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

Martin O'Malley, a former Governor of Maryland, announced his candidacy for the 2016 Presidential election today in Baltimore. In the above video at 1:07 Governor O'Malley continues, "... and that is why today, to you and to all who can hear my voice, I declare that I am a candidate for President of the United States - and I - am running - for you ..." Immediately prior to his declaration (1:06 - 1:07), O'Malley wipes his forehead with his right shirt sleeve. No doubt his forehead was sweating - for it was warm and he, of course, has understandable anxiety. However this nonverbal MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) can be further nuanced - for this arm is also covering both eyes and indeed most of his face. It's considerably rare for anyone with even a moderate amount of public speaking experience, let alone a former governor and now presidential candidate to display this level of facial touching in the midst of a speech or press conference (and never recommended). This bilateral eye cover is an example of emotional processing. Said another way - his emotions are somewhat overloaded with the enormity of the moment, and although his intellect has planned for this event - his emotional brain is playing catch-up.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3199: Losing wrestler's sportsmanship wows crowd - A Common Body Language Sign of Anxiety

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3104: 2016 Presidential Candidate Hopeful Gov. Scott Walker - and a Body Language Signal which a Leader should NEVER adopt

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3177: Carly Fiorina Announces her Candidacy for the 2016 Presidential Race - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2783: Hillary Clinton asked again about 2016 - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2855: Hillary Clinton, 2016 Presidential Race and Duping Delight

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2307: Oscar Pistorius in Court, Body Language and the Bilateral Eye Cover

Hero to many around the World, and double amputee Oscar Pistorius aka "The Blade Runner" was in court this past week in Pretoria, South Africa. He is alleged to have murdered his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. It is reported that he broke down and wept during court and this may be an image during his tears. However bilateral eye covering (and mouth covering) - is not effort to hide tears - it's a nonverbal signal of emotional processing. The emotional brain is playing "catch up" with what the five senses and the intellect is telling it. It's a body language signal of trying to temporarily "block the new reality". It speaks to the cross-cultural universality of nonverbal communication that even those who are born blind will exhibit this facial MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier).

Pistorius' red face and prominent vein seen in his right temporal region ("temple) are consistent with, but not specific for, the temporary increased intrathoracic (pressure in his chest) and thus secondary intracranial pressure (pressure in his head) seen with the physiology of the valsalva maneuver which occurs during crying.

The nonverbal display in the above image does not indicate deception, guilt or innocence.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2143: Meyers and Bailey Leonard - The Illini, The Marine & The Reunion -  Emotional Processing & Sincerity

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2216: Senator Jim DeMint's Body Language -  Lip Purse, Suppressed Smile, Duping Delight & Retiring Early

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2129:  Barack Obama's Body Language, Misspeaks "Export More Jobs" Displays Incredulity and .... 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1834: Signals of Emotional Processing & Emotional Overwhelm

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2285:  Emotional Processing during Crying - Body Language of Survivor of Brazilian Nightclub Fire

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2211:  David Beckham, Body Language signals of  Honest Surprise, Emotional Processing and Sincerity

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2180:  Nearly Ran Over by a Train?  Schrödinger's Dog, Signal of Emotional Overload, Loss and  Extreme Emotional Processing


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