Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3788: President Obama's Press Conference - "Not much happens in Russia without Vladimir Putin" - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Earlier today President Obama gave his last press conference of the year (and the longest of his presidency). Not surprisingly, a good share of the questions revolved around the subject of the US Presidential Election, Russian hacking and Vladimir Putin.

One particular high point of the conference and it's accompanying set of body language behaviors is highlighted here.

Beginning at 58:25, President Obama says, "... But I'd, I make a larger point which is - Not much happens in Russia without Vladimir Putin ....". Just after saying this, during 58:31 Barack Obama displays a bilateral "Eyebrow Shrug" along with a bilateral "Thumb Shrug". Notice his shoulders barely moved - but this is none-the-less a shrug. Both of his thumbs point upward along with an elevation of his eyebrows and an upward contraction of his forehead muscles. He also extends his neck forward while turning it slightly to his left - as well as displaying an extended blink (a form of a pseudo-blink).

President Obama repeats this display again during 58:34 - only this time he rotates his head to his right and pseudo-blink display is partial.

This nonverbal cluster is a classic display indicating the thought-emotion: "Isn't it obvious?" / "Isn't it common knowledge?" / "What other conclusion is possible?".


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3787: Meghan Markle's Body Language - and some Ramifications for Prince Harry 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3785: Hailee Steinfeld and Woody Harrelson "Edge of Seventeen" - Behavioral Contagions, Mirroring and Laughing 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3783: John McCain on CIA's assessment of Russia's Tampering in US Presidential Election 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3742: Evan McMullin, Donald Trump and Winning Utah 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3716: Fatherhood, Body Language, Emotional Intelligence and Ashton Kutcher's Pants 

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3668: Donald Trump, Nigel Farage and The Brexit

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3609: Emma Watson, Tina Turner, Ring Tones and Body Language


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3447: Chris Pine, "The Finest Hours" and Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Chris Pine was a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live earlier today to promote his most recent film, The Finest Hours - which will be released this Friday. And let the body language begin ...

During 0:52 seconds (above) and to a lesser extent at the 0:54 second mark (below) in the interview, Pine can be seen displaying an oft overlooked nonverbal - the "Shrug" - which does not involve the shoulders.

Although a shrug most often is associated with the shoulders - here Mr. Pine displays a "Thumb Shrug" with a simultaneous and minor eyebrow shrug/forehead shrug component. There is also a mild nasal flaring occurring in this moment. In these examples Pine's thumb/nasal-flare/eyebrow/forehead shrug indicates, "What Choice did we have?" or "What could I do?" (e.g., It's a film about a Coast Guard rescue, what could I do? Of course we were going to get wet!).

What other areas of the body besides the shoulders, thumbs, nostrils, forehead and eye brows can manifest a shrug? Depending on the other nonverbal signals with which it is clustered, what are some other meanings of a shrug?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3446: Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3432: Leonardo DiCaprio reacts to Lady Gaga at Golden Globe Awards 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3435: US Sailor captain Apologizes to Iran

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3046: Chris Pine Dials Up His Alpha - "Into the Woods"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3023: High Heels and Their Ability to Influencing Men's Decision Making 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3409: Debbie Wasserman Schultz's Reaction to Bernie Sander's Criticism of the DNC

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3272: Donald Trump, Megyn Kelly, Deception and Misogyny

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3429: Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward met with Ammon Bundy - Body Language Tells


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