In this Video clip Barack Obama displays a beautiful example of a microexpression of pain or anticipation (or emotional recall) of pain known by its common colloquial - a "wince" or "grimace". This example is not extreme; it is subtle yet very telling.
Note: The original video has, since the original post, been removed from its online source. The image below however, was captured from this video.
Note: The original video has, since the original post, been removed from its online source. The image below however, was captured from this video.
The President begins, "Good evening everybody. Ah Tonight, republicans and democrats in congress have come together around an agreement that will reopen our government and remove the threat of default from our economy. Ah, the Senate has now voted to approve this agreement and democrats - and republicans in the house still have an important vote to take, but I want to thank the leaders of both parties ah for getting us to this point ...."
At the 0:18 second mark, an instant before the President says, "... republicans ..." a clear microexpression of pain (grimace, wince) - here emotional pain/distress is seen in his pause followed by his bilateral blink.
Had the anticipation (or memory of) emotional or physical pain been more extreme, a brief central forehead contraction would also be seen together with a pulling back and downwards of the mouth corners as well as a partial bearing of the bottom teeth. Further extremes of wincing are accompanied by a pulling backwards of the head, neck, torso (and even stepping backwards) as well as a tightening of the neck muscles.
See also:
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2550: Sergio Consuegra, the Brave Man Who Stood between the Motorcyclist-Attackers and the SUV Driver, Multiple Microexpressions of Contempt
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2559: John Boehner's Body Language - Microexpression of Contempt vs. Facial Tic
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2558: Reggie Jackson Displays a Great Combined Microexpression, Mr. October's Body Language
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2541: Barack Obama, Permanent U.N. Security Council Members, Syria's Chemical Weapon Disarmament and a Presidential Gaffe - Body Language in the Oval Office
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2552: Tom Hanks, the Real Captain Phillips and Recalling the Emotion of Fear
Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2050: George Zimmerman's Interview on Fox - Microexpression of Contempt and Duping Delight
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2536: Iran's President Hassan Rouhani Interview with Christiane Amanpour; Body Language Tells
________________________________________________________________________________
