Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2476: Scandal, Perception and The Bitter "Smile" Weiner, Spitzer and Sanford

In each of these three photos (Top to bottom) Anthony Weiner, Eliot Spitzer and Mark Sanford all are to varying degrees, displaying examples of what is known as a "Bitter Smile". Some refer to them as "Upside-Down Smiles". As it name implies, it is significant for the emotion of bitterness - the majority of which is usually self-directed.

We all display this nonverbal, not just politicians caught in sexual scandal.

The concave-down curvature of the mouth in this particular expression is perhaps one of the greatest examples of the lack of objectivity we all experience for our faces and bodies when we under the influences of strong emotions or moods.

When the bitter smile is made, those expressing it believe in real-time that their mouth is configured in a slight concave-up shape - that is, a weak social smile. And yet their perception wrong. It is just the opposite.

In addition, each of these examples has the additional nonverbal component of an Inward Lip Roll (ILR). The inward lip roll is significant for the psyche attempting to suppress a strong emotion from being displayed and thus also simultaneously keeping it from growing in the mind as well.

What other significant body language-facial expressions do you see in these three politicians?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2475:  Anthony Weiner & Huma Abedin Part IV  More Sexting Will Surface (Video, Photos)

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2473:  Anthony Weiner & Huma Abedin Part III  When Shoulder-to-Shoulder is broken (Video, Photos)

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2470:  NYC Mayoral Candidate Anthony Weiner &  His Wife Huma Abedin - Body Language Tells, Part II  (Video, Photos)

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2469:  Anthony Weiner, Huma Abedin and the NYC Mayoral Race  Body Language & the Five Burroughs, Part I  (Video, Photo)

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2459:  Was Eliot Spitzer Sincere? Apology, Sincerity and Body Language (Video, Photo)

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2455:  Eliot Spitzer's Running for Office  Asymmetry in the Facial Expression, Sincerity & Norah O'Donnell's Not Just Another Pretty Face  (Video, Photos)

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2383:  Elizabeth Colbert Busch vs. Former Gov. Mark Sanford  Body Language in Last Night's Debate

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