Saturday, February 16, 2013

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2306:
George W. Bush trapped in Room -
Body Language's Microexpression of Fear






Back on 20 November 2005, George W. Bush was visiting China. The video above shows the very end of a speech he gave in Beijing. At the 0:22 mark, the President tried to exit through locked doors and displayed a microexpression of fear, which is captured in the image below. 

The angle of the camera makes his expression appear more asymmetrical than it is, however Mr. Bush's mouth is highly characteristic of fear with its corners pulled backwards and down. His inner (medial) eyebrows also contract upwards at this same instant - indicative the emotional pain of being trapped. There is also a very evanescent flaring of George's nostrils. His eyelids also open wider - although this change is not pronounced.

Although most who watch this video will laugh - the vast majority of us would make an identical nonverbal display if we were placed in the same scenario - and not even be aware we made this expression. Such is the nature of emotion and most peoples' awareness of their own body language.

See also:

Negotiation Secret # 329: Angela Merkel's Neck of Fear

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1927:  Italy's Fans watching Euro 2012 Final - Expressions of Fear

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2303:  Karen & Jim Reynolds Interview -  Rogue Ex-Cop Christopher Dorner's Last Hostages  Microexpression of Fear - but it's not what you think ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2031:  Tina Fey arriving at Alec Baldwin's Wedding,  Fear-Empathy with a (partial) Sincere Smile - Emotional Dissonance

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2019:  Sarah Palin's "Co-Hosting" on The Today Show -  She Fears Romney's Candidacy

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 179:  Nicholas Sarkozy & the Loss of Inhibitions on Phone

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2297:  Rooney Mara on Conan O'Brien  Common Body Language Tell  Fear Apology Query Expression-Cluster





___________________________________________________________________________________