Body Language Analysis No. 4052: Hitler's Cryptorchidism and Emotional Dissonance - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

All megalomaniacs have alpha personalities - but not all alpha personalities are megalomaniacs. Hitler certainly quantified as both. And although much of his body language was alpha and hyper-alpha, not all of it was.

There are very few occasions when a leader of a country should assume a fig-leaf configuration (e.g., funerals, weddings, when standing next to senior religious figures, and a few other exceptions) - however, Hitler commonly committed this faux pas - so much so, it was a default setting.

Why?

Because he had only one testicle - more accurately, only one testicle had descended. The medical term for this is cryptorchidism. Some have made the argument that Hitler's psychology and world-view were, in part, over-compensatory behavior for this emasculating congenital anomaly.

Even when his right arm and hand were in the midst of one of his hyper-alpha, Nazi salutes - his left hand was often guarding his groin. These are excellent examples of displays of nonverbal emotional dissonance - with one arm-hand conveying aggressive and hyper-dominant emotions, while the opposite upper extremity projecting protective and acquiescing feelings.

Now contrast the first and the third images (both Nazi salutes). In the first example, his right hand is palm-down, his elbow is locked, and his arm is fully extended. In the photo below, however, his palm is vertical (even angled backward 10-15 degrees) with his elbow bent approximately 120 degrees. The first is much more alpha while the second is significantly beta. This lower photo is not simply a "lazy salute" which it's sometimes called. Rather Hitler is feeling particularly emotionally vulnerable in this moment - thus this salute is projecting lower confidence - while his left hand amplifies this hesitant emotional tone and uses his hat as extra genital guarding.

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See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4051: Predicting Kim Jong-un's Behavior

Body Language Analysis No. 4049: The Arrest of University Hospital Nurse Alex Wubbels

Body Language Analysis No. 4044: Kim Jong-un's Choreography

Body Language Analysis No. 4022: Jessica Alba's Rules for Naming Her Baby

Body Language Analysis No. 4016: Anthony Scaramucci - Faux Pas and Harbingers

Body Language Analysis No. 3989: Peter Sagan Regarding his Disqualification from the Tour de France and Mark Cavendish's Crash

Body Language Analysis No. 3982: Bangkok Police Officer's De-Escalation Genius

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3731: The 3rd Presidential Debate - Donald Trump v. Hillary Clinton - Part III - "Such a Nasty Woman"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3717: Creepy Clowns, Body Language and Emotional Intelligence

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3904: Sean Spicer Draws Criticism with Hitler-Assad Comparison and Denial of Use of Chemical Weapons in WWII - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Yesterday, Sean Spicer, in an understandable desire to denounce of Bashar al-Assad's recent use of chemical weapons said, "... We didn't use chemical weapons in World War II. You know, you had a, y-, you know, someone who's as despicable as Hitler, who didn't even sink to the, to the, to using chemical weapons ...".

Spicer, of course, was grossly incorrect saying that Hitler did not use chemical warfare. He probably was referring to was his belief that the Germans did not use Chemical warfare in battle - but indeed they did. Both the German's and the Japanese used chemical weapons in World War II. Germany deployed this outlawed warfare against the Russians in Sevastopol in 1941-42, on Russian troops in the catacombs of Odessa in November 1941, as well as in May of 1942 in eastern Crimea during the Battle of the Kerch Peninsula. Japan deployed chemical weapons against both the Communist Chinese and the Kuomintang people.

Yet what alarmed most people who heard the Press Secretary's statement, and indeed even evoking gasps in the White House Briefing Room, was the non-acknowledgment of the largest genocide in human history. Millions of innocent people (the majority of whom were Jewish) were murdered in Hitler's extermination camps. When Cecilia Vega asked him to clarify his statement, Sean Spicer struggled.

Generally speaking, Mr. Spicer uses palm-down gestures and other dominant and hyper-dominant nonverbal illustrators far too frequently and aggressively. These and other tendencies of his, have exaggerated in the form of parody in many venues.

Palm-down gestures should be used very sparingly - added deliberately yet very briefly during moments when extra authority or assertiveness is needed (almost choreographed).

As with many alpha displays, palm-down gestures rapidly crescendo to a hyper-alpha status if used too frequently or aggressively.

While palm-down gestures will serve to solidify the mindsets of those who already strongly agree with you, others who only mildly agree or who are undecided - will be alienated to your cause. Thus a palm-down gesture most often is an intimidating one - and a rapport destroyer. If a person is using palm-down illustrators - their mind is already closed. You won't convince them. It's best to re-address any disagreements you may have at another time.

Palm-up gestures are examples of "Alpha-Beta Hybrids". When used skillfully, they will project authority - but understanding, power - but not aggressiveness, confidence - but also open-mindedness. Palm-up gestures also display a willingness to listen. In addition, and of profound importance, is if one uses palm-up gestures, their audiences will have significantly greater recall of the subject matter versus when palm-down gestures are used.

Notice when Sean Spicer was attempting to back-pedal, he went into a more aggressive nonverbal pattern, repeatedly using palm-down gestures. At a time when he should have been apologizing (which later, on a different broadcast, he did), Spicer was becoming more defensive, aggressive, and hyper-authoritative with his words, tone of voice - and with his body language.

It's particularly - even viscerally painful, to see Mr. Spicer using palm-down gestures with added frequency and vigor during his attempt to explain his earlier statement once Ms. Vega reminded him of the Nazi death camps and The Holocaust. The Nazis, of course, notoriously used an elevated palm-down gesture as their salute.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3903: Rex Tillerson Disagrees with Donald Trump

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3901: Jared Kushner in Iraq

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3899: President Trump regarding Poison Gas Attack in Syria - What Will Trump Do?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3884: One Important Expression James Comey Displayed Often During His Testimony Before the House Intelligence Committee

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3857: Taunting a Snowplow Driver - Belleville, Ontario

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3827: Sean Spicer's Saturday Night Press Briefing

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3717: Creepy Clowns, Body Language and Emotional Intelligence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3621: Bernie Sanders Endorses Hillary Clinton


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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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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3526: Neville Chamberlain and Adolf Hitler Meet - the Munich Agreement - Body Language Tells (PHOTOS)

A few hours after this photograph was taken, on 30 September 1938, Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain was back on British soil. He stood at 10 Downing Street and said, "The settlement of the Czechoslovakian problem, which has now been achieved is, in my view, only the prelude to a larger settlement in which all Europe may find peace. This morning I had another talk with the German Chancellor, Herr Hitler, and here is the paper which bears his name upon it as well as mine. Some of you, perhaps, have already heard what it contains but I would just like to read it to you: ' ... We regard the agreement signed last night and the Anglo-German Naval Agreement as symbolic of the desire of our two peoples never to go to war with one another again.' My good friends, for the second time in our history, a British Prime Minister has returned from Germany bringing peace with honour. I believe it is peace for our time. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Go home and get a nice quiet sleep."

Just three days later, Winston Churchill (who would become Prime Minister in May of 1940) said (among other things), "England has been offered a choice between war and shame. She has chosen shame, and will get war." In less than 11 months, Churchill of course was proved correct.

"Peace for Our Time". Is that what Chamberlain really believed in his attempt at appeasing Germany? Peace was certainly not what Hitler had intended.

What does nonverbal communication say of this moment?

Prime Minister Chamberlain's face is only partially visible - less than a full side profile. It is not possible to conclude whether his smile was a sincere one or not.

Was Adolf Hitler's smile Sincere (a Duchenne Smile)? No - however it was a fairly convincing "Social Smile". It would (and did) fool most people. Why specifically wasn't it sincere? Look carefully at his lower eyelids. Do they meet the criteria for joy-happiness? What about the configuration of his mouth? How does the presence of a mustache influence our ability to accurately interpret nonverbal cues?

Although this is just one moment in time, it emphasizes the profound importance of being able to discern a sincere moment from a deceptive one.

Look at Chamberlain's torso - he's leaning into the handshake/toward Hitler - while Hitler's torso is relatively vertical. Does this body orientation of the British Prime Minister show engagement?

Take a moment to look at their hands. We can see Hitler's fingers and thumb but not the rest.

Note that Chamberlain's hand is cupped - with the palm of his hand concave thus preventing full contact with Hitler's palm. This lack of palm-to-palm contact, or "cupping" is seen during handshakes when:

A. The people are posing/know they are being photographed
B. When they are trying to exert a stronger grip (attempting to exert alpha behavior, or dominance)
C. When those shaking hands don't feel trust and/or don't like the other person

Obviously the two men were posing for this photograph. And it's not surprising to say each of them would, in this moment want to put forth a firmer handshake than on most occasions.

What about their trust then? When, because of social convention people "have to" shake hands - yet they don't really like or trust the other person, they touch only as much as they "have to" - and no more. This is much akin to a "leaning-in, pat, pat, pat, hug" with a relative whom you can't stand, but because it's a holiday gathering - you hug them anyway. It's impossible to say which of these three was the primary emotional driver in Prime Minister Chamberlain's mind at this moment 78 years ago, however this is a subtle body language tell which should never be ignored, particularly when occurring in relative private.

See also:

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

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3508: Batman V Superman - Sad Affleck? (NOT!)

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3491: Nancy Reagan, Ronald Reagan and Sincere Affection

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3485: Chris Christie's Facial Expressions standing behind Donald Trump - Bad Body Language on Super Tuesday

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3409: Debbie Wasserman Schultz's Reaction to Bernie Sander's Criticism of the DNC

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3393: Syed Rizwan Farook, Tashfeen Malik, San Bernardino Shooting and Predicting Violent Behavior

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2976: Joseph Goebbels - Hitler's Propaganda Minister Showed this Chronic Display - Body Language Tells (PHOTO)

This is a very famous picture of Joseph Goebbels taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt at the League of Nations Conference in Geneva in 1933. Only weeks before Goebbels had become Hitler's Propaganda Minister. Mr. Eisenstaedt was a well-known and respected photographer by 1933 and although Goebbels was initially friendly towards him, once Goebbels learned Eisenstaedt was Jewish, he gave the photographer this expression.

While most people can see anger on Goebbels' face - characterized primarily by his eyebrows pulling inwards and downward as well as significant tension in his eyelids - most people do not see and cannot name the other emotion here - contempt.

Contempt in this moment (although there are other nonverbal variations not seen here) is described by some as a one-sided snarl - a unilateral contraction of the upper lip, the mustache area (between the upper lip and nose) and nostril flaring - all on the same side. What are some other manifestations of contempt?

All human beings occasionally experience and thus from time to time display every negative emotion. Yet, those who commit violence, hate crimes, terrorism, war crimes, etc. - will chronically manifest the nonverbal signals of contempt and/or disgust. If a person habitually shows such body language (and most times it is much more subtle) - steer clear!

Group Appearances and One-on-One
Online Courses Available 
702-239-8503
Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2975: Devon Still & Daughter Leah - A Body Language of Affection and ...

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2878: Prince Fielder on ESPN Cover - Nude but What Emotion?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2312: Bruce Willis' Body Language - Contempt vs. Suppressed Smile vs.  Pseudo Smile vs. Sincere Smile

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2965: A Variation of a Microexpression of Contempt Commonly Confused & Disguised

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2922: Evacuating Yazidis from Iraq's Mount Sinjar - A Daughter's Anguish, Empathy and Mirror Neurons

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2508: Anne Frank, Sincere Smiles and Emotional Comfort

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2956: Eric Frein - Suspect in Murder of Pennsylvania Officer - Body Language Sign of Impeding Violence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2828: Elliot Roger, Isla Vista/U.C. Santa Barbara Mass Shooting & Threat Assessment - Body Language and Threat Assessment

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