Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2968: President Obama tells a Lie in Jest and yet ... (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

When a lie is told in jest or a hyperbole is spoken - "everyone is in on it" - thus the shared lie or gross exaggeration becomes part of the psychology of the joke or story. A similar phenomenon occurs in the scenario of a "white lie". The consequences of being caught in these "little lies" are minimal - if anything at all. Moreover it is a fundamental nonverbal axiom that the ability to convincingly commit a deception is proportional to the ramifications of being caught.

With the above premise in mind, it is very interesting to note that recently at the Clinton Global Initiative event when Barack Obama said, "I was just discussing with [ear rub] President Clinton that if ah Chelsea begins delivery while I'm speaking - she has my motorcade and will be able to navigate traffic ..." he rubbed his right ear.  This act demonstrates that the President is not a "good liar", for even in the context of a shared-joke his body language still betrays him.

Note also that the President's downward head-neck configuration and his prolonged eyelid closure add congruity and thus validity to this cluster-context of deception.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Quiz-Analysis No. 2967: George Clooney & Amal Alamuddin Wed in Venice - All The World's a Stage - Sincerity level of Smiles

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2946: Barack Obama's 10 September 2014 ISIS Speech - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2807: Barack Obama at 2014 White House Correspondents' Dinner

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2939: Barack Obama in Tallinn, Estonia

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2745: Vladimir Putin Deception regarding Crimea

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1907:  Governor Rick Scott tells a Lie

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2701: Cuddling, Romance, Affection and Foot-Shunning

Dating & Romance Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1010:  What Makes the Twinkle in Her Eye? - Rashida Jones 
 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2047: Barack Obama does not Believe

In this video filmed today in San Antonio, Texas, President Obama commits several body language displays that a President should never use. Typically, Barack Obama is far better than most when it comes to nonverbal communication, which gives these faux pas more weight.

At the very beginning of this segment (0:00 - 0:03), the President is rubbing/scratching just in front of his right ear. A few seconds later (0:12 - 0:16) he rubs his bottom lip with his right index finger. Both of these facial self-touching gestures (Manipulators, Adaptors or Pacifiers - aka MAPs) are highly consistent with anxiety and in this context, indicate the President does not believe the statements he is making regarding Texas becoming a "battleground state" in time for the November election.

The placement of his left hand in his left front-hip pocket (0:36 - 0:44) is another nonverbal signal which any leader, especially a President should never display, particularly during a speech. It indicates emotional-dissonance and demonstrates he is very uncomfortable with the statement he is making - anticipating what Mitt Romney will be saying about how Obama is handling the economy. This makes perfect sense - as he is self-critical when he puts himself temporarily in his opponent's shoes. None the less, it is body language which detracts from his rapport and momentarily projects a more demure and beta-male persona.

See also:

Analysis # 339: When a Lie is Heard or Told - Jon Corzine

Analysis # 1835: Dario Farnchitti Wins His Third Indianapolis 500 - His Disingenuous "Thank You"

Analysis # 717: Barry Bonds and the Obstruction of Justice

Analysis # 2033: Lie Detection, Sergey Lavrov and Syria

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