A rarely discussed but highly reliable nonverbal signal is the biting of the inside of one's cheeks - or alternatively, a truncated version of this phenomenon created by a relative and temporary vacuum inside the mouth resulting in the sucking-in of the cheeks. In Super Bowl XLIX, the New England Patriots quarterback was captured in this highly characteristic nonverbal facial display. These body language configurations are strongly correlative with anxiety and a desire to suppress both the outward expression and inward crescendo of nervousness.
Tom Brady did indeed cheat and his nonverbal behavior told us all along.
Yesterday was Super Bowl 2015media day. The players on the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks gave interviews to various members of the press. Marshawn Lynch has a now well-know reputation of not wanting to speak to the media. He reportedly feels this way due to his experiences in childhood and the way he felt then when he was repeatedly made to do something.
Lynch was fined $50,000 by the NFL for refusing to speak to members of the media through much of the 2013 season. The Seattle running back was again fined on 19 November 2014 for once again not talking to the media. On 21 December 2014, he then resorted to a different tactic wherein he answered, "I appreciate you asking" or "Thanks for asking" to all but a few during post-game interviews after the Seahawks beat the Arizona Cardinals.
Yesterday Marshawn used a different answer - when he responded to every question of the nearly five minute interview with, "I'm here so I won't get fined". Throughout the whole Q & A session, "Beast Mode" used some very distinctive nonverbal tells - some of which are discussed here.
Lynch repeatedly displayed an "Inward Lip Roll" (ILR) followed by a "Tongue Jut" (aka "Lizard Tongue"). Most of these occurred in clustered-pairs and in rapid succession (five of these body language pairings are imaged below). An inward lip roll occurs when the psyche deviates significantly from baseline and the emotional mind is trying to suppress both the outward display of stronger emotions as well as a similar inward crescendo and even the appearance of yet stronger emotions. The emotional states associated with an ILR display are usually negative, but not always.
In the body language context of this interview, Marshawn Lynch's tongue jut can be thought of as a manifestation of self-incrimination - e.g., "I've been bad" or "I just got caught" or "I just did something foolish".
Richard Nixon, the 37th President of the United States, addressed the
nation 40 years ago today and announced his resignation. He officially
left office at noon the next day. Nixon was flying over Missouri when
Gerald Ford took his oath of office.
On 8 September 1974, President Ford
addressed the nation (see video below). These images show the moment when Ford signed proclamation 4311 which gave Nixon a full and unconditional pardon from crimes committed related to the Watergate Scandal or any other crime committed while in office as U.S. President.
Although this photo above is of lower resolution, you can note that Ford's jaw is clenched and the muscles covering the front of his chin are contracted and dimpled (1:24 in the video below). Moreover, his "mustache area" (between the upper lip and nose) is tightened. Simultaneous nasal flaring is also present.
Had Ford's jaw not been clenched - his lips - which are partially rolling inwards (ergo a truncated "Inward Lip Roll") would have been fully expressed. Because of his jaw clenching however, his Inward Lip Roll (ILR) could not form in its entirety. The "Peri-Lip Bulge" which can be seen below Ford's lower lip is essentially only seen in the presence of a clenched jaw.
The nonverbal cluster context displayed here - tells us that President Ford was both angry as well as trying to suppress both this outward display and the inward crescendo of his anger.
Mary Barra, General Motors' CEO testified before congress today. Prior to her recent promotion to head up the automotive company - over a ten year period thirteen deaths resulted from a faulty 57 cent component of the ignition switch that the company allegedly failed to act upon.
In the above image we see several important nonverbal signals at the same moment - what in body language terminology is known as a "cluster".
Most obviously is Ms. Barra's inward lip roll. An "Inward Lip Roll" (ILR) is one way the subconscious tries to suppress the inward escalation and the outward manifestation of significant emotions. These strong emotions are usually negative (as is the case with Ms. Barra) - although joy-happiness may be suppressed this way when a person does not want to fully express it (e.g. out of social context, accompanying "duping delight", etc.).
In this moment the General Motors CEO is feeling significant anger. One way we know this is her "Jaw Clenching" which is accompanying her ILR. This gives the ILR a somewhat atypical appearance - for the lips cannot roll completely inward (which is more common) as they are blocked by the closed teeth. Thus the tissue adjacent to the lips - bulges outward in a "Peri-Lip Bulge". Chin dimpling, which also is extremely common this scenario, is also seen here. This combination of the ILR with a Jaw Clench is a very common expression of President Obama.
In addition, Ms. Barra's nostrils are flared, her eyelids are opened wider than her baseline and her forehead is contracted together with raised eyebrows.
The above cluster-context findings are indicative of a heightened adrenaline state and anger.
The U.S. Secretary of State and his Russian counterpart, Foreign MinisterSergei Lavrov have met quite often recently - most notably regarding the Syrian Civil War. In this image John Kerry is exhibiting a very telling nonverbal display of an Inward Lip Roll (ILR). The inward lip roll signals the psyche's attempt to down-regulate an emotional crescendo. These emotional escalations are usually negative in nature (anger, frustration, etc.) although sometimes they are seen in the context of laughter/joy suppression. So why the placing of a hand on Lavrov's left shoulder is a conscious display, the ILR is a subconsciously initiated. Thus this emotional dissonance heavily favors the feeling associated with the inward lip roll and tells us Mr. Kerry's true primary emotion. What other nonverbal clues are seen here which further differentiates the Secretary of State's mindset?
Two nights ago Justin Timberlake and Jimmy Fallon were guests on Saturday Night Live. As always they were hilarious. In the images below the "Inward Lip Roll" is displayed twice by Timberlake as he tries to suppress his joy/laughter.
Note: Since the writing of this post, the original video has since been deleted from its internet source. The video above contains a segment of the skit discussed - capturing the moment of the first image below, but does not include the second image (which is included for completeness).
The inward lip roll (ILR) is seen during the psyche's attempts in suppressing strong emotion (also during some physical acts which require focused concentration). Most often such cases are negative emotions - such as anger, sadness or frustration, etc. In this Family Feudskit however, Timberlake is having trouble staying in character and is trying to suppress his laughter.
This ILR/Body Language example is seen during 2:02 as Timberlake (who is playing Jimmy Fallon in the skit) looks over at the real Fallon who is playing Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory). Fallon (Parsons) has completely lost his composure.
This ILR nonverbal is seen in the original video (which has since been removed).
What truly motivates Ted Cruz with respect to his Anti-Obamacare words and actions? His body language during his recent appearance of Jay Leno's Show (The Tonight Show) gives us some huge clues.
The purpose of this website is to educate and give examples of nonverbal communication - not to advance any agenda - political or otherwise. Please don't mistake this post or any others here (where all sides are praised and critiqued) with those websites that do.
At 1:40 Senator Cruz says, "... Look, my focus has been jobs, economic growth and in particular Obamacare. Obamacare it's the biggest job killer in this country and you know it's, it's, it's interesting [inward lip roll] .... "
During this statement Senator Cruz displays a subtle and partial smile - biased towards his left. He is trying hard to suppress it. The Texas republican is feeling true joy and this "leaking" of happiness phenomenon is known as "Duping Delight". In this context it indicates Cruz either doesn't believe Obamacare is as bad as he says it is - or that his true joy being suppressed here and reflects his love of bathing in the limelight and that the problems and push-back against the Affordable Care Act has given him the opportunity to do so. This of course doesn't mean he doesn't want Obamacare, but his body language tells us his primary motives.
In addition at 1:51, after he completes the above statement, Sen. Cruz exhibits an "Inward Lip Roll" (ILR) which signals his psyche's attempt at preventing a crescendo and outward expression of his joy-happiness.
What other signals are displayed in this video indicating Cruz's insincerity?
The above image of Lindsey Vonn was taken yesterday at the Masters, where her boyfriend Tiger Woods is three strokes off the leader (Jason Day of Australia) going into Saturday's play. While the inward lip roll (ILR) is a body language signal of general anxiety, more specifically it is a sign that the psyche is trying to suppress a more outward display of emotions. Although most of the time the specific emotion being squelched is negative - most commonly anger, it can also be a subconscious mechanism to suppress laughter or joy. In such cases it can be part of a "duping delight" display. The other nonverbals with which it is clustered will help to differentiate the underlying emotions.
