Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2739: Barack Obama at DNC Speech - Quieting a Heckler (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

The above video shows Barack Obama in the recent (28 February 2014) Democratic National Committee event handling a heckler. The following is a partial analysis of the President's Body Language.

0:12 seconds

The President's Chin-up configuration is not that of arrogance (lacks other coexisting nonverbals) - rather it signals an acknowledgement of the heckler.

0:14 seconds

This is a melodramatic and feigned display of a "What the ____?" expression.

What are the clues that this nonverbal cluster is insincere?

0:16 seconds

This may look like contempt to some body language beginners. However it's not - rather it's mouth swagger; an expression of bravo.

0:18 seconds

The President tilts his head down and towards the heckler. This is a slightly subtle patronizing and reprimanding nonverbal.

0:19 seconds

This is a more dramatic progression of the cluster present in the image immediately above - patronizing and reprimanding times two. (0:18)

0:24 seconds

The President is displaying a very brief "Tongue in Cheek" expression.

In this cluster-context, this tongue in cheek indicates "I gotcha" or "I just won".

Like all body langauge, the meaning can completely change depending on the other nonverbals with which it is clustered. Though none of the following emotions are present in this moment, the tongue in cheek can also indicate a projection of sexuality, sadness/grief, anger or even deception. Can you differentiate these from each other?

0:27 seconds

This is "False Disgust" - but how can you tell this emotion is being insincerely projected?

0:29 seconds (and following moments)

The President has all the components of a sincere smile of joy-happiness (Duchenne Smile). 

0:36 seconds

The President bites his bottom lip as his psyche tries to prevent his smile from escalating to laughter.

Barack Obama has won his dual with the heckler - and more importantly he's used it to help win over the crowd - and he knows it.






See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2665: Nick Saban's "Tongue in Cheek" Body Language - What Does It Mean?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2434:  Brad Pitt's Tongue-in-Cheek regarding  Reasons for Choosing to Work on "World War Z"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2738: LeBron James - Black Mask vs. Clear Mask, Body Language of Trust

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2379:  Bill Clinton's Speech at the  George W. Bush Presidential Library Opening  Body Language of Former and Current President

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1918:  Vladimir Putin - Pointing with Pen Surrogates  Sharp vs. Blunt 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2727: "I am a Ukrainian" Video - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2698: Lupita Nyong'o on Jimmy Fallon - an Underused Body Language Display 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2724: Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan Twenty Years Later (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Twenty years after the assault which nearly took Nancy Kerrigan out of the 1994 Lillehammer (Norway) Olympics and probably/possibly contributed to her not getting a Gold Medal in Women's Figure skating, Tonya Harding and Kerrigan have given an interview with NBC's Mary Carillo. What follows is a partial body language analysis. 

Note: The original video has, since the original post, been removed from its online source. The images below however, were captured from this video.

At 0:45, just after Harding Says, "Which day is that?", She shows a clear fear expression in her eyes.













At 0:51, in an expression which some will falsely label as contempt, this expression is consistent with a form of Bravado and is termed "Mouth Swagger". In this context it indicates it insincerity. 

Index finger pointing sweep by Harding is similar to a finger-point hand chop and is consistent with deception.

This moment shows Harding displaying a "Mouth of Fear" as well as some eye expression of fear (as she exaggeratingly says "... sleeping ..." (0:59).

More finger-pointing consistent with deception signals as well as continued eyes of fear.

Immediately after Harding's explanation of where she was and what she was doing when she found out about the assault on Kerrigan, she displays arrogance and contempt.

Twenty years later, Nancy Kerrigan is still angry. Her "Jaw Jut" at 1:49, is a strong nonverbal indicator that she is still re-living this anger.

Back in 1994, Harding was interviewed in the days just after the assault. In this image, she displays a partial smile (Duping Delight).

This body language is highly out of context for the emotions she should be feeling if innocent and/or if she had no pre-knowledge of the assault. It can also indicate narcissism and a thus a very low empathy quotient.

A moment later, Harding displays a full and sincere smile. In the emotional scenarios of empathy, sympathy, a desire to protect herself or the seeking justice - a smile is highly out of context.

Harding is even blushing in this moment.

This nonverbal cluster is highly consistent with a very low empathy quotient, deception or narcissism.



See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2322:  Jeb Bush & Matt Lauer - Which one is the Narcissist?  Body Language Red Flags

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 341:  Narcissism, Parking and Cell Phones

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2512:  Matthew Cordle's YouTube Confession  and the Death of Vincent Canzani  "I Killed a Man" - What His Body Language Tells Us ...  It's NOT what you think!

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2242:  Rihanna & Chris Brown at Lakers Game  Body Language of Dominance, "Ownership",  Narcissism and Submission

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2400:  One Way Deception Could be Minimized in the Court Room -  O.J. Simpson's in Court

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2723: Bode Miller's Interview after His Super G Bronze at Sochi - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1907:  Governor Rick Scott tells a Lie
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