Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3576: Marco Rubio's Endorsement of Donald Trump - Body Language (PHOTOS)
























Marco Rubio recently gave his endorsement of Donald Trump for President. This surprised a lot of pundits (and the public) given the volume of bad blood between the two candidates in the last 12 months.

The expression on the Florida Senator's face in the image above is one that we should hope to not see too often in any leader.

This is a particularly good nonverbal image - for the angle affords allows an excellent view of the clenching of his jaw muscles (masseter muscles), the crinkling of his chin, the jutting forward of his jaw ("Jaw Jut"), the tightening of his "Mustache Area", the flaring of his nostrils (given the mustache area tension, we can infer that his left nostril is also flared) - AND the "Inward Lip Roll" (ILR).

This cluster is highly characteristic of a Suppression of Anger - both in the psyche's attempt at stifling inward growth of this emotion, as well as trying to not let it crescendo outwardly - on the face.

Take Home Point: Senator Marco Rubio does NOT want to endorse Trump (there have many nonverbal, verbal and paralanguage indications of this over the past months) but he is doing so out of duty to the Republican Party (and, of course, his strong dislike for Hillary Clinton). Whenever the body language and the verbal language are in disagreement (showing emotional and cognitive dissonance) - it's the body language which is telling the truth.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3575: Hillary Clinton vs. Donald Trump - Comparison of Wikipedia Profile Photos 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3557: Meghan Trainor Falls on Jimmy Fallon as She Finishes "Me Too"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3559: Kit Harington, Game of Thrones, Jon Snow and Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3554: Paul Allen, Steph Curry and the "Slack Jaw"
 
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3539: Conspicuous by it's Absence - Donald Trump's Missing Expression

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3523: Jaws - "You're Going to Need a Bigger Boat"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3514: Casting Rey - The Force Awakens Bonus Features - Daisy Ridley's Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3479: Vicente Fox regarding Donald Trump's Proposed Wall - ‘I’m not going to pay for that F***ing wall!

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Monday, May 30, 2016

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3575: Hillary Clinton vs. Donald Trump - Comparison Their of Wikipedia Profile Photos - Body Language (PHOTOS)


































These are the two primary profile photos of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump currently appearing on their respective Wikipedia pages. Of course with any given person having a significant public following, Wikipedia is the first or second most-viewed online source. And although it's primarily an open-source platform, editing of the Wikipedia pages of such higher level biographical pages is limited. There are a fair number of others pictures on each of the 2016 Presidential Candidates' pages - however these two are at the top, and thus by far are the most-viewed pics. Contrasting these two images, which have been almost surely vetted by the candidates - is instructive and insightful nonverbal exercise.

Note here that each image is magnified to the same width for the purpose of this post (with slightly different heights), however the resolution on Donald Trump's original image was significantly lower.

Hillary Clinton's image is posed and taken in a studio whereas Donald Trump's photo was taken at a live event (a town hall meeting at Pinkerton Academy, Derry, New Hampshire in August of 2015).

Secretary Clinton's expression is that of a fairly good "Social Smile" - however it's NOT a sincere smile. The corners of her mouth are pulled primarily upwards (with only the upper teeth visible) - and her cheeks also are (mostly) congruent with this change. Her forehead also displays the necessary requirement of being relaxed. So far so good - so it's a sincere smile?- NO. Look carefully at Hillary's eyes - for they are NOT partially closed - consistent with normal baseline. On the contrary - they are opened slightly (but very significantly) wider than baseline. If one looks at her lower eyelids - there are not the primary and temporary, concave-up furrows present - rather there are several little furrows - some of which are continuous with the "crows feet" at the lateral portion of each eye. This is the reason, when one is assessing a smile, NEVER use the presence of crows feet as a barometer for sincerity (as is sometimes, though erroneously suggested).

TAKE HOME POINT: If Mrs. Clinton had had a dominant, evanescent concave-up furrow on each of her lower eyelids (and the rest of her face was unchanged) - then her smile would have been a sincere smile of joy-happiness (Duchenne Smile) rather than the nice, but very posed, Social Smile.







































Donald Trump's expression is certainly not a smile.

His head and torso are tiled away from the person at whom he is looking - and his head is also slightly rotated. We don't look directly at those whom we don't like, don't respect and/or don't believe.

His downward turned mouth corners along with a mild-to-moderate pout (primarily of his lower lip) is, for him, a very common nonverbal mouth display - perhaps his most frequent.

Note also his partially closed eyelids - along with his left eyebrow being raised.

TAKE HOME POINT: This nonverbal cluster present in Mr. Trump's image projects his feelings of doubt/incredulity along with a mild level of dislike and critical evaluation for the person(s) at whom he's looking - and/or their ideas/opinions/proposals, etc., being voiced.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3574: Selena Gomez's Body Language Reaction to Fans in Montreal

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3571: Donald Trump to Debate Bernie Sanders? What Trump Feels about Bernie

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3552: Hillary Clinton, Body Language and variations on the Pistol Steeple

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3547: Kate Middleton on Cover of Vogue's 100th Anniversary Issue 


Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3538: Barack Obama, David Cameron, Number 10 and the Brexit

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3519: Vladimir Putin, The Panama Papers 


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Sunday, May 29, 2016

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3574: Selena Gomez's Body Language Reaction to Fans in Montreal (VIDEO, PHOTOS)






Selena Gomez was taken aback on Thursday during a concert in Montreal. As she broke into the chorus of "Who Says" - members of audience held up signs which read, "We Are". Moreover they also began singing the song in her stead.

It has been reported that Ms. Gomez "teared up" in response - and although this could have certainly occurred (and she did experience significant affection for the audience in this moment, [see below]), she did NOT in fact cry.

The confusion naturally arises due to an assumption, for Selena did rub/touch her (left) eye. Upon seeing or hearing something (a stimulus) we don't quite believe (whether it's good or bad) - an eye rub or touch is a very common nonverbal response. Here, Selena is processing what she is seeing and hearing - but it's also something for which she (at least a portion of her psyche) has a substantial amount of disbelief.

Her emotional brain is still processing that which her senses (and intellect) already knows to be true.
























In the moment below, Selena initiates a "self-hugging" display. She hugs herself as a surrogate for hugging the audience.

























A moment later (below) Selena blushes as she also tucks her head in a chin down, turning and tilting configuration. This head/neck dynamic acts as both an affection and sincerity amplifier to the co-existing self-hugging display.


























See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3573: Angela Merkel, the G7, Destroying Rapport and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3565: Adolf Hitler, Jesse Owens, Archie Williams and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3571: Donald Trump to Debate Bernie Sanders? What Trump Feels about Bernie 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3538: Barack Obama, David Cameron, Number 10, Brexit and Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3516: Hillary Clinton, Finger Pointing, Fossil Fuels, Bernie Sanders and Lying 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3506: Jake Gyllenhaal Bombed His Lord of the Rings Audition 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3473: Adele's Tongue, Ellen DeGeneres and Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3446: Peyton Manning and Tom Brady


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3573: Angela Merkel, the G7, Destroying Rapport and Body Language (PHOTOS)
























Angela Merkel is one of the most powerful and influential heads of state in the World. Somewhere along the line however, she received some very misguided nonverbal training and ever since she's displayed the low steeple excessively (more specifically, a low classic steeple). If a leader (or anyone) uses a classic steeple (low, medium or high) - they should do so very sparingly - and only for a second or less during the most important part of a speech or presentation.

Chancellor Merkel uses the low classic steeple as some form of an idiosyncratic visual signature - thus rather than building rapport, this body language helps to destroy it.  Rather than showing strength and assertiveness - it sends signals of arrogance and patronizing emotional tones. She may very well not be intending to project these feelings - for this is highly posed (and erroneously taught) and thus not representative of her emotions - but it is to a variable degree BEING FELT by those who view this moment.

The picture above (cropped section below, taken during the recent G7 meeting in Japan) betrays even greater levels of Merkel's nonverbal misguidance. A classic steeple is not, in ANY way, a substitute for a greeting. Thus her posing in this configuration while the other leaders are waving, not only stands in dramatic and condescending contrast to their friendly salutations (even though posed), but it also very bluntly declares, "I stand alone", "I'm not one of you" or "I'm Not in Solidarity." It is also not a coincidence that the color of her top stands out against the other leaders.

It's an interesting combination of Angela Merkel being a strong leader, flaunting a misunderstanding re: her earlier (mis)learning of nonverbal displays, idiosyncratic behavior, being the lone female (and signaling to younger women leaders) - and perhaps a bit of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
























See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3572: Bernie Sanders on Jimmy Kimmel - regarding Donald Trump Debate

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3571: Donald Trump to Debate Bernie Sanders? What Trump Feels about Bernie

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3550: Robert Downey Jr. Auditions Jimmy Fallon

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3536: Prince Explains His Name Change in 1999 Interview

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3501: Salah Abdeslam of Paris Attacks is Captured - Body Language Traits Shared by Terrorists

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3492: Maria Sharapova Admits Failed Drug Test

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3471: Ronda Rousey regarding her Loss to Holly Holm on Ellen DeGeneres Show

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3465: Hillary Clinton's Dominant Spider

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Friday, May 27, 2016

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3572: Bernie Sanders on Jimmy Kimmel - regarding Donald Trump Debate - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





The night after he had Donald Trump on his show, Jimmy Kimmel followed it up with Bernie Sanders. And while in the last several hours it does appear that Trump may have pulled out of challenge to debate Bernie - Senator Sanders' appearance also contains some excellent nonverbal examples.


The video begins with Jimmy Kimmel saying, "I feel like we're, we had a very awkward handshake, I feel like we should do it over again, because ... yeah, okay, there we go, alright ..."

Their initial fumbled handshake wasn't included in this video, yet Kimmel did exactly what one should do when a such a scenario occurs. I recommend saying something similar to, "Hey, I messed up that handshake - would you mind if we do that over?" Handshakes are dramatically disproportionately important moments, particularly if it's the very first meeting and great care should be taken to verbalize any missteps and get these greetings correct.

Another important aspect of this image is the fact that Bernie Sanders turns his whole body toward his host and maintains this configuration after their do-over handshake and continues this position into their conversation. It's amazing the high percentage of otherwise very experienced professionals who don't point their entire body toward the other person - and hold eye contact for 4-5 seconds while they're shaking hands (as of course, they absolutely should).

The above scenario is a bit unorthodox - since both men are on TV in a talk show setting. Presumably their initial handshake occurred with them both standing up. Always keep in mind that shaking hands while sitting conveys significantly less respect.
























Beginning at 0:17, Senator Sanders says, "You made it possible for us to have a very interesting debate."

During 0:24, just after he says the word, "... debate...", Bernie pulls in his lower lip. This is known as "Lower Lip Anticipation" or a "Lower Lip Retraction". It's similar to the "Tongue in Cheek" display - in that it signals an emotional tone of "I Just Won" or "I Gotcha". These strong feelings of excitation-anticipation are indicative how Bernie Sanders feels he will perform in a debate with Donald Trump.

This website serves as an objective reference source for the science and art of Body Language/Nonverbal Communication. In an effort to be both practical and academic, many examples from/of varied cultures, politicians, professional athletes, legal cases, public figures, etc., are cited in order to teach and illustrate both the interpretation of others’ body language as well as the projection of one’s own nonverbal skills in many different contexts – not to advance any political, religious or other agenda.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3571: Donald Trump to Debate Bernie Sanders? What Trump Feels about Bernie

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2796: Olivia Wilde, Butter, Jon Stewart and the Tongue in Cheek

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2352:  Mila Kunis' Tongue in Cheek  Graham Norton Part II

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3503: John Kasich interview regarding Republican Convention

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3473: Adele's Tongue, Ellen DeGeneres and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3522: Felicity Jones in New Star Wars Trailer: "Rogue One"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3505: Barack Obama is Interrupted by Raúl Castro & Aide at Press Conference

Dating & Romance Nonverbal Communication Secret No. 1010:  Rashida Jones - What Makes the Twinkle in her Eye?



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Thursday, May 26, 2016

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3571: Donald Trump to Debate Bernie Sanders? What Trump Feels about Bernie - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)






Donald Trump is very skilled at lying - much more so than most politicians. One reason for this - is he's somehow managed to dramatically reduce his frequency of self-touching. Most (but certainly not all) body language displays involving touching another part of one's own body (most notably, but not exclusively - the face) indicates a significantly heightened level of anxiety. Another possible explanation for this is that Mr. Trump feels less anxiety when he lies (compared to the average person).


With this in mind, note that during this discussion with Jimmy Kimmel last night regarding the possibility of a debate with Bernie Sanders, Mr. Trump held onto his left wrist for an extended time. With any human being in such a setting - this nonverbal display would signal a heightened level of anxiety - and for Trump it is significantly more so. Review every single minute of his interviews, debates, appearances, etc., since June 2015 when he announced his candidacy - I challenge you to find a similar body language display by Mr. Trump. 


A few moments later his right hand is moved higher on his left forearm - further amplifying his anxiety display. This is a truncated form of a self-hugging maneuver. Further nuanced, this body language configuration telegraphs Trump's relatively lower confidence levels with Senator Sanders (compared with Hillary Clinton).



When asked, "... Have you met Bernie? Have you guys ever met before?"

Trump responds, "I've never really had the privilege."

And then he displays this "Bitter-Anger expression - which sometimes is referred to a "Bitter-Smile" because the person making it, believes (in real time) that they're eking out a bit of a smile. This is an excellent example of just how inaccurate we all are between the expressions we THINK we make - compared to those which we ACTUALLY make - when we're far from our emotional baseline. It's a fundamental axiom of nonverbal communication.

In summary, although Trump SAYS he would rather face Bernie Sanders in the general election, he DOES NOT BELIEVE THIS at all. Trump is lying.


This website serves as an objective reference source for the science and art of Body Language/Nonverbal Communication. In an effort to be both practical and academic, many examples from/of varied cultures, politicians, professional athletes, legal cases, public figures, etc., are cited in order to teach and illustrate both the interpretation of others’ body language as well as the projection of one’s own nonverbal skills in many different contexts – not to advance any political, religious or other agenda.
  

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3247: Barack Obama's Response to Question regarding Revoking Bill Cosby's Presidential Medal of Freedom

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3570: Donald Trump's Duplicitous Thumb

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3568: Hillary Clinton, (Low) Likability, Rapport (Destroying) and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2701: Cuddling, Romance, Affection and Foot-Shunning 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3535: Prince, Sexual Signals and Body Language 

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Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3570: Donald Trump's Duplicitous Thumb - Body Language (PHOTOS)




















When it comes to the "Thumbs Up" body language display, it's important to see what may not-so-obvious. First - never forget the accompanying facial expression - for it's subconsciously driven, whereas the decision to display an upward thumb is a conscious one. It's always the subconscious component which tells the true emotions. Donald Trump's facial expression shown above is one of blended contempt, disgust and disbelief

Yet there are further details for his thumb to reveal. Like many politicians (and of course people from all walks of life), when Mr. Trump uses the "Thumbs Up" display - his Thumb is rarely fully committed. Notice that the base of his thumb (proximal phalanges [or the singular, phalanx]) remains touching or very close to the rest of his hand - with only the distal end of his thumb extending away.


In contrast, note Ronald Reagan's thumb in this image from 1980 - his whole thumb is extended away from his hand.

Reagan's smile is also very sincere - thus his face and his hand are nonverbally congruent (vs. Trump's disparate body language).




This lack of full thumb engagement called a "Mini-Thumb", "Duplicitous Thumb" or "Tentative Thumb" - for it signals incongruity and insincere emotional tones. It is yet another nonverbal display revealing a significant difference between what is said and what is being thought and/or felt. 




Even when Mr. Trump's thumbs extend in this gesture a bit further - they rarely lengthened much more than what is seen here (on his right).











This website serves as an objective reference source for the science and art of Body Language/Nonverbal Communication. In an effort to be both practical and academic, many examples from/of varied cultures, politicians, professional athletes, legal cases, public figures, etc., are cited in order to teach and illustrate both the interpretation of others’ body language as well as the projection of one’s own nonverbal skills in many different contexts – not to advance any political, religious or other agenda.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3569: Johnny Depp Surprises Pink on Jimmy Kimmel

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3568: Hillary Clinton, (Low) Likability, Rapport (Destroying) and Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3559: Kit Harington, Game of Thrones, Jon Snow and Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3558: Jack Whitehall, Harrison Ford and Jennifer Lawrence
 
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3382: Donald Trump's Mask

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3449: Natalie Portman's Hands

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3324: Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin Shake Hands at UN Luncheon 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3198: Sepp Blatter, FIFA, Subtle Fear & Body Language
 
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Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3569: Johnny Depp Surprises Pink on Jimmy Kimmel - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





Kimmel has a guest, Pink has a crush and Depp has considerable anxiety. This is despite Johnny being the caliber of actor worthy of three Best Actor nominations. Mr. Depp is paid well to suspend our disbelief - yet when he's "just being himself" (e.g., out of character), he's just as human as the rest of us. Thus this interaction provides ample body language moments - a few of which are highlighted here as a tutorial.


1:51  -  With emotional states of significantly high embarrassment  - it's very typical that both feet get placed flat on the floor (Pink had had her right leg crossed just prior to this) as one acquires a whole-body flexing, what is often called a "The Fetal Position".



1:55

Pink Covers her face partially with her hand - yet primarily with a portion of her top (which acts here as a hand-surrogate).


Pink both rotates and tilts her head-neck away from Depp. This dramatic turning away and strong avoidance of eye contact (along with her very obvious blushing) is a nonverbal cluster highly indicative of embarrassment.


Johnny "scratches" his right upper arm for considerable duration. This is a variation of a "One Arm Self-Hug" indicates elevated anxiety and low emotional comfort. Despite being an acclaimed and  accomplished actor, Depp is very often unnerved during talk show scenarios.



The "Eye Roll" is a conscious (deliberate) display of contempt (Most contempt expressions are subconsciously initiated) as well as indicating impatient dismissal.





See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3568: Hillary Clinton, (Low) Likability, Rapport (Destroying) and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3518: Donald Trump's Feminine and Beta Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3552: Hillary Clinton, Body Language and variations on the Pistol Steeple

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3546: Carly Fiorina's and Ted Cruz's Awkward Raised Hand Holding

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3512: Emilia Clarke, "Me Before You" and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3479: Vicente Fox regarding Donald Trump's Proposed Wall - ‘I’m not going to pay for that F***ing wall!'

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3389: Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama meet in Paris - Body Language Faux Pas

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3387: Daniel Radcliffe, James McAvoy, The Graham Norton Show and Body Language

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Monday, May 23, 2016

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3568: Hillary Clinton, (Low) Likability, Rapport (Destroying) and Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





It's been well-documented that Secretary Clinton suffers from low likability (and has so for a number of years). Within the communication triad of verbal language, paralanguage and nonverbal language - it's the nonverbal component which contributes the most when it comes to high (or low) likability - as well as with building (or destroying) rapport. Throughout a large portion of this Q & A with Chris Cuomo - and the vast majority of her other interviews, Mrs. Clinton projects numerous body language signals which contribute to these negative emotional perceptions - a few of which are discussed below.























Very often Senator Clinton leans backwards with her head and neck. This sends signals of pretentiousness and arrogance. The colloquial expression, "Looking down your nose" - has its origins exactly in this nonverbal display. If she wishes to capture more of the electorate - Hillary should stop this immediately.

Notice too that Mrs. Clinton is leaning backwards with her torso. This is also a very distancing body language configuration. It's disengaging and sends signals such as, "I don't really want to be here", "You're not important to me", "I don't like you", etc., variations of which are further nuanced by other simultaneous nonverbal signals and facial expressions. ON OCCASION many people will sit in this manner - yet Mrs. Clinton sits in like this virtually ALL THE TIME.

In addition, Hillary's fingers are intertwined. Depending on the other nonverbals with which this is clustered, it transmits feelings of closed-mindedness, arrogance, defensiveness and low emotional comfort (e.g., a seated fig leaf). If she had requested a chair with arms (making it much more natural to keep one's hands from touching), unlocked her ankles, sat slightly forward in her chair and leaned a bit forward with her head, neck and torso - Mrs. Clinton would be pleasantly surprised that she would find it much easier to smile naturally (with a sincere smile [Duchenne Smile]), project much more likability (and higher energy). Incredibly, sitting in such a forward and engaging way even engenders an increased fluidity of both thought and speech.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3567: Donald Trump's Most Common Social Smile (Pseudo-Smile) Variant

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3563: Ariana Grande, Lip Stick, Microexpressions and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3550: Robert Downey Jr. Auditions Jimmy Fallon

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3532: Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant and The Graham Norton Show

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3525: Kristen Bell Slaps a Reporter On "The Boss" Red Carpet (This was a PR Stunt)

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3453: Marco Rubio's Hyper-Alpha, Backfiring Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3169: Baltimore Deputy Police Commissioner Jerry Rodriguez regarding the Death of Freddie Gray

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3496: Hillary Clinton and George W. Bush Hugging at Nancy Reagan's Funeral


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Sunday, May 22, 2016

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3567: Donald Trump's Most Common Social Smile (Pseudo-Smile) Variant - Body Language (PHOTO)
























This image is an example of Donald Trump's most common variation of a Social Smile. It is NOT a sincere one. Mr. Trump displays a sincere smile of joy-happiness (Duchenne Smile) on exceedingly rare occasions. To thin-slice this particular expression (which Trump projects in place of a smile) a bit further - the primary emotion being felt (and thus transmitted) here is Disgust.

Some people may say, "That's just the way Trump smiles." Wrong. This is a ruse - and anything but sincere. It's also important to note that there are many - and more palatable types of social smiles.

What is your "go-to" social smile? Can you smile sincerely "on-demand"? Are you able to readily differentiate sincere smiles from the many variants of insincere smiles?


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3565: Adolf Hitler, Jesse Owens, Archie Williams and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3545: Eric Trump's Reaction to President Obama's Comments at the 2016 White House Correspondents' Dinner

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3516: Hillary Clinton, Finger Pointing, Fossil Fuels, Bernie Sanders and Lying

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3421: Jennifer Lawrence, Eddie Redmayne and Emotional Comfort

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3388: Donald Trump, Duplicitous Expressions and "politely" Removing a Protester

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3356: Anna Faris and Chris Pratt are Dressing their Son Up as a Dinosaur for Halloween

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3324: Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin Shake Hands at UN Luncheon

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Saturday, May 21, 2016

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3565: Adolf Hitler, Jesse Owens, Archie Williams and Body Language (PHOTOS)
























The image above was taken just as Jesse Owens won the 100 meter sprint in the 1936 Summer Olympics (which were held in Berlin that year). Adolf Hitler is third closest to the camera - the expression on his face is one both Disgust and Regret (Disgust being the greater of the two).

Joseph Goebbels (Minister of Propaganda) the man closest to the camera is also displaying a combination of the same two emotions as the German Chancellor - only with Goebbels regret is the greater. The resolution here is too low to discern accurately the expression of Hermann Göring (Second only to Hitler in the German Government is in the white jacket to Hitler's right) - although it appears to be primarily that of regret.




























This second image was taken just as American Archie Williams won the 400 Meter Track and Field event. Hitler is closest to the camera with a strong expression of Disgust.  Göring is furthest from the camera with a combined expression - primarily with that of Disgust - mixed with secondary Anger.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3564: Kanye West, Ellen and Beta Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3551: Donald Trump, Body Language and an Alpha-Beta Hybrid

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3543: Donald Trump, "It Felt Like I Was Crossing The Border Actually" 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3532: Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant and The Graham Norton Show

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3534: Taylor Swift's (Vogue's) Rapid-fire 73 Q & A Session

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3523: Jaws - "You're Going to Need a Bigger Boat"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3529: Vladimir Putin's Alpha Body Language - Correlations between the Hands and the Face

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3526: Neville Chamberlain and Adolf Hitler Meet - the Munich Agreement 


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Friday, May 20, 2016

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3564: Kanye West, Ellen and Beta Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





Kanye West was recently on The Ellen Show. He's a person who many consider an alpha male personality - yet from body language perspective the artist/producer exhibits some classic beta body language. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis.

Ellen DeGeneres: "Now are you done, or will you have more children? Do you want more children?"

Kanye West: "Maybe."

Ellen: "Does Kim want more children?"

Kanye: "Perhaps."

Ellen: "That's not [smile, head torque to her left, laughing] .... that's not what she said."




1:14

Fingers intertwined - a variety of Blocking Behavior transmitting Defensiveness and Low Emotional Comfort (think of this as a High Fig Leaf).






During 1:16 as Ellen says, "Now are you done, or will you ..."

A small edit has taken place by Ellen's studio, however this moment 2 seconds later, shows West with his hands configured in a Seated Fig Leaf (aka Seated Genital Guarding).

This cluster (above) signals further defensiveness and even lower emotional comfort.



1:20

This image shows a different angle - but a cluster very similar to that of 1:16 as West says, "Perhaps" - as he begins to widen and narrow his knees-legs (like a child that has to use the bathroom) - indicating higher anxiety.



1:25

West's acquires a "Knock Kneed" position (while maintaining a seated fig leaf) in a highly beta body language reaction as Ellen says, "That's not ..... that's not what she said."

This is an absolute give away, that Kanye West is beta to Kim Kardashian's alpha status - and in this moment he's got an even lower confidence and lower emotional comfort status than a few seconds earlier - and that at least for now, there will be no more children.  We see this example in the context of a talk show and popular culture -  and it's entertaining to some, but this same nonverbal (and many others) goes unseen or glossed-over all day long in the business world.

Kanye is Beta - but he's pretending to be Alpha.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3563: Ariana Grande, Lip Stick, Microexpressions

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3553: Donald Trump, Deception, Facial Touching and Empathy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3546: Carly Fiorina's and Ted Cruz's Awkward Raised Hand Holding

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3542: Lara Croft, Keeley Hawes and Sexual Energy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3450: Kanye West reacts to Paparazzi's questions regarding Wiz Khalifa

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3096: Kanye West's Body Language at the 2015 Grammys

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2300: Kim Kardashian & Kanye West in Rio at Christ the Redeemer Statue and the Body Language of Palms Up vs. Palms Down  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2487: Chelsea Clinton's Beta Body Language - The Elevated Fig Leaf

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3563: Ariana Grande, Lip Stick, Microexpressions and Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)






The beginning moments this Ariana Grande guest appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! captures a fantastic example of a microexpression of fear superimposed over a subtle expression of fear.

At 0:12, Jimmy Kimmel continues: "... but you put such a dark -"

Ariana Grande: "Yeah."

Kimmel: "...almost blood-purply colored on your lips"

Grande: "Yeah."

Kimmel: "... with the bright red suite."

Grande: "It's a lot, but I think it's appropriate."

Kimmel: "It's fabulous."




0:16.2



















Microexpression of Fear (above) just as Kimmel says, "... blood purply colored ...".  Note her mouth corners pulled back (very brief) and Ariana's eyes opened wider than baseline




0:16.7


















In this second image we see another microexpression just before Kimmel says, "... lips ...". This is virtually identical to the example above, except that Ms. Grande's eyes are not opened quite as much (though still wider than her baseline).

The microexpression component is seen with the corners of her mouth pulling backwards twice (it may look like a miniature smile to some) - however it's very short-lived (please watch the video on normal speed and then on half speed to best appreciate this). Superimposed on this evanescent mouth nonverbal - we can see the longer duration change of Ariana's slightly widely opened eyes.

Grande is fearful that her lipstick wasn't the right color.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3562: Police Officer Tim Purdy, De-Escalation and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3547: Kate Middleton on Cover of Vogue's 100th Anniversary Issue

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3543: Donald Trump, "It Felt Like I Was Crossing The Border Actually"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3509: Bernie Sanders meets Birdie Sanders 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3487: Scott Pelley to Hillary Clinton, "Have you always told the truth?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3481: Gordon Ramsay Tries Girl Scout Cookies for the First Time

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3451: Angelique Kerber defeats Serena Williams in Australian Open

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3416: LeBron James Catches a Golden State Fan "calling" him a Cry Baby

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