Earlier today President Obama gave his last press conference of the year (and the longest of his presidency). Not surprisingly, a good share of the questions revolved around the subject of the US Presidential Election, Russian hacking and Vladimir Putin.
One particular high point of the conference and it's accompanying set of body language behaviors is highlighted here.
Beginning at 58:25, President Obama says, "... But I'd, I make a larger point which is - Not much happens in Russia without Vladimir Putin ....". Just after saying this, during 58:31 Barack Obama displays a bilateral "Eyebrow Shrug" along with a bilateral "Thumb Shrug". Notice his shoulders barely moved - but this is none-the-less a shrug. Both of his thumbs point upward along with an elevation of his eyebrows and an upward contraction of his forehead muscles. He also extends his neck forward while turning it slightly to his left - as well as displaying an extended blink (a form of a pseudo-blink).
President Obama repeats this display again during 58:34 - only this time he rotates his head to his right and pseudo-blink display is partial.
This nonverbal cluster is a classic display indicating the thought-emotion: "Isn't it obvious?" / "Isn't it common knowledge?" / "What other conclusion is possible?".
See also:
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3787: Meghan Markle's Body Language - and some Ramifications for Prince Harry
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3785: Hailee Steinfeld and Woody Harrelson "Edge of Seventeen" - Behavioral Contagions, Mirroring and Laughing
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3783: John McCain on CIA's assessment of Russia's Tampering in US Presidential Election
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3742: Evan McMullin, Donald Trump and Winning Utah
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3716: Fatherhood, Body Language, Emotional Intelligence and Ashton Kutcher's Pants
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3700: George Clooney comments regarding the News of Brad Pitt's and Angelina Jolie's Divorce
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3668: Donald Trump, Nigel Farage and The Brexit
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3609: Emma Watson, Tina Turner, Ring Tones and Body Language
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