Body Language Analysis No. 4133: Vladimir Putin's Default Face - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

Vladimir Putin recently hosted Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Iran's Hassan Rouhani at a summit in Sochi. President Putin and the other two leaders are in discussions with designs to end Syrian Civil War.

Note the facial expression of President Putin in this moment:

• Forehead contracted and elevated along most of its entire width
• Upward vectored eyebrows
• Upper eyelids partially closed
• Nostrils mildly flared
• Mouth corners slightly down-turned

This is one of Vladimir's few "Default Faces". He wears it quite often. Now look carefully. The direction of movement of his forehead and eyebrows - contracting upward - versus the opposing, downward motion of his eyelids - is unnatural. These closely approximated tissues are pulling against each other. This is not a natural resting state for anyone's face. 

This expression loudly projects the thought-emotions of:

• Contempt
• I am Distancing Myself from you
• I'm Bored
• I've had Enough
• You are Beneath me
• Arrogance
• So what?
• Disbelief/Doubt

Summary: Wearing a "Facial Mask" is a common tactic with those who desire a poker face. Such "Default Faces" are nonverbal analogs of speaking verbal clichés - for when we use either, a greater percentage of our brains' are then available for other tasks. This is NON-resting state expression - one has to exert effort to maintain it. The act/choice (which becomes ingrained in muscle-memory) of chronically projecting contempt, arrogance, boredom, and doubt - is a second, revealing layer of their story/mindset/motives.


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See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4132: Drake's Tattoo of Denzel Washington

Body Language Analysis No. 4130: Norah O'Donnell and Gayle King regarding Charlie Rose

Body Language Analysis No. 4128: Roy Moore's youngest accuser, Leigh Corfman - Interview on "Today"

Body Language Analysis No. 4126: Jeff Sessions' Joking regarding Kislyak/Russia

Body Language Analysis No. 4111: Selena Gomez, Francia Raisa, and a Kidney Transplant

Body Language Analysis No. 4106: Jordan's Queen Rania meets with Rohingya Refugee Children

Body Language Analysis No. 4071: Fans' Reaction to Trauma - Young Girl Hit By Foul Ball at Yankee Stadium

Body Language Analysis No. 4027: Warning Signs - Police Officer Shot Multiple Times at Close Range

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3860: Ian McKellen, The Oscars and a spot-on Maggie Smith Impression


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3828: Donald Trump's Body Language Display Rarely Used By Any Past President - Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

Until Donald Trump, I had never seen an image of a US President using a "Conventional Steeple" display - and I've reviewed hundreds of thousands of POTUS photos.

Often shortened to simply just a "Steeple", a conventional steeple (for there are several types) is a body language signal characterized by the tips of the fingers and thumbs touching each other while the palms of the hands are held well apart (in distinction from a prayer or pseudo-prayer configuration).

Whenever one uses a conventional steeple (and here it is a medium-to-low steeple - e.g., a "high conventional steeple" would involve the hands held in front of the neck or mouth), it should only be used literally for a half a second or perhaps a second - during the most important part of an appearance or speech - and no more.

When used in such small doses, a conventional steeple projects the alpha emotional tones of judicious power, decisiveness and confidence. Unfortunately when a conventional steeple is used, it's usually OVER-USED - and thus it backfires and very rapidly becomes hyper-alpha, arrogant, condescending and overlaps with some components of disgust and contempt.

If you're a head-of-state, the conventional steeple should almost NEVER be used. This is even more true of the leaders of the more powerful countries. Everyone already knows the President of the United States is an incredibly powerful person. Why the need for more power? Such hyper-alpha behavior builds no bridges - but rather acts as a rapport destroyer and actively alienates people.

See also:

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3825: President Trump's first Expression after Being Introduced

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3823: Nina Dobrev, Flyboarding, Laughter and a Rapport/Bonding Amplifier - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3805: Mariah Carey's New Year's Eve Lip Sync Fail On Live TV

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3798: Elle Fanning, Channing Tatum and Dialing Up the Alpha

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3738: Gary Johnson Loses His Temper

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3707: The Presidential Debates Part III - Donald Trump v. Hillary Clinton and Sniffing

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3674: Drake Presents Rihanna with Vanguard Award - 2016 Video Music Awards - MTV

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3635: Michelle Obama's DNC Speech and a Body Language Mistake 


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3730: The 3rd Presidential Debate - Donald Trump v. Hillary Clinton - Part II - Donald Trump won't commit to accepting election results - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Last night, toward the end of the third Presidential Debate of the 2016 Election, Moderator Chris Wallace asked Donald Trump about whether or not he would commit to accepting the results of the election. The video above is a segment of that exchange - and what follows is a partial nonverbal analysis.

Chris Wallace (beginning at 0:47): ".... there is a tradition in this country, in fact, one of the prides of this country is the peaceful transition of power and no matter how hard fought a campaign is - that at the end of the campaign, that the loser concedes to the winner. Not saying you're necessarily going to be the loser or the winner - but that the loser concedes to the winner and the country comes together in part for the good of the country. Are you saying you're not prepared now to commit to that principle?"

Donald Trump: [over-talking] "What I’m saying is that I will tell you at the time. I'll keep you in suspense, okay?"

Hillary Clinton: [over-talking] "Well Chris, let me respond to that because that’s horrifying. You know, every time Donald thinks things aren't going in his direction, he claims whatever it is, is rigged against him ..."

From 1:13 through 1:19 (corresponding with red highlighted dialog above), Donald Trump displays a very specific nonverbal expression. Despite the fact that it's not uncommon - this facial tell is rarely discussed and it's under appreciated in the nonverbal literature.

In the wide frame above and in the close up below (captured a few seconds apart), we can see that Mr. Trump's eyebrows are momentarily elevated (along with his forehead muscles) - and yet, his upper eyelids, rather than being raised as well - are tightened and significantly more closed. This facial expression is indicative of arrogance, contempt and a patronizing emotional tone.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3729: The 3rd Presidential Debate - Donald Trump v. Hillary Clinton - Part I - Vladimir Putin, Body Language & Emotional Intelligence 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3727: Donald Trump and Children

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3725: Donald Trump Challenges Hillary Clinton to a Drug Test before Debate

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3720: The 2nd Presidential Debate - Donald Trump v. Hillary Clinton - Personal Space and Predatory Behavior 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3712: Lloyd Bentsen to Dan Quayle - "You're No Jack Kennedy" 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3699: The Tulsa Police and the Shooting Death of Terence Crutcher 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3657: Abbey D'Agnostino, Nikki Hamblin and the Olympic Spirit

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3502: Chicago Cubs' Kris Bryant Pranks a College Team as ‘The Transfer’ - Body Language


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3644: Eric Trump, Humayun Khan, Sexual Harassment and Patronizing Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Yesterday, Eric Trump - the son of the Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, was a guest on CBS This Morning where he discussed his father's escalating fight with the parents of U.S. Army Capt. Humayun Khan, who died a hero on the battlefield in 2004. Eric Trump also spoke of his own father, his sister Ivanka - and his thoughts on sexual harassment in the workplace - for which he received tremendous criticism far and wide.

During this interview, Eric Trump repeated used a body language display known as a "Pseudo-prayer" where the hands are placed together in a praying configuration. With the exception of a religious context, begging and a small number of cultural settings, the use of this gesture indicates arrogance and a condescending emotional tone.

If you see the pseudo-prayer (outside the above exceptions), you can be almost 100% certain that that person displaying it believes that they're in the right and believes the person(s) with whom they're speaking/interacting is wrong. This body language is significantly more commonly displayed by the wealthy, powerful ... and narcissistic - thus those who are more likely to abuse their power (and harass).

The additional dynamic of an up-and-down chopping motion amplifies the already patronizing emotional tone of the pseudo-prayer.

When the pseudo-prayer is being used, the words often being simultaneously expressed may appear to attempting to build rapport and understanding (e.g., during a negotiation or in the sales process) - but in such settings, the person rarely changes their position. Take caution - for when kind verbal language, appearing to be "reasonable" is used in conjunction with the pseudo-prayer - it's the body language which is telling their true thoughts and emotions. In short, the Pseudo-prayer is a big red flag.

This website serves as a reference source for the art and science of Body Language/Nonverbal Communication. The views and opinions expressed on this website are those of the author. In an effort to be both practical and academic, many examples from/of varied cultures, politicians, professional athletes, legal cases, public figures, etc., are cited in order to teach and illustrate both the interpretation of others’ body language as well as the projection of one’s own nonverbal skills in many different contexts – not to advance any political, religious or other agenda.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3643: What Will Donald Trump Do If He Trails in the Polls By a Large Margin? - Body Language and Predicting Behavior

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3545: Eric Trump's Reaction to President Obama's Comments at the 2016 White House Correspondents' Dinner

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3478: Donald Trump Jr Does Not Like his Father's Statement, "I Love the Poorly Educated"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3625: Donald Trump Introduces Mike Pence as his "1st Choice" VP Pick (Not!)

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3250: Donald Trump regarding John McCain: "He's no hero" - Body Language Tells us what he really thinks

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3549: Speaker Paul Ryan's interview with Jake Tapper - "I'm just not ready" to Support Donald Trump

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3500: Gal Gadot's last name used to be "Greenstein"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3385: Adele, "Hello" and SNL - Body Language Tell



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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3527: North Carolina's Governor Pat McCrory Statement regarding His Order That "Clarifies" Controversial Gender Identity Bill - Body Language Faux Pas (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

This website serves as an objective reference source for the science and art of Body Language/Nonverbal Communication. In an effort to be both practical and academic, many examples from/of varied cultures, politicians, professional athletes, legal cases, public figures, etc., are cited in order to teach and illustrate both the interpretation of others’ body language as well as the projection of one’s own nonverbal skills in many different contexts – not to advance any political, religious or other agenda.

Governor Pat McCrory should fire his speech coach. If he is working with a person who claims to be a body language expert, he should fire her/him too. Throughout much of his statement today regarding his order which "clarifies" the controversial gender identity bill (HB2) in North Carolina, Gov. McCrory displayed a high steeple (more specifically, a high conventional steeple) a large percentage of the time. The conventional steeple, even a low steeple should rarely if ever be used.

Indeed upon viewing tens of thousands of photographs and thousands of hours of video of heads of state, you will rarely see any display this hyper-alpha nonverbal signal. Moreover, I've never seen an American President display this body language. Why? Because it sends strong signals of arrogance. Does it make the user feel powerful? Yes. Does it make him/her feel authoritative and 'in-charge'? Surely. Does it make them feel intelligent. Absolutely.

But ... does displaying the conventional steeple, particularly a high steeple make an audience feel like they are being talked-down to? Very strongly. Is it patronizing? Profoundly. Does it build rapport with the electorate, the jury, the patient or a potential client? No - rather it destroys rapport.

If the conventional steeple is ever displayed, it should used deliberately and choreographed during a very specific moment for literally only a second or less.

The conventional steeple is one example of an alpha body language. When used just a bit too long it rapidly becomes hyper alpha. The trouble with alpha nonverbal signals is that those who use them, tend to overuse them - thus what may occasionally be contextual and proportional in small doses, backfires in larger doses. Communication should build bridges, not burn them.

The image above is an example of a Conventional Steeple. While it could be held even higher, this would be classified more specifically as a High Conventional Steeple. The higher they are held, the more alpha the steeple becomes.

The Governor would have been well advised to not use so much alpha and hyper nonverbals during this speech. Alpha-beta hybrid body language (of which he barely used any) would have sent signals of power, confidence and authority while not sending signals of arrogance.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3526: Neville Chamberlain and Adolf Hitler Meet - the Munich Agreement

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3519: Vladimir Putin, The Panama Papers and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3516: Hillary Clinton, Finger Pointing, Fossil Fuels, Bernie Sanders and Lying

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3523: Jaws - "You're Going to Need a Bigger Boat"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3475: John Kasich Hugs a Supporter - Was He Sincere?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3448: Ted Cruz's Challenge to Debate Donald Trump One-on-One; Cruz's Default Facial Expression

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3404: Bush to Trump, "You're not going to be able to insult your way to the presidency"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3323: Matt Damon on Graham Norton reflecting on Winning Oscar - Blended Expressions
 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3484: Chris Rock's Opening Monologue at the 2016 Oscars - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Chris Rock emceed the 2106 Academy Awards Sunday night. And had there had been any doubt - Rock immediately dealt with the elephant in the room - Is Hollywood racist? Here is a portion of his opening monologue (beginning at 2:20 in the above video):

"Is it, is it 'Burning-Cross' racist? No. Is it, 'Fetch-me-some-lemonade' racist? No - nah, nah, nah, it's a - it's a different type of racist. [edit splice]You're damn right Hollywood's racist! - But it ain't the racist that you - that you've grown accustomed to. Hollywood is - 'Sorority-Racist'. It's like - 'We like you Rhonda - but you're not a Kappa'."

During 2:40 - 2:41, as he said "... We like ...", Chris Rock displayed a Pseudo-Prayer
with mild Hand-Chopping
component (see video for this motion dynamic). 






The pseudo-prayer is an example of a nonverbal signal known as an Illustrator-MAP Hybrid (MAP is an acronym for 'Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier'). The vast majority of quality comedians have a high level of intuitive feel for body language - equal or superior to that of most experienced actors - and Chris Rock is a master at both.

In his monologue, within the context of Chris Rock's metaphor 'Sorority Racist' - for a moment he channels a condescending sorority sister - and here, the pseudo-prayer gesture hits precisely the right tone. He's using this nonverbal display in an acting scenario. In contrast, many people who fancy themselves as leaders (or those in leadership positions) will use the pseudo-prayer and thus will destroy rapport rather than build it. Rock's comedic intuition (or perhaps choreography) is spot-on however, capturing (in this one-sentence skit within his monologue) the thinly veiled arrogance of this (in any other context) body language faux pas.

An important additional nuance is exampled by the additional superimposed up-and-down, hand-chopping motion - which Mr. Rock does here to a mild degree. This serves to amplify the patronizing emotional tones above and beyond what this body language signal already conveys.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3483: Kate Winslet's Reaction to Leonardo DiCaprio's Oscar for Best Actor

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3478: Donald Trump Jr Does Not Like his Father's Statement, "I Love the Poorly Educated"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3467: Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia Dies

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3457: Chelsea Clinton refers to Bernie Sanders as "President Sanders"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3324: Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin Shake Hands at UN Luncheon

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3436: Is Hillary Clinton Intimidated by Donald Trump? Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2086: Kyra Sedgwick, Kevin Bacon, Love and Sincerity

Flirting and Romance Secret No. 39: Affectionate vs. Non-Affectionate Hug - Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3452: A Ted Cruz Rapport Destroyer - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Two days ago the last republican debate prior to the Iowa Caucuses was held in Des Moines. Currently Ted Cruz is running second to Donald Trump in the Iowa polling. It's well noted that Mr. Cruz is not well liked among his colleagues. Likability has, of course, has many components - and an often completely ignored yet profoundly important ingredient of likability is nonverbal communication.

Between 4:06 - 5:45 in the above video segment of this most recent Republican debate, Mr. Cruz answers a question regarding ethanol. Four times during his answer, Senator Cruz displays his hands configured in what is known as the "Pseudo-prayer". In body language lingo, the pseudo-prayer is an example of an Illustrator-MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) Hybrid. The pseudo-prayer does not build rapport, nor is it neutral - rather it's a significant rapport destroyer. It projects a patronizing and condescending emotional tone. Moreover the arrogance transmitted by this body language is further amplified when it's clustered with a chopping motion - a faux pas the Texas senator commits several times here.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3451: Angelique Kerber defeats Serena Williams in Australian Open

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3448: Ted Cruz's Challenge to Debate Donald Trump One-on-One; Cruz's Default Facial Expression 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3443: Donald Trump - "I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and Shoot somebody and I wouldn't lose any Voters!" 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3438: Hillary Clinton, What's Your Relationship with Vladimir Putin? - Democratic Debates 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3410: Bernie Sanders Apologizes to Hillary Clinton for Data Breach at Democratic Debate - Body Language Faux Pas 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3404: Bush to Trump, "You're not going to be able to insult your way to the presidency"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3401: Jeb Bush and Anxiety 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3371: John Kasich at the Republican Debate 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1866: Miley Cyrus & Liam Hemsworth are Engaged - An Affection-Love Sincerity Signal


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3307: Donald Trump on Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

This skit where Donald Trump is interviewing himself was a very clever idea of Jimmy Fallon's. He got to feed Trump's ego and poke fun at him at the same time.

Notice that throughout much of this interview, Trumps hand-arm configuration is the classic steeple. Note also that Jimmy Fallon never mirrors this - the most he does (at 0:28 and again during 5:17 - 5:20) is a partial classic steeple with only his index fingers and middle fingers touching. It's quite possible that this is due, at least in part, to his recovering injury of left ring-finger.

The classic steeple (as opposed to the basketball steeple, partial steeple, one-handed steeple, etc.) is a highly alpha body language gesture - indeed it's even hyper-alpha. In very short moments (a second or two at most) it can send signals of confidence and assertiveness - and therefore must be used in small doses, essentially choreographed. Yet most of those who use the classic steeple (and other alpha body language), end up over-using it - thus it backfires - transmitting condescending and patronizing emotions. One thing often realized is over-use of alpha behaviors is very polarizing. Those who like you will like you more - yet people who don't like you or whom are on-the-fence will be driven further away. The person engaging in such nonverbal behavior will often feel more powerful and vindicated (much like yelling does [in the moment] during an argument) - but the projected arrogance is extremely off-putting and damaging on the receiving end.

Notice how Fallon's abbreviated, partial classic steeple feels a good bit less patronizing vs. Trump's full classic steeple.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3306: Demi Lovato covers Hozier's "Take Me To Church" in the Live Lounge - Why Do We Close Our Eyes When We're Singing Passionately?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3262: Donald Trump, Breast Pumping and Donald's "That's Disgusting"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3253: John Kasich Formally Announces His Candidacy for President

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2496:  Would You Buy a Car from this Man? (a Lykan Hypersport?),  Destroying Rapport with Arrogant Body Language 

 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3302: Hillary Clinton, the Recent MSNBC Interview, Low Likability and Diminished Trustworthiness (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Hillary Clinton recently gave an interview with Andrea Mitchell on MSNBC. It was just her third national interview since announcing her candidacy for President.

Mrs. Clinton has a lifetime of political experience. And despite the fact she didn't win the democratic nomination for President in 2008, Hillary has had a lot of victories. Much like a successful attorney, physician, teaching or corporate professional, etc. - very often once a person has fairly high level of political success, their behavior up to that point becomes validating - even thought a fair amount of is not necessarily good. Thus it also becomes significantly solidified and difficult to change (e.g., What will get me further is just more of what got me to this level - right? Wrong.).

With respect to increasing her chances of winning the Oval Office - this of course doesn't mean that Mrs. Clinton needs to change everything, but she does very much fall into this success-habit-validation trap. We all do it to some degree. This phenomenon may prevent us from improving - and even seeing our weaknesses. Moreover when you're high in any given food-chain, your subordinates become very hesitant in speaking truth to power - and like you - they largely won't even see these faults.

It's no secret that Mrs. Clinton has problems with her likability and trustworthiness. She's hit a plateau here and has even experienced declines.

One (of many) nonverbal faux pas that Hillary (and many others) commits is opening their eyelids too widely during conversation, interviews and speeches. It's extremely crucial to note that she displays this illustrator chronically. Nearly every time she's trying to emphasize an issue - Mrs. Clinton's eyes open wide. This is NOT natural and leaves people emotionally uncomfortable. It's somewhat analogous to, when with the written language - a person places multiple exclamation marks at the end of a sentence. They do so when they feel their words lack sincerity. Simultaneous with the widely opened eyes, we also see elevated eyebrows and forehead musculature (the entire width of forehead).

Note: we all make this same expression from time to time, but it's the chronic nature here that is important.

The over-use of this eyelid-eyebrow-forehead nonverbal cluster backfires - and will be interpreted as patronizing, condescending and even arrogant. While certainly not the only influencing factor, Mrs. Clinton must absolutely stop this if she is to improve her likability and perception of honesty with the electorate. No healthy person wants to feel as if someone is talking-down to them. Mrs. Clinton or any politician/"leader" need to be extremely aware of when they're sending such signals - and Hillary is not.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3301: Sarah Palin re: Bush vs. Trump regarding speaking Spanish - "When you're here, let's Speak American!"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3202: FIFA's Jack Warner Cites 'The Onion' in His Own Defense - Insincerity Body Language Tells 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2945: Roger Goodell's Interview regarding Ray Rice - Denies NFL saw Video before Monday 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3053: Giada De Laurentiis, Insincere Smiles and Divorce


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3284: Eat Your Effin Vees with Jimmy Kimmel and First Lady Michelle Obama - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Michelle Obama was a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live yesterday. The first lady and Jimmy performed a little pseudo-public service announcement/comedy skit titled "Eat Your Effin Vees" (or Fs and Vs). There are very few other guests with whom such an act would be even a little funny - and most wouldn't consider it humorous here. It's more of a novelty because of her title.

Michelle's role here is the "I know what's best for you" persona - which of course every first lady plays regardless of her political leanings.

What Jimmy calls Effin Vees - Mrs. Obama knows as Fruits and Vegetables -of course in an effort to educate and encourage children into eating healthier. This certainly is a noble pursuit - yet that's not what was happening here. 

The First Lady repeatedly defaults to a very particular nonverbal - the pseudo-prayer (and a couple of its variants).










While in some parts of the World, this body language is part of a greeting or departure of well-wishing - and of course in many religious contexts it accompanies prayer - yet on essentially all other occasions this false prayer gesture is highly indicative of patronizing and arrogant emotional tones and should, with rare exception, never be used.

As with all alpha nonverbal signals, the pseudo-prayer will also engender feelings of increased power and authority in its user - yet the audience (whether a single person or millions) will instead feel condescending emotions. The pseudo-prayer is particularly potent in this patronizing characteristic.




Moreover, when there is also a chopping motion accompanying the false-prayer - these negative emotional messages are amplified. 

Conversely, on several occasions Mrs. Obama held her hand surfaces parallel - but not quite touching. This nonverbal variation still carries all these same caustic emotions - although this modification modestly down-regulates the negativity of the gesture.







See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3283: Trivago Guy - It's Not His Wardrobe or Haircut - It's the Body Language Stupid!

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2312:  Bruce Willis' Body Language -  Contempt vs. Suppressed Smile vs.  Pseudo Smile vs. Sincere Smile

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3124: Michelle Obama & George W. Bush at Selma-to-Montgomery March 50th Anniversary 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2276:  Michelle Obama's Eye Roll .... What was she thinking? and  What Did Boehner's & Barack's Body Language Say? 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3197: FIFA, Sepp Blatter and the Pseudo-Prayer - Body Language 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3257: Donald Trump at the Texas-Mexico Border - Body Language of a Hyper-Alpha (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Donald Trump jetted to the Texas-Mexico border on Thursday. The republican candidate who's leading most of the polls appeared in this video with the Mayor and the City Manager of Laredo.

It's of course common knowledge that Mr. Trump more than any other candidate - republican or democrat - spouts dramatic and aggressive language. What many don't realize however, is that his body language is also more invasive and provocative. Verbal and the nonverbal signals are intertwined. Assertive and hyper-assertive verbal language are linked to alpha and hyper-alpha body language. Passive and demure verbal language are also yoked with beta body language. The trick is (most of the time) to strike a happy medium. There are times of course, when projecting dominance and strength are important - but (surprise) Donald (way) over-does it.

What follows are five nonverbal hand-arm displays (Illustrators and one [Self-Pointing] sometimes also transitions to a MAP [Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier]) which are all common in political candidates (and other hyper-alpha personalities). These are much more plentiful (in the political context) prior to primaries - when republicans are running to the right and democrats are leaping left. After the primaries though, the nonverbal (and verbal) language is nearly always less extreme.

The "Dominant Spider"

This is much more common in males and is extremely frequent in those with narcissistic personality disorder.

"Palms Forward"

A refuting and dismissive illustrator


Much more common in those with impulse control problems

"Palms Down" illustrator

When the fingers are separated - the palms down is less alpha vs. when the fingers are together.

Depending on the frequency and context, "Self-Pointing" may of course be indicative of self-deprecating emotions and messages. Trump however is using the self-point in a braggadocio manner here. During this press conference (during 4:53 - 4:54), he even refers to himself in the third person. In most scenarios, frequent self-pointing is highly correlative with narcissism.

Of the five examples shown here, the "Hand Chop" is the most frequently seen illustrator among alpha personalities - and there's certainly no exceptions when it comes to politicians (the palms down is a close second).








It's important to show strength, confidence and assertiveness yet without being hyper-aggressive, arrogant and condescending. Hyper-alpha body language will polarize. Those who already agree with you will be drawn towards your cause. All others will run in another direction.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3256: Katie Holmes on Jimmy Fallon - Body Language Tells

Ted Cruz to Announce his Candidacy for 2016 Presidential Race - Why He Will Never Win - Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3134: Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3154: Marco Rubio's Body Language Tell

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3227: Bobby Jindal's, "... I am tanned ..." remark - What does his Body Language tell us? 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3200: Martin O'Malley announces Candidacy for 2016 Presidential Race - Body Language of Emotional Processing 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3235: Jim Webb Announces His Presidential Bid .... and some Body Language Weakness 

Dating & Romance Nonverbal Communication Secret No. 1010:  What Makes the Twinkle in Her Eye? - Rashida Jones 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3239: Gaston Meet and Greet Near Gaston's Tavern, New Fantasyland, Magic Kingdom - and a Characteristic Facial Expression indicating .... (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

This recently viral video includes an on-site actor at Walt Disney World who is playing "Gaston" - the primary antagonist from the 1991 Disney film, "Beauty and the Beast". Gaston's character is described as: "arrogant, egotistical, boorish, simple–thinking, rude, conceited, vain, selfish, chauvinistic, petty, murderous, stubborn, sexist, a stalker, evil, brutal, violent, conniving, sneaky, insane, backstabbing, superficial, pompous and a beast within."

Throughout most of this video the actor has a facial expression which includes a near constant central forehead contraction (CFC) in tandem with a partially-suppressed to near-full mouth smile. It's important to stress that a mouth smile is never a smile of sincere joy-happiness if there is any forehead contraction. Moreover when there is a central forehead contraction together with variations of mouth smiles - then more specifically it also indicates the presence of either arrogance (although there are other nonverbals of arrogance), contempt (other facial displays of contempt are common too) or incredulity (this is also not the only nonverbal display indicative of disbelief). We all - every human being - display this facial expression from time-to-time because, of course, we all occasionally feel these emotions. However when a person chronically displays this expression it's highly consistent with a sociopathic personality (antisocial personality disorder).

Of course, this not to suggest this man (or anyone) playing Gaston is a sociopath - he is acting. He does however have significant talent, has enjoyed some good coaching from Disney and - he's a good actor.  Be warned though - if your lover or potential lover wears such a facial expression on a chronic basis - run, don't walk.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3238: Ex-Footballer Sol Campbell, the Mayor of London and a Some Classic Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2231:  A Common Facial Expression of Mass Killers - Using Body Language as a Threat Assessment Tool

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3133: The Red Flag of Robert Durst's Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3236: A Common Body Language Disparity Display - Donald Trump

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3141: Carly Fiorina "Higher than 90%" Chances She's Running for President - Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2949: Hillary Clinton at Maya Angelou's Tribute - a Body Language Signal of ....  


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3227: Bobby Jindal's, "... I am tanned ..." remark - What does his Body Language tell us? (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Regardless of their political affiliation, nationality, ethnicity, skin color or affinity for tanning beds - most everyone found Governor Bobby Jindal's reference yesterday to being "tanned" extremely odd and prejudicial. Yet what do his nonverbal signals show during this statement?

Beginning at about 16:14, Governor Jindal says, ".... In case it's not clear by now - I am running for President without permission from headquarters in Washington D.C. [applause] ... but rest assured, I am tanned, rested and ready for this fight ..."

This image was captured at 16:36 - just before he says, "... but rest assured ..."

This photo is from 16:41 just after the Louisiana Governor says, "... I am ready for this fight ..."












In both of these moments Bobby Jindal displays a (lower) central forehead contraction with a (social aka false aka insincere) mouth smile. Regardless of how the mouth is configured, whenever there is a simultaneous central forehead contraction (CFC) - the "smile" is never sincere.

Now in the governor's defense - we all display this expression from time-to-time. When? We make this expression when we feel arrogant (for as human beings, we all occasionally feel arrogant - yet this is not the only expression of arrogance), or when we feel incredulous (and of course there are other nonverbal signals of disbelief) or when we are feeling contempt (hopefully not too often, but we all sometimes feel this emotion - and, again, there are other facial signs of contempt). Was the governor feeling any of these here? If so which one? If the (false) mouth-smile is seen together with a CFC is chronically - what very reliably does this tell us?

If we go back and look at Governor Jindal's mouth - we see that in both of these moments (when there was also a pause in his speaking) his mouth was vectored primarily laterally - rather than vertically (as it would have been seen with a sincere smile). One way to help make this distinction is the tension visible in his "mustache area" (a term used regardless of any facial hair or gender). The mouth in the second photo projects an additional component of bitterness. Why?


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3226: Bobby Jindal Jumps In the 2016 Presidential Race - Puts "Family Meeting" online - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2124:  This Body Language-Facial Display  Should always make you think "Insincere"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2691: Barbara Bush, "I Love Bill Clinton" - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2945: Roger Goodell's Interview regarding Ray Rice - Denies NFL saw Video before Monday


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