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. 3538: Barack Obama, David Cameron, Number 10, Brexit and Body Language (PHOTO)

President Obama stirred massive controversy when two days ago he told the World if the United Kingdom would have to "go to the back of the queue" if it leaves the European Union (Brexit) and subsequently attempts to negotiate its own trade agreement with the United States. The President further stated that an US-UK trade agreement is not going to happen "any time soon" ... "Not because we don’t have a special relationship but because given the heavy lift on any trade agreement, us having access to a big market with a lot of countries rather than trying to do piecemeal trade agreements, which is hugely inefficient".

The image above of David Cameron and Barack Obama was captured Friday at Number 10. From a nonverbal communication perspective the President - who normally has pretty good body language instinct - here he committed an enormous faux pas.

With the exception of an injury or a handicap (and then only when invited to do so) a President should never invade another person's personal space and touch them (intimate space) in an attempt to (appear to) "assist" them through a doorway (or similar). The only other exceptions for this action in public are his family. This is true for multiple reasons:

A. It's an invasion of intimate space and thus a projection of false intimacy.

B. The people who commit this body language error are always alpha personalities and perceive the people to whom they are "guiding through the door" to be their betas. Even if such a scenario were true (e.g., a boss to a subordinate employee) - the leader should never want to make others feel inferior, rather they should endeavor to lift and inspire their behavior - to make them feel more capable, not less.

C. In this example, President Obama is doing this to another Head of State - David Cameron. They are equals. In treating him in this manner, Mr. Obama sends the wrong message to Mr. Cameron, The UK and the World. 

D. This is not The White House - this is Number 10. President Obama should not treat a member of his own cabinet in the Rose Garden this way. It is particularly bad body language when performed in its analog setting on foreign soil, for then it become a further invasion of space - as if he were taking a momentary (false) "ownership" of David Cameron's Residence.

E. "Guiding" another adult through a doorway by placing a hand on their arm, shoulder, back, etc., particularly in such a public setting (with the exceptions of those listed above) is patronizing and condescending. Even if the two men were roommates and best friends in grad school - in a public context this should never be done.

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. 3537: Stephen Colbert, Reince Priebus and a Flubbed Monologue

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. 2935: David Cameron and ISIL-ISIS-IS, Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2940: David Cameron at NATO Summit - His Thin Lip Grows Thinner

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2433: Vladimir Putin & David Cameron Disagree on Syria - A Body Language Evaluation of Russian Leader

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3238: Ex-Footballer Sol Campbell, the Mayor of London and a Some Classic Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3247: Barack Obama's Response to Question regarding Revoking Bill Cosby's Presidential Medal of Freedom 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3499: President Obama Nominates Merrick Garland to Supreme Court
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