Body Language Analysis No. 4356: Donald Trump: "When I can, I tell the truth" - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

On Thursday 1 November 2018, Jonathan Karl of ABC News interviewed President Trump. One of Trump's responses went particularly viral. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of this interview.

JONATHAN KARL (continuing at 3:49): And finally, I remember, you remember - well on the campaign, you made a promise, you said, "I will never lie to you". So, can you tell me now, honestly, have you - kept that promise at all times? Have you always been truthful?

DONALD TRUMP: (over-talking) Well I try, I mean I do try, I think you try too. You say things about me that are not - necessarily correct. I do try and - ah, I always wanna tell the truth - when I can, I tell the truth. I mean sometimes it turns out to be where something happens - it's different or there's a change - but I always like to be truthful. 

Throughout the great majority of this entire exchange with Karl (including further back in this interview [beginning at 2:12] as the President answers questions regarding the ongoing diaspora of Central American people walking north through Mexico), Trump looks down and to HIS right (with both eyes and to a lesser degree, his head and neck).

Eye contact during deception is an intriguing phenomenon. When someone is telling a lie, the percentage of eye contact they have with the other person (or the camera) is biphasic. It almost always either increases (and thus, often takes on the feel of staring) - or it decreases. Moreover, when their eye contact does decrease, the quadrant to which the liar most often looks is THEIR lower right quadrant (exactly what we see here).

Notice too, the verbal language President Trump used. He never said, "Yes", "Always", "I'm always truthful", or "One-hundred percent" - rather Trump said:

• "Well I try"
• "I do try"
• "I always wanna tell the truth"
• "when I can, I tell the truth"
• "I always like to be truthful"

Such hedging, whether in written or verbal form, are profound statement analysis tells indicative of deception.

In addition, Donald Trump immediately proceeds with the premise that Jonathan Karl also lies when he says, "I think you try too. You say things about me that are not - necessarily correct". This is a manipulative method known as Forced Teaming (de Becker). It's as if to say, "We're in this together Jon - you and me" - and - You lie too Jonathan, everybody lies, but we all try not to".


Now flashback to an earlier portion of this interview. Beginning as Trump says (continuing at 2:31), "... you have caravans coming up that, look a lot larger than it's reported, actually, I mean I'm pretty good at - estimating crowd size - and I will tell you - they look a lot bigger than people would think ..."

From 2:31 to 2:39 Trump displays a combination of a Suppressed Smile along with what is known as a Lip Curl. Please watch the above video - as any still image does not capture the dynamic nature of this nonverbal behavior.

In this context, a suppressed smile is what is a nonverbal phenomenon termed as Duping Delight (Ekman) - which is a form of body language 'leaking' - wherein the person displaying it, is taking true joy in THEIR belief that they're successfully deceiving people. It's crucial to emphasize here that you don't have to agree at all with the ethics of their lying or their motive. Moreover, they may not be fooling anyone at all - but THEY believe they are doing so.

A lip curl (note the outward curl of Trump's upper left lip) signals Hubris, Braggadocio, and Bravado. Trump tends to have a slight lisp when he displays his lip curls (both in this example and on other occasions). This is best exemplified as he says the word "size" during 2:37.

Notice too, that during 2:36 - 2:39, Trump's shoulders elevate slightly as he puffs up his chest (and perhaps elevates a bit on his toes). While not a required component of either a lip curl or duping delight, these additional dynamics add to this particular body language sentence - a nonverbal grouping called a cluster. These extra components serve as amplifiers - of both the joy he has in the act of deceiving - as well as his hubris, braggadocio, and bravado.

SUMMARY: During this interview, Donald Trump is looking down to his right the vast majority of the time - the direction of gaze to which most people look during the diminished eye contact of deception. Trump also demonstrates classic nonverbal tells indicating he takes pleasure and hubris in the belief he's successfully perpetrating his lies.

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See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4355: Comparing Donald Trump and the Tree of Life Synagogue to Ronald Reagan and the Challenger Disaster 

Body Language Analysis No. 4353: The Murder of Jamal Khashoggi and Trump's Defense of Saudi Arabia 

Body Language Analysis No. 4351: Donald Trump Stops Anthony Kennedy in His Tracks 

Body Language Analysis No. 4349: Brett Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford - Part III

Body Language Analysis No. 4332: Richard Nixon, Nikita Khrushchev, and The Kitchen Debate

Body Language Analysis No. 4321: Donald Trump and The Queen

Body Language Analysis No. 4316: Sarah Paulson, The Met Gala, and Madonna

Body Language Analysis No. 4309: The Little Girl in Red, "Tender Age" shelters, and Empathy

Body Language Analysis No. 4282: When Public Displays of Affection are More Frequent than those in Private

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Body Language Analysis No. 3642 (Reposting): Did Donald Trump Know Vladimir Putin Prior to The 2016 Election? - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

This is a reposting of an analysis originally published on 1 August 2016 (a little more than three months prior to the Presidential Election). The subject of this article is Donald Trump's and Russian President Vladimir Putin's relationship. More specifically, did then-candidate Trump know President Putin?

Updated cross-references at the bottom of the page, the title, and one word ("was" rather than "is") has been changed. The word "verbal" has been added and two added commas have been placed. Otherwise, the remainder of the content is unchanged.

There are many crucial moments in this video. One of particular importance is the issue of any possible relationship between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.

Beginning at 2:16, George Stephanopoulos asks the Republican Candidate for President: "What exactly is your relationship with Vladimir Putin?"

Trump answers: "I have no relationship with Putin. I have no relationship with Putin."

Now, listen again carefully to Trump's response. In his first sentence, as he says the word "relationship", he stretches out his "r" pronunciation. Also, at the end of the word he stutters so that the word sounds like "... rrelationship,ip ...".

Of paramount importance, in his second sentence - Trump's speech trails off when he says, "Putin". The word is spoken much quieter than the other words in the sentence and also when compared to Trump's overwhelming pattern of talking louder than other people around him. Moreover, within speaking that single word, ("Putin") his volume is decrescendoing - subsequently, the end of the word "Putin" can barely be heard.

As he says, "with Putin" in the second sentence, Trump breaks his eye contact with Stephanopoulos. The timing of his looking away is crucial because he is making a declarative statement with the subject of his sentence (Putin) as well as the volume patterns mentioned previously.

Moreover, Trump also looks down to his right. When a momentary drop of eye contact does occur during deception, this is the quadrant to which most right-hand dominant people will most often look (Trump is right-handed).

To review, we see the following behavior clustered during Trump's short answer:

1. Stuttering during word "relationship"
2. Decrescendo/rapidly waning volume with a crucial word ("Putin")
    A. Atypical pattern vs. rest of sentence
    B. Atypical speech pattern for Trump
3. Lack of eye contact during a "Putin"
4. Looking down to the right during "with Putin"

Summary: Donald Trump has a hesitancy to speak both the words, "relationship" - as well as "Putin". He also does not want to look Stephanopoulos in the eye when he says, "Putin". Donald Trump is exhibiting an absolutely classic cluster of paralanguage and nonverbal behaviors which are disparate with his words. Donald Trump believes he has a relationship with Vladimir Putin - and his belief is contradictory with his verbal statement which he made during this interview. Donald Trump was lying.

The next time Steven Spielberg is directing a scene in which an actor is telling a lie - he should look to this example.

See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4243: Mark Zuckerberg's CNN Interview

Body Language Analysis No. 4241: Vladimir Putin responding to a question regarding the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal

Body Language Analysis No. 4239: Donald Trump Proposes The Death Penalty for Drug Dealers

Body Language Analysis No. 4237: OJ Simpson - The Lost Confession - Part I

Body Language Analysis No. 4225: Sam Nunberg Interview - Part I • Roger Stone, Donald Trump, and Russia

Body Language Analysis No. 4215: NRA's Dana Loesch at CPAC: "Many in Legacy Media Love Mass Shootings"

Body Language Analysis No. 4181: Ann Curry, Matt Lauer, "Verbal Sexual" Harassment, and NBC

Body Language Analysis No. 4104: Walter Cronkite Reaction to JFK Assassination

Body Language Analysis No. 4032: John Kelly's Reaction to Donald Trump's Press Conference Regarding the Events in Charlottesville

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Body Language Analysis No. 4049: The Arrest of University Hospital Nurse Alex Wubbels - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

On 26 July 2017, Salt Lake City Police Detective Jeff Payne arrested Alex Wubbels, a Nurse at the University of Utah Hospital's Burn Unit. The video featured above has gone viral. Another lengthier version of the incident, recorded from a different view is included immediately below.






The police wanted to draw a blood sample from a patient who had been in a motor vehicle accident. This patient was unconscious (thus, by definition, patient consent was not possible), the patient was not under arrest, and there was no warrant (electronic or otherwise). These requirements (as per hospital policy and the law) were calmly conveyed (via speech and in writing) by Ms. Wubbels to the police officers.

Here is a portion of their dialog:

NURSE ALEX WUBBELS: Brad, I'm just putting you on speaker so you can. So, I have the, it says, "Obtaining blood samples for police enforcement from patients suspected to be under the influence", Okay? This is something that you guys agreed to with this hospital.

The three things that allow us to do that are if you have an electronic warrant, patient consent, or patient under arrest - and neither of those things - patient can't.

The patient can’t consent, he’s (Officer Payne) told me repeatedly that he doesn’t have a warrant, and the patient is not under arrest. So I’m just trying to do what I’m supposed to do - that’s all, so.” *

OFFICER JEFF PAYNE: Okay, So I take it without those in place, I’m not going to get blood? Is that - am, am I fair to surmise that?

NURSING SUPERVISOR [via speaker phone]: Alex, you're not [inaudible]

NURSE ALEX WUBBELS: Yeah, I

OFFICER JEFF PAYNE: Okay [over-talking]

NURSING SUPERVISOR [via speaker phone]: Why is he continuing to blame you?

NURSE ALEX WUBBELS [over-talking]: I don't know. I have no idea why he's blaming me. I'm just referencing

NURSING SUPERVISOR [over-talking, via speaker phone]: Why are you blaming the messenger, Sir?

OFFICER JEFF PAYNE: She’s the one that has told me "no".

NURSING SUPERVISOR [via speaker phone]: Yeah but Sir, you’re making a huge mistake right now, like, like, you're making a huge mistake 'cause you’re threatening a nurse [inaudible] ...

OFFICER JEFF PAYNE: Okay. No, we're done. We're, we're done! You're under arrest! [inaudible] We're done!....

NURSE ALEX WUBBELS: No! No! Somebody Help me! Stop!

Screaming and yelling follows as Officer Payne grabs Alex Wubbels by the under her arms from behind and shoves her through the [automatic] doors to the outside the building where he then handcuffs her and takes her to a police vehicle.

From a body language perspective, the video is fairly limited. We have very minimal facial video of Officer Payne (in the second video). Omitting the physicality and violence associated with the arrest, and concentrating on the preceding events, there are few valuable nonverbal teaching moments, some of which are discussed here.

The image above is from 1:05 in the first video, just as Officer Payne says, "She’s the one that has told me 'no' ".

You'll note Nurse Alex Wubbels' abdomen, torso, head (and with high probability, her feet too) are not pointing at Officer Payne (his body camera is recording this video). Only her eyes are turned to meet him/his face. Human beings have a strong tendency to NOT look directly (e.g., not "whole body point") at people whom we:

• Don't like
• Don't respect
• Don't trust

If we go back a few seconds to 0:41 (also in the first video, just after she says, "I’m just trying to do what I’m supposed to do - that’s all, so" and as Officer Payne says "... Okay, so I take it ..."), we can see Nurse Wubbels just after she momentarily turned toward Officer Payne. She immediately turned her torso and head away while maintaining eye contact. Nuancing her facial expression further, we can see her:

• Upper eyelids open widely
• Lower eyelids tense
• Flared Nostrils
• Central Forehead Contracted
• Eyebrows lowered

Although not fully expressed, Nurse Wubbels is displaying a face of fear (this was also expressed, but more subtly, in the first image).

In the second video, during 5:43 - 5:45, as Officer Payne says, "Okay, So I take it without those in place, I’m not going to get blood?", he is seen grabbing his own right wrist with his left hand as he gestures with his right hand in a palm-down fashion (this image was captured during 5:44 as he says "... without ...").

Gesturing with one's palm oriented downward carries an alpha emotional tone - and the added rapid oscillation elevates it to a hyper-alpha level. It's gesture of power and authority. A person using palm down-gestures has his mind made up. He cannot be reasoned with - for he's far from his emotional baseline.

The gripping of his own wrist here portends the violence which is about to occur. Officer Payne's attempt at self-control and his growing frustration with Nurse Wubbels is momentarily displayed with his own wrist acting as a temporary surrogate for her.

Update: Although Nurse Alex Wubbels was assaulted, told she was under arrest, handcuffed, held against her will, and prevented from doing her job (all in front of her co-workers) - she was kept on hospital grounds and released that evening without arrest. Officer Jeff Payne remains on duty but has been removed from the field and has been taken off the police department's Phlebotomy unit. There are both ongoing civilian as well as an internal police investigation regarding this incident.


Group Appearances and One-on-One
Online Courses Available 
702-239-8503
Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com


See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4048: Lady Di - Ambassador of Empathy

Body Language Analysis No. 4046: Melania Trump, Hurricane Harvey, and "Destroying Empathy 101"

Body Language Analysis No. 4044: Kim Jong-un's Choreography

Body Language Analysis No. 4042: Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor - Official Weigh-in

Body Language Analysis No. 4037: Charlottesville Protester Quits Boston University after Death Threats

Body Language Analysis No. 4011: Anthony Scaramucci's First UK Interview

Body Language Analysis No. 3977: Anthony Kennedy - One Signal You Never Want to See From a Judge During Your Testimony

Body Language Analysis No. 3958: Vladimir Putin interview with Megyn Kelly

Body Language Analysis No. 3943: Donald Trump hugs James Comey


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Body Language Analysis No. 4048: Lady Di - Ambassador of Empathy - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

Who can believe it's been twenty years since the World lost Lady Di? In the last several generations, there have been so few people on the World-stage who have both represented and engendered the emotion of empathy more so than Diana.

Empathy can be projected to our fellow human beings (and also animals) in many ways - yet the most important is via eye contact.

Of course, all eye contact is not the same - and it must be accompanied by congruent facial expressions and body configurations (note in this image how, even though her forehead is obscured, we can tell it's elevated [along with her inner eyebrows]). But so very many people live a lifetime and never truly know the impact of quality and contextual eye contact. You may have three Ph.D.s and be a "logical man of science" - but once you're the recipient of affectionate and caring eye contact, you'd walk through fire for that person.

Diana was also not afraid to touch. She so often held children - and she was one of the first public figures to hold hands with and hug AIDS patients. During a time when most people were deeply fearful of this disease, her example had a profound effect in opening many hearts and minds.

In a World where, far too often, touch is sexualized (and hyper-sexualized), so very many people are living lives confusing sex with affection. While certainly, these two feeling-experiences do overlap - very often affection is its own universe. Indeed, it's within the circle of affection, compassion, and empathy where most true humanity lives.

Thank you Lady Di for living a life of Empathy. May we continue your example.



Group Appearances and One-on-One
Online Courses Available 
702-239-8503
Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com


See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4047: Joel Osteen, Houston, and Hurricane Harvey

Body Language Analysis No. 4045: Rex Tillerson Regarding Donald Trump, "The President Speaks for Himself"

Body Language Analysis No. 4043: Donald Trump Pardons Joe Arpaio - Contempt of Court and Red Flags

Body Language Analysis No. 4041: Former Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak regarding Secrets from Donald Trump

Body Language Analysis No. 4033: Prime Minister Theresa May Regarding Charlottesville Violence, "I see no equivalence"

Body Language Analysis No. 4019: John Kelly and Donald Trump in the Oval Office

Body Language Analysis No. 4006: Vladimir Putin and Melania Trump at the G20

Dating & Romance Nonverbal Communication Secret No. 1010: What Makes the Twinkle in Her Eye? - Rashida Jones

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2313: Elisa Lam Video in Elevator at Cecil Hotel - What Her Body Language Tells Us


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Body Language Analysis No. 4046: Melania Trump, Hurricane Harvey, and "Destroying Empathy 101" - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Earlier today, President Trump and The First Lady visited Austin and Corpus Christi to meet with Governor Abbott, other local leaders, first responders, etc. - and to offer their support for the those suffering in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.

Melania Trump took a lot of internet heat for departing the White House in  six-inch heels - although, perhaps getting wind of this popular opinion, she changed into sneakers on Air Force One.

We can make the argument that the primary reason the President and the FLOTUS (a title which does not require the wearing of a written label), visited Texas was to be the national face of empathy.

There are are a myriad of ways to express and engender empathy. Yet, when in the context of nonverbal communication, the behavior which is the most crucial for displaying empathy is eye contact - a subject which itself has many branches of nuance. And yet there can be no true eye contact if sunglasses are worn. Aside from the very practical aspect of south Texas having 100% overcast skies of late - wearing sunglasses is deliberately distancing.

When on camera, being interviewed, or even if simply in view - wearing sunglasses, particularly when in such a highly visible leadership position - is a nonverbal double standard. It screams, "I get to look into your eyes (and your soul), but I'll keep mine under wraps - thank you very much." Using this deliberate barrier is a nonverbal manifestation of contempt. It elevates the wearer and lowers everyone else.

With the exception of a funeral or similar ceremonies, in the context of others' suffering, wearing sunglasses is emotionally cold. It's snooty. It's aloof. It's rapport destroying. A leader should be open, inviting, sincere - and yes, projecting empathy. Transmitting empathy without the use of one's eyes is profoundly difficult and always incomplete. This is not about style. This is not about fashion. This is about people. And if you want to tell a person (or a nation), "I care about you and your suffering" - do NOT wear sunglasses (even if it's sunny).

Group Appearances and One-on-One
Online Courses Available 
702-239-8503
Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com


See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4045: Rex Tillerson Regarding Donald Trump, "The President Speaks for Himself"

Body Language Analysis No. 4043: Donald Trump Pardons Joe Arpaio - Contempt of Court and Red Flags

Body Language Analysis No. 4041: Former Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak regarding Secrets from Donald Trump

Body Language Analysis No. 4039: Blue Angels, Surprise, Emotional Processing, and Empathy

Body Language Analysis No. 4026: Aubrey Plaza, Ingrid Goes West, and Emotional Intelligence

Body Language Analysis No. 4015: Reince Priebus' First Post-Resignation Interview

Body Language Analysis No. 3974: Elle Fanning, Robert De Niro, and Easter

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3924: French Presidential Front-Runner Emmanuel Macron

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3857: Taunting a Snowplow Driver - Belleville, Ontario - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3863: Kellyanne Conway, Disrespect and The Oval Office - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

On Monday, President Trump hosted dozens of leaders from America's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) at the White House. The photograph above was taken in the Oval Office. Kellyanne Conway has taken much criticism for kneeling on the couch.

Regardless of one's political ideology - from nonverbal communication and emotional intelligence perspective - her behavior (to borrow a bit from Winston Churchill) was disrespectful, wrapped in rudeness, inside a political faux pas.

Let's break it down the body language:

Mistake: Protocol and etiquette dictate, that while in the White House when the President stands, staff and guests must also stand. But Conway's mistake was much more than bad etiquette or poor protocol. 

Mistake: From a public relations, empathy as well as a political point of view - this was slow pitch softball and the Trump administration struck out. The fact that the only person in the room who is sitting is white and (with the exception of the President) everyone else is African American and standing up - projects profoundly poor optics.

Let's assume for a moment, that Donald Trump was not President of the United States, but instead, a president of a mid-sized company somewhere in Ohio - and the women and men surrounding him were potential business partners. Let's also posit, that Ms. Conway was one of Trump's vice presidents helping to facilitate the meeting.

Mistake: Unless you're injured, suffering a disease, handicapped or being honored in a ceremony, you should NEVER sit while others are standing. It conveys a high level of disrespect as well as contempt and/or disgust (e.g., "You are beneath me").

Mistake: Forget your phone! Be fully present. Be in the moment. There is a professional photographer in the room (ergo the picture above). You can get a copy of the image from them. If you're texting someone or posting to social media, then you're projecting an even greater level of disrespect. You wouldn't expect this behavior from anyone else who was trying to gain your respect - so don't treat others (with whom you're supposed to be showing similar courtesy) in this manner.

Mistake: The lack of eye contact (phone or otherwise) is a profound breach of respect.

Mistake: If a person had to sit, for whatever reason, their feet should be flat on the floor - not crossed - and certainly not sitting on one's knees. From a nonverbal behavior perspective, the LACK of her feet being FLAT on the floor - projects a further and strong level of disrespect. This is true whether a person is sitting or standing.

Mistake: Conway is whole-body-pointing away from the President and the other dignitaries. Instead,  her eye contact, head, torso, abdomen and feet - should all be pointing toward the person in the room who commands the most respect.

Mistake: Shoes off the couch.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3862: Oscars Mistake - "La La Land" erroneously named Best Picture over "Moonlight"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3860: Ian McKellen, The Oscars and a spot-on Maggie Smith Impression

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3845: Kellyanne Conway's Commercial for Ivanka Trump

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3838: Kellyanne Conway's Statement Regarding the "Bowling Green Massacre"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3805: Mariah Carey's New Year's Eve Lip Sync Fail On Live TV

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3717: Creepy Clowns, Body Language and Emotional Intelligence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3596: Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds and Deadpool

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3673: Anthony Weiner, Huma Abedin separate after Sexting Scandal


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3858: Milo Yiannopoulos resigns from Breitbart with "Apology" - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

On Tuesday Milo Yiannopoulos resigned from Breitbart News. Two days earlier a video of an interview of Yiannopoulos by Joe Rogan surfaced on social media and various websites. In this interview, Yiannopoulos very clearly defended pedophilia and pedophiles. Subsequently, Yiannopoulos has had his invitation to speak at the currently ongoing Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) rescinded - and he's also lost a book deal he had had with Simon & Schuster.

A portion of Yiannopoulos' "apology" is included within the above video. What follows is a nonverbal analysis with some additional discussion of its verbal content.
 
To begin with, Yiannopoulos should not be reading anything. A sincere apology is never read from a script. For if it is written by an attorney or anyone else (as this clearly was) - or if it is not spoken from the heart (no script needed), then it is by definition, insincere.

A very blatant and obvious verbal display of Yiannopoulos' insincerity is evidenced toward the end of this video when he blames others for his own actions, "... But let’s be clear what is happening here. This is a cynical media witch hunt from people who don’t care about children. They care about destroying me and my career, and by extension my allies..."

A profound body language mistake one makes when reading to an audience is dramatically diminished eye contact. Many novice speakers - who otherwise may have deep knowledge and extensive experience in their given area of expertise - will become obsessed with following scripts. The result of this tactic is poor quality speaking - while their audience perceives them to be no such expert (only exceeding boring). Lack of eye contact during an apology is strong evidence of guilt and insincerity. And while lack of eye contact can also signal shame, in order to do so - and this is an absolute - it must be accompanied by other signals (none of which are present here).

Looking over your glasses while speaking to anyone (even an audience of one) is extremely patronizing - and Yiannopoulos clearly knows this. You may recall the colloquial, I felt like he was 'looking down' at me - or remember a particularly harsh teacher reprimanding you in your younger years (e.g., the quintessential 'schoolmarm'). Looking over one's glasses while speaking (depending on the other nonverbals with which it is clustered) is often a manifestation of contempt - not sincerity or shame.

Never once during this "apology" does Yiannopoulos make an expression indicative of empathy or remorse which is required in such scenarios when sincerity is present. Empathy for another person's pain (emotional or physical) is characterized by an Elevated Central Forehead Contraction (Elevated CFC) accompanied by a simultaneous mouth of sadness (lips mildly protruding with the corners of the mouth down-turned).

You may notice at multiple times, the entire width of Yiannopoulos' forehead became momentarily elevated - but never just the central forehead. This difference is profound and cannot be over-stated - for the over-use (over-contraction, with respect to both frequency and amplitude) of the full width of the forehead (without a 'sad mouth') is the single most common signal of insincerity - and this is also exactly the facial configuration that Yiannopoulos was projecting.

The only two times Yiannopoulos displayed regret in this video was at the beginning - immediately after he said, "...which is why today I am resigning from Breitbart, effective immediately..."[regret expression], in the image immediately above at 0:07 and ....

...again just after he said, "I haven't ever apologized before" [regret expression] during 1:03, image immediately above.

Thus Yiannopoulos regrets having to apologize as well as from resigning from Breitbart - but, in this video, gives no evidence of another reason for regret.

Another tremendous nonverbal tell of insincerity, repeatedly displayed by Yiannopoulos' was a "Loose Tongue Jut" (aka "Lizard Tongue") as is seen above (from 0:38). The loose tongue jut indicates the thought-emotion of "I got caught" or "I've been/about to be Bad" (Navarro). This is not to be confused with a "Tight Tongue Jut" which means an entirely different thing.

Most people will notice Yiannopoulos' repeated, quick, jerking forward motion of his head-neck and torso (Please view the video for this, as a still image does not capture the dynamics). This is an analog of the over-contracted forehead muscles behavior described above. It's an epiphenomenon of the lack of his sincerity - for because he doesn't feel any of the emotions which he's professing with his words (a verbal-nonverbal disparity) - this excessive motion/over-compensatory behavior arises (somewhat similar to shouting when a person doesn't speak the same language).

Summary: Milo Yiannopoulos' nonverbal behavior in the video above indicates his "apology" was insincere.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3857: Taunting a Snowplow Driver - Belleville, Ontario

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3855: Mike Pence regarding Donald Trump and Michael Flynn at NATO Headquarters

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3853: Tom Hiddleston, a School Play and Eddie Redmayne

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3833: Samuel L. Jackson, Magic Johnson and a Yacht

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3735: Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Mean Tweets

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3700: George Clooney comments regarding the News of Brad Pitt's and Angelina Jolie's Divorce

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3664: Benjamin Netanyahu, Viktor Yanukovych and Vladimir Putin

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3843: 84 Lumber Super Bowl Ad - "The Entire Journey"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2922: Evacuating Yazidis from Iraq's Mount Sinjar - A Daughter's Anguish, Empathy and Mirror Neurons


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3802: Amanda Nunes, Ronda Rousey and UFC 207 - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTO)

Amanda Nunes was victorious over Ronda Rousey in the first defense of her UFC Bantamweight Title tonight (UFC 207). The fight was stopped after just 48 seconds in the first round - with Nunes scoring a TKO.

In this image both Nunes (left) and Rousey are awaiting the official decision. Nunes' is displaying a classic example of a sincere yet suppressed smile. While the corners of her mouth are slightly-to-mildly upturned, none of here teeth are visible. But the mouth is not the most crucial component of a smile (sincere, social or feigned). Turn your attention to Nunes' eyes - the anatomy priority of any true (Duchenne) smile. Notice her eyelids are partially closed - in addition to temporary, concave-up furrows in each of her lower eyelids - this configuration is an absolute requirement for a sincere smile.

Not surprisingly, the corners of Ronda Rousey's mouth are down-turned. Her head and neck are tilted forward and down as well. The former champion's eyelids are almost closed with her eyes fixed in a downward gaze. Her complete lack of eye contact (with the audience, Nunes or anyone else) is of course a very common nonverbal display accompanying the emotions of shame and embarrassment.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3801: Marion Cotillard, Lip Syncing and Honest Anxiety

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3799: Carrie Fisher and Princess Leia - Full Lips and Lip Pursing

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3797: Donald Trump's Out of Context Christmas Tweet 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3763: Matt Smith, Claire Foy and Where NOT to be stung by a Wasp 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3736: Newt Gingrich and Megyn Kelly re: Donald Trump 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3523: Jaws - "You're Going to Need a Bigger Boat"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3565: Adolf Hitler, Jesse Owens, Archie Williams and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3534: Taylor Swift's (Vogue's) Rapid-fire 73 Q & A Session


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3752: Barack Obama's and Donald Trump's Handshake - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Yesterday the President met with the President-Elect at the White House. Barack Obama and Donald Trump met for about 90 minutes and afterward they each made brief statements.

From a body language point-of-view, their handshake was particularly interesting.

Barack Obama initiates the Handshake - which is almost always wisest in terms of projecting dominance and authority.

The handshake lasted for about 2.2 seconds.

The second image (immediately above) was captured from a slightly different angle, while the other four still images here were screen-grabs from the video included at the top of this post.

Mr. Trump rapidly adopts a rather strong expression of regret. He also lacks any eye contact with President Obama during the handshake.

In this second image, the President begins to disengage from the handshake and look away responding to the reporters. At this time Barack Obama also manifests an expression of regret - although it's quite subtle. Trump's regret continues to be strongly manifested as he looks up - yet he's still not making eye contact with the President - rather he's focusing in the distant, looking past Obama.

If Trump wanted to project leadership, strength, to build rapport - or even if he were trying to intimidate Obama - he should have made eye contact. It's utterly dumbfounding just how often, otherwise very worldly and educated people (and "leaders") don't practice good eye contact (especially during handshakes).

After the handshake is complete, Trump's regret expression is maintained as the President responds to reporters.

Mr. Trump's arms and hands then adopt a (low) pseudo-prayer configuration (as he repeatedly separates his fingers and brings them back together). This is a beta body language configuration and is indicative of considerable anxiety.

President Obama's posture - with his thighs at a significantly greater angle, with his palm-down on his thigh and his forward torso lean and tilt - is a nonverbal cluster indicating alpha status, high confidence and emotional comfort.

Conclusion: Both the President and the President-Elect expressed regret during their handshake yesterday at the White House - although Mr. Trump's level of regret was much greater. In addition, Donald Trump exhibited significant anxiety and relatively low emotional comfort - while Barack Obama projected high confidence and greater emotional comfort. This is one of the few times you'll see Mr. Trump assuming a relative beta status to anyone in his close proximity.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3751: Barack Obama and Donald Trump Meet at the White House

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3749: Election Day - Donald Trump Caught on Camera - Making Sure Melania is Voting For Him

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3744: Donald Trump - "Stay on Point", Hats, Eye Contact and Trust

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3720: The 2nd Presidential Debate - Donald Trump v. Hillary Clinton

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3705: Hillary Clinton v. Donald Trump Presidential Debate - Trump: I'm 'smart' for paying no taxes

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3672: Jessica Alba, Swass, Body Language and Emotional Intelligence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3636: Donald Trump, Hillary's Emails, Putin and Russia

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3610: Star Swain sings The Star-Spangled Banner at the Lincoln Memorial - Why Do Singers Close Their Eyes?

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