The expression displayed by President Donald Trump in these two images were almost never seen on Candidate Trump.
The primary emotions he's projecting in both of these photos are that of bitterness and regret. Note the corners of Trump's mouth are down-turned. This is sometimes referred to as a "Bitter-Smile" - very ironically to most people, for it resembles nothing of joy or happiness.
The President is also displaying a significant element of frustration as evidenced by the clenching of the jaw, dimpling of the front of the chin, and the bulging forward of tissue just beneath his lower lip.
In real-time, while people are displaying this expression, virtually everyone believes they are "pushing out" a slight smile (e.g., forcing a smile). However, if by some chance they could momentarily "freeze" their face - and immediately look in a mirror, they'd be very surprised to find their expressions' are quite far from what they believed them to be. This is a universally human phenomenon - for as we deviate further from our "emotional baseline", our objectivity of the true configuration our faces' and bodies' becomes quite distorted. We also become increasingly inaccurate as to the correct interpretation of what other peoples' body language is "saying" (as well as what the simultaneous verbal language and vocal qualities are conveying).
Further thin-slicing the emotions in each of these pictures reveals another distinction. In the image above, Donald Trump's eyebrows are more drawn together and vectored downward - while in the image below they are neutral or perhaps slightly elevated (more so on his left). This subtlety is significant for a higher level of frustration (and shorter temper) in the moment above - and a surrendered-resignation in the lower image.
If you were assessing Emmanuel Macron's expression at the moment this photo was captured, you may say he looks somewhat angry - for his eyebrows are drawn together with their medial (inner) portions directed downward. Yet this does not tell the full story.
Very often emotions don't exist in isolation - although one
usually predominates, a simultaneous mixture of two or three feelings is
common. Those furrows on his forehead are not active - but temporary, residual furrows leftover from moments before when his forehead was contracted and strongly elevated in a prolonged fashion.
He's focused at middle-distance which is common during moments of concentration and when visualizing what another person is saying/describing.
Macron's jaw is displaced subtly to his left. Because this is a still image and not a video, it's impossible to say if it's prolonged or a very brief display (although the other nonverbal elements here suggest it is prolonged). The nonverbal ramification of this distinction is profound.
With his left arm across his lower chest gripping the antecubital fossa region of his right arm - this probable next President of France conveys relatively low emotional comfort and a lower confidence level.
Now look a bit further up at his right hand. The manner in which he's gripping his mobile phone also is an emotional barometer of his conversation.
Although we cannot see it directly, we can tell his right index finger (aka forefinger) is NOT isolated - rather it's grouped with the middle and ring finger. This is significant for a relatively beta emotional tone. In contrast, when the index finger is separated (typically along the top of the phone) from the other three fingers (usually aligned on one side) - it signifies the predominance of alpha emotions. Thus, if you know what to look for, watching a person while they're on their phone allows an astute observer a grand view of their psyche (this is but one of many such signals).
The pose of Emmanuel Macron shown here is one in which candidates, heads-of-state, CEOs, athletes, leaders - or anyone else worried about their PR, should never allow themselves' be photographed.
John Boyega and Orlando Bloom are both alpha-male actors. But of course, they're also human beings just like the rest. In their recent appearance on The Graham Norton Show, while both actors were "just being themselves", they each displayed some classic nonverbal signals which are common up-regulators - indicating a shift from relative beta emotional states and elevating to those which are more alpha.
Orlando Bloom displays an excellent example of a nose pinch, followed by
two brief nose touches/a mouth cover, during 1:19 - 1:22, describing the
first time he was recognized in public.
It's a mistake of many beginners in any field of endeavor to over-generalize, and certainly, rookies of body language behavior are no exception. One common example of this has to do with touching one's nose. While, in some contexts (depending on the other simultaneous [or nearly so] nonverbal, verbal and paralanguage displays) - nose touches/scratches/rubs may indicate deception - but this is not always the case.
Pinching or pulling the nose (more commonly displayed by men) - usually between the forefinger (index finger) and thumb (which then may or may not be followed by a simple touch/rub/scratch) - is a common Alpha Up-Regulator. It's one way we can jump-start our psyches' from relatively beta to alpha.
Earlier in this same video (0:49), as John Boyega recounts blocking a woman on his phone, he momentarily speaks out of the left side of his mouth. Such a short-lived, asymmetrical speaking style - is very often seen during moments of "Swagger Displays".
"Swagger" can be nonverbally expressed in a myriad of ways. It's but one variety of contextual, hyperbolic nonverbal behavior. Swagger is also hyper-alpha and often contains elements of implied (or direct) sexuality/sexual prowess/sexual dominance.
Yet if we back-track, and examine Boyega's behavior a few seconds earlier (during 0:46 - 0:49), we see he had both of his hands beneath his thighs. This was a significantly beta behavior with elements of anxiety and hesitancy to disclose emotions.
Watch this carefully though, for as soon as Boyega's hand move from beneath his thighs - his mouth becomes asymmetrical. This is a fantastic example of watching a person's body language and emotional status switch from beta to alpha.
This second image, highlighting Michael Flynn and Vladimir Putin
(a cropped portion of the first photo) is the version with which you're most probably familiar. You may also notice Jill Stein in the right foreground.
From a nonverbal perspective, this moment contains some classic expressions - particularly those of President Putin's.
In this third image, a further cropped and magnified portion of those above, we see Vladimir Putin's central forehead is contracted and elevated. His left peripheral forehead is relaxed. The Russian President's eyebrows are also partially elevated.
Looking at Putin's mouth, we see a faint hint of a false-smile, with its left corner up-turned.
His eyelids are also partially closed. It's important to note, that Putin does not have Ptosis ("droopy" eyelid[s]) - rather this is an active, albeit partial, closure. This finding is especially important given the context of his elevated eyebrows (and central forehead) - for the eyebrows are moving up while the eyelids are moving down. This "opposite-direction dynamic" of tissues immediately adjacent to each other is atypical - and a profound nonverbal red flag.
Putin's mid-face, the area above his upper lip and below his nose - is taut, while his nostrils are also flared (dilated).
This close-up of Michael Flynn shows us a dramatically contracted forehead - however, it's elevated along its entire width. His mid-face is also too tightly vectored laterally to express any sincerity. This is a common variation of an insincere smile.
Of profound importance is the seating arrangement - for Micheal Flynn is seated next to Vladimir
Putin, immediately to his right. It's a position of honor (in fact, it's THE position of honor), yet it's also one
which will elevate his anxiety (and Putin, of course, knew this).
It's also noteworthy that Flynn is using his right hand to adjust his left earpiece (translator). While it is possible that his left hand was temporarily over-occupied or his left fingers were slightly injured, it is more likely that his emotional-comfort level was significantly lowered given the context of sitting next to Vladimir in Moscow.
Jill Stein's expression shows yet another example of an insincere smile. Although the left corner of her mouth is upturned - her mid-face is much too tightened - and her left nostril is far too flared to be expressing sincerity.
Moreover, Jill Stein does not have an under-bite, yet in this instant, we can see that her jaw is thrusting forward. This is, in no way, consistent with a sincere smile. She is very much feeling an amalgam of both anger and disgust - but is trying to put on her best face for Putin.
Did you notice the older gentleman sitting behind Putin? (from the perspective of this picture, he's positioned just "above" Putin's left shoulder). That's Mikhail Gorbachev - the eighth and last leader of the Soviet Union.
Summary:
Michael Flynn, well-aware he's under the spotlight, is trying too hard. His smile is feigned.
Jill Stein is experiencing disgust and anger, yet understandably, she's suppressing her feelings with a false and thinly veneered social smile (insincere).
Putin's expression (an elevated central forehead contraction, elevated eyebrows with a simultaneous partial [false] mouth smile, partially closed eyelids, tightened mid-face with flared nostrils) is one made only by an alpha personality in the presence of and/or in the midst advantage over a relative-beta personality. It's extremely indicative of both clandestine motive(s) and clandestine plan(s). It also has components of disgust and impatient/arrogant dismissal. Colloquially, this expression can be accurately summarized as, "Should I skin him now, or skin him later?" and "I can hardly tolerate sitting next to this (expletive)".
In public gatherings in North Korea, whenever one claps, they're not only clapping for the DPRK - they are also applauding Kim Jong-un (or perhaps his father, Kim Jong-il and/or grandfather, Kim Il-sung). These events are, of course, highly choreographed.
From a nonverbal perspective, there is, relatively speaking, a direct correlation between the height of one's hands while clapping - and the level of enthusiasm shown. This is nonverbal signal is observed cross-culturally and is nearly Universal.
Yet these images also show an additional layer of meaning - that of the relative alpha-beta status within hierarchical organizations/societies. The masses, who are all lower in the pecking-order, must hold their hands higher as a signal of respect, lest they suffer the consequences - while those individuals who are increasingly alpha are "allowed" to hold their hands lower.
Also, earlier today, Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), Chairman of the House Oversight Committee and its ranking Democrat, Elijah Cummings (D-MD) held a brief press conference. The video above is a portion of that exchange. A portion of it is transcribed here along with a partial nonverbal analysis.
Manu Raju: "Do you believe that Michael Flynn broke the law from either not disclosing it, these payments on the security clearance, or not getting permission for getting these, ah, foreign payments?"
Jason Chaffetz: "Ah, personally I see no information, or no data to support the notion that General Flynn complied with the law - and that is - he was supposed to seek permission and receive permission from both the Secretary of State - and the Secretary of the Army prior to traveling to Russia to - not only to accept that payment to - but to engage in that activity. I see no evidence that he actually - did that..."
The image above was captured during 0:13 of the above video. Note Representative Chaffetz's forehead. Its left half is dramatically contracted upward, secondarily also raising his left eyebrow. This is strongly indicative of disbelief. Throughout the entire time he's speaking and for a second or so afterward, Rep. Chaffetz's left forehead and eyebrow maintain this configuration.
At this same moment, Representative Cummings is experiencing and displaying three emotions - anger, contempt, and disgust - the Venn diagrams of these all overlap. Note the extreme tightening of his mid-face, the greater contraction/elevation of his right mid-face, the flaring of his nostrils, clenching of his jaw, dimpling of the anterior aspect of his chin, the thinning of his lips (particularly the upper lip), and the lowering of his inner (medial) eyebrows.
It's particularly interesting to contrast the two leaders' nonverbal signals.
At first glance, President Trump's hands may appear to be in a "Low Conventional Steeple" - yet this is not the case. While Trump very often (much too frequently) does indeed display conventional steeples, his hand's will sometimes morph into this pseudo-steeple/pseudo-prayer configuration. This indicates the President is experiencing Anxiety and is in a significantly Beta Emotional State. As his anxiety increases his hands will move much closer together.
Xi Jinping's hands are each positioned, palms-down on his knees. They are also bearing some of his upper body weight as his torso is leaning/angled forward. This configuration very much says, "We're done with this discussion", "Let's go", "The meeting is completed", "I want to be finished", etc., and similar emotional variations on this theme.
Trump's Torso is further back - which is unusual for the President. On the vast majority of occasions, he his leaning further forward than anyone else in the room - but not on this occasion. This also is significant, at least in this moment, to his relative beta status vs. Xi Jinping's relative alpha authority.
Another unusual feature in this image is seen when comparing the relative angle of Donald Trump's upper legs (thighs) to than of Xi Jinping's. Trump makes it a practice to very often sit with a very wide "Seated Crotch Display" (more colloquially known as "Manspreading"). Yet here Trump deviates from his usual SOP - and his legs are held more closely together. This is also highly indicative of a relatively protective, beta Trump thought-emotion moment vs. that of the more alpha Xi Jinping. Mr. Trump also sat in this same manner relative to President Obama when they visited in the Oval Office just after the 2016 election.
Summary: In this moment Trump's body language is expressing a relatively low confidence, beta and acquiescing emotional mindset - While Xi Jinping is the more alpha and wants to "move on" to the next issue.
In any kind of negotiation, such nonverbal display dynamics are profoundly valuable - as these let you glimpse inside the hearts and minds of your opposition.
The image above is a drawing/painting of North Korean Leader, Kim Jong-un. It's the picture he most wants the World to see - for it's also the one he's picked to be posted at the top of his Wikipedia profile page - and the first to appear in a Google search.
When a person chooses a picture they want to be representative of them - particularly on social media, a magazine cover, advertisement, etc., - or for their Wikipedia profile - it's very much the emotional projection of how they want the World to view them. It can thus be thought of as a "Reverse Rorschach" of sorts.
It's intriguing that the DPRK leader chose to have a piece of artwork represent him - rather than a photograph. This is strongly suggestive of deep-rooted low confidence (and prone to over-compensatory behavior).
The primary emotion conveyed in this image of Kim Jong-un is that of
contempt, the secondary emotion is disgust (approximately 70/30
respectively).
Another interesting detail is the asymmetry of his eyebrows. Because this is not a photograph, it's impossible to say whether this was intentional - and thus possibly inferring a tertiary emotion of disbelief (right eyebrow raised), anger (left eyebrow lowered), or amplified contempt/disgust (left eyebrow lowered), etc.,
Retrospectively, if you look back and evaluate any of the social media sites of mass-killers or those who perpetrated terrorist acts, the vast majority of their pictures will be disproportionately represented by the emotions of anger, disgust and/or contempt.
Of course, prospectively, not all those who display a high percentage of any of these emotions will go on to commit violent crimes. Yet it is a good way to screen for certain behaviors - e.g., Threat Assessment - for virtually 100% of those who have a habit of posting photos of them displaying anger, disgust and/or contempt - will have both a history of, and a predilection for losing their tempers' (Impulse Control Disorder).
Therefore you shouldn't date, hire, be hired by, vote for, carpool with, etc., - anyone who exhibits these patterns of behavior/emotional displays. When they possess nuclear capable ICBM's, it's entirely and exponentially another matter.
In a parallel Universe, if Kim Jong-un was your employee, and you heard rumors of him threatening his co-workers, this same picture - posted on his social media site would be a harbinger behavior you should take very seriously. It acts as an amplifier and it verifies his verbal/written treats. Kim Jong-un is NOT just saber-rattling.
The video above displays only the later portion of this incident. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis with emphasis placed on the escalating-deescalating body language dynamics.
(Each description applies to the image immediately above it)
The pilot should not be leaning against the wall/restroom door. This casual act is very much out of context and is a mistake. As the most authoritative person on the plane, by this nonverbal display, he was acquiescing and very much saying, "I am beta, would anyone else here like to take my place as the authority figure?"
By his posture and arm position, it also appears as if he very possibly has his hand(s) in his pocket(s) which, in this cluster-context, truly screams that his emotional comfort is significantly diminished - along with low confidence.
The captain's lack of assertion in this moment created a power vacuum and he lost a window of opportunity in which to take charge and thus to prevent and/or deescalate in a controlled manner, on his own terms.
During 0:26 - 0:27, the intervening male passenger gestures a second time (the first occasion was during 0:25), with his left thumb. We can only see a portion of his right face, but there is enough of it visible to confirm his anger.
Gesturing with one's thumb (rather than a finger) is wise in this context. It's one way to keep already escalating emotions from crescendoing too much.
Notice also too, that his arm, particularly his upper arm, is held close to his chest (although, this is in part, very natural [for most people] in a crowded environment). The mere act of keeping one's arms close to one's torso, will help tremendously in down-regulating emotions (and thus keep anger from growing).
The intervening male passenger then turns his torso a bit more toward an unseen person as he points with his right index finger (forefinger) and his thumb.
This is a key moment in the escalation of this incident. The act of pointing with our index finger immediately up-regulates the adrenaline level in our body (whether we are the one doing the pointing or being pointed at). This seemingly simple, yet very provocative gesture, dramatically increases the chances of physical altercation.
Notice too, the male passenger's eyebrows have risen significantly along with his eyelids. We see more "whites of his eyes" (sclera). These changes are also highly consistent with higher levels of anger which instantaneously accompany his index finger pointing.
At 0:33, the male passenger points more dramatically at the same unseen passenger (presumably the male American Airlines employee) and "jabs" his finger as his forearm moves further away from his torso. This jabbing gesture (Illustrator) is a surrogate for, and often a preamble to a fist and/or weapon.
The male passenger then points at his chest (a split second later, also during 0:33), re-inserting himself as a central player in an incident in which he was not initially involved. He then returns to his seat.
Individuals who have a tendency to inject themselves and behave in this manner - often will also be those who have a predilection for physical altercation, rather than solving a problem with dialog and diplomacy.
During the 0:46 mark in the video, after the same intervening male passenger shouts out to the American Airlines employee (who was speaking to the captain), the AA employee turns to the passenger as the captain gestures for his subordinate's refrain (although still quite half-heartedly).
During 0:47, the male passenger then begins to again point with his index finger, only this time his arm is fully extended. This full arm adjunct pointing (also with a jabbing motion) is particularly inflammatory and escalating.
The American Airlines employee then responds in kind, mirroring the male passenger's hype-aggressive gesture (0:48).
As the passenger aggressively approaches, the American Airlines Employee displays a palms-up gesture which is deescalating (0:51) - although it would have even more so if his hands were in a lower position.
As the employee backs up, the captain's hand is on his shoulder, in this context, this gesture is deescalating (0:52).
In this next moment (0:58) we see:
The passenger pointing at himself (re-asserting his dominance and aggressiveness)
A female flight attendant with a (protective and insulating) hand on the male American Airlines employee's upper abdomen/lower chest
The captain with a (dominant) palm-down, fingers-spread Illustrator (aka "Dominant Spider" - gesturing toward the male passenger
And the male American Airlines employee, with this extra protection/insulation from his co-workers - particularly with that of the captain (in addition to the passenger backing away), displays a classic "bring it on" escalating fight gesture (Ã la The Matrix). This is foolish - yet quite typical and predictable in order for him to "save face".
As the male passenger's female companion/friend/wife pulls his right arm (foreground), the male passenger feels a similar "need" to save face, by issuing one last set of finger-point-jabbing escalating gestures toward the male airline employee (0:59).
As the American Airlines employee is "herded" out of the plane with a hand on his sternum/mid-chest - with an attempt at argument re-engagement - we see an expression of contempt displayed on the employee's face (1:05).
A second later, his expression has morphed into a combination of anger and classic disgust. Note the extreme nostril flaring and mid-facial tension - which are common to both aforementioned emotions.
Once the male employee disembarks, the female flight attendant and captain - who were, in large measure, the default "neutral parties" incident - approach the male passenger. Their facial expressions are relatively calm, neutral - and therefore, non-escalating (1:08).
The captain then displays a dominant, palm-down gesture (1:10), which, in this moment is superfluous and over-compensatory.
In this last image, as the captain begins to turn away, we see a primary expression of regret with a secondary one of disgust (1:11).
Summary: Although the details of the entire event are not currently available in the form of a video, what is viewable in this recording shows a very typical confrontational escalation behavior on the part of both the American Airlines employee and the male passenger.
The captain could have largely prevented a good portion of this incident by being more assertive earlier.
Being aware of one's own nonverbal behavior (as well as the others involved), in real-time, during such emotional moments, are of profound benefit in deescalating confrontational situations. Relying on verbal-only techniques will result in a high degree of failure and loss of tempers (loss of impulse control).
