Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3826: Kellyanne Conway to Chuck Todd, Press Secretary Sean Spicer Gave 'Alternative Facts' - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

This morning, Presidential advisor to Donald Trump, Kellyanne Conway was a guest of Chuck Todd's on Meet the Press. During the interview she used the phrase "Alternative Facts". Simultaneously Ms. Conway also displayed a very particular and rarely discussed nonverbal signal.

Beginning at 1:29, Chuck Todd continues, ".... It does not excuse, and you did not answer the question."

Conway [over-talking]: "I did answer your question, yes I did ..."

Todd [over-talking]: "No you did not. You did not answer the question of why the President asked the White House Press Secretary to - come out - in front of the podium - for the first time - and utter a falsehood. Why did he do that? It undermines the credibility of the entire White House Press Office on day one."

Conway [over-talking]: "No it doesn't. Don't be so, don't be so overly-dramatic about it Chuck. What it, it, you're saying it's a falsehood, and they're giving Sean Spicer, our Press Secretary, gave alternative facts to that, but the point really is ...."

As Conway says, "... alternative facts ..."(2:00 - 2:02), her eyelids close (eye closure here is not a required component of the cluster, however it acts as an amplifier) and she twists and rotates her head with a forward thrust. In nonverbal terminology, this is an excellent example of what is known as a "Head Torque". A head torque signals a distinct adamant and determined emotional tone. It's an alpha signal - and one which (as with all alpha configurations) should be used sparingly. It also signals a high frustration level along with mild-to-moderate anger. In essence, the head torque says, "I'm going to do/say/think what I want and I don't care what you think".

Whenever you see a head torque displayed, the person has made up their mind - and they can't be "reasoned with".

It's also profoundly important to note that Kellyanne Conway's verbal language, tone of voice and body language are all congruent in this moment. When this triad are all in agreement, we may or may not like what the person is saying - but we can be very sure that they're DETERMINED and THEY BELIEVE in what they're saying. Too often people only listen to what words are said - and completely ignore the concurrent nonverbal communication.

See also:

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3821: Alicia Keys Sings for Charlie Rose - Sincerity Amplifiers 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3804: Barack Obama, Shinzō Abe and The Pearl Harbor Memorial

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3800: Houston Rocket's Chinanu Onuaku Shooting Underhanded ("Granny Style") Free Throws (and His Teammates' responses)

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3733: The 3rd Presidential Debate - Donald Trump v. Hillary Clinton - Part IV - The Turning Point of the Debate

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3708: Hillary Clinton v. Donald Trump - Presidential Debates - Part IV - Hillary's Email Anxiety

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3596: Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds and Deadpool

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3534: Taylor Swift's (Vogue's) Rapid-fire 73 Q & A Session


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3655: Rescue In Baton Rouge Floodwater - Body Language & Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Unfortunately unprecedented flooding continues in northern Louisiana. Fortunately, empathy and heroism abound.

In this dramatic and heroic rescue of a woman and her dog, an excellent example of an expression of fear can be seen.

Note how the corners of woman's mouth are pulled out (laterally) and down. Her mid-face is very tightened and her nostrils are flared. This nonverbal cluster is highly indicative of fear.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3654: Hope Solo Calls Swedish Team "Cowards" after US Loss in Rio

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3652: Simone Manuel & Penny Oleksiak Win Olympic Gold

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3650: Donald Trump: "Although the Second Amendment people maybe there is, I dunno" - Veiled Threats & Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3646: Melania Trump, Donald Trump, Visas and Citizenship

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3165: Bruce Jenner's 20/20 Interview, Part I

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2791: Sofia Vergara, Threesomes and Fear - Body Language & the Fading Gigolo 

Mouth of Fear - Body Language of Ahmed Dogan during Attempted Assassination


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3597: David Cameron, The Brexit and Suppressing Emotions - Body Language (PHOTOS)

The decision on the EU Referendum (Brexit) will be made in the next few hours. David Cameron is, of course, the lead advocate of the "Remain" camp. Thus these expressions are very probably representative of the Prime Minister's emotional tone at this moment.

In the first image (above), Mr. Cameron is displaying an “Inward Lip Roll (ILR). An inward lip roll is just one of many nonverbal tells signaling that the emotion being felt (or though-felt) is significantly greater (and/or different) vs. what is being expressed verbally. Such verbal-nonverbal disparities are profoundly important glimpses into another person’s mind - as well as our own when we're projecting body language/facial expressions.

As its name suggests, during an ILR the lips are rolled inward and gently (to moderately) bitten. In all but the milder examples, this is also accompanied by a jaw jut (jaw pushed outward) along with a wrinkling/dimpling of the chin. The “mustache area” is also tensed as this mid-facial tissue is put on stretch. In addition, there usually is at least a mild-moderate degree of nostril flaring (as is seen in this example).

In the setting of an inward lip roll, the psyche is attempting to suppress strong feelings from building up as well as suppressing these emotions from being expressed outwardly. The ILR is usually associated with negative emotions such as anger, anxiety, sadness, etc., however it's also one method we all commonly use (most of the time subconsciously) in preventing laughter or smiling out of social context.

In this second image, Prime Minister Cameron’s facial nonverbals are similar, yet somewhat more developed. Note the additional finding of a more reddened facial color - including his ears. This betrays the presence of a valsalva-like phenomenon of semi breath-holding and increased intrathoracic pressure resulting in a temporary pooling of blood in the head/face. This also causes the distention of the jugular vein (seen in his left neck). If we had a blood pressure monitor hooked up to the PM, we would see a significant rise in this moment.

Intriguingly, those individuals who regularly practice yoga and other meditative activities will have this facial expression much less frequency.

Whenever observing nonverbal behavior, it's extremely important to never interpret in isolation and always look at the other components of a person's over-all body language. What do David Cameron's eyes say about his total expression? If his eyes were opened very widely with these same mouth configurations, what emotion would that indicate?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3596: Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds and Deadpool

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3591: Jo Cox, The Brexit and Sincere Smiles

Nonverbal Communication Analysis 3586: Barack Obama, Jimmy Fallon, Alpha-Beta Hybrids and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3577: Tape Face - America's Got Talent 2016 Auditions

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3573: Angela Merkel, the G7, Destroying Rapport and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3531: Helen Mirren, Subways, Sincerity, Empathy and Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3509: Bernie Sanders meets Birdie Sanders

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3473: Adele's Tongue, Ellen DeGeneres and Body Language


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3544: John Kasich's Honest Anxiety - Body Language (PHOTOS)

This is an image of John Kasich in Glastonbury, Connecticut on 22 April 2016. Scratching or rubbing the back of the head is highly correlated with "Honest Anxiety". That is to say, although Governor Kasich is certainly feeling anxiety here - there is no deception occurring.

Touching, rubbing or scratching the face in particular places (do you know where?) is correlated with lying. It's profoundly important to note that in order to have high reliability, these deception tells should be clustered simultaneously (or nearly so) with other nonverbal signals, paralanguage and verbal language. However, when these MAPs (Manipulators, Adaptors, Pacifiers) involve the back (or top) of the head - or the back of the neck - the anxiety is real - and so is the sincerity.


 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. 
 
See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3543: Donald Trump, "It Felt Like I Was Crossing The Border Actually"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3521: Woman Mistakes Kevin Hart For Chris Rock

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3517: Before His Walk Back, Donald Trump "There Has To Be Some Form of Punishment" to Women who have Abortions

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3396: President Obama's Oval Office Address - Dialing up The Alpha

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3402: UFC 194: Conor McGregor and José Aldo - Octagon Post Fight Interview 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3416: LeBron James Catches a Golden State Fan "calling" him a Cry Baby 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3381: Ariana Grande, Flirtatious Body Language and the American Music Awards 

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. 3495: Donald Trump swarmed by security on stage in Ohio - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Last night violence erupted between Trump supporters and anti-Trump protestors at an event in Chicago. Trump subsequently cancelled the event. Earlier today in Vandalia, Ohio, Donald Trump was rapidly surrounded by his security/Secret Service agents as a man tried to rush the stage.

In this moment (0:33) just before his security personnel had stopped the man, Trump turns toward the noise. This "turning towards a unexpected noise" is a component of the startle reflex - however the following described facial expression is not.

Although the resolution is low in this motion-captured, magnified photo, it's still easy to see Trump's left eye is opened significantly wider than baseline. The corner of his mouth is also pulled laterally and downward. Together these eyes of fear and mouth of fear make up a very recognizable body language cluster. Because it lasted only for a fraction of a second, this nonverbal display would also be an example of a microexpression. This behavior is normal for context.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3494: Donald Trump reacts to questions about Breitbart News reporter allegedly getting roughed up by his Campaign Manager

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3492: Peyton Manning Retirement Press Conference

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3477: Henry Cavill Asks Children - Batman or Superman?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2274: The Eyes & Mouth of Fear - Body Language of Ahmed Dogan during Attempted Assassination

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2802: Emma Stone & Jimmy Fallon Lip Sync Battle

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2840: Shailene Woodley, Jon Steward Show and a Body Language of Sexual Interest Display

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2424: Giada De Laurentiis on Conan O'Brien - Beautiful Teeth but Insincere Smiles and Some Body Language Signals of Waning Love

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2782: Hillary Clinton dodges a shoe - Body Language ... and Not

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3478: Donald Trump Jr Does Not Like his Father's Statement, "I Love the Poorly Educated" - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Last night Donald Trump won the Nevada Republican Caucuses. It was his third primary/caucus victory following South Carolina and New Hampshire.

During his victory Speech (beginning in the above video at 4:21) Mr. Trump continues, "... So we won the evangelicals. We won with young. We won with old. We won with highly educated. We won with poorly educated. I love the poorly educated! [eyebrow flash-prolonged blink followed two seconds later by a mouth of fear] We're the smartest people. We're the most loyal people ..."


At 4:33, Donald Trump Jr. - (to the candidates right) quickly raises his eyebrows (an eyebrow flash) while simultaneous displaying a prolonged blink. This nonverbal cluster indicates a Condescending Disagreement with a component of Surprise.
 

Immediately after the display above (during 4:35), Donald Trump Jr. displays a Fear Mouth. Watching the video, some may say it looks as if he's trying to bite the air. There's also some tightening of the mid-face (particularly the "mustache area") and flaring of his nostrils.


Please watch the video segment several times to fully appreciate the subtle, evanescent and dynamic nature of these closely-clustered microexpressions.

Summary: Donald Trump Jr. was surprised his father said, "We love the poorly educated!" Moreover in the moment he felt a condescending disagreement towards him. After he a couple of seconds to think about it, the younger Trump then feels significant fear for the ramifications of his father's words.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3477: Henry Cavill Asks Children - Batman or Superman? 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3474: Donald Trump, Handshakes and Narcissism

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3461: Cam Newton Walks Out of Super Bowl 50 Post Game Press Conference

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3456: Martin Shkreli Pleads the Fifth before Congress

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3224: Jordan Spieth, the U.S. Open, and a Classic Fear Expression

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3198: Sepp Blatter, FIFA, Subtle Fear & Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3234: Whole Foods Market, Message to Customers, Damage Control and Body Language Faux Pas

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2718: Obama: "I can do whatever I want" Body Language with French President François Hollande
 
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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3442: Jennifer Lawrence Scolds Journalist at Golden Globes - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

In the video above, after the 2016 Golden Globes, Jennifer Lawrence famously scolds a journalist who was purportedly taking a photo of the acclaimed actress while asking her questions. She was having none of it. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis.

0:04 - 0:05, Jennifer Finger-wags at the Journalist. This universal nonverbal emblem is extremely patronizing and should be used very sparingly (with forethought).

0:07 - 0:08, A Thumb Dismissal (e.g., "Get out of here with that!", "That's not allowed!")

0:08 - 0:09, Hand Wipe illustrator across the face as she says, "You gotta live in the now!" (e.g., "Wake Up" or "Pay Attention")

What emotion is displayed by Ms. Lawrence's cluster of a jaw jut with her prolonged eyelid closure?

0:15 Tight Forward Lip Purse - indicates a clandestine plan and/or a clandestine disagreement. This example also has the characteristic of being tight - thus adding anger to the mix. Jennifer Lawrence knows the journalist just made a huge mistake and she's decided to call him out (again).

0:16 - Looking up to Left - A common (though not absolute) Epiphenomena of right-hand dominant individuals in the midst of Visual Recall. She is double-checking her (visual) memory in this instant to be sure she's at the Golden Globes (Question: If Ms. Lawrence were left-handed, what would this indicate?).

0:17 - a partial, unilateral mouth-smile. This is but one variety of a pseudo-smile. Because Ms. Lawrence has had recent Botox treatments to her forehead, there is very minimal central forehead contraction (CFC). What are the three primary thought-emotions you should think of when a CFC is seen simultaneous with a partial mouth smile?

0:18 - Head Tilt Toward another person simultaneous with an Eyebrow Flash and a Partial (Insincere) Mouth Smile is an exceeding common nonverbal cluster indicative of a Scolding. There is also an element of contempt present here.

0:21 - Jennifer displays significant mid-facial tension (and to a lesser degree lip tension) displaying both disgust and anger.







See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3441: Michigan Governor Rick Snyder Interview regarding Flint's Water Crisis - Is He Being Honest and Sincere?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3414: Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth and Affection 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3364: Jennifer Lawrence accidentally kisses Natalie Dormer on the Mouth 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3242: Jennifer Lawrence, Singing Cher, Liam Hemsworth and Body Language  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1863: Sharapova's Thin Lips of Anger

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3314: Donald Trump's Town Hall Q & A in New Hampshire - Fails to Correct Questioner re: President Obama's Religion and Nationality 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3340: Bernie's and Hillary's Big Moment - Body Language at the Democrat Debate  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3429: Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward met with Ammon Bundy

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3367: Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Last night, amidst a good amount of controversy, Donald Trump was the guest host on Saturday Night Live.

As usual, Trump did not disappoint when it came to exampling classic nonverbal behavior. Many body language novices will claim that jaw juts are always indicative of anger. The key word here is "always" - for this is NOT the case. While it is very commonly associated with anger - there are certainly other emotional contexts where a jaw jut is seen depending on the other nonverbal signals with which it is clustered (Question: From a nonverbal standpoint, how do you know Trump is not anger in this video?)

The jaw jut is always associated with an emotional state which is far from baseline. When there is no anger, and the lower teeth are well exposed - there is virtually always an element of hubris-insincerity present - and this is exactly the scenario here.

At 1:05 Trump continues his opening monologue, ".... People think I'm controversial, but the truth is I'm a nice guy [then at 1:09 a Jaw Jut with his baring of bottom teeth]. I don't hold grudges against anybody - like Rosie O'Donnell ..."

This is a highly reliable body language tell/cluster and Donald exemplifies it well - when anger is not present - and yet the jaw still juts forward simultaneously with significant lower teeth exposure - the following two emotions are both very likely present:

• Insincerity
• Hubris 

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3365: Carly Fiorina on "The View" - Destroying Likability and Lowering Charisma

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3051: Jim Harbaugh & 49ers Part Ways - Onward to Michigan

Nonverbal Communication Quiz No. 3120: Benjamin Netanyahu Speaking Before Joint Session of Congress

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2458:  The Pain in Spain Hurts Mainly in the Spleen  Running of the Bulls & Body Language in Pamplona

Nonverbal Communication Analysis 2759: Vladimir Putin, Annexation of Crimea and Mouth Asymmetry 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2724: Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan Twenty Years Later

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3263: Barack Obama on Jon Stewart's "The Daily Show" - The Sarcastic Bobble Body Language  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3234: Whole Foods Market, Message to Customers, Damage Control and Body Language Faux Pas 


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3319: Donald Trump Feels He Has Nothing to Apologize For - Body Language on Stephen Colbert's Late Show (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Last night Donald Trump was a guest on the Late Show. Stephen Colbert apologized to Mr. Trump for things he's said regarding the businessman over the years. Colbert then asks, "... I just want to give you the opportunity - it there anybody you would like to apologize to right now yourself?"

"Ahhhh, no. Maybe the audience, how 'bout the audience? Naw, no apologies."

Just after he says, "Ahhhh" and as continuing during his following "no", Trump displays the expression seen below (captured during 0:29). Note his facial expression at this moment: his central forehead is contracted (CFC) and coupled with a unilateral and false mouth smile.

While we all make this expression (a nonverbal "cluster") from time-to-time, it always indicates one (or more) of the following emotions:

• Incredulity
• Arrogance
• Contempt

It's also important to stress that each of these emotions may be nonverbally expressed in other ways.

Most people would say of course say, given the verbal context here, that Trump's emotion is disbelief. Yet, how would you differentiate it from either contempt or arrogance?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3318: Barack Obama and Pope Francis - Body Language Tells

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3299: Kim Davis, Contempt-of-Court, Same-Sex Marriages and Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3116: Leonard Nimoy and Disbelief - Body Language of Spock 

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

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2279:  Hillary's Tears and Senator Barrassso's Contempt & Disbelief- Body Language at Benghazi Hearings

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3277: John Kasich reflecting on Debate - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTO)

John Kasich gave this post-debate interview earlier this week. Governor Kasich did well in the debate and has subsequently climbed significantly in the polls. One question some critics felt he did not go into sufficient detail on however, was the issue of illegal immigration and how his views compared to Donald Trump's hardline.

Chris Wallace once again asks the Ohio governor - and specifically regarding building a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. At multiple times Governor Kasich displays microexpressions of fear. One of these moments is captured in the image below (during 2:29). Take notice his "Mouth of Fear" - with the corners very briefly pulled down and laterally. What is less noticed by most and rarely ever discussed is his simultaneous "Neck of Fear" - with a tightening and tenting-up of the neck muscles. Please watch the interview above as these fear signals (and most nonverbals) are much better exampled via the dynamic context of a video.

These crucial body language displays tell us Governor Kasich has trepidation regarding immigration reform - for although taking a firmer stance here may help him win the Republican nomination - it may also cost him in the general election.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3276: Word Blurt with Kristen Stewart & Jimmy Fallon

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3270: Trump at 1st Republican Debate - Donald's Body Language Shows His Cards

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3272: Donald Trump, Megyn Kelly, Deception and Misogyny 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3198: Sepp Blatter, FIFA, Subtle Fear & Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3165: Bruce Jenner's 20/20 Interview, Part I

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3258: Hillary Clinton speaks out on "inaccuracies" of private email controversy 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3276: Word Blurt with Kristen Stewart & Jimmy Fallon - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Kristen Stewart was a guest on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon yesterday. Kristen and Jimmy played one of his many games - "Word Blurt".

From a body language perspective, Kristen gives us a fantastic example of a common (and relatively complex) nonverbal cluster - yet one rarely described.

In the image below (captured during the 1:42 segment of the video) take note of Ms. Stewart's mouth - it's an amalgam of both fear and yet it's projecting some joy as well. The corners are pulled laterally and down and yet simultaneously her cheeks are partially vectored upwards. Stewart's eyelids are partially closed and have subtle markers of concave up furrows in her lower lids (although this is by no means a complete "eye smile"). She is displaying a slight amount of facial bushing too. Her central forehead is contracted (CFC) and elevated along with her inner (medial) eyebrows. Kristen's shoulders are hunched and her neck is foreshortened and she's leaning forward. Lastly her hand is oriented palm-up and fingers spread with her arm held close to her torso.

This cluster tells of fear - yet a low grade, public fear, consistent with the embarrassment of losing while playing a game of low consequence. Emotional dissonance is of course present because in the same instant Ms. Stewart is exhibiting a partial smile of joy-happiness. Her elevated inner eyebrows and central forehead contraction in this fear/joy mixture are (along with the palm-up hand) asking for our empathy and thus some latitude with her response. Kristen's neck-shoulder contraction/leaning forward along with the arm being held close to her torso display a low degree of expectation in the asking - as if her body is saying, I know it's a stretch, but pleeeeease give it to me?

Although this example is taken from a comedy-talk show, it's a fantastic display of what we all see throughout our day - two or more emotions existing - and thus projecting - simultaneously (or in rapid succession). Such mash-ups of emotions and their nonverbal signals are very often of what the real world is made. It's much like listening to (or playing) two or three songs from different artists and disparate genres. Yet most people only hear (see) one verse (emotion).

False dichotomies abound!

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3275: Carly Fiorina, The Republican Debate and Likability (or not)

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2915: The Many Faces of Tony Stewart  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3099: Jon Stewart Announces he's Leaving "The Daily Show" - A Classic Body Language Cluster

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2556: Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen and Star Trek - Even Great Actors Leak Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3192: Jimmy Kimmel Chokes-up in his Tribute to David Letterman - a Body Language Signal of Crying Suppression & Sincerity

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3151: Barack Obama and Raúl Castro Shake Hands

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2733: A Neuroscientist who's a Psychopath

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3269: Context, Head Shaking and Hoverboards - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."

Arthur C. Clarke

As if on cue for Marty McFly's arrival on 21 October 2015 - a working hoverboard has been invented by a team at Lexus. The video of its first public test runs are included above. Much of the initial riding (piloting) of the hoverboard was performed by Skateboarder Ross McGouran. Toward the beginning of this video there is a great example of emotional processing providing for us an excellent nonverbal teaching moment.

This image was captured during the 0:27 second segment. Although only the right half of his face is visible (it's a valid assumption in this context that his left side is mirroring his right) we can clearly see McGouran is displaying all the following facial displays:

1. A relaxed forehead
2. Partial closure of the eyelids
3. Concave-up furrow in the lower eyelid
4. Upward vectoring of the cheeks
5. Only upper teeth visible
6. Blushing

This cluster of nonverbal components is absolutely definitive for a sincere smile (Duchenne Smile). Yet the evaluation doesn't stop here. When you view the video, you will note that during the 0:26 - 0:28 segment, McGouran is shaking his head laterally. Of course throughout most (but not all) of the World, if you ask people what is meant by a side-to-side head shake (partial, oscillating rotation) virtually everyone, include very young children will tell you that such behavior is a nonverbal indicator of "No". Hold that thought for a moment.

Consider the English word, "Hot". We can say, "Oh look at her, she's hot!" (meaning sexually attractive) or we can say, "Scoville units are the standard of measure for how hot a chili pepper tastes" (spicy hot). We may say, "The subject of Donald Trump running for U.S. President(Republican Nomination) is currently a very hot topic (indicating a subject for which many people are currently interested) or, "In Phoenix today it was so hot!" (high temperature). Here we have four different meanings of the word, "hot" - and they are all spelled the same and pronounced the same. This is an example of a homonym. When the word is isolated, it's impossible to tell which of these meanings is the proper one. However when "hot" is used in a sentence, anyone is able to discern what is meant.

There are many nonverbal homonyms as well. A lateral head shake is just one of these. Viewing this video once again, it's very important to note that while McGouran is shaking his head, he's also displaying a sincere smile. The above six components of a sincere smile in addition to the lateral head shake constitute a nonverbal cluster - and this one indicates a joyful disbelief coupled with a component of emotional processing. Ross McGouran's vision is telling him something that he's having trouble believing. We are witnessing a very common outward manifestation of a person's emotional brain trying to catch up to a fact which the intellect already knows.

I'm picking up my Delorean on Friday (Anyone have any spare plutonium?).

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3268: Advice to the Ten Republicans for Thursday Night's Presidential Debate

Sincerity Secret No. 55: Isabelle Giordano - Sincere Smile or is it Insincere?  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3125: Vladimir Putin, Suppressed Smiling & Blushing 

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2424:  Giada De Laurentiis on Conan O'Brien  Beautiful Teeth but Insincere Smiles and  Some Body Language Signals of Waning Love 

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2915: The Many Faces of Tony Stewart 

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

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3255: Donald Trump and a Body Language Signal of Social Fear and Hesitancy (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Donald Trump was interviewed by Anderson Cooper yesterday. In this segment he continues to press the republican candidate regarding the idea of asking God for forgiveness. At 0:47 the reporter rephrases his question, "But the idea of asking for forgiveness, that's not a - is that a central tenet for you?"

Before Mr. Cooper had finish asking his question, Mr. Trump displayed a classic nonverbal facial cluster. He pulls the corners of his mouth out (laterally) and downward. Simultaneous he juts his jaw out quite far as he audibly inhales with a hissing sound. This lasts for about 2 seconds. During the beginning of this expression cycle, Trump also displays a prolonged blink with mid-facial tension.

This evanescent cluster of facial changes is indicative of social-fear and hesitancy. It's not an expression of physical danger fear - but the type of trepidation where a person feels they must tread delicately for fear they will suffer significant social repercussions.

There were a multitude of other body language signals displayed during this interview. This was just one moment - yet a very telling one. Trump shows us an Achilles' heel. He reveals his vulnerability to the subject of religion - and more specifically his feelings regarding God. He also fears this weakness will cost him the republican nomination. His opponents should seize on this moment and hit him hard here.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3254: How to Destroy Your Cell Phone With Sen. Lindsey Graham – Touché Donald Trump - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2802: Emma Stone & Jimmy Fallon Lip Sync Battle - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2556: Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen and Star Trek - Even Great Actors Leak Body Language Tells 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3173: Maryland State Attorney Marilyn Mosby - Freddie Gray's Death Ruled Homicide - charges to be pressed against police 

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2783: Hillary Clinton asked again about 2016

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

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