Body Language Analysis No. 4120: Robert Mueller's Nonverbal Metaphor - and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

Some may call Robert Mueller the most powerful man in Washington, D.C. In the image above we see the special prosecutor with his hands configured in a variation of the "Pistol Steeple". The pistol steeple is an alpha/hyper-alpha nonverbal signal. It's also part of a broader category of critical evaluation behaviors. When the two forefingers (index fingers) are extended with their flexor surfaces held together - and the other fingers are flexed (and usually intertwined) - the hands take on the approximate shape of a handgun.

The metaphor of the pistol is extended further by its deeper meaning - for when it's displayed, those using it are "shooting-down" what is being said, proposed, etc. 

As we further evaluate Robert Mueller's expression in this moment, we see his lips are thinned and the opening of his mouth is foreshortened. He has a mild amount of mid-facial tension. Along with some normal aging changes (Brow Ptosis), his eyebrows are also dynamically lowered - as well as mildly drawn together. In addition to his critical evaluation, Robert Mueller is manifesting anger, albeit controlled.


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Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com


See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4119: Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin at APEC Summit - Part II

Body Language Analysis No. 4117: Roy Moore, Sexual Misconduct, and The US Senate

Body Language Analysis No. 4115: Donald Trump, South Korea, and The Texas Church Shooting

Body Language Analysis No. 4112: Donald Trump's Interview on Sharyl Attkisson's "Full Measure"

Body Language Analysis No. 4108: Sarah Huckabee Sanders' White House Briefing regarding Paul Manafort and George Papadopoulos

Body Language Analysis No. 4046: Melania Trump, Hurricane Harvey, and "Destroying Empathy 101"

Body Language Analysis No. 3994: Vladimir Putin at G20 - Donald Trump agreed with me

Body Language Analysis No. 3937: Mr. Lavrov Goes To Washington - “Was he fired? You’re kidding!” - Sergey Lavrov, Rex Tillerson, and James Comey

Body Language Analysis No. 3933: Sally Yates Testimony before Senate Judiciary Committee



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Body Language Analysis No. 4114: Robert Mueller, Critical Evaluation, and the Double-L • Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

In this photo, Robert Mueller is displaying a classic nonverbal signal (MAP [Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier]). More specifically, this is known as the "Double-L" (because of the two Ls [right angles] made by the Index finger and the Middle finger - and a second one by the Index finger and Thumb). The thumb is resting on the inferior aspect of his mandible (jaw) - with the Index Finger resting on the zygomatic arch (cheekbone) - and the middle finger is over his lips (or on occasion, in the "mustache area").

The Double-L is strongly indicative of critical evaluation. It's helpful to think of this as projecting the colloquial thought-emotion of: "I'm not buying what you're selling".

As mentioned above, the middle finger can be positioned either in the "mustache area" (beneath the nose/above the upper lip) - or over the lips. When it's placed over the mouth, it sends the additional message of "Be Quiet"/"Stop Talking"/"Shut up".

The entire width of Robert Mueller's forehead is contracted and elevated. Although not a required component of the Double-L cluster, this dynamic amplifies his thought-feelings of disbelief.

Not to be overlooked, is another detail in the Special Prosecutor's mid-face. The second image captures this area in a close-up. Notice how his mustache area is tightened/contracted - as well as his nostrils which are flared. These expression ingredients project the additional emotion of Disgust.

Summary: The Double-L signals the alpha/hyper-alpha emotions of critical evaluation combined with deep disbelief. In this example, the elevation of his entire forehead width telegraphs Robert Mueller's amplified level of disbelief. Moreover, he also feels significant disgust for the object of his attention - who he very much wants to stop talking.


Group Appearances and One-on-One
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Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com


See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4112: Donald Trump's Interview on Sharyl Attkisson's "Full Measure"

Body Language Analysis No. 4110: Yuli Gurriel "Apologizes" to Yu Darvish for a Gesture of Prejudice During The World Series

Body Language Analysis No. 4108: Sarah Huckabee Sanders' White House Briefing regarding Paul Manafort and George Papadopoulos

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

Body Language Analysis No. 4103: Las Vegas Shooter, Stephen Paddock's and His Brother's Common (Behavioral) Denominator

Body Language Analysis No. 4088: Kit Harington's April Fools' Prank on Rose Leslie

Body Language Analysis No. 4064: The Murder of Laci Peterson - Part II

Body Language Analysis No. 4047: Joel Osteen, Houston, and Hurricane Harvey

Body Language Analysis No. 3979: Ivanka Trump, "I Try to Stay Out of Politics"


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Body Language Analysis No. 4067: 2017 Emmys - Melissa McCarthy's Reaction to Sean Spicer Doing Melissa McCarthy Doing Sean Spicer - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

It must have been an odd feeling for Melissa McCarthy last night at the Emmys. But as she was watching Sean Spicer portray herself portraying Sean Spicer - what was she thinking? What was she feeling?

Melissa McCarthy is a skilled actor - and in this first moment she was trying to force smile - however, her true emotions in this moment were anger mixed with contempt. Notice her chin dimpling - this is a result from her chin thrusting forward - which is secondary to adrenaline from anger. Her thinned (narrowed) upper lip is also indicative of anger.

Sincere suppressed laughter or smiling would have revealed a retracted jaw and/or an "Inward Lip Roll".

Notice too, the area  above her lip and below her nose - it's tightened and in an asymmetrical fashion and elevated - more so on her right. This is a contempt display - albeit somewhat well-masked.

The fact that Melissa McCarthy had a relatively mild surprise display in this first frame (her forehead is contracted, her eyebrows and upper eyelids are elevated) indicates either any surprise had significantly diminished before the camera found her (true surprise is very short-lived, only lasting a second or two) - or she may possibly have had some foreknowledge of this skit.

This nose touch, with her downward head tilt, in this context, indicates Ms. McCarthy's internal dialog is saying something similar to, "WTF!? I can't believe Sean Spicer is *ACTUALLY* doing this!"

Melissa McCarthy's chin-touching with her still tightened mid-face tells us, that along with disgust, she's critically evaluating Spicer - and/or Stephen Colbert, or others who may have written this skit.


Summary: Melissa McCarthy was not impressed with Sean Spicer's short skit during the 2017 Emmys. She displayed anger, contempt, and critical evaluation in these very brief views of her reaction.


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


See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4065: The Murder of Laci Peterson - Scott Peterson's Red Flag

Body Language Analysis No. 4063: The Murder of Laci and Connor Peterson - Scott Peterson's Tells

Body Language Analysis No. 4061: Pennywise,"IT", and Bill Skarsgård's Demonic Smile - Why is IT so Scary?

Body Language Analysis No. 4057: Steve Bannon's "60 Minutes" Interview

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

Body Language Analysis No. 4037: Charlottesville Protester Quits Boston University after Death Threats

Body Language Analysis No. 4006: Vladimir Putin and Melania Trump at the G20

Body Language Analysis No. 3978: Keanu Reeves, Chuck Spadina, Sincerity, and Empathy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3811: Hayden Panettiere, Stephen Colbert and Personal Space


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Body Language Analysis No. 4034: Steve Bannon's Critical Evaluation - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

Perhaps you've heard? Steve Bannon has been fired. Although rumors of President Trump's chief strategist's departure have been circulating for weeks, what appears to have been the last straw for Donald Trump, was Bannon's recent and very public contradiction of the President's strategy regarding North Korea.

In the image above, Steve Bannon is in the Oval Office displaying a classic nonverbal MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) known as the "Double-L". Note how his index finger (forefinger) is resting on the left side of his head and directed upward, his thumb is resting on the side/base of his jaw (mandible) pointing posteriorly, and the remainder of his fingers are angled to his right. These three groupings of digits are oriented at roughly right-angles to each other, and thereby giving this gesture its name, the "Double-L" - which is a strong signal of critical evaluation (e.g., Whatever you're selling, he's NOT buying).

Of particular note is his middle finger. It's held over his lips (see below) and it's also isolated from the other digits. And although this signal is a subconscious/edge-of-consciousness phenomenon, the middle finger placement signals Bannon's psyche is simultaneously "shushing" the speaker - as well as flipping them the bird. This is a variation of a "Partial Emblematic Slip".

Nuancing further, we can see Steven Bannon's eyebrows and lower forehead are pulled together (medially) and lowered. His lips are also stretched and very thinned. The cluster of changes is consistent with anger.

Summary: In addition to his anger in this moment, Steven Bannon's display of a "Double-L" indicates a classic and strong critical evaluation of the speaker/idea/plan being put forth. Superimposed in this moment is the display of his middle finger MAP - which is an additional, potent signal of profanity and his desire to silence them.


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


See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4033: Prime Minister Theresa May Regarding Charlottesville Violence, "I see no equivalence"

Body Language Analysis No. 4031: One Gesture to Never Use When Condemning Neo-Nazis

Body Language Analysis No. 4029: Charlottesville, Heather Heyer, and Sincerity

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

Body Language Analysis No. 4017: Elisabeth Moss, Anthony Rizzo, and a Signal of Sincerity

Body Language Analysis No. 3995: Vladimir Putin, Emmanuel Macron, and the G20 Group Photo

Body Language Analysis No. 3946: Melania Swats Away Donald Trump's Hand as They Arrive in Israel

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3896: Did Matthew Perry Really Beat Up Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3815: Donald Trump's first Press Conference as President-Elect


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Body Language Analysis No. 3977: Anthony Kennedy - One Signal You Never Want to See From a Judge During Your Testimony - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

Anthony Kennedy will turn 81 next month. Sources close to the Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court report that he is strongly considering retiring - yet it's unclear exactly when.

The image above shows Kennedy in a particular nonverbal configuration which, if you were testifying, you'd never want to see displayed by the judge.

The resting of the hand on the face with the index finger extended is one of many varieties of what is known as a "Critical Evaluation Display". More colloquially stated, he's not buying what you're selling - not by a long shot. To nuance this even further, the action of his index finger also being pointing at his eye strongly indicates Anthony Kennedy believes he's being told a lie.


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


See also:


Body Language Analysis No. 3976: Bill Conner bicycles 1,400 miles to hear his daughter's beating heart again

Body Language Analysis No. 3974: Elle Fanning, Robert De Niro, and an Easter Egg Hunt

Body Language Analysis No. 3972: Vladimir Putin, Oliver Stone, and a Facial Expression Red Flag 

Body Language Analysis No. 3970: Kamala Harris and Jeff Sessions, Part II - Deception, Alpha, and Beta Behavior

Body Language Analysis No. 3968: The Grenfell Tower Fire, Empathy, and Emotional Processing 

Body Language Analysis No. 3965: Manspreading, Madrid, and a Business Faux Pas

Body Language Analysis No. 3963: Donald Trump regarding James Comey and Loyalty

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3851: Donald Trump's Impromptu Press Conference - "Russia is a Ruse"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3077: Caroline Wozniacki & Rory McIlroy - One Reason Why Relationships Fail - and an Important Warning Sign (PHOTO)

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2313: Elisa Lam Video in Elevator at Cecil Hotel - What Her Body Language Tells Us .... 


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Body Language Analysis No. 3960: James Comey, Critical Evaluation, and The Side-Eye - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTO)

This recent image of James Comey displays a classic nonverbal grouping aka "Cluster" of signals.
Note that the former FBI Director's head and neck are turned relative to his torso - and yet they are still rotated about 45 degrees from the person at whom he's looking. We have a strong tendency to not "face point" or "body point" directly at people who we:

• Don't like/have strong dislike for
• Don't believe/don't trust
• Don't respect

Thus when we're looking at such individuals - and our torso, head, and neck are only partially turned - our eyes must turn even more laterally to make "eye contact".

Although Comey's eyes are turned to the side, the colloquial/slang of "Side Eye" is more typically used in the context of open contempt and/or deliberate disbelief (not trying to hide their judgement) - and thus their facial expressions are more extreme and different than what is seen in this example.

Notice also that the entire width of both of Comey's eyebrows are vectored downward.

The crucial placement of his thumb and finger - separated by 2-3 cm while holding chin is significant for critical evaluation.

Summary: Taken as a whole, James Comey's nonverbal cluster says he is:

• Critically Evaluating - more specifically, he doesn't like, doesn't trust, and/or disrespects the person whom he's watching
• Highly focused
• On alert/on guard
• Actively and sizing-up the situation
• Deciding on a course of action

Group Appearances and One-on-One
Online Courses Available 
1-702-239-8503
Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com

See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 3959: Vladimir Putin - Megyn Kelly Interview, Part II

Body Language Analysis No. 3957: Sergei Gorkov, Jared Kushner, and Secret Meetings

Body Language Analysis No. 3955: Jeff Sessions, Russia, and Sergey Kislyak

Body Language Analysis No. 3953: Vladimir Putin and Emmanuel Macron meet in Versailles

Body Language Analysis No. 3951: Angela Merkel, Donald Trump, the G7 Summit, and The Paris Agreement

Body Language Analysis No. 3947: Benjamin Netanyahu's reaction to Donald Trump's statement, "I never mentioned the Word or Name 'Israel' "

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3927: Jimmy Kimmel's Emotional Monologue regarding His Son’s Birth & Heart Disease

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3885: Vogue's 73 Questions with Selena Gomez

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3808: Felicity Jones' Sincere Smile

Body Language Analysis No. 3943: Donald Trump hugs James Comey

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3899: President Trump regarding Poison Gas Attack in Syria - What Will Trump Do? - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Earlier today, during a joint press conference with King Abdullah II of Jordan, President Trump was asked about the recent deadly gas attack in Syria.

What follows is a portion of his response followed by a partial nonverbal analysis.

JULIA IOFFE [This question was edited out of this specific clip of the press conference, however, it is the one to which President Trump is responding]: You've condemned the chemical attacks in Syria, but you also appeared in your statement yesterday to pin some of the blame on the Obama administration. You are the president now. Do you feel like you bear responsibility for responding to the chemical attacks and does the chemical attack cross a red line for you?

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, I think the Obama administration had a great opportunity to solve this crisis a long time ago when he said, "The red line in the sand". And when he didn't cross that line after making the threat, I think that set us back a long ways - not only in Syria, but in many of the parts of the world - because it was a blank threat. I think it was something that was not - one of our better days as a country. So I do feel that, Julia, I feel it very strongly.

IOFFE: Do feel like you now have the responsibility to respond to the chemical attack?

TRUMP [over-talking]: I now have responsibility and I will have that responsibility and carry it very proudly - I will tell you that. It is now my responsibility. It was a great opportunity missed.

[CNN's video edit gap] 

IOFFE: Before I move on to the King, can I just quickly ask you if the chemical attack "crosses a red line" for you?

TRUMP: Ah, it crossed a lot of lines for me. When you kill - innocent children - innocent babies, babies, little babies - with a chemical gas that is so lethal - ah - people were shocked to hear what gas it was [Lip Smacking, Head Torquing, Disgust Display, Eyelids Partially Closing, Mid-Facial Tension], that crosses many, many lines - beyond a red line. Many, many lines.

During 0:38 - 0:39, as he says, "... I now have responsibility and I will have that responsibility and carry it very proudly - I will tell you that. It is now my responsibility ...", Donald Trump spreads his arms quite widely, in a palms-up fashion.

This nonverbal signal indicates that the President is very accepting of and welcomes the responsibility to, "... respond to the chemical attack".

Just prior to the President saying, "... that crosses many, many lines - beyond a red line. Many, many lines" (during 1:06), he displays a nonverbal cluster containing the key signals of:

• Lip Smacking
• Head Torquing
• Eyelids Partially Closing
• Mid-Facial Tension 
• Disgust Display

This temporal combination of nonverbal displays is highly indicative of Trump's critical evaluation, a high degree of confidence in a decision(s) he has made, and he has determined a specific course of action to be taken regarding Syria.

Summary: Donald Trump's body language during the press conference earlier today, indicates with very high probability, the President intends to order a heavy military retaliation in response to the Poison Gas Attack of Bashar al-Assad upon the Syrian People.


See also:


Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3898: President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi Meet at The White House

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3896: Did Matthew Perry Really Beat Up Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau? 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3894: Michael Flynn and Russia - "When are given immunity, it means you probably committed a crime" 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3873: Brie Larson's Eyes, The Bachelor, and the Edge of Consciousness

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3858: Milo Yiannopoulos resigns from Breitbart with "Apology"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3735: Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Mean Tweets

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3662: Weverton Dives, Neymar Kicks and Brazil Wins Gold

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


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3882: Donald Trump to Angela Merkel During Press Conference, "At least we have something in common" - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

On Friday, during their joint press conference, there was a particularly odd moment between Angela Merkel and Donald Trump. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of that portion (contained in the video above, with key expressions isolated in the still images below).

DONALD TRUMP (continuing at 0:20): "... Ah, as far as, ah, wiretapping I guess, by, you know, this past administration - at least we have something in common perhaps ..."

During 0:22, as he says his second "ah" of this sentence, President Trump looks down, closes his eyes, inhales deeply and displays a "Loose Tongue Jut". This cluster of nonverbal behavior is highly consistent with the thought-emotions of "I've been (or about to be) bad" and "I got caught".

As he says, "... at least we have something in common ...", Donald Trump gestures toward Angela Merkel with an open, palms-up illustrator.

President Trump is using a manipulative/negotiation technique sometimes referred to as "Forced Teaming" (de Becker). By saying outright that he and the German Chancellor share a commonality - and specifically by his use of the word, "... we ..." - together with simultaneously display of the, open, palm-up illustrator toward the person to whom he's referring ("I'm open", "We're friends", "I'm extending my hand to you", "We are of one mind") - tends to make others' temporarily feel as if they are "on the same team". These actions, in turn, engender success with subsequent agreements, negotiations, and manipulations.

But Chancellor Merkel was having none of it...

After he completes his sentence, Chancellor Merkel looks over at President Trump. She does this twice, in quick succession. The image above was captured during 0:29, just as Trump begins the second syllable of the word, "... perhaps ..."

This nonverbal two-look dynamic is often colloquially referred to as a "Double-Take". A double take is associated with various combinations the thought-emotions of Disbelief, Surprise and/or Shock.

More specifically, with this example, the expression on Angela Merkel's face during this first head turn toward Trump (captured in the image immediately above) is consistent with Shock and Disbelief (e.g., "Did he really just SAY that?"). There also is a simultaneous element of Fear - note that her eyelids are opened wider than baseline with some tension around the eyes - and her jaw is [mildly] slackened [shock].

The next image (immediately above) shows Angela Merkel during the "second look" of her double take (0:32). In the approximate three second interval since her first glance, she has processed her thoughts and is here expressing the emotion of critical evaluation with some contempt.

Although we cannot see his entire face, Trump is expressing a smugness and contempt.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3881: Donald Trump Snubs Angela Merkel's Handshake in Oval Office 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3879: Donald Trump, Wiretapping, Adam Schiff & Russia

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3877: Kellyanne Conway re: "Wiretapping" Investigation - Alpha Displays

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3868: Benjamin Netanyahu, Donald Trump, The West Bank and Anxiety

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3812: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone & La La Land - Backstage Interview Golden Globes 2017

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3765: Conjoined twins Jadon and Anias McDonald - See each other directly for the first time

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3742: Evan McMullin, Donald Trump and Winning Utah

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3696: Jimmy Kimmel's 2016 Emmys Opening Monologue - Sarah Paulson brought Marcia Clark


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3812: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone & La La Land - Backstage Interview Golden Globes 2017 - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTO)

In this interview for the 2017 Golden Globes, Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling are being interviewed backstage after the awards. They each won best actress/actor for comedy or musical in La La Land.

Although it is rarely discussed, it's not unusual for several emotions to occur simultaneously. During 4:19 - 4:20 in the above video (captured in the image below), Ms. Stone and Mr. Gosling are both making similar expressions in response to an odd question (although Gosling's is a bit more subtle). On each of their faces we can see a mixture of dismay, disgust, critical evaluation ... and even a bit of anger. In common parlance, one may call this a "WTF?! Facial Expression".

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3811: Hayden Panettiere, Stephen Colbert and Personal Space

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3809: Horse Lays His Head On Coffin As He Mourns The Loss Of His Human Best Friend - Cross-Species Body Language & Emotional Intelligence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3807: Sarah Paulson's Fear of Flying

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3801: Marion Cotillard, Lip Syncing and Honest Anxiety

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3703: Debate Advice for Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3637: President Obama's Speech at the DNC, Hillary Clinton and Anxiety - Body Language

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


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3768: Cuban Leader Fidel Castro Dies - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

Fidel Castro (Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz) died yesterday. Mr. Castro was a Cuban revolutionary leader and politician (a Marxist–Leninist and Cuban nationalist) who governed the Republic of Cuba - first as Prime Minister (1959 to 1976) and then as President (1976 to 2008).

Each of the two images included here show a very common nonverbal signal known as "The Double-L". It is one of many which characterizes the thought-emotion of "Critical Evaluation". The Double-L is named so because of the two simultaneous right angles (or relatively so) made between the thumb and the forefinger (index finger) - and another similar angle between the forefinger and the middle finger (although this configuration is not fully visible here in either photo).

In the image above, notice also Fidel is not looking directly at the person to whom he's speaking. His head is turned so that his eyes have to also turn in order to fixate on his subject. We often don't turn our heads (or bodies) directly toward a person we don't like, don't trust (believe) or don't respect. This cluster of body language behaviors (Head-Turn, Eye-Turn, Double-L) are all congruent and thus amplify each other.

Very often when the Double-L is used, there's a disparity between what is being said aloud - vs. the person's true thoughts and feelings. Thus it's helpful to think of this particular critical evaluation signal as saying, "I'm not buying what you're selling, but I'm not going to say so (or I might say it in an indirect manner)".

The image below is a study in contrast - as well as one of deception. Note that Castro is in the midst of blowing a kiss with his right hand - yet with his left hand he's configured in a Double-L. The act of blowing a kiss is a very conscious and affectionate (or feigned-affectionate) act, while the Double-L is nearly always subconscious (and signals negative emotions). Whenever there's such conscious-subconscious nonverbal disagreement - it's the subconscious body language which always telegraphs the true thought-feelings.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3767: Joseph Gordon-Levitt on playing Edward Snowden - but How Do Tom Hanks and Gemma Arterton feel?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3764: Donald Trump's "A Message from the President-Elect"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3762: Mike Pence responds to 'Hamilton' Cast Message

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3760: Rory McIlroy's "Little Interviews"

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3693: Grace VanderWaal Wins America's Got Talent Season 11

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2635: Raúl Castro and Barack Obama Shake Hands at Nelson Mandela's Memorial

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3504: Raúl Castro Lifts Barack Obama's Arm at Press Conference


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3767: Joseph Gordon-Levitt on playing Edward Snowden - but How Do Tom Hanks and Gemma Arterton feel? - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Joseph Gordon-Levitt played Edward Snowden in the 2016 Oliver Stone film Snowden. During his recent guest appearance on The Graham Norton Show Mr. Gordon-Levitt spoke about meeting Snowden's parents at the premier. Gordon-Levitt's voice cracked as he choked up a bit - and as can be expected there was a multitude of great body language examples contained in this encounter. Several strategic nonverbal reactions of fellow guests, Tom Hanks and Gemma Arterton are highlighted in this post.

Beginning at 1:50, Graham Norton asks, "And isn't there some hope that Obama ahhh, might, one of the last things he does, might be to pardon him?"

Gordon-Levitt says, "I, I mean yeah, there's, there's a lot of ah, important, and, and influential human rights groups like Amnesty International and the ACLU that, that have appealed to President Obama to, to pardon Edward Snowden because, you know, ultimately what he did was, was a great service to the country and the World. Um, you know ..."

The image above was captured at 2:10 just after Gordon-Levitt says "country" within the sentence, "... ultimately what he did was, was a great service to the country ..."

Gordon-Levitt's body configuration of his feet flat on the floor, his legs moderately spread apart, his left hand pointed-in and palm down on his thigh, his right hand palm-down on his knee and his jacket unbuttoned - an example of an alpha-beta hybrid cluster (not too alpha, and not too beta) however a bit more toward the alpha end of the spectrum. This shows high confidence and sincere conviction to his statement regarding Edward Snowden.

Look at Tom Hanks' however - his face is consistent with that of disgust as well as a bit of a "WTF?" expression.

It's also profoundly telling that both Tom Hanks and Gemma Arterton are both not-so-subtly leaning away from Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

Moreover, if you look at Tom Hanks' hands - they are displaying a variation of what is termed a "Pistol Steeple". This body language is a metaphor for a firearm - and signals a high level of critical evaluation of either Gordon-Levitt's opinion regarding Edward Snowden, Snowden himself - or both. It's helpful to think of this as Hanks "shooting down" Gordon-Levitt's statement.

As Gordon-Levitt says, "... and to the World ..." Gemma Arterton tilts her head and neck back as she continues to look at him speaking. This is also indicative of critical evaluation and is very demonstrative of the old idiom, "Looking down your nose at him".

Summary: Although Tom Hanks and Gemma Arterton may very well like Joseph Gordon-Levitt as a person or actor - their nonverbal displays show very clearly that neither are fans of Edward Snowden.

It's noteworthy to point out as well, that despite the fact that Arterton and Hanks are both very accomplished actors, they are only human. Thus not only do their true feelings "leak" out all the time during such interviews (despite what they may say verbally) - but also their body language when they're acting on camera is not always accurate.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3765: Conjoined twins Jadon and Anias McDonald - See each other directly for the first time 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3763: Matt Smith, Claire Foy and Where NOT to be stung by a Wasp - Body Language, Emotional Intelligence and Predicting Empathy 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3761: Mitt Romney meets with Donald Trump 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3759: Nicole Kidman's and Jimmy Fallon's Almost Date Redux 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3739: Hillary Clinton's Statement regarding FBI Probe

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3709: Kate Middleton - The face you make when you’re married to a prince but you meet Justin Trudeau

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3563: Ariana Grande, Lip Stick, Microexpressions and Body Language 

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


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