Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2670: Janet Yellen Confirmed by Senate for Federal Reserve Chair - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Today Janet Yellen was confirmed by the United States Senate for the Chair of the Federal Reserve Bank. Yellen is the first woman to hold this position. She will begin her term on 1 February 2014.

You may have noticed that Ms. Yellen speaks with a considerably asymmetric mouth configuration. This is her "norm" - for she does so nearly constantly. What are nonverbal considerations when asymmetrical speaking is observed?

1. Normal for that person: As mentioned above, this is normal for Yellen and although not "rare" it is fairly uncommon. Care must be taken to not mistake this, in a quick observation, for other causes.

2. Contempt: Contempt has a snarl look to it. One side of mouth moves in a primarily upward vector. Also seen is a dilated (or flared) nostril on that same side - along with a tightening of the "mustache area". Contempt tends to occur in bursts or even microexpressions although episodes may certainly last longer.

3. Regret: Often mistaken for contempt, yet this has a more directly lateral configuration/movement to one corner of the mouth.

4. Insincerity: Sometimes insincerity shows itself with (among a great many other body language findings) by a speaking out of one side of the mouth. This is a common phenomenon.

5. Swagger: A nonverbal swagger sometimes will be manifested by an asymmetrical speaking pattern. These events also tend to occur over a relatively short duration - but not usually as brief as a microexpression.

Note these causes are not listed in any particular order.

Knowing how to differentiate these nonverbal facial signals in everyday life - in real time - is a crucial skill for which there is no substitute. Do you know the differences?

Good Luck Janet Yellen.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2651: Peyton Manning sets a Single Season Touchdown Record - Body Language at Press Conference

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2509:  Syria's U.N. Ambassador Bashar Al'Afari Defends al Assad  Body Language of Insincerity, Contempt and ...

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2356:  Michelle Obama's "as a Busy Single Mother" comment -  What her Body Language Tells Us

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2669: Sara Bareilles and the Body Language of the Rationalization Rapport Empathy Expression

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2312:  Bruce Willis' Body Language -  Contempt vs. Suppressed Smile vs.  Pseudo Smile vs. Sincere Smile

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2586: Harrison Ford in "Ender's Game" - Microexpression and Macroexpression of Regret - Harrison's Brand and the Stanislavski Method

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2420:  Susan Rice's Speech as incoming National Security Advisor But What is Barack Thinking?

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2553: Janet Yellen, Ben Bernanke and Barack Obama - What their Body Language Tells Us of their Emotions (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Here Ben Bernanke is seen with a classic horizontally straight and thin-lipped configuration of anger (at 1:37, just after President Obama says, "...and one of the most important contributors to this whole process ah has been the federal reserve under the strong leadership of Ben Bernanke. For nearly eight years ah Ben has led the Fed through some of the most daunting economic challenges in our life time...").


Note this facial expression is accompanied by extended blinking wherein the psyche is very briefly trying to suppress and forget the source of anger.

This asymmetric expression has a frown of bitterness on Bernanke's left while a weak false smile is exhibited on his right. This nonverbal signal indicates regret. Body language rookies will often falsely interpret this as contempt (What are the primary differences between these two expressions?) This is seen at 2:15 - 2:17, just after Barack Obama says, "... I want you to know Ben that I am personally very grateful to you  ..."

Janet Yellen, understandably is in a state of heightened adrenaline. She has just been nominated for the Federal Reserve Chair - and she is the first woman for this position. She indeed will be one of the most powerful women in the World.

Throughout her speaking segment, we see fear manifested through significantly bilaterally elevated upper eyelids (What other emotions might some mistake with this finding?). You would be well advised to begin watching carefully the position of others' upper eyelids. Astute observations of these specific organelles are one of the most telling areas of the entire human body.

What other significant nonverbal tells of Ms. Yellen's raises your attention?

See also:

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication # Analysis 1492:  Ben Bernanke's Duping Delight &  Partial Emblematic Slip

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2505:  Marine Jesse Cottle and Wife Kelly  Body Language Expression of Regret and Sincere Smiles

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2408:  Sen. Kelly Ayotte's Anxiety & Regret via  Senators Graham & McCain -  Republican Body Language in Response to  President Obama's National Defense University Speech

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2323:  Jodi Arias Murder Trial  The Body Language of Unilateral Regret vs. Contempt

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2485:  Barack Obama on Next Federal Reserve Chairman -  Anger, Disgust, Regret and Contempt 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2525:  President Obama's Anger in Response to Republicans'  Threat to Shut Down Government & Possibly Default on Debt  In Efforts to Appeal Obamacare 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2371:  Barack Obama & Anger in the Rose Garden -  POTUS's Body Language & the Gun Laws 
 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2485: Barack Obama on Next Federal Reserve Chairman - Anger, Disgust, Regret and Contempt (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

In today's press conference President Barack Obama was asked about the next chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank. He displayed a rapid succession of several body language tells which are analyzed in the ensuing images.

Here Major Garrett asks President Obama, "....I'd like to ask you about this debate that's playing out on the editorial pages, the blogosphere, even on the Senate Democratic Caucus - about the choice you eventually will make with the next Federal Reserve Chairman...." Just as Garrett says "Chairman" (at 0:14) we can see Obama's eyebrows pull slightly together. In the seconds just before and after that, the President's blinking - which is already occurring at an increased rate - becomes slightly longer in duration. Together with his slight head tilted back position this nonverbal cluster consistent with but not (yet) definitive with a slight degree anger.

Garrett continues (unbroken), "...There is a perception er, among democrats that Larry Summers has the inside track and ...."

During the 0:21 - 0:23 (Just as Garrett says, "...track ...") segment we can see the parallel lines between the President's eyebrow slightly deepen and become more defined. His eyebrows also become lowered (Anger).

His nostrils become flared (although only his right one can be seen, there is no signal here of asymmetry in the President's face however). This component of his expression is indicative of Disgust (Contempt if it were unilateral).

The particular primarily laterally-vectored false smile (with thinned lips) exhibited in this moment is highly consistent with Bitterness-Regret.

While Obama continues to listen and hold in his partially digested emotions, Garrett finishes his question, "...Perhaps you've made some assurances about that. Janet Yellen is the Vice-Chair of the Federal Reserve. There are many women in the Senate that believe that breaking the glass ceiling - that would be historic and important."

President: "Right."

Garrett: "Are you annoyed by this sort of roiling debate? Do you find it unseemly? And do you believe this will be one of the, if not THE most important economic decisions you'll make in the remaining of your Presidency?"

Although this is a low resolution and not the best angle (0:34), we can see the upward-vectored component to his right cheek with a relative nostril dilation also on the right. Thus this expression of a false (insincere) smile is also mixed with some contempt.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Test No. 2465:  Barack Obama's Comments on  Trayvon Martin & George Zimmerman Body Language & Sincerity

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2156:  Barack Obama's Body Language at Al Smith Charity Dinner -  Comedy, White Lies and Facial Touching MAPs

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2407:  President Obama in Midst of Heckler -  A Subtle Sign of Significant Anger with  Emotional Dissonance

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2436:  Vladimir Putin next to Barack Obama -  G8 Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2371:  Barack Obama & Anger in the Rose Garden -  POTUS's Body Language & the Gun Laws

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2190:  President Obama's Body Language -  Press Conference 14 October 2012 -  Defense of Ambassador Susan Rice

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