Yesterday the first drone (UAV) took off from the deck of an aircraft carrier (U.S.S. George H.W. Bush). This represents a dramatic evolution in warfare and air flight in general. There is a small segment of the video above wherein Rear Admiral Ted Branch speaks. He is proud of the Navy's achievement and it clearly shows in a nonverbal example - the "Self-Righteous Head Wiggle" (SRHW). This body language is a common subconscious (99.9+% of the time) display of nonverbal swagger. Conscious examples of the SRHW are dramatically exaggerated and thus are easily spotted.
The self-righteous head wiggle is comprised of a relatively rapid side-to-side movement of the head & neck. The example in the video above (during 0:38 - 0:48) however demonstrates a greater component of the torso & shoulder movement (typically a minor part of this nonverbal cluster). There is even sometimes a similar component of jaw movement (very slight here).
The SRHW is displayed in people who feel they are a relative alpha in their environment accompanied by a highly definitive verbal statement (Here, Admiral Branch says, "...it's a, a marker for a line between naval aviation as we've known it and the future of naval aviation with the launch of the X-47B ...").
Although neither is present in this example, two possible additional nonverbals include a superimposed forward vector (in addition to the side-to-side motion) - which often accompanies a reprimand/scolding scenario, whereas a backward motion overlying the SRHW adds a layer of incredulity.
See also:
Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2148: Joe Biden vs. Paul Ryan and the "Self-Righteous Head Wiggle" in the Vice Presidential Debate
Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2167: Colin Powell Endorses President Obama - His Body Language Display of Anxiety, Contempt & the Self-Righteous Head Wiggle
Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1552: The Self-Righteous Head Wiggle & The Buffett Rule
Nonverbal Communication Intelligence # 2113: Benjamin Netanyahu, Iran, the U.S. and the Self-Righteous Head Wiggle
Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1923: Hillary Clinton's Body Language re: Syrian Government - The Self-Righteous Head Wiggle
Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2102: The Self-Righteous Head Wiggle and the Conventional Steeple vs.Basketball Steeple
Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2158: Kennebunk Maine, Alexis Wright, Prostitution & Spotting the Body Language of the Self Righteous
_________________________________________________________________________________
