Body Language Analysis No. 4350: Ashley Kavanaugh during Brett Kavanaugh's Swearing-in Ceremonies for the Supreme Court - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

Yesterday, after the closest Senate vote in 137 years, Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed as an Associate Justice on the United States Supreme Court. Ashley Kavanaugh's body language during her husband's swearing-in ceremony is worthy of scrutiny.

Note in the above image, as retired Justice Anthony Kennedy administers the Judicial Oath to Brett Kavanaugh, Ashley Kavanaugh is standing with her left leg crossed in front of her right leg. This nonverbal display indicates a lowered confidence level and a beta emotional tone. Along with projecting her low emotional comfort, it very much says that although social and political etiquette requires her presence, she very much wants to leave.

These submissive feelings are further amplified by the orientation of Ms. Kavanaugh's feet. For although we can't completely visualize them, we can easily discern that they're pointed inward (temporarily in-toed aka pigeon-toed) - projecting even lower confidence and the need for protection. This behavior is a fig-leaf analog.

One might be tempted to attribute Ashley Kavanaugh's leg and foot positions to a chance moment in time - which would be erroneous (particularly in this context). However, if we examine this second image, when Chief Justice John Roberts is administering the Constitutional Oath, although we can only see a portion of her legs, she's clearly standing in the same configuration.

(If you're wondering about Brett Kavanaugh's right hand, please reference this previous article:
Body Language Analysis No. 4349: Brett Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford - Part III)

SUMMARY: Ashley Kavanaugh's body language during each of her husband's Oaths yesterday indicates she was feeling lowered confidence and diminished emotional comfort. Although protocol required her presence, she very much did not want to be there.

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See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4347: Kavanaugh Confirmation Hearings - Part I

Body Language Analysis No. 4345: World Leaders Laugh at Donald Trump at the United Nations General Assembly

Body Language Analysis No. 4342: Alleged Jacksonville Shooter David Katz

Body Language Analysis No. 4340: Ruby Rose gets Emotional regarding her new Role as Batwoman

Body Language Analysis No. 4336: Alita: Battle Angel, Large Eyes, and Sexual Attraction

Body Language Analysis No. 4323: Trump Putin Helsinki Summit Press Conference

Body Language Analysis No. 4298: LeBron James Walks Out of Post Game Press Conference after Game One Loss

Body Language Analysis No. 4284: Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Deadpool 2, and Alpha Up-Regulation

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2939: Barack Obama in Tallinn, Estonia - Body Language Tells (PHOTO)

Barack Obama visited Estonia earlier today. With the threat of near all-out war in Ukraine, the American President wanted to assure Baltic Nations and all the other NATO members that the United States stands with them. Of course it was just as much or more for Vladimir Putin's benefit.

This gathering around a table in Tallinn provides a good body language teaching moment. During his very symbolic visit, Mr. Obama should not be leaning back or pulled away from the table. Nor should his legs should be crossed. Of course we don't know what was being spoken at this time - however depending on the other nonverbals with which it is clustered - this sends signals of disengagement, disagreement and/or critical evaluation. Rather he should be sitting forward on his chair with his hands above the table. The normally nonverbally adept President is off his game - for it's almost as if Barack is channeling a bit of Vladimir's feigned laissez faire persona.

Moreover Susan Rice should not have her hands below the table. It is virtually never a good nonverbal signal in any kind of rapport-building, trust-building or negotiation scenario. This body language is consistent with a beta emotional tone and low confidence.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2938: Josh Earnest, Steven Sotloff and ISIS - "Nonverbal Monotone"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2489:  Angelina Jolie and "Maleficent" - Body Language Signals of Sincerity and Disengagement

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2584: Darnell Barton - Hero with Body Language of De-Escalation

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2847: Eric Cantor, Concession Speeches and Low Affection - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2937: Vladimir Putin - “If I want to, I can take Kiev in two weeks” and Critical Evaluation

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2338:  Why Does Keit Pentus-Rosimannus feel Fear?  Body Language of Estonia's Minister of Environment

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2089: Ann Curry's and Matt Lauer's Very Awkward Reunion

In this incredibly awkward reunion of NBC's Ann Curry and Matt Lauer, it obvious to all how uncomfortable this is for Ann. Matt's attempt at being warm-and-fuzzy fails miserably. If you squirm when you watch it, you've got some empathy for the former Today Show's co-host. 

Matt obviously has read up on body language since Ann's departure. Note their lower limb directions. Ann's feet and legs are pointed away from Lauer. Moreover, her legs are crossed away from him - while Matt's are crossed towards Ann. Curry's torso is leaning distinctly away from Lauer as she both consciously and subconsciously distances herself from her former co-host. Her thin-lipped and tight "pseudo-smile" at 1:04 exemplifies anger and an attempt at polite tolerance. Lauer is rebuffed. Who could blame her?  

See also:

Analysis # 1912: Ann Curry's Tearful Goodbye Matt Lauer's Insincerity 

Analysis # 1905: Ann Curry's Smile and Sincerity Quotient 

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