Sunday, June 9, 2013

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2423:
Kirsten Gillibrand regarding Senate Hearing -
What other Body Language Accompanies Blushing?
(Video, Photos)





In the video above Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D - NY) is being interviewed this morning on "Face the Nation". Bob Schieffer recalls her grilling of the senior officers of all branches of the U.S. Military last week with regards to sexual assault under their commands' - and how to fix it.

Ms. Gillibrand blushes in this video (at the replaying of her statement during the hearing, "... not every single commander can distinguish between a slap on the ass and a rape."). Her blushing initiates at 0:25 - 0:30 (cut-away) and continues during 0:35 - 0:41. Watching the dynamics of this video (despite the bright studio lights) clearly demonstrates this transient reddening of her face. When blushing occurs from embarrassment (as it does in this example) or from sexual-romantic attraction (not the case with the New York Senator here) there is almost always a sincere smile accompanying it (What are the other emotions that accompany blushing?).

The recognition of this quality of smile is one way that blushing can sometimes be "seen" in dark-skinned people. There are of course many (the great majority) sincere smiles which have no blushing component - however nearly all blushes are accompanied by sincere smiles.




This image (taken at 0:37) shows Sen. Gillibrand in the midst of a strong blush. She is displaying a sincere, but partially suppressed smile. Notable are her "smiling eyes" with eyelids closer together/partially closed (more so on her right) with dynamic (temporary) concave-up furrows in both of her lower eyelids, her relaxed forehead (it would be relaxed here even if she had no Botox treatments of her forehead) and her obvious partial mouth smile - which is also less suppressed on the right (similar to eyelids).






This image, taken at 0:50 shows Sen. Gillibrand's face after her blushing has resolved.












See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2169:  President Obama's Deputy Campaign Manager Stephanie Cutter, Causes of Blushing & - Blushing in the Neck and Peri-Sternal Region ...

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1829:  Dara Torres Interview with Piers Morgan - Embarrassment,  Visual Recall, Sexual Anticipation Lip Biting & Sincerity Quotients

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2318:  John Boehner at Rosa Parks Statue Unveiling  A Body Language Signal of Squelching Tears

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2379:  Bill Clinton's Speech at the George W. Bush Presidential Library Opening Body Language of Former and Current President

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2294:  Girl's Comments & Gesture Gets her Increased Punishment -  Multiple Body Language Tells in Florida Courtroom

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2090:  Hope Solo on Piers Morgan - Flirting 101

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2159:  Tom Hanks drops the F-bomb on GMA - Body Language of Fear, Surprise, MAPs and a Bitter Smile


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