You've also probably heard that President-Elect Donald Trump then came to Pence's defenses and "twittorialized" (editorialized via twitter) and demanded an apology:
















Although there's many signals for low sincerity, the best single indicator of insincerity is frequent over-use of an elevated central forehead muscle contraction. The correlation grows even stronger when this forehead finding is coupled with a partial (mild) mouth smile.

























If you were Daniel Day Lewis or Meryl Streep - and you were cast as an insincere character - one facial expression you certainly would want to adopt a good share of the time is an elevated central forehead contraction with a partial mouth smile.






















As it turns out, many politicians (of all stripes) routinely over-use this same facial expression. For many it's one of their few default faces. They believe they're projecting empathy, patience and understanding - but (for all except their most loyal constituents) it backfires - and instead it sends signals of insincerity and sarcastic incredulity.

Summary: VP-Elect Mike Pence was not being sincere when he said he "wasn't offended" by the remarks made by a representative cast member of Hamilton (Brandon Victor Dixon).


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3761: Mitt Romney meets with Donald Trump

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3759: Nicole Kidman's and Jimmy Fallon's Almost Date Redux

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3557: How Megyn Kelly really feels regarding Bill O'Reilly 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3743: Ronda Rousey's Anxiety - Anticipating Her Next Fight

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3739: Hillary Clinton's Statement regarding FBI Probe

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3697: NYC Bombing Suspect Ahmad Khan Rahami in Custody

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3662: Weverton Dives, Neymar Kicks and Brazil Wins Gold

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3619: Lone Protester, Baton Rouge Police and Body Language



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Sunday, November 20, 2016

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3761: Mitt Romney meets with Donald Trump - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





The President-Elect met with former Presidential Candidate and Gov. Mitt Romney Saturday at Donald Trump's golf retreat in Bedminster, New Jersey. Trump has said that he is considering Mr. Romney for the position of US Secretary of State.  Given the recent bitter history between the two men, this statement surprised pundits and citizens alike .

























The image above (from 0:12 in the video) was taken at the conclusion of their meeting as Gov. Romney was departing. Note the position of each man's feet. Trump's feet are pointed straight ahead, rotated 90 degrees away from Romney - and while Romney's feet are not pointed directly at the President-elect, they are rotated much more in his direction. Romney's feet, legs and hips are also much more in alignment (although he is mildly rotated). Trump's hips are rotated mildly relative to his feet - but his torso is considerably rotated. We "whole-body point" - and particularly point our feet at those people they respect and/or like.

Trump's right hand is pulling Romney's right hand and arm close to his lower torso - into his intimate space. Moreover, Trump's touching/gripping of Romney's right shoulder is a dominance display of power - as well as an example of feigned intimacy (feigned friendship). President Elect Trump should not shake hands in this manner as it is alienating, patronizing and intimidating (and thus rapport destroying).


























Despite this second image taken from a fairly out-of-focus camera (during 0:16), we can also see that Gov. Romney is displaying either contempt (if primary involving the left side of his face) - or disgust (if both sides of his face were involved). He is also feeling some bitterness and regret.

Summary: Body Language analysis of Donald Trump's and Mitt Romney's brief on-camera interaction yesterday demonstrates that Trump does not respect Romney and will not pick him for his Secretary of State. Governor Romney also has disgust (or contempt) for President Elect Trump.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3760: Rory McIlroy's "Little Interviews"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3558: Mila Kunis Nixes Ashton Kutcher's choice regarding Their Baby's Name

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3756: Amy Adams, Anxiety and Hesitancy to Disclose

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3754: Donald Trump, Mike Pence and Paul Ryan

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3751: Barack Obama and Donald Trump Meet at the White House

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3710: Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte Compares Himself With Hitler

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3564: Kanye West, Ellen and Beta Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3540: Johnny Manziel's Ego - Body Language Tells


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Saturday, November 19, 2016

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3760: Rory McIlroy's "Little Interviews" - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





This version of "Little Interviews" is highly recommended - not only for its comedic value, but also for its wealth of body language moments.

Rory McIlroy is by most accounts a likable personality - and he held up well in Billy's hot seat. Yet Caroline Wozniacki's spirit was also on the set.

Beginning at the 2:19 mark, Billy begins: "I know Andy Murray's a good mate of yours, but who's your favorite girrrrrrrl tennis player?".

McIlroy [laughing sincerely, but in a self-deprecating 'I've-been-caught' manner and blushing]: "Ohhhh, ahhh, favorite girl tennis player ..... ah-ummm [looks down to his right and scratches his right shoulder with his left hand followed with a puffer fish exhalation].

Billy: [brief laughter]

McIlroy: "Honestly Billy, I've stopped following women's tennis [R2E2 with a brief nodding up and down] ... the last couple years."

Billy: "Maybe a good call."

McIlroy: "I think so."




















2:37




Scratching the opposite shoulder is a signal of "honest anxiety" - and more specifically a hesitancy to  discuss (or disclose). It's often seen when a person is searching for the "right words".

When someone looks down to their right - it's an epiphenomenon of a simultaneous experience of sincere and significant emotion tone - often correlated with affection, melancholy, love, regret and sadness.

A deep exhalation with the billowing outward of one's cheeks ("Puffer Fish") has a calming affect - slowing down the heart rate and respiration while also lowering the blood pressure. It's also very often correlated with the completion of a difficult act or decision and is seen with feelings of resignation (thus somewhat similar to a slow shrugging).




















2:41




As he turns to Billy and says, "Honestly Billy, I've stopped following women's tennis ... the last couple years", Rory McIlroy makes an R2E2 (Rationalization Rapport Empathy Expression) along with subtle nodding of his head. This is very obviously a deception and his R2E2 display is an effort to convince the audience and young Billy by recruiting him as a co-rationalizer. While the R2E2 is not always indicative of deception - it is seen frequently in that context and very often the person displaying it is also trying to convince their self.

From a paralanguage perspective, McIlroy's use of the word "Honestly" here is also very conspicuous for a lie and/or an agenda-driven undercurrent. Although this coupling of correlated behaviors is completely missed by 99.7% of people, nonverbal signals are often paired with such statement-analysis (language analysis) tells.

Summary: Rory McIlroy has regrets regarding his past relationship with Caroline Wozniacki and still harbors significant affection for her.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3759: Nicole Kidman's and Jimmy Fallon's Almost Date Redux

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3557: How Megyn Kelly really feels regarding Bill O'Reilly

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3755: Donald Trump, Empathy and Facial Expressions

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3745: Kris Bryant Smiles Throughout the Entire Last Play of Game Seven

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3734: SNL's spoof on the 3rd Presidential Debate - and 3 Insincerity Flags

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3701: Hillary Clinton, Between Two Ferns With Zach Galifianakis

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3652: Simone Manuel & Penny Oleksiak Win Olympic Gold

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3603: David Cameron's Resignation, The Brexit and Beta Body Language

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