Thursday, January 30, 2014

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2705: Congressman Michael Grimm Apology - Sincere or Not? Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)




On Tuesday night after President Obama's State of the Union Address, Congressman Michael Grimm (R-NY) threatened to throw reporter Michael Scotto off a Balcony in the U.S. Capitol Building after Scotto asked Grimm a question regarding an alleged campaign finance infraction. Grimm believed the camera was off.

Grimm said, "Let me be clear to you, you ever do that to me again, I'll throw you off this fucking balcony."

When Scotto suggested it was a valid question, Grimm answered, "No, no, you're not man enough, you're not man enough. I'll break you in half. Like a boy."

In the video above, Congressman Grimm apologizes. His apology is insincere. Whenever a central forehead contraction occurs along with a mouth smile (full, partial or suppressed) it is a nonverbal incongruity.

It is common and normal for the central forehead to be contracted during emotional or physical pain - whether such pain is felt directly or secondarily via empathy. However in these scenarios, the mouth should NEVER be configured even in a subtle amount of a smile. This can be thought of as a form of "Duping Delight" (Ekman). Also be wary for the presence of microexpressions of a joy/happiness smile.




When an apology is being spoken this facial expression is archetypal for the psyche's attempt at appearing sincere. This nonverbal cluster (including his prolonged eyelid closure aka extended blink) screams with insincerity.










See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2578: Obamacare Website Apology - Sincere vs. Insincere?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2590: Rob Ford's Apology - was he Sincere? and other Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2441:  Paula Deen's Apology - What Does Her Body Language Say?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2512:  Matthew Cordle's YouTube Confession  and the Death of Vincent Canzani  "I Killed a Man" - What His Body Language Tells Us ...  It's NOT what you think

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




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Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2704: Barack Obama, John Boehner and the State of the Union Address - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





Last night President Obama gave his fifth State of the Union Address. It is protocol for the Vice President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to sit behind the President. In the video above (and highlighted in the image below), both Joe Biden and John Boehner displayed many nonverbal signals - yet one in particular will go unrecognized by all but a few. Mr. Boehner can be seen wiping his nose (1:02 - 1:06) - however this wasn't because of any nasal dysfunction. It is very common for the emotion of disgust to be subconsciously camouflaged as a nose wipe or rub. This is direct contrast to his conscious display of clapping. Whenever the verbal and nonverbal messages are in incongruent - it is the nonverbal that is always correct.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2595: Barack Obama's Emotional Dissonance, Low Confidence and the "Turtle Retreat" - He Does Not Want To Be There

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2511:  Barack Obama & Vladimir Putin  Handshake at 2013 G20 Meeting

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2620: President Obama Tells a Couple Fibs - "Norming" Barack's Body Language 



















Last night President Obama gave his fifth State of the Union Address. It is of course for the Vice President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives sat behind the President. In ________________________________________________________________________

Monday, January 27, 2014

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2702: Barack Obama - Anxiety and Non-engagement; Body Language Signals (PHOTO, VIDEO)


Tomorrow night Barack Obama will give his fifth State of the Union Address. Like most second-term U.S. Presidents, his most recent job approval rating (Gallup) is low at 42 percent. So it's not surprising that in moments of the relative privacy of the Oval Office, President Obama displays body language consistent with this diminished public approval.

Touching one's neck, with rare exception (depending on the other nonverbal signs with which it is clustered), signals significant anxiety. This is but one example of what is termed a Manipulator, Adaptor or Pacifier (MAP). The president's full palmar contact with the neck is acts as a signal-amplifier.

Take note of the position of Mr. Obama's left hand. Despite the "Hollywood-ization" of men posing with hands in their pockets, it sends messages of withdraw. It's a significant beta signal of lowered confidence and lowered emotional comfort. A useful metaphor to characterize this body language is a turtle going in it's shell (aka "Turtle Retreat").

Pick up any other subtleties which up-regulate or down-regulate POTUS's anxiety level?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2602: Barack Obama at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2595: Barack Obama's Emotional Dissonance, Low Confidence and the "Turtle Retreat" - He Does Not Want To Be There

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2620: President Obama Tells a Couple Fibs - "Norming" Barack's Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2681: What Did Barack Obama Really think of Robert Gates as Secretary of Defense?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2646: Does Barack Obama Want to Go to the Sochi (Russia) Winter Olympics? What His Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2593: Barack Obama, Insurance Cancellations and Signals of Low Confidence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2511:  Barack Obama & Vladimir Putin  Handshake at 2013 G20 Meeting




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Sunday, January 26, 2014

Body Language Analysis No. 2701: Cuddling, Romance, Affection and Foot-Shunning - Nonverbal Tells (PHOTO)



In the beginning of relationship as a couple crescendos through multiple stages of intimacy, often the last place we let our lovers touch is our feet. As the relationship continues, foot touching will occur the vast majority of the time (although there is a relatively small minority of individuals who never want their feet touched - it may also be due a relationship-specific idiosyncrasy).

Many people cannot distinguish sex from affection. Once cuddling commences however and the feet are touching, there is a high likelihood of true affection. Indeed love may be present. However once this foot-contact has been established - a drop-off of this bed room body language is a strong signal of waning love and diminished affection.

If affection is shunned and not warmly received it will seek a place where it is welcome. Foot-shunning is one of many nonverbal signs of waning affection, lessening of love and perhaps that an extra-marital affair is in the works. So if your spouse displays less affection, particularly with poor foot contact during cuddling, a red flag has been raised. Take heed.


Media Inquiries and Group Appearances 
One-on-One and Online Courses Available 



See also:

Romance, Marriage and Dating - Body Language Secret No. 771: Ann's and Mitt's Affectionate Hug

Romance, Dating & Marriage - Body Language Secret No. 1500:  Six Degrees? Leaning In, Head Touching and the Manubrium - Kyra and Kevin are 10th Cousins, Once Removed

Dating & Romance Body Language Secret No. 2020:  The Art of Looking Flirtatious

Dating & Romance Nonverbal Communication Secret No. 1010:  What Makes the Twinkle in Her Eye?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1916:  Katie Holmes & Tom Cruise are getting a Divorce -  What Body Language Metric could have Predicted this  Back When They Were Dating? 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1705:  François Hollande & the French Presidential Election  The Pistol Steeple and Emotional Dissonance 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2699: Reince Priebus and the Republican Get it All Wrong While Trying to Win Woman Voters - Got Empathy?


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Saturday, January 25, 2014

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2699: Reince Priebus and the Republican Get it All Wrong While Trying to Win Woman Voters - Got Empathy? (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

















The U.S. Republican party recently held a meeting in which the primary focus was reaching out to women voters. The above image includes Reince Priebus, the chairman of the Republican National Committee. On the stage with him are "six rising stars" in the party who also happen to be women. The photo is so ironic that it could almost be lifted from a Saturday Night Live sketch.

All the ladies except one are wearing a skirt or dress. However you don't need to be a body language expert to know that even if they all were wearing pants, to seat women speakers on a stage - as if on deliberate chauvinistic display, shows a complete lack of empathy and insight regarding professionalism, common courtesy and particularly the female perspective. The irony screams when you know the whole purpose of this quorum is to attract the female vote.

If your goal were to alienate a guest speaker, intimidate her and throw her off her game - then put her in a high, uncomfortable chair directly facing the audience and a television camera. Certainly this was not the Republican Party's intent, yet the complete lack of point-of-view skills in this difficult-to-believe-it's-not-a-parody example should leave everyone, even an old white male scratching his head. It won't win over women voters either.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2595: Barack Obama's Emotional Dissonance, Low Confidence and the "Turtle Retreat" - He Does Not Want To Be There

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2620: President Obama Tells a Couple Fibs - "Norming" Barack's Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2681: What Did Barack Obama Really think of Robert Gates as Secretary of Defense?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2605: President Obama and Health Insurance Cancellation Fix - and an Alpha-Beta Hybrid Body Language Illustrator

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2614: Harry Reid on Military Sexual Assault - Supporting Gillibrand over McCaskill - What Is He Really Thinking?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2554: Harry Reid's Body Language Lets Us Know What He's Thinking - Short Term Debt Limit Hike

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2698: Lupita Nyong'o on Jimmy Fallon - an Underused Body Language Display

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2150:  Body Language Advice for  President Obama and Governor Romney in Tonight's Debate



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Friday, January 24, 2014

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2698: Lupita Nyong'o on Jimmy Fallon - an Underused Body Language Display (VIDEO, PHOTOS)























Lupita Nyong'o recently appeared on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Note: The original video has, since the original post, been removed from its online source. The image above however, was captured from this video. The brilliant actress was nominated for an Oscar for "Best Supporting Actress" for her role as Patsey in "Twelve Years a Slave". In the above video segment, she describes her brother, "... he lives in an exclamation point - his whole life is just like...". During the 2:44 - 2:47 segment (see image below) Ms. Nyong'o displays what is known as a "Basketball Steeple". This particular nonverbal is underutilized. It is an example of an "Alpha-Beta Hybrid" body language - not hyper-dominant (such as a conventional steeple) and not too demure (like a fig-leaf), but a healthy intermediate.

What is the difference between a traditionally female-displayed basketball steeple and those typically displayed by most straight males?


See also:


Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2533: Angela Merkel's Low Steeple "Trademark" - A Major Body Language Mistake

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2102:  The Self-Righteous Head Wiggle and the  Conventional Steeple vs.Basketball Steeple

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2577: Bill Clinton and Terry McAuliffe - Alpha and Beta Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2496:  Would You Buy a Car from this Man? (a Lykan Hypersport?), Destroying Rapport with Arrogant Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2235:  Barack Obama and John Boehner -  The Fiscal Cliff and Contrasting Body Language

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1503:  The Conventional Steeple vs. The Basketball Steeple - Seeking a Balance

Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1563:  Geithner and Holder  In Deference to the President -  One Occasion to Use the Fig Leaf

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1770:  White House Correspondents' Dinner  Lindsay Lohan's Body Language 


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Thursday, January 23, 2014

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2697: Justin Bieber Arrested, in Court - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTO)




Justin Bieber was arrested early Thursday morning in Miami Beach. He was charged with DUI, resisting arrest and driving on an expired drivers license. He was released on a $2500 bond. What follows is a partial analysis of some of his body language.




During the 0:11 - 0:17 segment, Bieber shows us a Forward Lip Purse. This nonverbal display indicates that he is in clandestine disagreement with the judge. It also indicates that he feels he is the alpha in the room. Betas don't make this in the company of those they perceive to to alphas. It also indicates that regardless of what words are spoken, that he has a plan and that he believes he has a good chance of executing it with success.





Just a few seconds later (0:21 - 0:27), Bieber displays an asymmetrical lip purse. What does this nonverbal indicate?

What other body language particulars, if any, influence the interpretation of this facial expression?









At the 0:56 - 0:58 segment, a fantastic example of a "Tongue in Cheek" is seen. This nonverbal can signify several emotions depending on the other signals with which it is clustered.These include: "I just won/I just caught you", anger, sadness, grief, sexual provocation or deception. Which of these apply to Justin in this moment?






At the 1:15 mark, we see a beautiful example of a microexpression of fear manifested most demonstratively on Justin Bieber's left neck. Watch this on the video and you will note the very fleeting contraction of his "neck of fear" (contraction of Sternocleidomastoid and Platysma muscles on Bieber's left).

What are the other components of fear seen in this moment?



There were many other body language tells in this short video. What others did you see?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2434:  Brad Pitt's Tongue-in-Cheek regarding  Reasons for Choosing to Work on "World War Z"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2665: Nick Saban's "Tongue in Cheek" Body Language - What Does It Mean?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2495:  The White House, Josh Earnest, Egypt and a Coup -  Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2313: Elisa Lam Video in Elevator at Cecil Hotel - What Her Body Language Tells Us ...

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2638: North Korean Senior Official Chang Song-taek (aka Jang Sung-thaek) Executed, Body Language Tells 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2691: Barbara Bush, "I Love Bill Clinton" - Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2454:  NTSB Chairwoman Deborah Hersman & a  Subtle "Neck of Fear"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2486:  Katie Holmes on David Letterman and the "Social Etiquette Fear Face


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Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2691: Barbara Bush, "I Love Bill Clinton" - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





Barbara Bush recently gave an interview (video excerpt above) in which, and among other subjects, she spoke about Bill Clinton.

" .... My husband, Bill Clinton and I have become great friends .... I think that he thinks of George a little bit like the father he didn't have. And he's very loving to him. And I really appreciate that. I love Bill Clinton, maybe not his politics, but I love Bill Clinton."



This is the former first lady's facial expression as she says, "... maybe not his politics ..."

Note how the entire width of her forehead is contracted and elevated - along with her eyebrows and upper eyelids to add emphasis. This expression is a facial form of what in the body language world is known as an "illustrator" - thus acting like a simultaneous underline for emphasis.

Also notice how the central lower forehead just between and above the eye brows - is NOT contracted. This absence is important. What other nonverbal signs are consistent with this clarifying statement nestled between two statements regarding love?


Only a few seconds later when she says, "... but I love Bill Clinton.", Mrs. Bush's central forehead contracts together as the central (medial) portions of her eyebrows elevate. Her central forehead contraction (CFC) is less defined (as is all muscle contraction) and therefore a bit more difficult to see in most elderly people (Mrs. Bush is 88). It is also very important to make the distinction between wrinkles of age and the furrows associated with facial muscle contraction.

When Barbara's forehead momentarily adopted this configuration, her mouth also formed what in most scenarios is a negative expression - yet the downward turning of the corners of her mouth and the momentary visibility of just her bottom teeth in conjunction with a CFC indicates sincerity. When she says she loves him, this is not just for the camera.

How good are you at detecting sincerity? Are you sure?

See also:

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 - Quiz No. 2615: Bill Clinton Receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom - And His Body Language Reveals What Emotions?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2125:  Presidential Debate Body Language -  George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Ross Perot 1992

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2523:  Hillary Clinton, Body Language and the 2016 Presidency -  Rapport Builder vs. Rapport Destroyer

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2564: Hillary Clinton Stumping for Terry McAuliffe ... but Did She Hint at Running in 2016? 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1865:  Five Presidents in the Oval Office  Who has the Lowest Confidence?  Who is the Least Comfortable?

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 441:  Bill Clinton's Rapport and His Temporary Universe


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Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2690: Peyton Manning Explains the Meaning of "Omaha" Call - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





Although other quarterbacks have used it before, including Tom Brady and his little bro' Eli, Peyton Manning has made the call "Omaha" somewhat famous in the last few weeks. After earning his third career Super Bowl appearance and his first in a Denver Broncos uniform, many people want to know what it means. He's probably been asked this many times, so the answer he gives above is not his first. Peyton's pretty good in front of the camera, yet he gives away several key body language tells. One is briefly discussed here.

At the 0:33 second mark, near the end of the video, Manning displays a nonverbal known as a "Tongue Jut" or "Lizard Tongue". This is very evanescent and is but one example of a microexpression. It has several different meanings depending on the other body language signals with which it is clustered. These include: "I've been bad", "I just got caught", "I've done a foolish thing" or "I got away with something". It can also indicate self-deprecation or excitement.

Can you discern which of these meanings Peyton's body language is conveying here? Would you have seen this tell or paid it attention had it not been pointed out? What other nonverbals did you spot?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2576: Chris Brown's Body Language - a Signal of Psyche's Suppressing Emotions ... and Anger and ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2625: Paul Walker of 'Fast & Furious' and Body Language of the Tongue Jut

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2547: Amanda Knox's ex-Boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito, Piers Morgan Interview, Body Language Tells and Avoiding the Othello Error

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2689: Mirrors Used as Protest Tool in Keiv (Kyiv) Ukraine - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2594: Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin Harassment, Part II - Miami Dolphins Coach Joe Philbin's Body Language

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1482:  George Clooney's Lizard Tongue (Tongue Jut) 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2651: Peyton Manning sets a Single Season Touchdown Record - Body Language at Press Conference

















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Monday, January 20, 2014

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2689: Mirrors Used as Protest Tool in Keiv (Kyiv) Ukraine - Body Language (Photos, Video)

















The citizens in Kiev (Kyiv), Ukraine have taken on an interesting tactic in their protests of late. They hold up mirrors so the riot-police can look into their own faces and "see what they've become". In such a public setting, looking into a mirror brings on a much different effect compared that of the morning bathroom. It yields much more self-reflection of one's character, personality, etc. .... and in this setting one of World view & empathy. Thus this practice tends to have a shaming effect on the law enforcement. After all, they are citizens of Kyiv too. They are neighbors, friends and family. They have political dissent. The Kiev-ians are probably not the first do so, but they're the first on a large scale. Along with being nonviolent, this is a novel use of body language as a self-evaluation to effect change.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2688: Bill Belichick at Post-Game Press Conference, His Words are in Disparity with His Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2687: Is He a Bully? Chris Christie - Being and Looking Kinder - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2641: John McCain with Protesters in Kiev, Ukraine - You Feel Safe There?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2649: How a Kiss can Change the World - Body Language of Affection

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2491:  President Obama's Reaction to Egypt Military's  Massive Killing of Protesters -  Beta Body Language  Where Alpha Had Been Barack's Baseline Behavior

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2650: Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Pardoned by Putin, is Released from Prison, One Important Thing His Body Language Tells Us

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2082:  Cătălina Ponor's False "Smile" -  Silver Medal in Floor Exercise












































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Sunday, January 19, 2014

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2688: Bill Belichick at Post-Game Press Conference, His Words are in Disparity with His Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)
























Bill Belichick's New England Patriots lost today to the Denver Broncos (DEN 26 NE 16) in the AFC Championship Game. Most people believe that Coach Belichick is rather stone-faced, yet he constantly gives off a myriad of body language tells. The above video, a portion of the post-game press conference today, is no exception.

At 0:17, just prior to saying, "... um, I'm proud of our football team, proud of everything we did this year ..." he sniffs. This "sniff" is a disgust-surrogate. It is certainly not because his nose needs wiping. Within his inhalation, Bill Belichick manifests a great example of a microexpression of disgust (image above). Note: The original video has, since the original post, been removed from its online source. The image above however, was captured from this video. Belichick is being deceptive. He is in fact not proud of everything or every one on his team. Perhaps it could be that he is recalling Aaron Hernandez, who was a tight end until 26 July 2013 when he was released by New England due to his arrest for alleged murder (certainly disgusting and much more). Perhaps it was for multiple other short shortcomings which lead to the loss and missing another Super Bowl. We cannot say exactly for what it is for - yet we can say that he absolutely has some significant disgust, thus he is telling a lie and therefore is not proud. It is a common nonverbal phenomenon to (subconsciously) disguise both disgust and contempt within the ruse of a sniff.

Depending on the other tells and body language with which it is clustered, a sniff can also indicate what other emotional tell?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2504: Former New England Patriot Aaron Hernandez and a  Commonly Missed Body Language Signal

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2228:  Jay Carney's Body Language - Contempt disguised as a Sniff .... for Republicans' Solutions to the Fiscal Cliff

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2127:  Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's Body Language during  Piers Morgan Interview

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2524:  Jay Carney, Navy Yard Shooting and "The New Normal"  Emotion and Thought Disparity of the Exaggerated Pout

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2687: Is He a Bully? Chris Christie - Being and Looking Kinder - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2685: Amber Heard, Johnny Depp Engaged - When They Fell In Love - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2400:  One Way Deception Could be Minimized in the Court Room -  O.J. Simpson's in Court



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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2687: Is He a Bully? Chris Christie - Being and Looking Kinder - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)


















Regardless of what side of the political isle you vote on, few would argue that any politician within a republic (or similar government) benefits from the practice or perception of bullying. Chris Christie is no different. He has of course been accused of being a bully. And whether he decides to run for President in 2016 or he permanently exits from politics after his governorship, he would benefit dramatically from moving away from this - in image or reality. Many things contribute to the behavior of a bully. One is being hyper-alpha in your words, your vocal quality and/or your body language. Interestingly, altering one of these three will tend to dramatically influence the other two. Thus if your nonverbal displays are aggressive - so will your words, your tone, etc.

The World over, index finger pointing is negatively received. Even if you like another person - you don't want them pointing at you. Politicians lose votes this way - yet few realize it. Note that Christie's fourth and fifth digits (ring finger and pinky) are tightly contracted, while his first and third digits (thumb and middle finger) are loose. If his entire hand (except for the pointing index/forefinger) were in a tight fist, this would be "felt" by the audience as even more aggressive. Additionally if his palm were facing down rather than perpendicular to the ground - this configuration would also dial up his alpha display even further.

A much better way to "point" to is with the palm directed upward, fingers and thumb held loosely, without the arm fully extended (only a modest bend at the elbow and shoulder). This projects a person who is open to others ideas and contributions - and yet still conveys strong and effective leadership. If you're in a leadership position, you should seek these qualities in order to build consensus. This body language is an example of an "alpha-beta hybrid" - which are recognized, understood and utilized far too rarely by those who are deemed "leaders".

What goes unnoticed my all but a few, is that when the hands display "kinder" body language, the facial expressions will mirror such emotions. The reverse is also true. In the image above, what does Governor Christie's facial expression convey?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2674: Did Chris Christie Orchestrate Bridge Closure or Cover Up His Subordinates Actions? Body Language Tells Us ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2680: Chris Christie's State of the State Address - Body Language Swagger and Sincerity

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2673: New Jersey Bridge Closing - Fort Lee, NJ Mayor Mark Sokolich - What His Body Language Says about His Feelings towards Governor Chris Christie

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2685: Amber Heard, Johnny Depp Engaged - When They Fell In Love

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2684: Controversial Sex Ed Poster - A Concerned Parent and a Contemptuous School Official 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2672: Dennis Rodman, Kim Jong Un and the Finger-Point Hand-Chop, Body Language from North Korea

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2668: Ryan Seacrest - Less Offensive Variations on Pointing - Body Language Nuance




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Saturday, January 18, 2014

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2685: Amber Heard, Johnny Depp Engaged - When They Fell In Love - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





Amber Heard and Johnny Depp are engaged. They met on the set of "The Rum Diary", filmed in 2011 and released in October of that same year. Depp and his long-time love of 14 years, Vanessa Paradis, announced their split in June of 2012. Depp and Heard began dating soon afterward.

In the above video, Ms. Heard is interviewed as part of a promotion for the film. There are several nonverbal cues seen here indicating her romantic interest at the time for Johnny Depp.

Dialog summary beginning at 2:02

Interviewer: "And Johnny, Johnny, I know Johnny's a very keen, passionate reader and so are you. Did you have any kind of like sharing book tips?

Heard: "Yeah."

Interviewer: "What's, what's on Johnny's list?

[Looks down to her right with suppressed smile at 2:11]

Heard: "We, we, um, we, we, we have very similar tastes in, in, in literature, poetry."

Interviewer: "What are you reading at the moment?"

Heard: "Ah [Jaw Confessional at 2:19], I am reading 'East of Eden'." [Blush, Suppressed Smile at 2:21]

Interviewer: "Oh, wow! Steinbeck."

Heard: "A classic."

Interviewer: "Yeah."

Heard: "I haven't it read in forever."

Interviewer: "You've read it before?"

Heard: "Yeah, and, and, and, somebody close to me suggested I re-read it and, and, and I'm discovering all sorts of new things." [blush, suppressed smile at 2:33]



Heard is looking down to her right. She does so at multiple strategic times [2:11 - 2:13, 2:19 coincident with jaw confessional and 2:25 - 2:30].

Most right handed people look down to their right during times, of high emotion as well as when referencing the kinesthetic.



2:19 Jaw Confessional, Looking Down to Right, Blush, Suppressed Smile

The "Jaw Confessional" is a body language signal of high sincerity - although all is not revealed in her verbal language. It is seen during moments of a re-living of strong emotional moment such as embarrassment, regret, apology, affection or love. She displays this nonverbal just prior to saying "I am reading 'East of Eden". It is not because she is lying or embarrassed she is reading the classic - it is because Johnny recommended it.




At 2:21 Ms. Heard show us a strongly Suppressed Smile with a Blush.

This cluster combination is so very strong for sexual attraction that it's almost a neon sign.












At 2:33, we see a repeat suppressed smile with Blush.










Amber Heard fell in love on the set of "The Rum Diary" - not the following year when they began dating.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2492:  Jared Remy Arrested for Murder of His Girlfriend -  Three Jaw Signals in a Cluster, Thee Body Language Meanings

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2314:  Naomi Watts Pre-Oscar Interview and her Body Language of the "Jaw Confessional" and the Sincerity Quotient

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2582: Jay Carney Dismisses (and is Embarrassed by) Low Obamacare Enrollment Numbers

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2589: Toronto Mayor Rob Ford Admits to Smoking Crack Cocaine - Body Language of the "Head Torque"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2684: Controversial Sex Ed Poster - A Concerned Parent and a Contemptuous School Official - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2683: Alice Eve, Craig Ferguson, Kierkegaard and Free Will, Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2456:  Julia Merfeld Trys to Hire a Hit Man to Kill Her Husband -  Sexual Attraction and a Murderous Wife; Body Language and Disinhibition

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2325:  Mila Kunis' interview with Chris Stark on BBC Radio 1 re: Oz the Great and Powerful -  Body Language, Sexual Attraction and Mirroring


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Friday, January 17, 2014

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2684: Controversial Sex Ed Poster - A Concerned Parent and a Contemptuous School Official - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)




The father (Mark Ellis) interviewed in the above news piece (via WDAF Kansas City, MO and CNN) is concerned about sex education and the material being used to teach his 13 year-old daughter. This post does not make any judgment whether he or the Shawnee Mission School District is in the right - rather it is put forth here as an example of body language exhibited surrounding an emotional issue in a professional setting. What follows is a partial analysis of the school district official who is also interviewed.




Here a Microexpression (at 0:19 and exampled several times) of contempt (on her left) is captured.

A partial bilateral eyelid closure in this cluster-context acts as a contempt amplifier









The school administer exhibited multiple examples (here at 0:23) of extended eyelid closure (aka prolonged blinks). This is a profound display of contempt. It transmits strong feelings of arrogance and is here enhanced by her simultaneous forehead contraction as well as her backwards head-neck tilt.

Indeed this image could act as a guide for a cartoon artist for a caricature of a condescending facial expression.






Displayed multiple times we see a jaw jut. This was not an example of "just the way her jaw moves when she speaks" - rather it is a nonverbal display of anger.




This image (0:28, with expression lasting 0:27 - 0:29) is similar to the first photo above (longer in duration though) however it has slightly more of a component of contempt as well as significant incredulity.









The verbal message is not congruent at all with her body language (And what did you detect with regard to her vocal quality?). Whenever the verbal and the nonverbal message are disparate - it is the nonverbal that is always correct. It is dumbfounding that most professionals are completely unaware of the messages they are transmitting. Such profound disconnects routinely create major misunderstandings, evoke tears, ruin careers, precipitate divorces and unfortunately even end lives. User beware.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2599: Spotting Subtle Signals of Arrogance - Tiger Woods and Rachel Nichols

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2289:  Sen. Lindsey Graham grills Chuck Hagel -  Body Language at Senate Confirmation Hearings

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2646: Does Barack Obama Want to Go to the Sochi (Russia) Winter Olympics? What His Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1890:  Eric Holder has (Emotional) Contempt toward Darrell Issa -  while Rep. Issa is Very Excited to be Seeking  "Contempt of Congress" against Holder

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2682: Sperm Donor Switch and a Body Language Example of ...

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2683: Alice Eve, Craig Ferguson, Kierkegaard and Free Will, Body Language Tells

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 457:  A Contempt Amplifier - Salman Rushdie

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Thursday, January 16, 2014

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2683: Alice Eve, Craig Ferguson, Kierkegaard and Free Will, Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





This video includes the actor Alice Eve promoting the latest Star Trek movie ("Star Trek Into Darkness") last summer on "The Late Show with Craig Ferguson". Among other topics they discuss Kierkegaard and free will. Below is a discussion of one moment of Eve's body language.

At the 7:16 mark Ms. Eve briefly turns and slightly tilts her head away from Ferguson. Her eyes also gaze evanescently in the opposite direction. And while the right side her mouth attempts a smile, the side facing her host pulls laterally and downwards in a partial expression of a "Mouth of Fear". This is a form of a duplicitous smile. Like the theatrical mask with one side smiling and the other side frowning - it sends out different emotional tones (emotional dissonance). She wants to be polite and yet steer clear of the discussion regarding free will. She is cuing these two thoughts and corresponding emotions via her nonverbal signals. And while this example is put forth in a setting of comedy, Alice's dual emotions are very real. Similar body language is seen millions of times a day in the more serious settings of the board room, the court room, the exam room and the sales floor.

You only see what you look for - and you only look for what you know. What body language are you glossing over? Are you sure?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2682: Sperm Donor Switch and a Body Language Example of ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2630: Nelson Mandela - Body Language of a Sincere Smile

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2482:  Alex Rodriguez's Sincerity  Body Language of a One-Sided Smile

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2651: Peyton Manning sets a Single Season Touchdown Record - Body Language at Press Conference

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2515:  Eliot Spitzer vs. Scott Stringer  Insincere Smile with Anger Component  Body Language and the NYC Comptroller Race

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2474:  Mayor Bob Filner's False Smile -  Insincerity, Body Language and San Diego



































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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2682: Sperm Donor Switch and a Body Language Example of .... (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





In a bizarre turn of events worthy of a movie, Annie Branum, an Astrophysics major at University of Texas San Antonio, has discovered that the man who she believed to be her father is not related at all. He shares none of her DNA - a fact she discovered last year. Her mother Pamela Branum has a strong interest in genealogy and the ability to discover more about the family's lineage led them to undergo genetic testing. What they found out was shocking.

Tom Lippert, and ex-employee of the Reproductive Medical Technologies Inc., and who is now deceased, was the true sperm donor. It is not yet known whether this occurred via lab error or if the sperm deliberately switched. Lippert, who plead guilty to kidnapping in 1975, is now deceased. The lab is no also longer in business.

In the video above, and exampled in the image below, Annie Branum displays multiple microexpressions and subtle expressions of contempt. Note while there is some lateral movement of one side of the mouth, it's also significantly vectored upward in what is often described as a snarl - although many often mistake it for a variation of a subtle smile. There is also a tightening (contraction) of the tissue between the upper lip and nose as well as a flaring of the nostril on the same side and a deepening of her (left) nasal-labial furrow (which runs from the side of the nose to the corner of the mouth).

Who else displays contempt in this video?

In addition to Annie Branum, who also displays a significant asymmetrical mouth expression? What is its body language significance?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2442:  Nancy Pelosi's Subtle Contempt Display Body Language Regarding "Who Cares?" Retort

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2350:  Contempt - both dramatic and subtle - Backpedaling and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2228:  Jay Carney's Body Language - Contempt disguised as a Sniff ....  for Republicans' Solutions to the Fiscal Cliff

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2681: What Did Barack Obama Really think of Robert Gates as Secretary of Defense?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2680: Chris Christie's State of the State Address - Body Language Swagger and Sincerity 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2679: Tina Fey & Amy Poehler - Body Language of Suppressed Smiles, The 2014 Golden Globe Awards and Variation on a Theme 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2678: French President François Hollande, Valerie Trierweiler and Julie Gayet - Of Affairs, Affection and Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2669: Sara Bareilles and the Body Language of the Rationalization Rapport Empathy Expression 



















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