This video explores some the controversy regarding a young boy from
Grand Island, Nebraska, his parents and administrators at his public
school. Three year old Hunter Spanjer is hearing impaired and his
parents contend that they were asked to change or modify his name or the
spelling of it. The Grand Island Public School System disputes this
claim.
In the video above, school marketing and communications
coordinator, Jack Sheard is shown in two brief segments. In the first
segment (0:12 - 0:20), one of several body language tells Mr. Sheard
displays is the "Self-Righteous Head Wiggle" (SRHW). Note how his head
rocks then snaps back and forth when he is making his statement. This
rapid and short-lived side-to-side movement of the head is an extremely
reliable indicator of a highly confident, self-assured attitude and
sometimes smugness. Often there is a backward vector (a pulling back
motion of the head) component performed simultaneously with the
side-ward movement. Occasionally there is a forward motion instead -
which tends to be seen when the audience is smaller (particularly
one-on-one), an obvious superior-subordinate relationship and/or when
accompanied by anger.
Other emotions seen with the SRHW are disgust and
contempt. Often vocal pitch, volume and speed will increase as well.
Such movements can be translated into the upper torso - and, as is seen
here, into the similar movements of the jaw. The Self-Righteous Head
Wiggle is often seen in settings where hierarchical mindsets predominate
and is more common among those with lots of traditional education.
In
the second clip of Mr. Sheard (from 1:11 to 1:20), he can be seen
displaying a modified basketball steeple (hands apart) - then a
traditional steeple - followed briefly by a modified basketball steeple
again. The traditional steeple is a strong alpha signal. It sends
messages of authority, confidence and power - but it is almost always
over-used. It should be used very briefly - only for a second or two -
otherwise it is patronizing and projects arrogance and condescension.
Even the four seconds displayed here too long. This is in contrast to
the basketball steeple, with hands held slightly apart (as if holding a
basketball or here a bit closer together). Mr. Sheard would build more
rapport if he leaned forward in his chair and held his hands a bit more
apart than he is here. The basketball steeple also projects an alpha
emotional tone - but it is not patronizing - rather it projects
confidence and self-assuredness WITHOUT arrogance - a combination all
too rarely seen.
It's quite ironic that a communications coordinator has such
little self-awareness for messages he himself is sending. A title does
not a skill make.
See also:
Analysis # 1923: Hillary Clinton's Body Language re: Syrian Government - The Self-Righteous Head Wiggle
Analysis # 1503: The Conventional Steeple vs. The Basketball Steeple - Seeking a Balance
Analysis # 1811: Jamie Dimon - the Day Before Announcement of JPMorgan Chase's $2 Billion Loss
Analysis # 2063: Mitt Romney and Ed Miliband - Under Used and Backfiring Uses of Hands
See also:
Analysis # 1923: Hillary Clinton's Body Language re: Syrian Government - The Self-Righteous Head Wiggle
Analysis # 1503: The Conventional Steeple vs. The Basketball Steeple - Seeking a Balance
Analysis # 1811: Jamie Dimon - the Day Before Announcement of JPMorgan Chase's $2 Billion Loss
Analysis # 2063: Mitt Romney and Ed Miliband - Under Used and Backfiring Uses of Hands
___________________________________________________________________________________