Friday, March 31, 2017

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3894: Michael Flynn and Russia - "When are given immunity, it means you probably committed a crime" - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)




Yesterday, Michael Flynn's attorney made it clear that the former National Security Advisor (from January 20, 2017, to February 13, 2017) is willing to be interviewed by US Senate and House of Representatives investigators - but only in exchange for the condition of immunity from prosecution.
Earlier today the Senate Intelligence Committee turned him down.




On 25 September 2016, Michael Flynn was a guest on NBC's Meet The Press. And although at the time of this article, NBC had removed the original video from that specific episode, the clip included above is a CNN segment which contains a portion of that original interview. Many people are finding Flynn's statement here (in addition to Donald Trump's which immediately follows it and is also included) as particularly ironic - while others view it as more of a foreshadowing - or a form of a Freudian slip.

Beginning at 0:57 and on through to 1:13, Michael Flynn says, "The l- [stutter] very last thing that John Podesta just said is, 'No individual too big to jail'. That should include people like Hillary Clinton. I mean five people around her have had, have been given immunity to include her former Chief of Staff. When you g- [stutter] are given immunity, it means you probably committed a crime."

Followed by Donald Trump (1:16 - 1:21) during his candidacy, "... And if you're not guilty of a crime, what do you need immunity for? Right?"

What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of Michael Flynn.



























At many times during this short segment, Michael Flynn's forehead and eyebrows elevate in very quickly but for short duration. In addition, and more importantly, Flynn's left eyebrow also elevates unilaterally - multiple times and rather dramatically.




























A nonverbal novice or even a person with a relatively moderate level of body language experience may identify these multiple, short-lived, rapid reactions as examples of "Microexpressions" - more specifically, microexpressions displaying doubt/disbelief/incredulity. Yet these facial movements are NOT Microexpressions. They are, rather, examples of tics - and more specifically, "Simple Motor Tics".

If one views previous videos of Michael Flynn - it's clear this behavior is longstanding. Additionally, these movements are a bit too frequent and strong - to be characteristic of microexpressions (somewhat of a nonverbal analog of a staccato).





























Tics are described as "unvoluntary" or semi-voluntary - for they're not by definition involuntary. They are often characterized as a voluntary response to an unwanted and premonitory urge - that is, as an "irresistible urge, which must eventually be expressed". Tics may increase as a result of emotional states which are negative, such as anxiety, frustration -  as well as positive emotions, like anticipation or excitement. They can even arise out of boredom.



























Conclusion: This nonverbal behavior of Michael Flynn is NOT a microexpression, as it may appear to some. Rather this is a facial tic - more specifically a longstanding simple motor tic. Although tics can increase in frequency with anxiety, this does not suggest necessarily that Flynn was nervous (or lying) in this scenario - since even boredom or excitement may also increase tic behavior.

Tune in next week (or sometime soon) for his testimony. Same Bat-time, same Bat-channel.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3893: Devin Nunes' Statement to Press Outside White House after His Controversial Meeting with Donald Trump

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3891: Donald Trump and Jared Kushner - Alpha and Beta Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3889: Donald Trump's Speech from Oval Office After House AHCA Bill Being Pulled

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3884: One Important Expression James Comey Displayed Often During His Testimony Before the House Intelligence Committee

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3853: Tom Hiddleston, a School Play and Eddie Redmayne

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3638: Hillary Clinton's DNC Speech - and One Expression Which Profoundly Lowers Her Likability

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3885: Vogue's 73 Questions with Selena Gomez

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



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Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3893: Devin Nunes' Statement to Press Outside White House after His Controversial Meeting with Donald Trump - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTO)
























This photo was captured immediately after Representative Devin Nunes' now very controversial meeting with President Trump at the White House on 22 March 2017. Afterward, in his statement to the press, Nunes, who is chairman of the United States House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, also revealed the existence of previously undisclosed FISA investigations. Many have noted that disclosing FISA's activities in such a manner is a violation of the law and antithetical to some of the basic principles for which FISA exists.

Thus within this context, Devin Nunes' facial expression in this moment is understandable. This nonverbal display is a classic example of an "Inward Lip Roll". As the name suggests, this facial configuration involves the lips are rolling inward, usually completely (momentarily with no view of the lips) and are gently to moderately "bit" by the upper and lower teeth. Sometimes abbreviated as ILR, the inward lip roll is a signal of the subconscious effort to suppress the growth of strong emotions - not only outwardly - visible for all to see, but also "inside" one's own psyche. The ILR can be thought of as a natural down-regulating mechanism.

Most of the time, the ILR is associated with the attempt at controlling what are thought of as traditionally "negative" emotions - such as anger, fear, frustration, disgust, sadness/tears, etc. Yet it's also seen during attempts to prevent "positive emotions", such as joy-laughter - the display of which (in the wrong settings) would have negative ramifications.

In our everyday interactions with others, we rarely have the benefit of such background information as we have here with Rep. Nunes. This is precisely why recognizing nonverbal signals as they occur in real-time is so very crucial - for people truly speak much more with their faces and bodies than they do with their words.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3892: Sean Spicer to April Ryan, "Stop Shaking Your Head"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3890: Ted Koppel on why he thinks Sean Hannity is bad for America 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3888: Paul Ryan's Response to the House's Failure to Overturn Obamacare and Pass the American Health Care Act (AHCA) of 2017 - "This is a disappointing day for us" 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3868: Benjamin Netanyahu, Donald Trump, The West Bank and Anxiety 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3856: "Belle" Clip - Beauty and the Beast  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3815: Donald Trump's first Press Conference as President-Elect

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3799: Carrie Fisher and Princess Leia - Full Lips and Lip Pursing

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



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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3892: Sean Spicer to April Ryan, "Stop Shaking Your Head" - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





Yesterday during his briefing, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer got into a heated exchange with April D. Ryan. Ms. Ryan is the Washington Bureau Chief for American Urban Radio Networks.

At one point (beginning at 27:46) Mr. Spicer said to Ms. Ryan, “I'm sorry that that disgusts you. You're shaking your head” - and again (during 29:18 - 29:20) reiterating, “Please, stop shaking your head again.

What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis highlighting some key moments of this exchange.

























The image immediately above is from 26:50 as April Ryan begins to say, "You don't seem so happy" - Note that Sean Spicer's eyes (eyelids) open up widely in what is an excellent example of classic, subtle display of a partial microexpression of anger. This primed Mr. Spicer's temper - leading to the ensuing loss of his impulse control.


























Ms. Ryan continues (at 26:55), "With all these investigations, questions of what is - is, how does this administration, try to revamp its image, two and a half months in? You've got this Yates story today - you've got other things going on, you've got Russia, you've got, you've got wiretapping and you've got [inaudible] - "

Mr. Spicer [over-talking]: "No we don't have that - you, you, you've, I, I know ..."

Ms. Ryan: "You have the investigation on Capitol Hill ..."

Mr. Spicer: "No, no, I get it but you keep, I, I've said it from - the day that I got here until whenever that, that there is no connection, 'You've got Russia, if the President puts Russian salad dressing on his salad tonight - somehow that's a Russian connection ..."

Immediately after Ms. Ryan says "You've go this Yates story today" - in the moment just prior to and continuing during her next two words of "you've got" (during 27:08), Sean Spicer displays another classic microexpression - this one indicating an amalgam of both anger and disgust (captured in image immediately above).

























During 27:37, just as says, "No, at some point report the facts ...", Mr. Spicer displays a brief "Finger-point, hand-chop".


























Another finger-point, hand-chop is displayed during 27:44 - 27:46, "... The facts are, that every single person who has been briefed on this subject has come away with the same conclusion, republican, democrat, so - I'm sorry that that disgusts you - you're shaking your head ..."

 
























During 28:19 a closely related nonverbal signal is seen - a "Finger Jab" - "We going keep doing everything we're doing to make sure that the President's, that, what the President told the American people he was going to do ...."

























During 29:10 - 29:12 yet another finger-point hand-chop is seen as the Press Secretary says, "It seems like you're hell-bent on trying to make sure that what ever image you want to tell about this White House stays because at the end of the day ..."

There exists a very high correlation with deception when the "Finger-Point, Hand-Chop" gesture (illustrator) is seen in response to accusations.

Conclusion: Sean Spicer's nonverbal signals in this exchange with April Ryan - specifically his repeated "finger-point, hand-chops" as well as his disgust-anger microexpression when the subject of Sally Yates was mentioned - indicate, with high probability, that the Press Secretary was engaged in some element of deception.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3891: Donald Trump and Jared Kushner - Alpha and Beta Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3889: Donald Trump's Speech from Oval Office After House AHCA Bill Being Pulled

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3887: Why Does Donald Trump Point at People So Often?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3885: Vogue's 73 Questions with Selena Gomez

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3864: Uber's CEO, Travis Kalanick Arguing with an Uber Driver regarding Falling Fares - Escalation v. De-Escalation, Body Language and Emotional Intelligence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3857: Taunting a Snowplow Driver - Belleville, Ontario

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3814: Claire Foy's recounting of Meeting Kate Winslet

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3691: Natalie Portman's Emotional Tell


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Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3891: Donald Trump and Jared Kushner - Alpha and Beta Tells - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

























When Jared Kushner testifies before the Senate Intelligence Committee regarding Russian interference in the US Presidential Election, those questioning him would be well advised to evaluate his body language at least as much as his verbal responses. And while certainly Donald Trump's son-in-law and senior advisor won't be on his cell phone during these proceedings, the images here provide body language examples of contrasting emotional states.



























When a person holds a mobile phone with their index finger (forefinger) extended along the long axis of the phone, as Jared Kushner is doing in this image (close-up in the image immediately above of the wide angle below) they're in an alpha mental state. More specifically, they are either receiving or delivering messages which are in their favor - or they are speaking to a person with whom they perceive as a beta.
























When a person holds their cell phone with all their fingers on one side of the phone with their thumb on the other side - they are in a relatively beta mental state. They are getting or delivering news which is less in their favor. And while the President of the United States has relatively few people who make him feel more beta - even the most powerful people are still human - and thus have frequent moment-to-moment fluctuations in their relative alpha-beta emotional states.

Thus while watching a person as they are speaking on their phone, and you observe the index finger change position and proceed to extend up and alone - you know they've just fluxed into a higher level of confidence, assertiveness, decisiveness, and power. And when you see the index finger return back - grouped with the other fingers - they have down-regulated into a relatively beta state.

The barometers of body language have many qualifiers and quantifiers - read them well and succeed.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3890: Ted Koppel on why he thinks Sean Hannity is bad for America

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3888: Paul Ryan's Response to the House's Failure to Overturn Obamacare and Pass the American Health Care Act (AHCA) of 2017 - "This is a disappointing day for us"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3886: Donald Trump, Russia, Healthcare, and "Huge" Negotiation Faux Pas

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3871: Emma Watson's Old Habit, Harry Potter Outtake and Anxiety

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3862: Oscars Mistake - "La La Land" erroneously named Best Picture over "Moonlight"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3823: Nina Dobrev, Flyboarding, Laughter and a Rapport/Bonding Amplifier

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3792: Notre Dame's Matt Farrell and Family Surprised by Brother Bo's Military Homecoming at Basketball Game

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3711: Vin Scully calls Kirk Gibson's legendary walk-off homer during Game 1 of the 1988 World Series


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Monday, March 27, 2017

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3890: Ted Koppel on why he thinks Sean Hannity is bad for America - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





A friendly reminder: This post and the associated website serve as reference sources for the art and science of Body Language/Nonverbal Communication. The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author. 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, religious or other agenda. 

This video clip from earlier today via CBS's Sunday Morning has gone a bit viral - and understandably so. In this segment, Fox's Sean Hannity and CBS's Ted Koppel throw more than a little mud at each other.

Included here is the transcript of their exchange, followed by a key nonverbal moment with analysis.

SEAN HANNITY (beginning at 5:50): We have to give some credit to the American people that they're somewhat intelligent - and that they know the difference between an opinion show and a news show.

TED KOPPEL: Yeah

HANNITY:  You're not, you're cynical, look at that, you

TED KOPPEL: Yeah, I'm cynical because ah, you know

HANNITY: You think we're bad for America?

TED KOPPEL: Yeah

HANNITY: You think I'm bad for America?

TED KOPPEL: Yep

HANNITY: You do?

TED KOPPEL: In the, in the long haul, I think you

HANNITY: Really?

TED KOPPEL: and all these opinions shows

HANNITY: That's sad Ted

TED KOPPEL: No, you know why?

HANNITY: That's sad

TED KOPPEL: Because you're very good at what you do and because you have, you have attracted a significantly more [inaudible]

HANNITY: You are selling the American people short

TED KOPPEL: Let me finish [inaudible] Let me finish the sentence

HANNITY: I'm listening

TED KOPPEL: Before you do that

HANNITY: With all due respect

TED KOPPEL: You - yes

HANNITY: Take the floor

TED KOPPEL: You have, you have attracted - people who are determined that ideology is more important than facts.


























The image above, captured during 6:27, just after Hannity says, "With all due respect" - shows a very good example of an insincere smile.

What are the two primary signals in this moment telegraphing to the astute observer of Hannity's insincerity? What most people see first is his asymmetrical mouth. While an asymmetrical mouth can accompany a sincere smile (e.g., sometimes when it's just beginning - or toward the end of a sincere smile) - when such a unilateral mouth morphology is seen, it should send up significant signals to approach with caution.

His lips are also thinned and narrowed. This classic appearance indicates Hannity is feeling anger - but he is trying to "mask" it.

What many people will overlook is Hannity's forehead. Note there is an Elevated Central Forehead Contraction (CFC) - with an additional component of his right forehead also being elevated. If just one of these forehead signals were present - such a forehead appearance would project insincerity. The forehead must always be relaxed (not contracted) if the smile is to be sincere.

Notice also, Hannity's "mustache area" is tightened (contracted). Additionally, his right nostril is flared (dilated). These findings betray the emotion of contempt.

Summary: In this moment (6:27) Sean Hannity feels incredulity, anger, and contempt - although he is trying to "mask" these emotions with a smile - but he only succeeds in making an insincere one (feigned smile).


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3889: Donald Trump's Speech from Oval Office After Pulling the House AHCA Bill

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3887: Why Does Donald Trump Point at People So Often?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3885: Vogue's 73 Questions with Selena Gomez

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3875: Children Interrupt Dad During BBC News interview

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3859: Steve Bannon Touches Reince Priebus' Leg at CPAC

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3843: 84 Lumber Super Bowl Ad - "The Entire Journey"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3804: Barack Obama, Shinzō Abe and The Pearl Harbor Memorial

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3609: Emma Watson, Tina Turner, Ring Tones and Body Language


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Saturday, March 25, 2017

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3889: Donald Trump's Speech from Oval Office After House AHCA Bill Being Pulled - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





Yesterday, after the American Health Care Reform Bill was pulled for lack of support, Donald Trump made a statement from the Oval Office.

From a Nonverbal Perspective perspective (as well as from a Public Relations point-of-view) there were a good number of faux pas and insightful tells in this ten-minute video. What follows are some of the highlights.

It diminishes President Trump's power and alpha status to have Mike Pence and Tom Price standing while he was sitting during his speech. While during bill signings/signing ceremonies this "leader-sitting while subordinates are standing" posing is often seen - yet it's a completely different scenario when it's explaining a loss - and when Trump's statement comes from inside the Oval Office. This demonstrated an attempt to "spread the blame" for the Bill's failure.

Additionally, it's also unusual that his Vice President was to his left. The second-in-command should be to Trump's right, whether sitting or standing.

Another highly unusual component of this video was the fact that the camera was hand-held. The continual wobbling of the image is, at best, highly amateurish. This very literal visual instability projects a destructive metaphorical instability to our view of the President.




The image above was Donald Trump's configuration during the first 1.0 second of the 10:03 video. After the first second, this (mid-level) "Conventional Steeple" was no longer seen. In general, Donald Trump uses the conventional steeple far too frequently - but it was not so yesterday. This deviation from his normal baseline behavior is a very strong tell that President Trump felt "very beta" after this AHCA defeat.

























Once he begins speaking, but only for the next 6 seconds, as he says, "Thank you very much. We were very close, and it was a very, very tight margin. We had no Democrat support....", the President intertwines his fingers - a signal of frustration.






President Trump then transforms his posture with his right-hand gripping his left forearm while his left-hand closes in a fist. He also leans forward with his elbows bearing a portion of his weight on the desk. This hunches his shoulders while simultaneously foreshortening his neck. His upper arms also held very close to his torso - adding a further protective effect.

While a mild leaning forward is, much of the time, good body language posture for any speaker or leader to use - for it demonstrates engagement and assertiveness (and Donald Trump is better at most at leaning forward), all the other components of this cluster diminish his alpha status - and indeed makes him significantly beta and weak. Throughout most of this video, President Trump maintains this arm position/body language stance (although we can't see it directly for a good portion, it can be inferred by the position of his upper arms and shoulders). This is highly consistent with his - and the GOP's loss (which only just occurred) and it gives us a window into his diminished emotional comfort and lowered confidence.



























When, occasionally, he does unclasp his hand-to-forearm, Donald Trump displays this gesture (image immediately above) - where his upper arm move even very closer to his torso - while his lower arms move medially and laterally (in and out). This is also a beta gesture (illustrator). If he were to alter this, by simply keeping his upper arms further away from his torso, it would both up-regulate his emotional-mental state to a higher level - but also project this strength to anyone watching. In contrast, what we see here further betrays Trump's beta thoughts and feelings.

























When, at 7:39, Donald Trump is asked, "Do you feel betrayed by the House Freedom Caucus at all? They seemed to be the most difficult...  (cross-talk)", his mouth corners pull laterally with his 'mustache area' tightening, and his lips thin-out.  He also looks left and slightly downward (accentuated by a head-tilt). This entire cluster-configuration is indicative of regret.

Trump then answers with, "No, not particularly. They're friends of mine. I'm disappointed because we could have had it. So I'm disappointed. I'm a little surprised, to be honest with you. We really had it...."

Thus this significant facial expression of regret, just after the question of betrayal, strongly indicates that President Trump does sincerely feel betrayed by the House Freedom Caucus.



























Finally, one other body language signal is seen in great abundance in the President's Oval Office statement, yet you must watch the video to see it, for it doesn't capture well with a still image. Donald Trump shrugs his shoulders 40 times in 10 minutes. This averages to 1 shrug every 15 seconds - although most of these occur in the last 60% of the video. Some of these are subtle - being muted by the President's elbows bearing a portion of his weight. An accurate and profoundly valuable body language axiom is: If a person is shrugging with high frequency, they are either trying to convince themselves - or convince you (or both) - and they are trying too hard to do so. It's one nonverbal barometer of their attempt to rationalize and/or to co-opt others in co-rationalization. Ask yourself why - and take heed.


Summary: Not surprisingly, after the GOP's AHCA Bill being pulled, Donald Trump's body language during his follow-up, ten minute Oval Office statement is significantly beta in its emotional tone - which is quite unusual for him.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3888: Paul Ryan's Response to the House's Failure to Overturn Obamacare and Pass the American Health Care Act (AHCA) of 2017 - "This is a disappointing day for us"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3886: Donald Trump, Russia, Healthcare, and "Huge" Negotiation Faux Pas

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3884: One Important Expression James Comey Displayed Often During His Testimony Before the House Intelligence Committee

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3875: Children Interrupt Dad During BBC News interview

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3860: Ian McKellen, The Oscars and a spot-on Maggie Smith Impression

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3816: Secretary of State Nominee Rex Tillerson

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3789: Felicity Jones, Jyn Erso and Tattoos

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



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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3888: Paul Ryan's Response to the House's Failure to Overturn Obamacare and Pass the American Health Care Act (AHCA) of 2017 - "This is a disappointing day for us" - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





For those who follow American politics, Friday 24 March 2017 was a watershed day. President Donald Trump and the Republican majority house failed to amass enough support (218 minima despite having 247 seats [of the 435 total] in The House of Representatives) to overturn Obamacare and pass the American Health Care Act (AHCA) - and thus they 'pulled' the bill and did not take a vote. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Paul Ryan (R-WI), gave a short 'concession speech' of sorts,  which is included in the above video.

With regards to his body language, Paul Ryan's speech contained a plethora of nonverbal teaching examples - a portion of which are discussed in this article.


























In the included video, Mr. Ryan displays intertwined fingers beginning at 0:05 until 0:21, while saying, "Moving from an opposition party to a governing party comes with growing pains. And, well, we're feeling those growing pains today. We came really close today but we came up short".

Although sometimes correlated with anger or a posed (feigned) attempt at appearing authoritative, the majority of the time, intertwined fingers are indicative of frustration (This image was taken from a different camera, showing a forward angle, affording us a superior view). As with all nonverbal displays, it's crucial to never assess a body language signal in isolation, but rather as a word (or phrase) within the complete nonverbal sentence (cluster).


























At 0:17, just after he says, "...We came really close today but we came up short", Speaker Ryan disengages his intertwined fingers and immediately displays a Nose Rub. In this context, this nonverbal MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) is highly suggestive of Paul Ryan being deceptive when he referred to "We came really close". Indeed, this is supported by the fact that most reports indicate as the hour of reckoning approached, the number of Republicans who were committed to voting for the American Health Care Act of 2017 (AHCA) was diminishing, not increasing.

























Paul Ryan then displays a classic Unilateral Shoulder Shrug (with his Right Shoulder) at 0:23 just as he says, "bill" in the sentence, "I told him that the best thing I think to do is to pull this bill and he agreed with that decision". This is but one of many examples of what is termed a 'Partial Emblematic Slip'.

The nomenclature 'Partial' comes from that it's Unilateral manifested - in contrast to fully expressed shrugs which are expressed bilaterally. The term 'Emblem' is a word given to describe the accepted and widely recognized meaning within a subculture, country, or geographic region (which is occasionally even Universal/Worldwide). It's a 'Slip' because he didn't intend to do display the emotion with which a shrug is indicative - that of: "I Don't know", "I Don't care", "What Does it matter?", and/or "What Choice Did I have". His emotion leaked out despite his desire to sequester it.




























During 0:33 - 0:34, just as he says, "I will not sugarcoat this, this is a disappointing day for us. Doing big things is hard. All of us. All of us, myself included ...", Speaker Ryan touches himself with the full palmar side of his hand (all five digits and with the palm of his right [dominant] hand). The full palmar contact connotes sincerity - yet this is not strictly "heartfelt" sincerity - for he touches his upper abdomen - over his stomach rather than over his heart. Thus, while his feelings are indeed sincere - his emotions are here slanted much more toward anxiety, rather than for empathy-sadness associated with a loss.

























Just after he says. "I'm really proud of the bill that we produced" - during 1:23 - Mr. Ryan displays an "Inward Lip Roll" (ILR). An inward lip roll is a signal of our subconscious trying to suppress the inward growth - as well as the outward expression of strong emotions. Although an ILR is not emotion-specific (e.g., it can be seen with sadness, anger, joy, frustration, etc.), if we wait only one second we find the feeling his psyche was trying to keep from growing.


























At 1:24 we see a Tongue Jut (and crucially, a Loose Tongue Jut) just a second after the above noted Inward Lip Roll. A loose tongue just is Ryan's body language saying, 'I've been/about to be bad' or 'I got caught' (Navarro). Therefore this indicates the strong emotion Ryan was suppressing with the inward lip roll was deceptive in nature (in reference to his statement, "I'm really proud of the bill that we produced". Ryan was NOT proud of the bill.


























In this last image, taken during 1:35 just after Speaker Ryan says, "...And what's probably most troubling is the worst is yet to come with Obamacare". This lateral vectoring of the left corner of his mouth indicates Ryan's sincere feelings of in this moment are those of regret.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3887: Why Does Donald Trump Point at People So Often? 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3885: Vogue's 73 Questions with Selena Gomez - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3883: Donald Trump Greets Angela Merkel at The White House - The Handshakes and Mistakes

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3873: Brie Larson's Eyes, The Bachelor, and the Edge of Consciousness

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3842: Bill Belichick and Julian Edelman

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3826: Kellyanne Conway to Chuck Todd, Press Secretary Sean Spicer Gave 'Alternative Facts'

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

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

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Thursday, March 23, 2017

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3887: Why Does Donald Trump Point at People So Often? - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)





















People point for various reasons. But why does Donald Trump point so often?

Index finger (forefinger) pointing is universally offensive and thus should be discouraged in all but the rarest of occasion across all cultures.

As a candidate or an office holder, choosing a particular journalist or audience member to ask a question is an obvious and common reason for a politician to point. Yet far superior to index finger pointing - and one which builds rapport rather than destroying it - would be with all the digits loosely extended, with the palm facing upward - and with the arm partially extended, such that the wrist, elbow, shoulders - and fingers are relaxed.

But what we are referring to here is a different scenario.

Have you ever become aware - often when someone who doesn't know you very well - is trying to manipulate you when they too often use words such as, "We", "Us", "Our", "Let's", etc. In situations which are disproportional and are out of context to your mutual familiarity or level of agreement, these words are part of a common form of verbal manipulation. They are attempting to make you feel as if you are one group, one family - and of one mindset. If you feel you're part of the same clan, you are more likely to agree to their decisions and their proposed course of action - and more likely to be manipulated. Yet you may not feel this emotionally comfortable is these settings. Listen to your instinct.

Donald Trump will often point to a person in the audience (which may be someone he knows - however many times it's a person he's never met) - and often it's a fellow politician beside him on stage. This pointing is a nonverbal form of this same phenomenon - what some call "Forced Teaming" (de Becker).

Candidate and now President Trump often used/uses these two forms of communication together - the verbal and the nonverbal (as well as a third component of "Paralanguage") as tools of forced teaming - thus increasing his odds of success. Of course, he's not the only politician who does this, but he is currently the most visible.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3886: Donald Trump, Russia, Healthcare, and "Huge" Negotiation Faux Pas

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3884: One Important Expression James Comey Displayed Often During His Testimony Before the House Intelligence Committee 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3882: Donald Trump to Angela Merkel During Press Conference, "At least we have something in common"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3872: "Fearless Girl" Statue in Manhattan's Financial District

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3862: Oscars Mistake - "La La Land" erroneously named Best Picture over "Moonlight"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3809: Horse Lays His Head On Coffin As He Mourns The Loss Of His Human Best Friend - Cross-Species Body Language & Emotional Intelligence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3799: Carrie Fisher and Princess Leia - Full Lips and Lip Pursing

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


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