Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3174: Prince William & Kate Middleton welcome their Princess - Body Language Tells (PHOTOS)

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge welcomed their second child today. The princess, who is yet unnamed (or at least to the public as yet), is fourth-in-line to the throne.

From a body language perspective, a rarely discussed nonverbal tell is displayed here - times two.

While a "Jaw Jut" is most commonly a signal of anger, aggression and even potential physical violence - when it's clustered with other nonverbal signals - it has a completely different meaning.

As a written and/or spoken language analog, take for example the word "hot" - this word may indicate an attractive woman, a popular news subject, the spiciness of a pepper or the temperature on a summer day. These are examples of verbal homonyms. They are spelled the same and pronounced the same - yet have four completely different meanings. A twelve year-old, upon hearing four different sentences will easily discern their four respective and very different definitions. Nonverbal signals have similar communicative qualities - and thus have very different meanings depending upon the other body language signals with which they are "clustered" (those signs displayed simultaneously or nearly so) - e.g., "Nonverbal Homonyms".

Note Prince William's and Kate Middleton's upper face - each have relaxed foreheads, partially closed eyelids, concave-up furrows in their lower eyelids and upward-vectored cheek muscles - all crucial components of sincere smiles.

Now look at their jaws - both are directed forward - Kate's a fair amount more so (had the image been captured either 1/4 second earlier or later, it may very well be William's jaw jutted to a greater degree). Clustered with their upper and mid-facial sincere smiles their jaw jutting indicates pride. The royal couple are proud (and joyous) parents.

Notice no teeth are visible - surprising to many, exposure of teeth is not a required component of a Duchenne [sincere] smile.

What other valuable body language tell is being displayed in this moment which is highly applicable in your every-day? What is its specific meaning?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3173: Maryland State Attorney Marilyn Mosby - Freddie Gray's Death Ruled Homicide - charges to be pressed against police

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2301: The State of the Union, Lenny Skutnik and a Body Language Signal of Being Proud

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2264:  Kate Middleton's First Portrait as Duchess of Cambridge  Captures Body Language of  Contempt, Disapproval and Fatigue

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2871: Kate Middleton, Andy Murray and Wimbledon - Body Language of Empathy-Fear

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2301: The State of the Union, Lenny Skutnik and a Body Language Signal of Being Proud

   
Lenny Skutnik was working at a $14,000 a year job back in on 13 January 1982 and car-pooling it home when Florida Flight 90 crashed into the Potomac River. After watching one of the survivors lose grip of a make-shift rescue line from a park helicopter (not designed for rescue), Lenny jumped into the icy waters and saved Priscilla Tirado's life. Less than two weeks later he was sitting next to Nancy Reagan at The State of the Union address. President Reagan pointed him out for the World to see - which is encapsulated in the video above. Thereafter many presidents have invited other heroes and drew attention to them in a similar manner. These people are often referred to as "Lenny Skutniks". What follows is some interesting body language of Skutnik's wife, Linda.

Here Linda Skutnik's chin is wrinkling as the mentalis muscle contracts. This change commonly occurs prior to crying or in an effort to fight back tears.







Here, Linda Skutnik is tilting her head & neck backwards. Together with the wrinkling of her chin and tightened jaw muscles tell us that her jaw is also jutting outwards. Most commonly a "Jaw Jut" indicates anger and even aggression - yet when coupled with other nonverbal signals, it has a completely different meaning (much as words do in a written or spoken sentences). 


In the nonverbal cluster-context shown in this second image, Linda's facial expression indicates pride in her husband and his actions.

The jaw is typically closed and often clenched in this "Jaw Jut" configuration as well - but her the tilting of her head that gives an additional appearance of protrusion.

The video below is a short documentary featuring Lenny Skutnik and others - and their heroic efforts rescuing of the survivors from the Air Florida Flight 90 crash on 13 January 1982 in the Potomac River.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2084:  Lolo Jones's False Mastication/Jaw Clenching

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2039:  Fight Outside Florida Courtroom - Jaw Jut Prior to Violence

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 757:  Asma's Mild Jaw Jut

Negotiation Secret # 47:  Pete Carroll's Jaw Jut and Mid-face Tightening

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2247:  Barack Obama's Body Language on Meet the Press  "That was the worst day of my Presidency"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2138:  President Obama's Anger-Frustration During Debate -  An Under-Appreciated Body Language Signal

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1060:  Belichick's Anger

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