This morning Barack Obama spoke of the tragic and massive massacring of hundreds of Egyptian civilians (protesters) by their own military as well as the overlying problems of the Egyptian government in transition. Throughout a large fraction of this speech, the President placed one hand over the other on the lectern. This nonverbal MAP pattern (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) signifies a relatively dramatic departure from Commander in Chief's "Norm" - (normal baseline behavior) compared with the vast majority of his speeches.
Note: The original video has, since the original post, been removed from its online source. The images below however, were captured from this video.
This hand on hand body language display is similar in meaning to a fig leaf configuration, although not quite as beta in magnitude. It is significant for low comfort and lower confidence about his position on Egypt. The President is experiencing emotional dissonance between what he is saying and what he is feeling. If Mr. Obama felt a high amount of confidence in his complete position regarding Egypt, his gestures would not have been so passive. This nonverbal display of "my hands are tied" is indicative of the President's emotional conflict between what he feels is right for the innocent Egyptian victims and what is strategically important for America's national interest. In short, the President feels in his heart he should/could do more, but this is against his political judgment.
See also:
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2485: Barack Obama on Next Federal Reserve Chairman - Anger, Disgust, Regret and Contempt
Nonverbal Communication Test No. 2465: Barack Obama's Comments on Trayvon Martin & George Zimmerman Body Language & Sincerity
Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1153: President Obama's Tongue in Cheek
Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2342: Barack Obama at Jerusalem Convention Center in Israel What the President's Body Language Says to a Heckler
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2436: Vladimir Putin next to Barack Obama - G8 Body Language
Negotiation Body Language Secret # 926: When Not to Ask for the Sale
Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2152: Second Presidential Debate - 16 October 2012 - Barack Obama's Duping Delight - Benghazi, Libya Attack was an "Act of Terror" - Alpha, Beta, Confidence & Acquiescence ...
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Note: The original video has, since the original post, been removed from its online source. The images below however, were captured from this video.
This hand on hand body language display is similar in meaning to a fig leaf configuration, although not quite as beta in magnitude. It is significant for low comfort and lower confidence about his position on Egypt. The President is experiencing emotional dissonance between what he is saying and what he is feeling. If Mr. Obama felt a high amount of confidence in his complete position regarding Egypt, his gestures would not have been so passive. This nonverbal display of "my hands are tied" is indicative of the President's emotional conflict between what he feels is right for the innocent Egyptian victims and what is strategically important for America's national interest. In short, the President feels in his heart he should/could do more, but this is against his political judgment.
See also:
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2485: Barack Obama on Next Federal Reserve Chairman - Anger, Disgust, Regret and Contempt
Nonverbal Communication Test No. 2465: Barack Obama's Comments on Trayvon Martin & George Zimmerman Body Language & Sincerity
Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1153: President Obama's Tongue in Cheek
Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2342: Barack Obama at Jerusalem Convention Center in Israel What the President's Body Language Says to a Heckler
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2436: Vladimir Putin next to Barack Obama - G8 Body Language
Negotiation Body Language Secret # 926: When Not to Ask for the Sale
Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2152: Second Presidential Debate - 16 October 2012 - Barack Obama's Duping Delight - Benghazi, Libya Attack was an "Act of Terror" - Alpha, Beta, Confidence & Acquiescence ...
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