Monday, July 27, 2015

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3259: Barack Obama responds to Mike Huckabee's Holocaust Reference - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





Earlier today, while in Ethiopia, President Obama was asked about Mike Huckabee's Holocaust reference. The former Arkansas Governor and 2016 Presidential Candidate had said over the weekend that President Obama's president’s policy would “take the Israelis and march them to the door of the oven.” Mr. Obama went on to criticize several republicans and his accompanying nonverbal signals provide some excellent teaching moments.


Here President Obama is biting his bottom lip (0:16) as he responds to former Governor Huckabee referencing the Holocaust. Depending on the other nonverbals with which it is clustered, lip biting can have several different meanings. In this context, Mr. Obama's lip biting signals a hesitancy to speak as well as a very careful word choice (anyone who listens only to this passage would easily discern his reluctance).



This moment showcases an excellent example of incredulity (although this is certainly not the only facial expression associated with disbelief). Note the President's forward head tilt clustered with an elevated central forehead contraction (CFC) with a mild mouth pseudo-smile. This is seen during 0:42 - 0:43 as he mentions Ted Cruz's (who he didn't mention by name) suggestion that he's the leading state sponsor of terrorism.




At 2:18 we see the President express a clear example of a facial expression of contempt for Mr. Trump as he speaks about the businessman's questioning heroism of John McCain.

What is the secondary emotion displayed here?






See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3258: Hillary Clinton speaks out on "inaccuracies" of private email controversy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2596: What Motivates Ted Cruz's Regarding Anti-Obamacare, Body Language Tells on Jay Leno

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3250: Donald Trump regarding John McCain: "He's no hero" - Body Language Tells us what he really thinks

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2508:  Surfer Kelia Moniz and a  Classic Flirtatious Body Language Display

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2951: Miss America 2015 - Sincerity, Surprise and Botox


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