Friday, September 28, 2018

Body Language Analysis No. 4347: Kavanaugh Confirmation Hearings - Part I - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)




In case you hadn't heard, on Wednesday 27 September 2018, both Brett Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee. This hearing could supply a year's worth of nonverbal teaching examples and it would close to impossible to analyze the entire event in one session. Thus, what follows is the first of several analyses of this historic exchange.

Many times during his testimony, Brett Kavanaugh dramatically sniffed. No doubt some of his sniffings were secondary to his tears. Possibly a portion of his sniffing was associated with allergies, perhaps a case of post-nasal drip, or maybe a side effect of medications. Yet, without a doubt, a large fraction of his sniffing was not associated with any of these aforementioned etiologies - but was behavioral.

One such example of this atypical sniffing can be seen during the above video, in Brett Kavanaugh's exchange with Senator Dianne Feinstein.

Beginning at 3:22, Senator Feinstein continues, "And, and what you're saying, if, if I understand it, is that the allegations by Dr. Ford, Ms. Ramirez, and Ms. Svetnick [sic] - Ω  Swetnick, um, are - are wrong."


During 3:31, just after Senator Feinstein mispronounces Ms. Swetnick's name (notated by a Ω symbol) and then, continuing during her re-pronunciation, Brett Kavanaugh displays one of these dramatic sniffing moments.

But this is no simple sniff, rather it's a classic and very pronounced disgust display camouflaged by sniffing.

Although this behavior can be fully conscious, it usually is subconsciously driven or a phenomenon occurring at the edge-of-consciousness.

Because it is disguised as a normal and common physiologic behavior, such disgust-sniffing is analogous to flipping someone your middle finger directly in front of their face. It's hate hiding in plain sight.

SUMMARY: Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh projected numerous disgust displays throughout today's hearing - cloaked in sniffing. In the example shown here, it's clear that he holds a particularly high level of disgust toward Julie Swetnick. Judge Kavanaugh's need for such a strong and frequent emotional display was one of his several behaviors highly correlative with Impulse Control Disorder.


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Online Courses Available 


See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4346: Brett Kavanaugh's Fox News Interview

Body Language Analysis No. 4343: Idris Elba, Kate Winslet, Anxiety, and Empathy

Body Language Analysis No. 4341: Donald Trump, Michael Cohen, and Hush Money

Body Language Analysis No. 4334: Ivanka Trump and the Pistol Steeple

Body Language Analysis No. 4326: Carter Page's near-constant Smile

Body Language Analysis No. 4312: South Korea Defeats Germany at The World Cup

Body Language Analysis No. 4299: Bill Clinton confronted regarding Monica Lewinsky Affair

Body Language Analysis No. 4289: A Royal Wedding, Suppression of Tears, and Meghan Markle's Mom

Body Language Analysis No. 4264: Criminal Profiling - Sketch of Man Who Allegedly Threatened Stormy Daniels Over Her Affair with Donald Trump


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Thursday, September 27, 2018

Body Language Analysis No. 4346: Brett Kavanaugh's Fox News Interview - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)



On Monday 24 September 2018, Brett Kavanaugh, a Supreme Court Justice nominee, and his wife Ashley, were interviewed on Fox News by Martha MacCallum. What follows is partial analysis regarding several crucial nonverbal displays by Kavanaugh.

MARTHA MACCALLUM (beginning at 12:17): So you are going to be pressed on - something that you just said about, people do things in high school - and - you were all drinking. Were there times when perhaps when you drank so much - was there ever a time that you drank so much, that you couldn't remember what happened the night before?

BRETT KAVANAUGH: No. Ah, that never happened. 

MARTHA MACCALLUM: You never said to anyone, 'I don't remember anything about last night?'

BRETT KAVANAUGH: No. That did not happen. 


As Ms. MacCullum says, "So you are going to be pressed on ...", Kavanaugh displays a hard swallow (12:19 - 12:20). This is a common and significant anxiety display.


Just after Ms. MacCullum says, "... something that you just said about, people do things in high school", Brett Kavanaugh's mouth reconfigures his mouth in a tight Forward Lip Purse.

A forward lip purse (not to be confused with a lateral lip purse) indicates the withholding of information (e.g., a clandestine disagreement or a hidden plan). If one is expecting or presuming honesty, a forward lip purse should NEVER be displayed by a witness or interview type setting. This cannot be overemphasized. You'll note that Brett Kavanaugh displayed a forward lip purse frequently during this interview as well as during his previous Senate testimony.


Next, watch carefully as Brett Kavanaugh responds to Ms. MacCullum's questions, as he says,

"No. Ah, that never happened." (during 12:33 - 12:35)

as well as

"No. That did not happen." (during 12:38 - 12:40)

Kavanaugh nods his head up-and-down. This nonverbal illustrator is contradictory to his denials. In the face of refuting accusations (e.g. "No"), he should have shook his head side-to-side. This nonverbal disparity is highly indicative of deception.

This dynamic cannot be captured in a still image, please watch the video to view it in full context.

The image immediately above shows Brett Kavanaugh during 12:40, just after he denies, for the second time, drinking so heavily such that he would have no memory. Note the expression on his face:

• Central forehead elevated
• Inner (medial) eyebrows raised
• Eyes opened wide (upper eyelids opened significantly wider than baseline)
• Tightened mouth opening
• Down-turned corners of his mouth

This is an expression of fear.

SUMMARY: Brett Kavanaugh is withholding information. He has a high level of anxiety as well as fear. Most importantly, he's being deceptive.


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Online Courses Available 


See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4345: World Leaders Laugh at Donald Trump at the United Nations General Assembly

Body Language Analysis No. 4342: Alleged Jacksonville Shooter David Katz

Body Language Analysis No. 4340: Ruby Rose gets Emotional regarding her new Role as Batwoman

Body Language Analysis No. 4339: Pre-Confession Interview of Murderer, Chris Watts

Body Language Analysis No. 4336: Alita: Battle Angel, Large Eyes, and Sexual Attraction

Body Language Analysis No. 4327: Trump and Putin just prior to Helsinki Press Conference

Body Language Analysis No. 4309: The Little Girl in Red, "Tender Age" shelters, and Empathy

Body Language Analysis No. 4287: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle - Why Do We Kiss with Our Eyes' Closed (most of the time)

Body Language and Medical Analysis No. 4221: Why are Donald Trump's Pupils So Large?


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Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Body Language Analysis No. 4345: World Leaders Laugh at Donald Trump at the United Nations General Assembly - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)




On Tuesday, 25 September 2018, during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly, Donald Trump was openly laughed at by other world leaders. What follows is a partial body language analysis of that moment.

Beginning at 0:29 in the above video, Donald Trump continues, "In less than two years, my administration has accomplished more than almost any administration in the history of our county.
[Laughter begins] America's [pause] so true [Resurgence of Audience Laughter] Didn't expect that reaction, that's okay [Laughter and clapping]."


As the other world leaders laugh, just after he says, "America's - so true", Trump huffs an exhale, displaying a whole-body shrug (0:47) followed by a Loose Tongue Jut (0:48).

A loose tongue jut signals the thought-emotions of: "I've been bad", "I've got caught", "I've done a stupid thing" (Navarro). Take care not to confuse a loose tongue jut with a tight tongue jut or a wide open tongue jut, for they have entirely different meanings.


Now, go back four seconds (0:43) to the moment just after the other leaders begin laughing at Trump. Here we see the American President display contempt toward these other leaders. Although his head is turned and oblique to this camera angle, the snarl-like mid-facial configuration of contempt is clearly visible on Trump's left. Notice also, the tightening of the region above his upper lip/below his nose. Additionally, although we can't see it from this position, his left nostril is flared.


Next, flash-forward to the 0:55 mark. Although it must be viewed in the dynamic context of the video, Trump can be seen falsely adjusting his jacket in an alpha up-regulatory gesture. This is a textbook classic MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) as his psyche feels the need to try and re-assert itself after the embarrassment of being mocked on a world stage.

At first glance, one might think Trump is smiling in this moment. Yet this is the initial stage of a disgust expression. Such disgust-smiles (one type of social/feigned/fake smile) are a commonly-used ruse.


A second later, we can see Trump's disgust expression is more fully developed. His accompanying Jaw Jut (forward thrusting of his jaw with chin dimpling) also betrays his adrenaline-surge and a component of anger. Also notice that Trump's lips are stretched laterally in the highly characteristic Thin Lips of Anger

SUMMARY: President Trump was embarrassed after realizing he had overstepped with his braggadocio at the United Nations General Assembly. He felt both contempt and disgust toward the other leaders who were openly laughing at him.


Group Appearances and One-on-One
Online Courses Available 


See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4343: Idris Elba, Kate Winslet, Anxiety, and Empathy

Body Language Analysis No. 4341: Donald Trump, Michael Cohen, and Hush Money

Body Language Analysis No. 4339: Pre-Confession Interview of Murderer, Chris Watts

Body Language Analysis No. 4337: Donald Trump regarding Omarosa, "Lowlife. She's a lowlife"

Body Language Analysis No. 4332: Richard Nixon, Nikita Khrushchev, and The Kitchen Debate

Body Language Analysis No. 4323: Trump Putin Helsinki Summit Press Conference

Body Language Analysis No. 4316: Sarah Paulson, The Met Gala, and Madonna

Body Language Analysis No. 4298: LeBron James Walks Out of Post Game Press Conference after Game One Loss

Body Language Analysis No. 4286: Aaron Schlossberg's Racist Rant


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Monday, September 3, 2018

Body Language Analysis No. 4343: Idris Elba, Kate Winslet, Anxiety, and Empathy - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (Video, Photos)



Idris Elba is by most all accounts, an excellent actor. But despite many accolades and awards, Idris, is of course, only human. During his recent appearance on The Graham Norton Show, he experienced a very human moment - and displayed a classic nonverbal tell.


Just after Graham Norton says, "... a-, but we have to say, it was a-, your American accent has not always been - that good."

As Idris says, "Mm-hmm, mm-hmm", he sucks his cheeks inward (1:06). Often times this MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) involves biting the insides of one's cheeks with a mild-to-moderate degree of force. This cheek-biting indicates significant anxiety.

It's important to note that this dynamic of biting the inner cheeks has the effect of pursing the lips forward - but this is a secondary effect - and does not carry the same meaning of a primary forward lip purse. Be careful not to mistake the two expressions.


A second later, his central forehead is contracted and elevated (along with his inner eyebrows). Mr. Elba's central face has grown tense. His nostrils are flared. Simultaneous with his inner cheek biting, Idris' lips take on an additional slightly sad configuration.


Kate Winslet then displays a bilateral full palm-of-hand (full palmar) contact with her upper sternum/heart region as well as her lower sternum as she says, "My insides ...".

Her nonverbal signal indicates both elevated empathy and high sincerity.


As she finishes her sentence, "... are constricting for you right now", Ms. Winslet, also physically constricts her fists.

SUMMARY: Despite being outstanding actors, when Idris Elba and Kate Winslet are not in-character (and just being themselves), their body language gives us glimpses into their psyches.

Idris Elba was experiencing significant anxiety which elicited similar feelings in Kate Winslet. Ms. Winslet displays considerable empathy and sincerity toward Mr. Elba.


Group Appearances and One-on-One
Online Courses Available 


See also:


Body Language Analysis No. 4342: Alleged Jacksonville Shooter David Katz

Body Language Analysis No. 4341: Donald Trump, Michael Cohen, and Hush Money

Body Language Analysis No. 4339: Pre-Confession Interview of Murderer, Chris Watts

Body Language Analysis No. 4337: Donald Trump regarding Omarosa, "Lowlife. She's a lowlife"

Body Language Analysis No. 4335: Donald Trump Jr. Interview Six weeks after Trump Tower Meeting

Body Language Analysis No. 4309: The Little Girl in Red, "Tender Age" shelters, and Empathy

Body Language Analysis No. 4298: LeBron James Walks Out of Post Game Press Conference after Game One Loss

Body Language Analysis No. 4276: Waffle House Hero James Shaw Jr. Meets His NBA Idol Dwyane Wade

Body Language Analysis No. 4078: Toddler Steals Prince Harry's Popcorn


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