Recognizing subtly expressed anger is a very valuable body language skill. PresidentObama is particularly adept at suppressing his negative emotions. His speech yesterday however exampled a great example of mild anger nonverbal signs.
Note: The original video has, since the original post, been removed from its online source. The images below however, were captured from this video.
At 1:49 in the above video (still image at right) the Presidents eyes can be seen to open significantly over baseline. This is short-lived and only lasts about a second.
In addition we begin to see a foreshortening of his mouth and the initial stages of lip thinning - particularly his upper lip.
Moreover his "mustache area" shows significant tension along with dilation of his nostrils.
A second later at 1:50, his eyelids are beginning to return to baseline and further thinning of the President's lips is seen and his nasal flaring persists.
All of these findings are highly consistent with a nonverbal cluster of anger.
At 1:43 - 1:44 in the above video, PresidentObama displays a superb example of a very high confidence nonverbal display - that of the "Self-Righteous Jaw Wiggle" (SRJW). Rarely seen in isolation, it usually is a minor component of the much more common "Self-Righteous Head Wiggle" and/or "Self-Righteous Torso Wiggle".
Note: The original video has, since the original post, been removed from its online source. The image below however, was captured from this video.
The self-righteous jaw wiggle display involves a side-to-side movement of the mandible which is usually of moderate frequency. This high alpha signal is very often accompanied by a significant definitive verbal statement. It is made by individuals who believe they have power over those to whom they speak. As with all high confidence signals, its over-use will destroy rapport. This is difficult as this body language is essentially 100% subconsciously initiated.
Many are aware that John Boehner has a facial tic. Of course this does not exempt him from nonverbals displays which are indicative of valuable emotional tells. What follows is just such an example.
Note: The original video has, since the original post, been removed from its online source. The images below however, were captured from this video.
Rep. Boehner's stated (begins at 0:01) "Our leadership team met with ah, our members today, ah, trying to find a way forward in a bipartisan way, ah, that ah we continue to provide fairness to the American people, ah, under Obamacare. Ah, there are a lot of opinions about ah what direction to go. There have been no decisions about exactly we will do. Ah, but we're going to continue to work with out members on both sides of the isle, ah to try and make sure, ah that there's no ah issue, ah of default and to get our government reopened."
At 0:06, just after the Speaker of the House says, "... trying to find a way forward in a bipartisan way ...", Mr. Boehner displays a classic example of a microexpression of contempt. His "mustache area" is vectored primarily upward. His left nostril is also flared. In addition, the valuable "contempt amplifier" of simultaneous and partially closed eyelids are present.
Most of Speaker Boehner's "facial tics" are just that - a longstanding and frequent idiosyncrasy (see below). And indeed when viewed at regular speed, very few people can distinguish the difference between one of his baseline tics and any type of microexpression. This particular example however was not a facial tic. John Boehner clearly is feeling contempt in this moment.
This example (at 0:12) is a nearly symmetrical mouth tic - one very typical for the Ohio republican (His mouth, midface or eyes are not displaying a microexpression).
What other body language signal(s) do you see in this moment though?
This asymmetrical mouth expression is also a facial tic (captured at 0:16). Note there is no tightening or elevation of Mr. Boehner's "mustache area".
When you watch these three moments in the video, can you distinguish the difference between these examples? How many microexpressions (and the ramifications) have you missed today?
Kelly Ayotte was a guest on "Face the Nation" this morning. At 2:46 Bob Schieffer asks the Senator from New Hampshire, "What do you think the fall-out is going to be from ah ah from Ted Cruz? Some people say he has led your party into what amounts to a box canyon here, into a place - where there doesn't seem to be anything out. Do you um ... what's your evaluation of the impact he's had?"
Ayotte: "Well I believe the de-funding strategy was a failing strategy from the beginning. It's not something that I supported - although I opposed the health care law ... and we've seen the flaws of the law as it's been rolled out. Ah, but Look where we are, from the beginning, the government's shut down, Obamacare exchanges have still opened. So I just disagreed with the strategy. I think it's time for conservative problem solvers to move forward, to govern the nation, to get things done. That's what Ronald Reagan did and think that's what we need to do as a party."
At 3:11, just after Sen. Ayotte says, "...Well I believe the de-funding strategy was a failing strategy from the beginning...", she displays a partial expression of disgust. This particular display is a microexpression.
Throughout much of the last portion of this interview Sen. Ayotte
displays a partial, suppressed smile. This image captures one of those moments (3:15).
Duping Delight is but one form of Suppressed Smile. In their manifestations they may appear identical, but importantly they have different causes. "Duping Delight" (Ekman) is a
partially suppressed smile indicative of the pleasure and thrill some
people experience in some acts of deception.
A
suppressed smile may of course have origins from causes other than
lying however. This video provides multiple examples of non-deceptive suppressed smile. In the last question of this video, Kelly Ayotte exhibits
varying degrees of suppressed smiles (and on one occasion of a sincere
smile as well as disgust). The cause of her joy arises from feelings associated with being
vindicated in her non-support of the de-funding Obamacare strategy.
This
smiling and suppressed smiling is out of context to what most consider
natural for joy-happiness in the light of the government shut-down and
an impending government default. Thus some may classify this as smugness or
arrogance.
Partial smile suppression at 3:16
Partial smile suppression at 3:17
Nearly fully formed Sincere Smile at 3:21.
Note the concave-up furrows in each lower lid although significantly less so formed on her left. Sen. Ayotte's eyelids area also partially closed. Of paramount importance is a relaxed, non-contracted forehead (only small passive wrinkles, but no active muscle contractions in the forehead).
Senator Ayotte reconfigures to a partially suppressed smile (3:34) wherein the eyes open significantly wider, the entire width of her forehead contracts and her head-neck rotates and tilts mild to moderately. This nonverbal signal indicates an emotion of sarcasm as well as what other thought-feeling?
When you see smiles out of context they often will be suppressed. In these scenarios always ask yourself the reason for their not wanting their joy-happiness to be fully expressed. Is there deception? Or is there smugness/arrogance? Is there sarcasm? What other emotions-thoughts are possible?
This blog is not about politics - it's about body language. Please leave your partisanship at the door.
Throughout most of this video, the House Minority Leader displays a hand-arm configuration that conveys an unassertive, acquiescing and "I am beta" emotional tone. At some times however her alpha qualities take a more prominence over her beta characteristics (although they were far outnumbered).
Note: The original video has, since the original post, been removed from its online source. The images below however, were captured from this video.
Knowing when - and exactly how - to look more assertive and dominant is of dramatic importance. Most are oblivious to where they are, at any given moment, on this alpha-beta continuum. This profound unawareness is particularly pronounced during moments of anxiety - precisely when it is needed the most.
Note how Nancy's elbows are in close to her torso in this photo (at 0:18). This body language screams a timid and unassertive mindset. Of course the vast majority of others who see this posture never have had a course in nonverbal communication, but their interpretive and subconscious psyches' will notice it none the less.
In a similar moment (at 0:53), Ms. Pelosi's elbows remain close to her torso, and as in the photo above her hands are touching. This is a form of self-comforting and in body language parlance is known as a Manipulator, Adaptor or Pacifier (aka MAP). This is an additional sign of a demure and "I tend towards acquiescence" emotional-thought status. Such posture signals weakness.
In this short-lived yet significantly more alpha posture, Representative Pelosi displays a thumbs-up as she points behind her just after she says, ".... as you know if we default, the markets could freeze, the dollar could plummet, interest rates could sky rocket ...." (0:55). (Yet immediately after this she reconfigures to her default posture - nearly identical to the above photo).
Significant to this nonverbal is that her hands are not touching (no MAPs present) and her left elbow has modestly left her side - significantly elevating her alpha. The lifting of her hand/arm significantly higher here also elevates her strength and authority.
At this moment (1:20), Ms. Pelosi grips the forward-sides of the lectern in a Kennedyesque posture (While Kennedy had great natural instinct when it came to body language, this lectern gripping maneuver may very well have been a fortunate accident as it was used to take pressure off of his back which gave him chronic pain).
This arm-hand nonverbal is significantly alpha transmitting emotions of strength, authority, assertiveness and confidence. Of course as with all body language, care must be taken not to over-use any posture.
