Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3742: Evan McMullin, Donald Trump and Winning Utah - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





Independent Presidential Candidate Evan McMullin has a very real chance of winning Utah's six electoral votes. Because Utah is otherwise a very reliably republican voting state (the last time it 'went Democrat' in a presidential election was in 1964) - this would detract from Donald Trump's totals and help Hillary Clinton (and most people don't realize that if neither Clinton or Trump get 270 [or more] electoral votes - the incoming U.S. House of Representatives will then vote and thereby will decide who will be the next president [This occurred in 1824 when they picked John Quincy Adams]. The top three candidates [with respect to their electoral vote totals] are eligible for this House vote. So although he's a long shot, it's not that inconceivable that Evan McMullin could be the next President of the United States).

In the above interview, Mr. McMullin responds to the recent robocalls being made by a white supremacist group.

From a body language perspective, we note almost immediately how Evan McMullin has an asymmetrical speaking style - favoring the right side of his mouth. What should come to mind we see this? The first thing we should do is evaluate the person for this same behavior in the past.

While it is relatively unusual for a person to routinely speak out of one side of their mouth most or all of the time - it's not rare. This is indeed the case for Evan McMullin. Older videos are readily available of Mr. McMullin - and in viewing these we can see him speaking asymmetrically over a period of years. Thus for him this pattern is either idiosyncratic - or possibly congenital, secondary to an old injury, other medical causes (e.g., stroke, facial nerve palsy, etc.).

If we were to see such lop-sided speaking only occasionally - we would do well to consider some of the following other possibilities:
  • Dishonesty/Insincerity
  • Machismo/Hubris/Bravado/Swagger (which are forms of insincerity) 
  • Contempt
  • Resignation/Acquiesce
  • Lip Biting  
  • Suppressed Sincere Smile 
  • Insincere Smile 
  • Regret 
  • Fear 
  • Tongue-in-cheek 
  • Lateral Lip Pursing 
  • Lateral Jaw Thrust 
  • Jaw Confessional
It's profoundly important to note that although all of these possible causes can be accompanied by asymmetrical mouth displays - it's not this simple, for there is much further nuance, variation and characteristics.

Another crucial nonverbal principle is not to be overlooked here: for despite a life-long history of speaking out of one side of the mouth, this does not exempt a person from temporarily exhibiting other additional overlaying causes.

Finally, although he would be well advised to 'unlearn' this idiosyncratic mouth configuration (therefore engendering greater rapport and making him more 'likable'), it should be pointed out that over multiple interviews and public appearances, Evan McMullin consistently projects a high sincerity quotient.
























See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3741: Bryan Cranston, Benedict Cumberbatch, Weddings and Tears 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3739: Hillary Clinton's Statement regarding FBI Probe

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3737: Donald Trump Rips His Notes at End of 3rd Debate

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3735: Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Mean Tweets

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3709: Kate Middleton - The face you make when you’re married to a prince but you meet Justin Trudeau

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3702: Hillary Clinton: "Why aren't I 50 points ahead (of Trump)?''

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3655: Rescue In Baton Rouge Floodwater

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3604: Nigel Farage, Jean-Claude Juncker, The Brexit and "Why Are You Here?" - Body Language


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