Friday, March 29, 2013

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2349:
Barack Obama, The Miami Heat & Chicago Bulls -
POTUS's Body Language





Today President Barack Obama visited Miami, Florida where he is trying to drum up public support for a plan to reinvigorate the economy. He opened his speech with an "icebreaker" - joking with the audience regarding (his hometown) Chicago Bulls who recently defeated the Miami Heat - thus putting to an end the second longest win streak in NBA history (27 games).


If you're accustomed to watching Barack Obama's body language, you'll agree that he touches his head and face fare less often than most skilled public speakers. However, during the 0:06 - 0:10 segment of the above video (and in the first image below), he scratches the top of his head as he says, "...I,I,I know you guys aren't happy with my Chicago Bulls ...." This head-touching MAP (manipulator, adaptor, pacifier) nonverbal indicates a relatively pure form of anxiety. Touching/rubbing/scratching the top, back, or sides (as long as it does not involve or is close to the ear) of the head does NOT indicate deception. However ......

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2156:  Barack Obama's Body Language at Al Smith Charity Dinner - Comedy, White Lies and Facial Touching MAPs

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2175: Mayor Bloomberg, Body Language,  Hurricane Sandy and the NYC Marathon

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2033:  Lie Detection, Sergey Lavrov and Syria

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2176: James Carville's Body Language - Pennsylvania & Swing States

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2342: Barack Obama at Jerusalem Convention Center in Israel  What the President's Body Language Says to a Heckler

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 199:  When a Lie is Told, Heard or Visualized by ....Vladimir's Eye

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2298: Kylie & Kendall Jenner Do NOT Like Kanye West  Their Body Language Contradicts their Words - Spells another Split-up in Kim Kardashian's Future


















During the 0:10 - 0:11 segment of the video, POTUS rubs his nose (imaged below). This nonverbal tell indicates deception. On some level there is a low-level form of lie taking place. The President is saying something like, "I can't believe I just used this line on this crowd" in his own self-talk/internal dialog - and yet still he did so. This is a form of a self-deception and emotional conflict. When such "white-lies" are told - most all recognize these as a form of hyperbole. Yet they are still lies - and his body language reveals such. Lower level lies often are manifested by MAPs committed with the non-dominant hand. Here the President reveals it's a small fib he's told to himself, because he uses his right hand. He tends to reveal whoppers to us with his left hand. You do the same if you're a southpaw.


















_____________________________________________________________________________________