Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2405:
Anthony Weiner's Running For Mayor of New York
His Body Language & His Sincerity Quotient
(Video, Photos)





Anthony Weiner, former U.S. Congressman (resigned 2011) announced yesterday his candidacy for Mayor of New York City. He is of course infamous for his sexually laden tweets (2011) and then denying it on public record. His wife, Huma Abedin, a longtime aide to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and herself highly respected - is standing faithful by his side.

Above is the Youtube video wherein Mr. Weiner announced he was running for office. One expression that you never want to see very much of on anyone, is a central forehead contraction (CFC). One common meaning of this nonverbal is physical or emotional pain. Such pain may be either experienced directly by whom is expressing it, or felt secondarily via empathy for another person(s) or animal(s). When either type of pain is the source of the CFC, there should NEVER be indication of a smile - not even a trace. If these two disparate nonverbals are seen together (CFC with even a subtle smile) along with sincere sounding words - then such a body language-facial expression is a highly reliable signal of insincerity. We all make this expression occasionally - for we are all human. But be extremely wary of those who use this facial expression often. Chronic insincerity is a profound warning sign. A relatively small percentage of people (<5%) exhibit the CFC too often (there are of course many other signals of insincerity). Avoid it in business, don't vote for it in politics and run, run fast from this expression in your personal life. 

Below are some nonpartisan nonverbal highlights of Mr. Weiner's video:





This image is from 0:19 in the video and shows a CFC with more than a hint of a smile. The Mayoral candidate is reminiscing warm and fuzzy memories about the neighborhood wherein he grew up. However neither emotional or physical pain are being verbally conveyed here.

Sincerity Quotient: F, Insincere








This image (0:34 mark) again shows a central forehead contraction (Do you believe there is a subtle mile?). Here the former congressman is speaking in glowing terms about memories of his mother teaching school. Again, his words are not congruent with his body language.

Sincerity Quotient: F, Insincere








This image with another central forehead contraction occurs at the 1:40 mark in the video - where Mr. Weiner admits to his past mistakes. Is he feeling emotional pain? Yes. Are the remainders of his nonverbals as well as his words and tone of voice congruent with the CFC? Yes.

Sincerity Quotient: A, Anthony Weiner is sincerely sorry.



There are truckloads of other nonverbals in the video. What others jump out at you?

See also:

Negotiation Secret # 146: Anthony Weiner's Inward Lip Roll

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2777:  Hillary Clinton, Huma Abedin, John McCain and John Boehner

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2192:  Senator Elect Ted Cruz - "So by the third debate, I’m pretty certain Mitt Romney actually French-kissed Barack Obama" - A Body Language Red Flag

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2040:  Never Trust a One-Sided Smile -  Ex-Lobbyist Jack Abramoff

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2042:  Syrian Government Defector Nawaf al-Fares

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2238:  Sandy Hook Elementary Teacher Lauren Rousseau's  Boyfriend's Body Language - Grief & Suppression of Negative Emotions & Empathy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2124:  This Body Language-Facial Display - Should always make you think "Insincere"

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