Nonverbal Communication Intelligence Analysis # 2111: Mitt Romney on Libya Embassy Killings - Multiple Displays of Contempt

This morning Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney gave a press conference regarding the yesterday's attacks on the American Embassies in Egypt and Libya. Four members of the staff of the embassy in Libya were killed including ambassador Chris Stevens.

Governor Romney displayed multiple subtle-to-moderate examples of contempt during this press conference. He tends to speak with his mouth in an asymmetrical configuration - distorted to his right when he's nervous (the obvious stutter at the beginning of this video further demonstrates his anxiety). His mouth looked similar to this during portions of his speech at the RNC two weeks ago. Most anyone would have some anxiety during such a convention scenario - though hopefully "good-nervous". 

Romney displayed this same anxiety tell during this morning's press conference - however he also exampled many instances of contempt as well. The emotion of contempt is also an asymmetrical nonverbal signal - with the mouth taking on a one-sided snarl-like appearance and a bit of a curl to the lip - which Mitt showed us multiple times. Less noticeable was his nostril dilation/flaring.

Most people can spot severe contempt (as well as other emotions). But what is astounding is the extraordinary number of professionals who miss moderate, let alone subtle displays of emotions on others' faces/bodies - and moreover they continue to send out these same signals to others. Learning to read AND display the subtleties will give you a distinct and dramatic advantage.

See also:

Analysis # 2059: Musharraf has Contempt towards Pakistan's Intelligence Agency  

Analysis # 1980: Eric Holder has (Emotional) Contempt toward Darrell Issa - while Rep. Issa is very excited to be seeking "Contempt of Congress" against Holder

Analysis # 1881: Interrupting the President & Contempt Display - Neil Munro shows us his Body Language and His (lack of) Etiquette  

Analysis # 1515: White House Press Secretary Jay Carney's Numerous Microexpressions and Subtle Displays of Contempt

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Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1441: George Clooney, Sudan and Foreheads -A Sincere Smile Never Has This ...

Yesterday, George Clooney was arrested while protesting in front of the Sudanese Embassy. He was charged with the disorderly crossing of a police line. Only two days before he had dined with the President in the White House and testified before Congress regarding the mounting crisis in South Sudan. 

In the above image, during a casual moment at his congressional testimony, Clooney certainly displayed all the components of a sincere smile: partially/mostly closed eyes with the necessary concave-up furrow in each lower eyelid and an open mouth with only the top teeth showing. 

I want to call attention to George's forehead though. While there are some slight passive wrinkles in his forehead (Mr. Clooney is 50), there is no contraction of the actors forehead muscles. When the forehead does contract however, the tissue elevates and pulls the eyebrows up along with it (most don't realize that the eyebrows lower slightly during a sincere, joyful smile - although this is difficult to see dynamically). For a smile to reflect authentic happiness-joy, the forehead must be relaxed.

One common type of feigned smile, is the "false-surprise smile" aka the "dropped-jaw smile" (see Blake Lively example this: Secret # 133: Surprise or a Smile or Neither?) which is easy to spot because of the wide open mouth, elevated eyebrows and raised & furrowed forehead.

The take-home message: If the forehead is contracted, the smile is insincere. No matter what the rest of the face looks like - always evaluate the forehead.

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