During his victory Speech (beginning in the above video at 4:21) Mr. Trump continues, "... So we won the evangelicals. We won with young. We won with old. We won with highly educated. We won with poorly educated. I love the poorly educated! [eyebrow flash-prolonged blink followed two seconds later by a mouth of fear] We're the smartest people. We're the most loyal people ..."
At 4:33, Donald Trump Jr. - (to the candidates right) quickly raises his eyebrows (an eyebrow flash) while simultaneous displaying a prolonged blink. This nonverbal cluster indicates a Condescending Disagreement with a component of Surprise.
Immediately after the display above (during 4:35), Donald Trump Jr. displays a Fear Mouth. Watching the video, some may say it looks as if he's trying to bite the air. There's also some tightening of the mid-face (particularly the "mustache area") and flaring of his nostrils.
Please watch the video segment several times to fully appreciate the subtle, evanescent and dynamic nature of these closely-clustered microexpressions.
Summary: Donald Trump Jr. was surprised his father said, "We love the poorly educated!" Moreover in the moment he felt a condescending disagreement towards him. After he a couple of seconds to think about it, the younger Trump then feels significant fear for the ramifications of his father's words.
Last night at the 2016 Golden Globe Awards, Leonardo DiCaprio won the Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture for his role in The Revenant (which also won for Best Motion Picture - Drama). Yet what received more attention in the short term was DiCaprio's reaction when Lady Gaga bumped into him on her way up to accept her award for Best Performance in a Miniseries or Television Film for her role in American Horror Story: Hotel.
This interaction is included as a portion of the video above and provides an excellent example of some fundamental - yet commonly misunderstood nonverbal signals (for almost everyone misinterpreted this facial expression on this occasion).
0:09.2
Sincere laughter and sincere smile on Leonardo DiCaprio.
Lady Gaga had yet to make contact with him.
0:09.5
DiCaprio's face displays a sincere smile giving way to (temporarily and simultaneous with) the rapid microexpressionappearance of a "Mouth of Fear". Of course this is simple social fear.
Watching this portion of the video you will note that Leonardo makes an "Eyebrow Flash" with his eyelids still partially closed (as is required for a sincere smile).
0:10
Dicaprio's sincere smile is nearly gone from his face - as his mouth takes on more of a fear component - albeit mild.
Why is Leonardo rubbing/scratching near his right eye/nose?
Conclusion: DiCaprio's explanation of, "I just didn't know what was passing me, that's all, I was like, 'Ooooh!' " - is an honest (subjective) account. From a body language analysis we can say more specifically (and objectively) that Leo had a momentary social fear response followed by an embarrassment-disbelief-emotional processing response.
Question: "Governor, getting elected one vote at a time, is that a challenge?"
Governor Bush answers, "Three hundred and thirty million people, it, it's a challenge for sure, but this is how you win in Iowa. Yeah. You don't wanna lob it - you don't wanna lob it in. You gotta be here. You can't helicopter in and leave [Contempt Cluster] - you gotta be all it. Subject yourself to peoples' questions and - this is - look I mean - New Hampshire's similar, Nevada's similar I'm learning - ya know, people really want to know where you stand. There's a lot of yearning for change and - you can't just ah, give it to 'em with a 30 second ad."
While much of the time, the emotion of contempt is subconsciously initiated. Yet in this example, just after the former Florida Governor says, "... You can't helicopter in and leave ...", he displays a contempt display which has a significant conscious component. In rapid succession (all during 0:15) we see the following cluster:
Eyebrow Flash
Prolonged Blink
Eye Roll
Eyebrow Flash
(Fast & brief elevation of eyebrows)
As eyebrows continue to elevate, there is a prolonged blink
Eye Roll
All three of these nonverbals - the eyebrow flash, the extended blink and the eye roll occur in an overlapping and rapid succession manner (ergo, a body language example of a "cluster"). Most people would miss these signals in real-time. Here it shows us Governor Bush has some real contempt for Donald Trump - and at this particular time, this emotion is deliberately and consciously initiated.
Jeb continues, "... Nevada's similar I'm learning - ya know, people really want to know where you stand. There's a lot of yearning ..." - he rubs/scratches his lower sternum and left chest.
This over-the-lower-heart gesture is a general, yet highly reliable indicator of anxiety. In this context, it tells us that Governor Bush feels he's behind in his Nevada campaign and he's at a disadvantage for the caucus there on 23 February 2016.
Daniel Radcliffe (forever Harry Potter for many) "sat in" as the receptionist at a Nylon (the Magazine) office recently. Reportedly, all but a couple of the staff was unaware. What ensued was hilarious - and also provides for us a fantastic set of body language teaching examples. Below is a partial nonverbal analysis.
A beautiful display of an "Eyebrow Flash" is seen at 0:24 during a suppressed smile. After the eyebrow flash - his smile becomes less suppressed (more expressed) and then he says "hi".
Eyebrow flashes typically occur during the initial microseconds of a "greeting smile" and commonly before a verbal salutation is used. When this nonverbal is displayed it facilitates rapport and projection of sincerity. Those who use eyebrow flashes are felt to be friendlier - while those who don't are viewed as less friendly, more distant, sometimes aloof and less sincere.
The first in this video to recognize Radcliffe, this woman says, "Pleased to meet you" followed by,
"You have great hair" - as she positions her elbow on the counter and her closed hand on her chin.
This woman did not rest her head on her hand because she was tired or bored (although it can indeed indicate these emotional states when clustered with other signals). She was simultaneously projecting a sincere smile and paid Mr. Radcliffe an enthusiastic compliment.
This is a version of a "Facial Platter". She was smitten (do you see her blushing as well?) and was outright flirting with the boy from 4 Privet Drive.
After realizing the identity of the receptionist, this gentleman suddenly turned away his head/neck along with a partial turn of his torso.
This was an example of a signal of emotional processing. His body language is saying, "My intellect knows this is Daniel Radcliffe, but emotionally I can't quite believe he's sitting here.
Another and much more common body language example of emotional processing is seen a few seconds later at 1:05 - with a display of mouth-nose covering (variations may occur such as only mouth covering, whole face covering, bilateral eye covering, etc.). There is considerable blushing on this woman's face. Without a doubt her sincerity and empathy are higher compared with most people. Moreover we can state with a high degree of confidence she cries more than most others during sad movies, she is NOT an only child and she loves animals (very probably she's a dog-lover).
This is a second and more typical example of a "facial platter". She too is flirting - but this is happening after this woman has had a bit longer to acclimate to the presence of a celebrity. She is more relaxed than the similar body language of the woman shown above - yet of course not completely so.
This woman (Serena) did not recognize Daniel. In trying to fulfill his receptionist duties, he stands up and calls for Lauren's assistance. When Mr. Radcliffe then asks Serena her name - he displays a "Pseudoprayer" gesture. This illustrator is a form of pointing and should almost never be used. More specifically for it projects a patronizing emotional tone (Although here Radcliffe uses it very briefly so its effect is minimized [typically it is displayed for longer durations]. In addition, his other nonverbal signs and his vocal qualities are not as harsh). Collectively this cluster of behavior signals to us that Daniel was either in somewhat of a panic - and while not yet losing his cool - or for a second, he was slipping into an emotional tone consistent with, "I'm an alpha and you're a beta".
Another man (singer Joe Jonas) walks in and says he's got a meeting with Marissa. During 3:27 - 3:29 he says, "... I'm runnin' late anyway, so I guess it's technically my fault."
What key nonverbal is seen just after he says, "fault"?
In this instant (3:37) Radcliffe the receptionist walks away from his desk as he attempts to find Marissa.
Although this view is a magnified and of low resolution view, we can clearly see tension in his mustache area as well as flaring of his nostrils (nostril) and a jaw jut. Daniel is angry in this moment.
Just after this Joe Jonas says, "This new guy sucks" - we see him display a classic "Tongue in Cheek" nonverbal (3:40). The tongue in cheek can have several meanings depending on the other signals with which it is clustered - deception, alpha dominance, sexual provocativeness, anger, sadness, grief, or I got you/I just won.
Which of these emotional contexts apply here? What other nonverbal signals help differentiate the meaning of this tongue in cheek display? Was Joe Jonas participating in a prank or was his appointment with Marissa a true one? Did Daniel Radcliffe know this was Joe Jonas?
Sheryl Sandberg is the COO of Facebook and one of the most highly respected, successful and accomplished leaders in business today. She was interviewed by Norah O'Donnell in an episode of "60 Minutes" which aired yesterday. Ms. Sandberg's over-all nonverbal impression is one consistent with a high "sincerity quotient". If you were in conducting voir dire - you would want her on your jury.
Here Ms. Sandberg is captured in the middle of a Rationalization Rapport Empathy Expression (R2E2). This nonverbal occurs from 3:16 - 3:17 and again at 3:20 - 3:21. The R2E2 can look virtually identical to disgust-contempt nonverbal displays (however the emotion/thoughts being experienced are very different) - particularly to beginners and when captured in a still image - so it's best to view in the dynamics of a video (therefor in a photo it is not the most flattering face - my apologies Ms. Sandberg). The R2E2 is highly context-related and is used during speech when the speaker is trying to rationalize and/or wants the listener to co-rationalize with their action, behavior, opinion, etc. Rapport and empathy are also being sought - thus its lengthy name. This particular configuration is a body language "cluster" of all of several emotions being displayed simultaneously. Like all nonverbal communication - over 99% of the time it's initiated from our subconscious. We all will use the R2E2. One place it's seen extremely commonly is in a sales situation. Ten minutes with a real estate agent and you will see it many times. Like all body language - beware when you see it too often. Here, Sheryl Sandberg (for a few seconds) is role-playing two similar scenarios where she feels that professional women sell themselves (and their futures) short.
There often is an accompanying higher frequency shift in the voice during the Rationalization Rapport Empathy Expression as well as false/forced laughter and a leaning forward. Sometimes there is a touching of the person who is being spoken to - or an abbreviated gesture of reaching toward them. These additional actions serve as amplifiers and anchors in the effort to gain rapport/empathy/co-rationalization. Again, here Ms. Sandberg temporarily plays the role of those who are trying to convince themselves and others.
The presence of the R2E2 is a signal that the speaker believes that you (or they or both) are not necessarily fully convinced of their idea, plan, actions, etc.
Mark Zuckerberg (Chairman, CEO and co-founder of Facebook) is not interviewed in this 60 Minutes segment - but he does appear on camera for brief segments. This image is from 5:39 and Mr. Zuckerberg is viewed from his right side from a distance. Take note of his eyebrows. They are in a normal resting position.
This image, taken less than one second after the above image, shows Mr. Zuckerberg in the midst of an "eyebrow flash". Although not always present, this often occurs just prior to a verbal greeting-sincere smile (which is just beginning here) and are very brief in duration and is one (of many) examples of a microexpression.
The eyebrow flash is a strong signal of sincerity. People who display it are also typically in a relatively non-stressed emotional tone. When the eyebrow flash does not appear an instant prior to a smile-greeting, (opposite of what is exampled here) - those being greeted will feel less sincere feelings towards their greeter, they will not trust the smile (and the person) as much with less rapport engendered. Thus the lack of an initial eyebrow flash is one signal of an insincere smile (aka false smile or social smile).
Here Mr. Zuckerberg verbalizes a greeting with a co-existing smile (at second later at 5:40). Note his partial closure of his eyelids - a requirement for a sincere smile (aka Duchenne Smile).
This was a great interview - and from a body language perspective - it was packed full of many examples. These were but two short moments - yet them were two very crucial nonverbal signals.
In this video, PresidentBarack Obama responds to a question regarding criticism by Mitt Romney. Barack Obama, in general, has good nonverbal skills - particularly when it comes to his hands. Note during the 0:19 - 0:24 segment, when the former IllinoisSenator interlaces his fingers, leans towards (a' la male-schoolmarm) the person who presumably asked the question, with a bilateral eyebrow flash, then a (right) unilateralraised eyebrow with right-sided forehead contraction (incredulity) and then slightly (passively) closes his eyelids. This body language cluster is highly consistent with patronizing and condescending emotions directed towards Mitt Romney - for whom the questioner is a momentary surrogate.
This is a fantastic photo to analyze for Body Language nuance. It was taken in the wake of the Hurricane KatrinaRecovery in 2005 at the Houston Astrodome. In the foreground is the Former U.S. President Bill Clinton. He's a master at making you believe - that for a moment, you and he are the only two people in the World. This is the essence of rapport. Here, he's making this injured victim of the storm feel very important by physically coming down to her level (ergo elevating her status) - very few adults would ever do this, especially someone of such stature. He faces this lady squarely with his feet, hips, chest and face pointed directly at her. [If he stayed and had a conversation, it would be paramount that after the initial introduction (approximately 10 seconds +/-) to turn his body at about a 30 degree angle to hers - otherwise this directly facing nonverbal will send confrontational signals]. Note his vertical hand orientation. Many alpha males automatically position their hand on top. Not Bill. He's a senior statesman and has been a two term president - he doesn't need to send dominance signals. He wants to make her feel like an equal - so he shakes her hand as one should with a peer. Mr. Clinton also has a sincere smile - no bottom teeth showing, not over dramatic and his eyes partially closed - all signs of sincerity. The greeting/introduction/handshake presents us with a rare exception for what is considered a sincere smile. Outside of the context of a greeting, a smile is insincere when the forehead and eyebrows are elevated - but not in this context. Indeed it's the complete opposite. This brief "eyebrow flash" with a concomitant forehead contraction is a strong signal of sincere emotions in this rare nonverbal exception. Moreover, those who don't display this particular body language signal in this setting are also considered less trustworthy, less approachable and less friendly. Regardless of your political ideology - it is obvious that Bill Clinton truly likes people. We all should endeavor to make it so obvious.
A noticeably younger, then Senator Barack Obama stands in the background holding President Clinton's coat.
Both the jacketed woman to Clinton's back-right and the man to his left are secret service agents. Note their eyes are open wider than normal resting eyes. I call this "White and Wide" - and in this context it's a signal of their increased adrenaline state in an area that is relatively insecure. They are "on alert". Normally the "fig-leaf" stance with the hands clasped in the front of the waist or groin is a lower confidence pose (see: Negotiation Secret # 593: Projecting and Detecting Confidence) - however this is another unusual example of a "body language exception to the rule". Law enforcement officers are often taught to stand this way so as to access their firearms more quickly. This position also gives them better use of their hands and arms in the event of an attack. An interesting additional sign is that the male secret service agent's thumbs are pointed up - a high confidence signal (this would be fairly unusual for an unarmed, non-law enforcement person to adopt such a pose along with the normally low confidence "fig leaf"). Both agents are also standing in the very alpha and confident feet apart manner.
At 4:33, Donald Trump Jr. - (to the candidates right) quickly raises his eyebrows (an eyebrow flash) while simultaneous displaying a prolonged blink. This nonverbal cluster indicates a Condescending Disagreement with a component of Surprise. 
