Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3352: Donald Trump's Contradictory Body Language (PHOTOS)

Like many politicians, Donald Trump is fond of flashing the "Thumbs Up" sign - as if it's their default setting. A thumbs up is one of many examples of what in body language parlance is known as an emblem. An emblem is universally or regionally recognized nonverbal signal which is understood to have a specific meaning.

In this example, Trump's thumbs up configuration is consciously generated - for he's trying to project agreement and optimism. Yet when we look at his face, his subconsciously initiated expression shouts loud with two other thought-emotions on the opposite end of the spectrum.

Donald's primary emotion is that of disgust - and it's quite strong (mid-face tension, nostril flaring, and amplified by partial eyelid closure/eyebrows drawn closer together). His secondary thought-emotion is that of a clandestine disagreement and/or a clandestine plan (forward lip pursing). In other words, although he's saying he's agreeing with a person/group with his thumb - what he's really thinking is:

1. "You disgust me."

and

2. "I know how I'm going to deal with you, but I'm not telling you."

Whenever you see consciously initiated nonverbal signs together with unconsciously generated ones (the vast, vast majority) - it's the unconsciously driven body language that always tells the true thought-feelings.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3351: A Body Language Signal of Sincere Affection

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3265: Donald Trump, Exaggerated Mouth Movements and Narcissistic, Hyper-Alpha Personalities

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3281: Donald Trump on "Meet The Press" - Who Does He Talk to for Military Advice? 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3293: Why is Donald Trump a Better Liar than Most Politicians? 

Negotiation Body Language Secret No. 343:  Nicolas Sarkozy's Clandestine Thumbs Up - an Emblematic Slip 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2016: Hillary Clinton, Roosevelt Island, Building Rapport and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2341:  Angela Bassett Interview -  Rationalization Rapport Empathy Expression  R2E2, Body Language & "Olympus has Fallen"


____________________________________________________________________________________ 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3050: NYPD Turning Their Backs on Bill de Blasio During Wake (PHOTO)

Many of the officers felt that Mayor de Blasio was too sympathetic to those protesting against police brutality regarding the choking death of Eric Garner at the hands of NYC police officer Daniel Pantaleo on 17 July 2014. Thus it's certainly no mystery why many of the police officers literally turned their backs on NYC mayor Bill de Blasio today during the service for one of their two colleagues (Rafael Ramos) who lost his life in the line of duty earlier this week. Nor is there any doubt as to the very literal and blatant body language interpretation of this gesture. Indeed, "turning your back" on a person has for centuries been a common metaphor/idiom.

Much more subtle variations - yet along similar themes, are overlooked every day by most everyone. We turn our feet, torso, head and eyes towards those we respect, like, believe and/or - in the setting of potential romance - to whom we are physically attracted (To thin slice these possibilities we need to interpret them in the light of the other nonverbals with which they are clustered). This is particularly and commonly demonstrated (and overlooked) by nuances of the feet and their orientation. And while, when a person shows his middle finger, rolls her eyes, or turns his back at you at a funeral - all have extremely obvious AND (of course) VERY DELIBERATE (conscious) meanings - it's in the subtle displays that 99.999% of the messages are conveyed - which are in plain sight and subconsciously initiated. The value of these nonverbal signals will give profound advantage.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3049: Merry Christmas - Joseph Riquelme (joeytrombone) pays off his Parents' Mortgage - Affection Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2523:  Hillary Clinton, Body Language and the 2016 Presidency -  Rapport Builder vs. Rapport Destroyer

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2440:  Vladimir Putin Dials Up His Alpha ... Foot Position, Projecting Leadership,  Confidence & Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2313: Elisa Lam Video in Elevator at Cecil Hotel - What Her Body Language Tells Us ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2322:  Jeb Bush & Matt Lauer - Which one is the Narcissist?  Body Language Red Flags

___________________________________________________________________________________